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
24 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4287

Location

جوباس, Joubas, Idlib, Syria
Between eight and 12 civilians including five children and two women were reported killed and seven others injured in Joubas, Idlib in Syria on December 24th, 2019 when Russian warplanes attacked a school building that is used as a shelter for displaced people in the village. A Syrian Civil Defence statement said that "Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
24 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
24 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4288

Location

كفروما, Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
At least one person died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafrouma in Idlib on December 24, 2019, according to local media. Local sources were conflicted as to whether the victims were civilians or militants. Sources reported that the Russian strikes targeted members of the Ahrar al-Sham movement. According to the Step News…

Summary

Published
24 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4281

Location

معرة النعمان , International road to Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Between four and seven civilians were killed as the result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on a convoy with displaced people on the international road to Ma'arat Al Numan on December 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. On December 28th, a local source reported that one of the victims died of his injuries…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4283

Location

تلمنس, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians, initially reported as three, were killed and others were wounded in the town of Tal Menes after warplanes fired missiles into the town on the 21st of December. A series of news outlets as well as the Idlib Civil Defense confirmed the deaths. Orient Net, Al-Muharrer Network, and Stab News with their reporter…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4284

Location

معصران, Masran, Idlib, Syria
Local sources confirmed the death of five siblings in the village of Maasran on December 22nd. Four individuals were wounded with one eventually dying to raise the total of civilian deaths to six. The names of victims were released and confirmed by Civil Defense Service in Idlib. The dead were identified as Muhammad Abdullah Al-Agha,…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
22 December 2019

Incident Code

R4036A

Location

الدير الشرقي, Al Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed by Russian forces and/or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi in Idlib, Syria on December 22nd, 2019. Shaam News was the only source to report on the incident, stating that three civilians had been killed by airstrikes and shelling launched by the Russian military and Syrian regime across…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident