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
28 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4291

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Russian warplanes launched substantial attacks upon various villages outside of Idlib on December 28th causing numerous civilian casualties. Shaam News, reporting on December 29th, stated that civilian casualties resulted from Russian airstrikes upon many villages, including Mhambel and Sarja.  No names, ages, or other pertinent information was released. The air raids were part of a…

Summary

Published
28 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
28 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4293

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians were killed and up to four civilians were wounded in initial reports about a Russian bombing raid upon the village of Maarat Numan on December 30th. Local sources reported that Russian helicopters dropped barrel bombs, and there were early reports of four wounded civilians, the death of a child, and the…

Summary

Published
30 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
28 December 2019

Incident Code

YS082

Location

عون الدادات , Aoun Al Dadat, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that a sniper on a checkpoint belonging to SDF/YPG shot dead a civilian in Aoun al Dadat village in Manbej, Aleppo on December 28th, 2019. Shaam Netowk reported that "Mohamed Sheikho Al-Hamloush, known as 'Abu Al-Miz', from Aoun Al-Dadat village, was transporting a passenger by his motorcycle to the village separating between …

Summary

Published
28 December 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
YPG
View Incident
25 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1942

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Around ten people were killed and an unknown number wounded in alleged Coalition artillery strikes that reportedly targeted Iranian and Lebanese militias in the city of Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, on December 25th, 2019, according to local sources. It is unclear if those killed were civilians or belligerents. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
25 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military actors reported killed
7–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
24 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4289

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
An elderly woman was reported injured along with at least one other civilian after an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike on Saraqeb in Idlib, Syria on December 24th 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: ""An elderly woman was wounded in a bombing by the  Syrian regime on…

Summary

Published
24 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
24 December 2019

Incident Code

TS403

Location

زونار, Zunnar, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was reported injured in alleged Turkish or Turkish-backed shelling on Zunnar village of Ain Issa, Raqqa on December 24th, 2019 according to local sources. ANHA reported that the Turkish attack directly targeted civilian areas. Other sources blamed Turkish backed mercenaries. @Karl_hakon reported that "Turkish-backed mercenaries targeted civilian areas in the Ain Issa countryside…

Summary

Published
24 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident