Conflicts

Russian Military in Syria
U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Codes

CS1498 RS2463

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.974444, 40.485556
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: S1325R2311RS2457)

Nine to 19 civilians, including an “entire family,” died following airstrikes on Mahkan, about 45km southeast of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US- led Coalition and others to Russian warplanes.

There were no reports of wounded.

According to Ortas, Coalition aircraft struck residential areas of the town, which resulted in damage to homes and property, Ortas put the death toll at 12.

Step News however reported that “Nine people from one family were killed in the town of Mahkan in the eastern countryside by coalition raids”.

In a subsequent report Geroun said 19 died, quoting an eyewitness who said “”among the victims of the town of Mahkan, a family consisting of a man, his wife and their seven children” died, the source added “it is difficult to reach the target location; because of the siege imposed by the [so-called Islamic State] organisation”.

Out of the sources obtained, four blamed the US-led Coalition and four sources suspected Russia. The aircraft were unidentified by all other sources. @DeirEzzor24 referred to “Al-Harbi” aircraft, though did not specify which faction was operating the planes. Shaam – which also said the warplane identity was unknown – claimed “two Bahri families” were among those killed.

Mohammed Ahmad Awad al-Bu’ali and his wife, Suqra Muhammad Eid al-Bu’ali, along with a number of their children and children in the neighbouring house, were documented killed by the Euphrates Post. Reportedly, the air raid occurred at dawn and targeted Mohammed Ahmad Awa al Bu’ali’s home.

Victims

Individuals

Adult male killed
Adult female wife killed

Key Information

Country
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
9–19
7 Children, 1 Woman, 1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mahkan (محكان), of which the coordinates are: 34.974444, 40.485556. We were unable to verify the location further, but on satellite imagery available to Airwars from October 15, compared to September 7, 2017, a significant amount of traces of destruction and craters as a result of airstrikes can be seen throughout the town, which indicates it was being targeted during this period of time.

Traces of destruction and craters in the village of Makhan (محكان), marked in red, seen on satellite imagery of November 2, 2017

Imagery: © 2018 Google

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
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Mahkan, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU356712
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For September 15th – 16th the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Sept. 15, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-06-28
Original Source
After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (5)