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

Search

8863 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date
9 December 2019

Incident Code

TS400

Location

Tal al-Ward, Tal Tamr, Al Hassakah, Syria
Rojava Information Centre tweeted: "...On 9th December Turkish proxy forces attacked the surroundings of Zirgan (Abu Rasin) town with mortar and heavy weapons. One villager was killed in Tal al-ward". No further details are currently available,.

Summary

Published
9 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military
View Incident
9 December 2019

Incident Code

YS081

Location

Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
Several civilians were reportedly wounded in an alleged YPH artillery shelling of Afrin, according to multiple local sources.

Summary

Published
9 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
YPG
View Incident
7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4237

Location

إبديتا, Abdita, Idlib, Syria
As many as seven civilians, including a woman, five children and a man, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Abdita, Idlib governate on December 7th 2019, according to local media. Three sources said a child, Abdullah Al-Zaidan, died from wounds he sustained in the strike. The Syrian Human…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4238

Location

بجغاص , Bajghas, Idlib, Syria
One child was killed and an unspecified number of civilians were injured in an alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrike on the village of Bajghas, Idlib governate on December 7 th 2019, local media reported. Several sources said Youssef Hajj Jassem, 13, was killed in the strike. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: "The…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4239

Location

بلدة بليون, Balyoun, Idlib, Syria
Between four and 11 civilians, including women and children, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market place in Balyoun village, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Around fourteen more non-combatants were injured. There are many conflicting reports about the number of civilian casualties. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–11
Civilians reported injured
13–14
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4240

Location

تلمنس, Talmans village, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians, one man, one woman and a child, were killed and as many as 14 others, including three women and a child, were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on a marketplace in the village of Talmans, Idlib Governate on December 7th, 2019 local media reported. According to…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
4–14
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident