Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1675

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.9361, 40.58223
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1477)

Up to five civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Daranj, according to local media. Most sources attributed the event to the Coalition. However, one pointed towards the Assad regime and one blamed Russia.

Deir Ezzor 24 and Step News Agency blamed the Coalition, with Step putting the civilian death toll at four with three more wounded. The Coalition later confirmed injuring two civilians in Daranj that day.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least four civilians from the same family were killed as International Coalition warplanes fired missiles near their car in Daranj village”. However, one source, Al Jazeera Syria, blamed regime warplanes, putting the death toll at five.

The Shaam News Network was alone in blaming Russia. It put the death toll at five.

In May 2018 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident, with their monthly civilian casualty report noting: “During a strike on Daesh-held building two civilians were unintentionally injured.”

The Coalition providede Airawrs with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

Victims

Family members (4)

Mohammed al Khalaf
male killed
Haitham al Khalaf
killed
Imad al Khalaf
killed
Mahmoud al Khalaf
male killed

Individuals

Ali al-Abboud al-Zu’aiter
head injury injured
Mohammed Hanash al-Hamid
light injury injured

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–3

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to 34.918333, 40.581389 – the generic coordinates for Daranj.

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
No reason given
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
2
Stated location
near al Shadadi, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU445671
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 15th-16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”
UK Military Strike Report
Thursday 16 November – a Reaper bombed a group of terrorists firing on Syrian Democratic Forces in eastern Syria… With Daesh having suffered major defeats in both Iraq and Syria, Royal Air Force missions continue daily, focused on armed reconnaissance to identify remaining terrorist locations and support, as necessary, clearance operations on the ground by Iraqi troops and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF have continued their operations against extremists south-east of Al Mayadin, in eastern Syria, and an RAF Reaper provided close air support to them on Thursday 16 November. The first terrorist threat that the Reaper’s crew identified was a vehicle being driven at very high speed towards the SDF positions. Fearing this to be a probable truck-bomb, the Reaper’s crew tracked the lorry, ready to engage. However, no intervention was necessary, as the driver lost control of the vehicle, which crashed off the road and promptly exploded; it had indeed been a truck-bomb. The Reaper subsequently spotted a group of terrorists opening fire on the SDF; a GBU-12 guided bomb quickly eliminated this threat
French Military Strike Report
In the past week, France reports 26 sorties but just 1 strike, in Iraq’s Al Qaim region. Since Sept 19th 2014, it reports a total of 7445 sorties, 1417 strikes and 2202 targets destroyed. Since Sept 27th 2015, it reports 151 strikes in Syria, destroying 298 targets
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-05-31
Original Source
November 16, 2017, near al Shadadi, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-held building two civilians were unintentionally injured.

Media From Sources (1)