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

Search

8863 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date
11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4300

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
Up to 10 civilians, including four children, were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Sarmin, Idlib governorate, on January 11th, 2020, according to local sources. Initial local sources reported many wounded civilians but no deaths. There were no names of the wounded immediately released and the numbers of wounded…

Summary

Published
11 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
7–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
9 January 2020

Incident Code

TS405

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria
One or two civilians were reported wounded when Turkish drones allegedly targeted an SDF Asayish (Kurdish Public Security Forces) checkpoint at the entrance of Ain Issa town, in Raqqa governorate of Syria, on January 9th, 2020. Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook Page said one of the civilians endured minor injuries. @SDF_Syria and @Karl_hakon said…

Summary

Published
9 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident
5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4295

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
In a major incident, 14 civilians including children and women were reported killed and between 23 and 30 injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the western neighborhood of Ariha city in Idlib, Syria on January 5th, 2020. Macro Media Center (MMC) reported that airstrikes were launched by a SU-24 warplane…

Summary

Published
5 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
23–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4296

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians, including a woman, were reported as killed and up to seven others, including two children and a woman, were wounded by Russian or regime forces in Saraqib on January 5th, 2020. Alarby News and the Idlib Civil Defense Media Center reported that seven civilians, including two children, were wounded in…

Summary

Published
5 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4297

Location

الزربة, Al Zurba, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was reported wounded as a result of Russian forces attack with rockets, or Syrian regime forces attack with machine guns on Al Zurba town in Aleppo, Syria, on January 5th, 2020, according to local sources. The Zurba Media office announced that Mahmoud Abdel Fattah Hammoud was wounded. The individual was an…

Summary

Published
5 January 2020
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4298

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were reported wounded in alleged shelling by Russian and Syrian regime aircraft on several towns in Idlib on January 5th, 2020, as reported by Shaam News Network. Shaam reported that the following cities and towns were targeted: Maarat Al Nu'man, Al Ghadfa, Ma'saran, Ma'arshamin, Benin, Marashamsha, Ma'shurin, Tilmans, Hantoutin, Deir Sunbul, Ihsim, Kafroumah, Khan Al…

Summary

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