Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1715

Incident date

January 18, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.72367, 40.81515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown incident, the Coalition reported in May 2018 that it had killed one civilian in Hajin.

According to the monthly civilian casualty report: “January 18, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-held building a scooter entered the impact area moments before the impact. One civilian was unintentionally killed.”

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

Airwars additionally monitored local claims of civilian harm in Hajin on the 13th and 24th of January. However no additional public sources could be identified linked to this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.6897222, 40.83.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU662439
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • January 18, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-held building a scooter entered the impact area moments before the impact. One civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 18th 2018 the Coalition publicly reported at the time that “On Jan. 18 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed an indirect fire weapon, a fighting position and an ISIS line of communication.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]