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

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8863 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4235

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Dozens of civilians, including children and women, were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns in Idlib governorate on December 4th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network. The Shaam News Network reported that the "very violent air raids" targeted locations south of the international M4-line in the southern countryside of Idlib,…

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

RS1738

Location

حريتان , Hraitan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One girl died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hraitan, according to local media. Halab Today reported "the martyrdom of the girl Yasmine Shaheen and the injury of five civilians, mostly children, as a result of Russian air strikes on the city of Hreitan in the northern countryside of Aleppo". The victim was also named…

Summary

Published
4 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident
3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4219

Location

محمبل, Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
One man was killed and others injured, including a child, after an alleged airstrike by the Syrian government or Russian military in the village of Mhambel, in the western Idlib countryside on December 3rd 2021, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: "Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped barrel bombs near Ali…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4220

Location

كفروما, Kafarrouma, Syria
Three civilians, including one man, were reportedly injured in an alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafarrouma, Idlib governorate, on December 3rd 2019, according to local sources. @Step_Agency said helicopters used barrel bombs to target the center of Kafarrouma, injuring three civilians. Wasim Alkhalaf said helicopters initially targeted the village at…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4221

Location

كفرشلايا, Kafar Shlaya, Idlib, Syria
A child was injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian air- and artillery strikes on a mosque in the village of Kafar Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 3rd, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes amid artillery and rocket shelling” on dozens of cities…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4222

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Russian and Syrian warplanes launched dozens of alleged air and artillery strikes on cities and villages across Idlib governorate on December 4th 2019, according to Shaam News Network. The Shaam News Network wrote that the airstrikes "targeted the perimeter of the city of Maarat al-Numan, cities and towns of Kafranbel, Hish, Qatra, Ras al-Ward, Hass,…

Summary

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