Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS210

Location

احتيملات, Ahtemlat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.56556, 37.25067
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S191)

Six civilians including up to 5 children died in a reported night time Coalition strike at Ahtemlat in Aleppo governorate. Graphic images showed the bodies of at least two infants being recovered.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR activists were informed that no less than 4 IS including a commander were killed by aerial bombardment by the U.S led coalition warplanes during the last 24 hours around the strategic town of Dabiq, the aerial bombardment also killed 6 civilians including children. No less than 12 IS were killed by aerial bombardment targeted Dalha and Hor areas in the northern countryside near the Turkish borders.”

In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “May 7, 2016, near Ahtemlat, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Given the well documented nature of this event – and the existence of a video showing casualties – Airwars continues to assess this event as likely.

 

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
6
5 Children, 1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
2–5

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ahtemlat (احتيملات), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.56556, 37.25067. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Ahtemlat, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
The Coalition reports for May 6th-7th 2016 that “Near Mar’a [Aleppo governorate], three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL command and control node, and ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-07-07
Original Source
After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Media From Sources (4)