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
17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4256

Location

تلمنس,, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
Between six to ten civilians, all belonging to one family, were reportedly killed in what local media described as "a massacre" in Tal Menes in Idlib, in the evening of December 17th, 2019. Among the casualties were reportedly three children and at least three women. Dozens more were reported wounded. The incident was referred to…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4257

Location

معصران, Ma’saran, Idlib, Syria
Four to seven people, including a woman, were reportedly killed and between ten and seventeen civilians, including two children, injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the village of Ma’saran in the afternoon of December 17th, 2019, according to local sources. The day was referred to as "Black Tuesday" by the…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
10–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4258

Location

بداما, Bidama, Idlib, Syria
Six civilians including three young girls, their mother and two women, all belonging to the same family, have been reportedly killed in alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian air or artillery strikes on Bidama in the western countryside of Idlib during the day on December 17, 2019. Local sources also claimed that in addition, a "large number"…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4247

Location

بنش,, Binnish town, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians, two children (siblings) and a woman, were killed and five family members, including a child and a woman, were injured in as many as six alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Binnish, Idlib Governorate on December 16th 2019, according to local media reports.…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4248

Location

معرشمارين, Ma’ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria
As many as five civilians, including two women and a child, were killed and dozens of civilians, mostly women and children, were injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’ar Shmareen, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to multiple sources. The names of those killed and injured indicate several…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
4–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4254

Location

بداما, Badama, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reportedly injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on the town of Badama, Idlib Governorate on December 16th 2019, according to local reports. @HalabTodayTV and @NagiNajjar reported that Syrian regime positions shelled the town and the area surrounding it. @HalabTodayTV said a civilian was injured as a result. An unnamed source…

Summary

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