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

8,224 – 13,303

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 2,988 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,368
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,907
likely injured
3,763
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
19,187 – 29,772
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,988 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,224 – 13,303
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,541 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
7,871 – 12,566
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
779 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

Declassified Document

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2987 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
15 January 2025

Incident Code

CS2007

Location

بالقرب من سرمدا, near 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
15 January 2025

Incident Code

CS2008

Location

قرب قرية العمّالة في الريف الجنوبي الغربي في الرقة, Al-Ammala, Raqqa, 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
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
14 October 2024

Incident Code

CS2002

Location

بلدة مراط, Marat town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
During the evening of October 14, 2024, alleged U.S. shelling in the north of Marat Town in Deir Ezzor, Syria injured at least six civilians, including a woman. The x/Twitter account of @baznewz reported that a number of civilians were injured by a shell fired by U.S. forces that were stationed in the Conoco gas…

Summary

Published
23 July 2025
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
29 September 2024

Incident Code

CS2001

Location

بلدة الهري, al-Hari town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On September 29, 2024, alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes in the town of al-Hari in the countryside of al-Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria injured at least five civilians, including three children and a woman. U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) in a post via X/Twitter stated that “U.S. Central Command Forces conducted two strikes in Syria, killing 37 terrorist…

Summary

Published
28 July 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military actors reported killed
3–37
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
15 September 2024

Incident Code

CS2000

Location

قرية شنينة, village of Shanina, Raqqa, Syria
Four people were killed and a woman was injured by an alleged SDF raid with the support of the Coalition in the village of Shanina, Syria at dawn on September 15, 2024. Four of those killed have been classified as "contested" civilians. A tweet from @nahermedia reported that "Four people were killed and a woman…

Summary

Published
23 July 2025
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
0–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident