Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS342

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.91856, 36.63489
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S303a)

During an airstrike on a vehicle in Idlib the Coalition killed one man and reportedly injured four more civilians. The Coalition later admitted responsibility for the one death.

According to Step News, “One person was dead and 4 civilians wounded in a car explosion in the city of Idlib after it was targeted by an international coalition drone.”

All4Syria identified the man killed as a “leading leader in Fateh al Sham Front” who was “assassinated” by a drone. They added that the strike led to “the killing and wounding of a number of civilians.” In other accounts Enabaladi similarly reported that an “unmanned” aircraft (which it said belonged to the United States) killed a leader in Fateh al Sham, who the outlet said was Turkish. Sky News Arabia said a “Coalition drone” strike killed the leader and everyone else in the car.

An account in Qasion cited “fighter jets belonging to the international coalition” for the strike, which it said killed the death of the leader and two additional members of the Front.

Videos posted by several outlets, including extremely graphic footage posted by Shaam News Network showed the aftermath of the attack.

In a December 1st 2016 press release, the Coalition reported that “During a strike on ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.93062, 36.63393

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
Civilian deaths conceded
1
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Idlib, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SBV866775
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For October 16th-17th the Coalition reported no strikes in the vicinity.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2016-12-01
Original Source
Oct. 17, 2016, near Idlib, Syria: During a strike on ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.

Media From Sources (4)