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
19 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4269

Location

تل مرديخ, Tal Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians were reportedly killed, among them a mother and her two children, and up to seventeen civilians, including seven children and seven women, were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on the down of Tal Mardikh, Idlib governorate, on December 19th, 2019. Many injured remained in critical condition. The LCCSY reported five…

Summary

Published
19 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
12–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4268

Location

الغدفة, Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
One man was reportedly injured and died as a result of his injuries in the aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Ghadafa, southeastern Idlib, on December 18, 2019, during daytime. The man was identified by several sources as Abdel Qader Al Khaled. He was injured during the airstrike and was first transferred…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4263

Location

معرشمارين, Ma'ar Shimmareen, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was reportedly killed and others wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma'ar Shimmareen, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News Agency has put the death toll at six killed people, but it is unclear if the victims were civilians or…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4264

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Four men were killed in allegedly Russian and Syrian regime air- and artillery strikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. The four male victims were identified as Muhammad Ziyad Al Abd, Abd Al Razzaq, Yaman Serjawi and Fares Ahmad Al Salloum. The Syrian Civil…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4265

Location

خان السبل, Khan As Subul, Idlib, Syria
One man was reportedly killed and at least three civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Khan As Subul, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. A number of sources, among them Facebook user Mohammad Alsafar, identified the victim as Atta Muhammad al-Hamdun. @oulaalassaad…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4266

Location

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), one civilian was killed in Russian bombardment of Deir Sharqi village in Idlib, Syria on December 18th, 2019. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

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