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 October 2025

Incident Code

CS2015

Location

كرهوك, Karhouk, Al Hasaka, Al-Hasakah, Syria
On 23 October, 2025, 68-year-old Mahmoud al-Halil al-Shaher al-Shammari was reported killed in Karhouk, Syria by alleged Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) gunfire with the assistance of US-led Coalition forces. Mahmoud's sons, Ali al-Shaher al-Shammari and Ala'a al-Shaher al-Shammari, were reported injured, as was an unidentified “young girl.” Sources alleged that international “warplanes intervened,” aiding the…

Summary

Published
23 October 2025
Strike Type
Ground operation
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2025

Incident Code

CS2014

Location

الضمير, Al Dumair, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Syria
On October 18, 2025 35-year-old Khaled Abdulaziz Al-Masoud was killed in an allegedly botched arrest carried out by the U.S. forces, in coordination with forces affiliated with the new Syrian government. The incident reportedly took place in Dumayr, Rif Dimashq, Syria. No injuries or other fatalities were reported. According to reports shared to social media…

Summary

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

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

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

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

9 January 2025

Incident Code

CS2006

Location

بادية الرصافة في الرقة, Al-Rusafa Desert, Raqqa, Syria
Two men, Mohammad al-Jadou and Hassanein Awad al-Jassim, were reported killed by a PKK/YPG militia patrol or "international coalition" drone strike in the al-Rusafa desert on 9 January, 2025. While multiple sources reported both men were herders, al-Jadou’s civilian status is classified as contested. Mohammed al-Jadou, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR),…

Summary

Published
9 January 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Ground operation
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, YPG
View Incident