Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS049

Incident date

February 2, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Major coalition air raids on the oil fields around Shadadi reportedly led to the deaths of up to four non-combatants. Residents described a significant attack, with one site reporting: “Among the most prominent oil fields targeted were Al Rawees and Al Howyaziah east of Shadadi. The fires are also still burning in Kabiba close to the gas factory, north of Shadadi. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the flames and sound of explosions were seen and heard dozens of kilometers from the bombing site. The villages near the oil fields have seen a large displacement of civilians who left for fear of further raids, as the coalition’s flights are still being seen and heard flying overhead.

According to SNHR, a 70 year old man died with his two daughters, aged 27 and 25, when their mud-built home near to an oil field was bombed. Eyewitness and near neighbour Mahmoud al-Hadidya told the group: “The home has been completely destroyed, killing Ibrahim with his two daughters… and had turned their bodies to pieces. We found Ibrahim’s hand next to the house, and we were collecting bits of flesh and body parts until the early hours of the following morning.”

Another eyewitness, named by ARA news as local resident Suleiman Al Awda, said “the raid caused the death of Ibrahim Almusjul and all members of his family, after targeting of the Gona oil fields near his home by coalition aircraft.” The family was buried in Hadidiya Cemetery. There were additional claims that “dozens” of civilians were injured in the coalition attack.

CENTCOM investigators were made aware of the alleged deaths within 24 hours, a declassified report later revealed, noting that “Coalition aircraft reportedly killed a family in an attack on their house near the Ghunah oilfields“.

However it was swiftly concluded that the claims were “not credible.” In a highly-redacted section of the report, it was also noted that the Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar “assesses not enough information to confirm credibility.”

 

The incident occured at 19:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

70 years old male Surname also someimes pronounced as al Musjul killed
27 years old female Ibrahim's daughter killed
25 years old female Ibrahim's second daughter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women1–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Video showing alleged coalition raids on the oil fields near al Shadadi in southern Hassakah. [Via: SOHR 4th February 2015]
  • Grainy photo published by SOHR on 3rd February 2015 purportedly showing 'International-Arab coalition bombing in areas in South and south East of al Hassakah which led to injured and reported deaths.'
  • Victim Ibrahim al-Mussul, almost 70 years old. [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Ash Shadadah, Al Hasakah ProviNe, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015
  • Coalition aircraft reportedly killed a family in an attack on their nouse near the Ghunah oilfields in northern Ash Shaddah. Not credible. After assessing the information on the four targets XXX XXXX CADC agrees that it is not a credible allegation. Not enough information.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 2nd 2015, the Coalition publicly reported that "Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck multiple ISIL oil pump jacks and destroyed four ISIL mobile drilling rigs."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women1–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]