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
15 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4303

Location

السوق الشعبي, Local market, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that between seven and 22 civilians including a child and a volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) were killed, and between 50 and 80 were injured, with most of them in critical conditions, when allegedly Russian forces or Syrian regime forces allegedly targeted with airstrikes the busy local market (Souq…

Summary

Published
15 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–22
Civilians reported injured
50–80
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
15 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4304

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Seven civilians, including women and children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market place in the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020, according to local sources. Civilian homes and shops were severely damaged. @SyrianCoalition tweeted that Russia and the Assad regime did not abide by the…

Summary

Published
15 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
15 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4305

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria
On January 15th, 2020 several civilians were wounded in Maarat Numan following an alleged Russian bombing raid. Shaam News reported only that many civilians were wounded in the bombing raid but did not announce any deaths or a specific number of wounded. Local sources detailed the target as a residential neighborhood without military significance. AlarabyTV…

Summary

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

Incident Code

TS406

Location

باشمرة, Bashmara, Aleppo, Syria
A woman was reportedly injured in Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Bashmara, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020, according to ANF News. Two soldiers of the Syrian regime were killed. North Press Agency Syria reported that "the Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition groups bombed with about 15 shells on Saturday morning…

Summary

Published
11 January 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
2
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident
11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4302

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
Between four and eight civilians, including up to four women and three children, were killed and 20 others were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on a popular market in Binnish on January 11, 2020. According to a tweet by @Homs19850111, 4 women and 3 children were killed and others were wounded as a…

Summary

Published
11 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4301

Location

شارع الأربعين, Al Arbaeen street, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
On January 11th 2020, at least seven civilians were killed and as many as forty wounded by alleged Russian or regime air strikes upon Al Arbaeen Street in Idlib City. Many women and children were among the dead and wounded. The numbers of dead and wounded varied between sources. Initial local reports stated that seven…

Summary

Published
11 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
39–40
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident