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
22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4285

Location

الطريق الزراعي الواصل بين الدانا و ترمانين, The agricultural road between Al Dana and Termanin, Syria
One civilian was reported killed on the agricultural road linking Termanin to Dana in Idlib, Syria on December 22nd, 2019 when Russian or Syrian regime warplanes attacked the area, according to Shaam Network. No other sources were found on this incident.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4286

Location

عدة بلدات, Many towns, Idlib, Syria
According to Shaam network, "Russian and Asadi warplanes launched violent airstrikes, accompanied with intense artillery and missile shelling targeting the cities and towns of Maarat al-Numan, Saraqib, Kafrnbel, Talmans, Babila, Jarajnaz, al-Ghadfa, Khan al-Sabil, Ma`radbis, al-Kinda, al-Najiya, al-Dir al-Gharb ومع, Mar`dbasa, Tal Mordikh and al-Ma`shurain, which resulted in the fall of 4 martyrs". No more…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4282

Location

خان السبيل, Khan Al Sabil, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians were injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on vehicles of displaced civilians on the international highway near the town of Khan al Sabil, Idlib governorate, on December 22nd, 2019, as reported by local sources. Local tweets included video of the bombing raid that injured the three civilians and…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
21–22 December, 2019

Incident Code

ISSY008

Location

المنطقة الواقعة بين سات زينب وعقربا, Area between Sat Zaynab and Aqraba, Rif Dimashq, Syria
At least three people were killed in alleged Israeli strikes between Sayyida Zainab and Aqraba on December 21-22, 2019. Sources are conflicted as to whether those killed were militants or civilians. Local sources reported that Israeli missiles - either launched from a ship in the Mediterranean or via an airstrike - landed on the Sayyeda Zainab…

Summary

Published
21 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Naval bombardment
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Military actors reported killed
0–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Israeli Military
View Incident
21 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4277

Location

سراقب , Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Seven or eight civilians, including four children and between one and three women, were reportedly killed and more than twenty civilians, including women and children, were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market in the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for…

Summary

Published
21 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
20–25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
21 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4278

Location

الدير شرقي, Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
At least two men and one woman were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Deir al Sharqi, Idlib governorate, on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that "a man, an elderly man and a woman" were…

Summary

Published
21 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