340,246 Bombs Dropped Since 2005

[Keith Broaders]

The exact number of bombs dropped by the United States over the past 20 years is difficult to pinpoint due to incomplete data, varying definitions of "bombs" versus other munitions, and underreporting, particularly for certain types of strikes like those by helicopters or CIA operations. However, based on available sources, here are the key estimates:

• CODEPINK Research (2001–2021): A study by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies estimates that the U.S. and its allies dropped at least 337,000 bombs and missiles on countries in the Middle East and North Africa (including Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, and Somalia) from 2001 to 2021, averaging about 46 strikes per day. This figure is considered an underestimate due to the Trump administration ceasing to publish bombing data for Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan after February 2020.
• Post-February 2020 Data: Additional Airpower Summary data indicates the U.S. dropped 3,246 bombs and missiles on Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria from February 2020 to early 2022 (2,068 under Trump and 1,178 under Biden). Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, only 13 bombs or missiles were officially reported dropped on Iraq and Syria, though unreported CIA strikes may add to this.
• Specific Years:
  • 2016: The U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs across seven countries (Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan), with 24,287 in Iraq and Syria alone.
  • 2017: Under Trump, the U.S. dropped 43,938 bombs in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, the highest annual total in the 15-year period from 2007 to 2021.
  • 2019: The U.S. dropped 7,423 bombs on Afghanistan, the highest annual total for that country since 2006.
  • 2007–2021: Over this 15-year period, the U.S. dropped 181,590 bombs on Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, averaging 12,106 bombs per year.
• Limitations: These numbers exclude certain munitions like 20mm/30mm cannon fire, helicopter strikes, and AC-130 gunship attacks (e.g., the 2015 Kunduz hospital strike). They also rely on unclassified U.S. Air Force data, which may not account for all operations, especially covert ones.

Total Estimate: Combining the CODEPINK estimate (337,000 from 2001–2021) with the additional 3,246 from 2020–2022, the U.S. likely dropped at least 340,246 bombs and missiles from 2005 to 2025. This is a conservative figure due to gaps in reporting and unaccounted strikes. For a more precise breakdown by year or country, further declassified data would be needed.

If you’d like me to generate a chart visualizing the annual bomb drops for specific years or countries where data is available, let me know!

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[Keith Broaders]

Estimating the number of civilian deaths caused by U.S. bombings in the Middle East is complex due to varying reports, incomplete data, and differing methodologies. Based on available research, here are key figures for specific conflicts:

• Iraq (2003–2017): The Iraq Body Count project estimates 24,865 civilian deaths from March 2003 to March 2005, with U.S. and allied forces responsible for about 37% (approximately 9,270 deaths). By 2007, the Opinion Research Business poll estimated 946,000 to 1,120,000 total violent deaths (civilians and combatants) in Iraq.
• The Costs of War project at Brown University estimates at least 184,382 civilian deaths directly from violence in Iraq from 2003 to 2023, with a portion attributed to U.S. actions. Total deaths, including indirect causes like infrastructure collapse, range from 280,000 to 315,000.
• Syria (2014–2019): Airwars, a civilian harm monitoring group, estimates U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against ISIS killed at least 3,800 civilians in Iraq and Syria, with 2017 being the deadliest year (up to 19,623 civilian deaths by maximum estimates). A 2021 Airwars analysis suggests U.S. airstrikes since 2001 killed 22,000 to 48,000 civilians across multiple conflicts, with Syria being a significant contributor.
• Yemen (2002–2025): The Guardian, citing Airwars, reported that U.S. bombings in Yemen under Operation Rough Rider (March–May 2025) killed 224 civilians, nearly matching the 258 civilian deaths from U.S. strikes between 2002 and 2024. The Yemen Data Project reported at least 25 civilians, including four children, killed in the 2025 campaign.
• Afghanistan (2001–2021): Marc W. Herold’s database estimates 3,100–3,600 civilian deaths from U.S. Operation Enduring Freedom bombings between October 2001 and June 2003. Carl Conetta’s studies suggest at least 4,200–4,500 civilian deaths by mid-January 2002. The Costs of War project estimates 46,319 civilian deaths directly from violence in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2023.
• Post-9/11 Wars (Overall): The Costs of War project estimates 432,000 civilian deaths directly from violence across Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Pakistan from 2001 to 2023. Including indirect deaths (e.g., from economic collapse, malnutrition, or destroyed infrastructure), the total death toll reaches 4.5–4.7 million. Airwars estimates U.S. airstrikes alone caused at least 22,000 civilian deaths since 2001, with an upper estimate of 48,000.

These numbers are likely underestimates due to underreporting, lack of ground investigations, and reliance on media or official sources. The U.S. military often reports lower figures (e.g., 484 civilian deaths in Iraq and Syria by 2017, per CentCom), which independent monitors like Airwars dispute as significantly undercounted. Precise attribution to U.S. bombings is challenging, as conflicts involve multiple actors, and indirect deaths are harder to quantify.

For a comprehensive view, the range of civilian deaths directly attributable to U.S. bombings across the Middle East since 2001 likely falls between 22,000 (conservative estimate) and 48,000 (upper estimate), with indirect deaths pushing total war-related fatalities into the millions. Data gaps and differing definitions of "civilian" and "combatant" complicate precision. For further details, see sources like the Costs of War project (watson.brown.edu) or Airwars (airwars.org).