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

8,249 – 13,342

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 3,003 separate alleged incidents.

1,728 – 2,371
children likely killed
1,127 – 1,468
women likely killed
5,930
likely injured
3,784
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,457

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 364 separate incidents of civilian harm.

411
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,217 – 29,816
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
3,003 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,249 – 13,342
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,553 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,397 – 2,821
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
435 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,877 – 12,576
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
783 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
694 – 1,077
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
232 seperate alleged incidents
2996 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

23 December 2024

Incident Code

CS2005

Location

بين بقرص والزباري, Between Baqras and Al-Zebari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At midnight on 23 December 2024, at least one civilian was injured, and at least two men were killed, in a declared United States Central Command (CENTCOM) airstrike and/or drone strike on a vehicle on a side road between the villages of Baqras and al-Zebari in the Deir Ezzor countryside, Syria. CENTCOM released an official…

Summary

Published
23 July 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2024

Incident Code

CS2002

Location

مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
During the evening of October 14, 2024, alleged U.S. shelling in the north of Marat Town in Deir Ezzor, Syria injured at least six civilians, including a woman. The x/Twitter account of @baznewz reported that a number of civilians were injured by a shell fired by U.S. forces that were stationed in the Conoco gas…

Summary

Published
23 July 2025
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2024

Incident Code

CS2001

Location

قرية الهري, Al-Hari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On September 29, 2024, alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes in the town of al-Hari in the countryside of al-Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria injured at least five civilians, including three children and a woman. U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) in a post via X/Twitter stated that “U.S. Central Command Forces conducted two strikes in Syria, killing 37 terrorist…

Summary

Published
28 July 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military actors reported killed
3–37
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2024

Incident Code

CS2000

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria
Four people were killed and a woman was injured by an alleged SDF raid with the support of the Coalition in the village of Shanina, Syria at dawn on September 15, 2024. Four of those killed have been classified as "contested" civilians. A tweet from @nahermedia reported that "Four people were killed and a woman…

Summary

Published
23 July 2025
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
0–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 September 2024

Incident Code

CS1999

Location

دوار الغبرة في البوكمال, Al Ghabra roundabout, Al Boukmal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On September 5th, 2024, a drone strike against a truck at the Al-Ghabra roundabout in Al-Boukmal, Deir Ezzor Governorate, killed a child and a militant, and injured between four and fifteen more people, including at least two children. The drone has been alleged to be American or Israeli by some sources, while others have not…

Summary

Published
4 March 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Commerce
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–15
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Israeli Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2024

Incident Code

CS1998

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 23, 2024, Mohammad Ahmad al-Hasan was killed at dawn in a home on 20 or 40 Street in Al Busayra, eastern Deir Ezzor Governorate, Syria. He was the father of two girls, and a nurse at Al Hamadi Specialist Hospital in Al Busayra, with at least one source alleging that he was a…

Summary

Published
3 March 2025
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident