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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

10 June 2025

Incident Code

CS2009

Location

أطمة, Atmeh, Idlib, Syria
In the morning on Tuesday, 10th June 2025, at least one civilian was killed and between three and five others were injured in a declared United States Central Command (CENTCOM) drone strike that hit a car in the town of Atmeh, north of Idlib, Syria. Both local sources and CENTCOM reported that one Islamic State…

Summary

Published
16 July 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car, Bus)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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

Incident Date

4 September 2023

Incident Code

CS1996a

Location

near NLZ, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, one civilian was injured by declared US military live fire exercises near NLZ, Syria on September 4, 2023. In the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) Civilian Harm and Mitigation Response Report released on May 31, 2024, the US military stated that "Regrettably, based on…

Summary

Published
11 February 2025
Strike Type
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Unknown
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2025

Incident Code

CS2008

Location

مُحافظة الرقة, Raqqa Governorate, Syria
Nawaf Mohammad al-Sablan was killed and his cousin injured after an alleged “International Coalition” drone strike near the village of al-Ammala in the Raqqa Governorate during the afternoon of 15 January, 2025. Facebook user Al Rakei reported that both men were “herding to tend to their sheep” at the time of the strike. @DeirEzzore reported…

Summary

Published
15 January 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Agricultural Land)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2025

Incident Code

CS2007

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
Naif Hamouda Alaiwi was reportedly killed in an alleged “international coalition” drone strike near Sarmada in the Idlib countryside on 15 January, 2025. The strike - one of several - killed Alaiwi after it hit a motorcycle carrying Ibrahim Mohammad al-Thiba. It is unclear whether Alaiwi was also on the motorcycle or whether he was,…

Summary

Published
15 January 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Motorcycle)
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident