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

3 February 2024

Incident Code

CS1997

Location

البلعوم, ميادين, Al-Bal’oum, Al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On February 3rd, 2024, one woman was reported injured while she was at home following a series of US strikes conducted on Al-Baloum neighborhood, in al-Mayadeen city, east of Deir Ezzor, in areas reportedly controlled by Iranian militias. The attacks were carried out at around midnight/at dawn, according to local reporting. Sources also reported a…

Summary

Published
3 February 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
2–19
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2023

Incident Code

CI882

Location

كلية الإدارة والاقتصاد القريبة من الحلة, Vicinity of Faculty of Administration and Economics, Hilla, Babil Governorate, Iraq
On the 25th of December, 2023, a declared U.S. airstrike was conducted against the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Hilla, central Iraq, killing two civilian men and injuring two female civilians, Shadhadan Karim Mirza, and Wasnah Maher Kahem, and another man. One member of the PMF was also killed and up to…

Summary

Published
25 December 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2023

Incident Code

ISSY035

Location

منطقة الحميضة في قرية الحاري شرق ديرالزور, Al Humaydah area in Al Hari village, east of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians, including one or two women, were injured by shrapnel and six militants of non-Syrian nationality were killed in an airstrike reportedly perpetrated by the Israeli military and/or US-led Coalition shortly before 11:36 PM on Monday, October 2nd, 2023, in the Al-Humaidah area near the Al-Hari village and the city of Al-Bukamal in the…

Summary

Published
8 October 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Israeli Military
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

4 August 2023

Incident Code

CS1996

Location

مطب البوراشد,, Matab Al Bourashed, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On the 4th of August 2023, International Coalition forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) allegedly conducted an airdrop operation, which involved a ground action and helicopters, at dawn in the town of Matab Al Burashid, in Deir Ezzor, shooting and killing a civilian named Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed and injuring his brother. Multiple media…

Summary

Published
4 August 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2023

Incident Code

CS1995

Location

تل الذهب, Tal Al Thahb in Al Dashisha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two brothers were killed by an operation declared by the SDF and involving the US-led Coalition in Tal Al Thahb, Al Dashisha on July 19, 2023. Sources are conflicted as to whether the men killed were civilians or members of ISIS. Euphrates Post reported that two people, Muhammad Salem Al-Nazal (28 years old) and his…

Summary

Published
19 July 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident