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

7 July 2023

Incident Code

CS1994

Location

بزاعة, Bza’a, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was injured by declared US drone strikes which killed an ISIS member on July 7, 2023 on the road between Al Bab and Bza’a, Syria. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a person was killed while driving a motorcycle on the road between Al Bab and Bza’a and a civilian was slightly injured while passing…

Summary

Published
7 July 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2023

Incident Code

CS1993

Location

صلهام, Salham, Al Hassakah, Syria
A young man was killed and others were injured during an alleged Syrian Democratic Forces and US airdrop operation in the village of Salham on June 11, 2023. Sources were conflicted as to whether the young man was a member of ISIS or a civilian. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the Syrian-regime news organization,…

Summary

Published
11 June 2023
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2
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

3 May 2023

Incident Code

CS1992

Location

قورقانيا, Qurqaniya, Idlib, Syria
A 60 year old male civilian was killed by a declared US drone strike on the outskirts of Qurqaniya just before noon on May 3, 2023. At the time of the strike, US Central Command released a statement that they had targeted a senior Al Qaeda leader without any additional details. On May 2, 2024,…

Summary

Published
3 May 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 February 2023

Incident Code

CS1991

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jaded Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One to two men were reportedly killed and up to two other men were reportedly injured on February 22nd 2023 in Jaded Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria, as a result of a US-led Coalition backed SDF / QSD militia air raid.  The air drop happened "after midnight."   Euphrates Post reported that the two injured men were…

Summary

Published
22 February 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2023

Incident Code

CS1990

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian was injured during a declared raid carried out by CENTCOM and partner forces in Al Shahil on January 21, 2023. Up to three alleged ISIS members were also arrested during the raid. CENTCOM released a statement that "US Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21,…

Summary

Published
21 January 2023
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
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

20 December 2022

Incident Code

CS1989

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
At least two civilians, including a woman and a child, were reportedly injured in declared British drone strikes on the city of al-Bab on December 20, 2022. An alleged member of ISIS was also injured in the operation. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a Yemeni person was severely injured by a drone…

Summary

Published
20 December 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident