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
3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4223

Location

البرسة, Al-Barsa, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the village of Al-Barsa on December 3, 2019. The correspondent for @HalabTodayT reported that a civilian was injured in the village of Al-Barsa in southeastern Idlib. A tweet from @MasarPressNet identified "injuries" as resulting from strikes but did not specify how many.…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4224

Location

أورم_الجوز, Urum Al Joz, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged regime or Russian strikes on the village of Urum Al Joz on December 3, 2019. According to @oulaalassaad, civilians were wounded when the regime dropped barrel bombs on the village of Urum Al Joz but did not specify how many civilians were involved. @la1mea and…

Summary

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

Incident Code

YS080

Location

اعزاز, Azaz, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, one woman was reported killed and 15 other civilians including 8 children and 2 women were injured in alleged YPG shelling on Azaz, Aleppo in Syria on December 3rd, 2019. The woman killed was identified as Zalikha Ahmed Kasaiba, 36 years old.

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
YPG
View Incident
3 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1939

Location

أطمة, Atma, Idlib, Syria
A militant leader, named as Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir, was killed when his vehicle was reportedly struck by the US-led Coalition, local sources said. Reports added that two of Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir's "companions" also died in the strike, though their combat status was unclear. A private source told Baladi News: "A reconnaissance plane ammunition by the…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4218

Location

قرية الشيخ أحمد, , Sheikh Ahmed village, south of Aleppo city, Aleppo, Syria
Three people including a child, a woman, and an elderly man, were injured following alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Sheikh Ahmed in the southern Aleppo countryside on the evening of December 3rd 2021, according to local reports. The description of the victims matched across several sources. The Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo said…

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS4211

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria
Up to 14 civilians including two women were reported killed and between 11 and 20 others including two children were injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike on a vegetables market, Souk Al-Hal, in Maarat Al Numan in Idlib, Syria on December 2nd, 2019 according to local sources.  Multiple sources indicated that…

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–14
Civilians reported injured
11–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident