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
7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4246

Location

عدة بلدات, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News reported on December 7th, 2019 that "dozens of people were wounded in the cities and towns and villages of Kafr Nabl, Ahsam, Hazaran, Hass, Khirbet Bernan, Farwan, Al Halba, Halah, Barasah, Sheikh Idris, Abilene, Kafr Sijnah, Balshron, Kafrouma, لآarisa, Rayan, Maarizita and Al Bureij And Urma Al Jouz and Kafr Takharim , Al…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
5–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4236

Location

بلدة البارة, Al Barah, Idlib, Syria
At least four civilians, including one child and two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes that coincided with Syrian regime artillery strikes in the city centre of Al Barah on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Step News Agency reported that Russian raids targeted the main street…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4234

Location

حنتوتين, Hantouten, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes with barrel bombs on the town of Hantouten on December 4, 2019. According to @ZaitunAgency, civilians were wounded when regime helicopters bombed the town of Hantouten with barrel bombs. @MasarPressNet also reported on civilians being injured but did not specify how many.…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4225

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafrsijna, Idlib, Syria
As many as four civilians, including three men and one child, were killed and between two to three civilians, including three men, were injured in a series of alleged Russian airstrikes that targeted the village of Kafrsijna, Idlib governorate, on December 4th 2019, according to local sources. A Syrian Civil Defence (SCD) volunteer told Smart…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4226

Location

النهر الأبيض, Nahr Abyad, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib governorate, on December 4th, 2019, according to sources. Shaam News Network reported that "activists said that heavy airstrikes by Russian warplanes targeted the Nahr Abyad area in the Jisr al-Shughur area, leaving wounded civilians".…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4227

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians, including two children and one teacher, were killed, and up to 11 civilians, including four children and women, were injured in a series of alleged airstrikes carried out by either the Syrian or Russian airforce which targeted the city of Saraqib on December 4th, 2019. The strikes hit residential areas…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident