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
20 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4275

Location

كوسنيا, Kosniya, Aleppo, Syria
Two or three civilians, including a woman, were reportedly injured in an alleged Russian  or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kosniya in Aleppo governorate on December 20th, 2019, according to local sources. Whereas SMART News Agency reported three wounded, including a woman, the Syrian Civil Defence reported that two civilians were injured. SMART reported that…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4270

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and at least five civilians were injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with high explosive missiles on the industrial area of the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib, on December 19th, 2019, according to local sources. The LCCSY reported four Russian airstrikes between 10:36 AM local…

Summary

Published
19 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
19 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4271

Location

ديرسنبل, Deir Sunbul, Idlib, Syria
A teacher and his wife were killed, and a number of civilians were wounded, in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Deir Sunbul, Idlib governorate, in the morning of December 19th, 2019, according to local sources. Some sources, among them Baldi News, reported initially that only one woman had been killed…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4272

Location

خان السبل, Khan As Subul, Idlib, Syria
A child was killed and at least four other civilians injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Khan As Subul in Idlib on December 19th, 2019 according to local sources. The child who lost his life was identified as Abdul Ghani Khaled al Ramadan. While the majority of sources reported the death of…

Summary

Published
19 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
4–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
19 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4273

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
At least two children, two women and one man were reportedly killed, and up to 30 other civilians injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces artillery or airstrikes on Ma'aret al-Nu'man in Idlib in the evening of December 19th, 2019, according to local sources. Two other civilians reportedly died from their injuries caused by…

Summary

Published
19 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
26–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
19 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4274

Location

الواقعة بين قرية الهلبة ومعر شمارين, area between al Hlubba village and Ma’ar Shamarin, Idlib, Syria
A least one civilian, a journalist, was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the area between al Hlubba village and Ma’ar Shamarin on December 19, 2019. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Milad Ahmad al Fares, from al Hlubba village in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike…

Summary

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