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

8,220 – 13,294

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 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,904
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

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
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2023

Incident Code

CI882

Location

حي الجزائر, Algeria region, Hilla, Babylon Province, Babil, 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 one civilian and injuring two female civilians: Shadhadan Karim Mirza, and Wasnah Maher Kahem. One member of the PMF was also killed and up to 19 other members of…

Summary

Published
25 December 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Israeli Military, 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

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
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident