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

8,221 – 13,295

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 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,905
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,183 – 29,762
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,221 – 13,295
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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8863 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

22 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4344

Location

القلعجية, Al Qal’ajiya, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported the death of one child and the injury of his brother in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Qal’ajiya. According to Shahba Press, “A civilian youth was martyred and his brother was injured as a result of air strikes on the village of Al Qal’ajiya in the southern countryside of Aleppo, Thursday…

Summary

Published
22 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4345

Location

الحميرة, Al Humaira, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian died and two or three more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Humaira, according to local media. The Step News Agency and other local sources reported one civilian killed and the injury of three more; they all blamed “Russian airstrikes”. But Smart said that regime artillery…

Summary

Published
22 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4339

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz on January 21, 2020. Shahba Press reported: "Civilians were injured after raids by Russian occupation planes on the southern city of Maarat al-Numan in the southern Idlib countryside and the town of Taftanaz in the northern countryside". No other…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4340

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and four to six others were injured (two children and two women) in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with rockets on Al Bara in Idlib on January 21st, 2020. SMART said warplanes fired vacuum missiles. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “At least two civilians were killed…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4341

Location

معردبسة, Ma’ar Dibsa, Idlib, Syria
Between four and 11 civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in  alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Ma’ar Dibsa, according to local media. There were also reports that between five and nine combatants died. Live ua reported: “Four civilians were killed and others wounded as a result of air strikes on the…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4326

Location

كفرتعال, Kafar Ta’al, Aleppo, Syria
Nine civilians including a whole family of six children and their parents, in addition to another man were reported killed, and nine others reported injured when Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted Kafr Ta’al village in Western Aleppo countryside on January 21st, 2020 according to local sources. One of the victims identified is Mustafa Jdou’e,…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident