U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

In 2014 a U.S.-led coalition began a campaign of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria – officially known as Operation Inherent Resolve – following the capture of large swathes of the countries by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). An intense air and ground campaign drove ISIS out of almost all territory by 2018 but resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from U.S.-led Coalition strikes and has conducted numerous major investigations and research papers on the topic.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

8,249 – 13,342

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S.-led Coalition. These originate from 3,003 separate alleged incidents.

1,728 – 2,371
children likely killed
1,127 – 1,468
women likely killed
5,930
likely injured
3,784
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,457

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 364 separate incidents of civilian harm.

411
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,217 – 29,816
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
3,003 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,249 – 13,342
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,553 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,397 – 2,821
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
435 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,877 – 12,576
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
783 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
694 – 1,077
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
232 seperate alleged incidents
2996 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

24–26 January, 2019

Incident Code

CS1892

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that a named child originally from the city of Mohsen, and named as Omar Basim al-Aliwi, died from wounds sustained "several days ago" in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Baghouz. Airwars has therefore placed the date range of this reported event as January 24th-26th. No other details are…

Summary

Published
24 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1890

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz: Sheikh Hamad neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that a Coalition airstrike struck a civilian vehicle moving out of ISIS controlled areas at the intersection of Sheikh Hamad on the outskirts of the town Al Baghouz, east of Deir Ezzor, shortly before midnight. The Coalition described an admission of six civilian deaths at Baghhouz on this date as "related incidents",…

Summary

Published
22 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1889a

Location

Ash Shajilah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians near Ash Shajilah, Syria. This was later confirmed to be a US-only civilian harm event. In its July 2019 civilian casualty report the Coalition noted the following: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians…

Summary

Published
20 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1888

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what was described as a "massacre", local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the town of Al-Baghouz Tahtani east of Deir Al-Zour, killing between 6 and 39 civilians including women and children. Most sources reported that the civilians were struck while fleeing areas under ISIS control. However one local source, who did…

Summary

Published
18 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15–39
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1887

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A house in the town of Al Soussa was struck by what sources described variously as a drone strike, airstrikes, artillery shelling, a rocket or a rocket-propelled grenade, killing two named brothers. Three of their other brothers were reported injured. Although one source implied the brothers were members of ISIS, this was not mentioned by…

Summary

Published
13 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1885

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike struck a field hospital in the outskirts of the town Al Soussa in the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor on the night between Thursday January 10th and Friday January 11th, killing more than 15 non-combatants including doctors and wounded patients being treated by ISIS on the site, according to reports. It is…

Summary

Published
10 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
1–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident