Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1719

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.74226, 40.76953
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1522)

Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra village, according to multiple local sources.

Al Manar News, for example, reported that “three civilians were killed after the bombing of International Alliance aircraft on the village of Al-Bahra in the south-east of Deir Ez-Zour.”

ISIS released a video on January 30th titled ‘Effects of US air strikes on the village of Al Bahra’ – although that video has now been deleted from the public record.

The following day Euphrates Post published photos it said showed “the effects of the destruction as a result of air raids targeted the town of Bahra in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour.”

In April 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible, noting: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Bahra village (البحرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.74226, 40.76953. 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
Other
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near al-Bahra, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU619458
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For January 30th 2018 the Coalition reported: “On Jan. 30 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 18 engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, seven strikes engaged six Daesh tactical units and destroyed two Daesh supply routes, three Daesh headquarters, a staging facility, a Daesh motorcycle and an artillery piece.”
UK Military Strike Report
Tuesday 30 January – a Reaper successfully targeted terrorists flying a drone against the Syrian Democratic Forces…On 30 January, a Reaper hunted for a Daesh team flying a drone surveying the Syrian Democratic Forces, it identified them launching a quadcopter and struck with a Hellfire missile.
French Military Strike Report
For January 24th-30th, France reports that Task Force Wagram continued to provide support in the Euphrates Valley. Five firefighting missions were carried out for the benefit of the Iraqi security forces. This week, the air activity provided intelligence and support missions for the Iraqi security forces and the SDF. It resulted in 20 sorties during which three strikes were carried out, all in the area of ​​Abu Kamal in support of the SDF.
Dutch Military Strike Report
For January 24th-30th, the Netherlands report F16s attacked Dutch F-16s attacked ISIS targets in support of ground troops, including buildings, set-ups, a headquarters and a storage location. This happened in the neighborhood of Ar Ramadi and Abu Kamal in the province of Deir Al Zour in eastern Syria. Dutch fighter planes helped ground troops during 12 missions, which were also over the Iraqi provinces of Nineveh and Anbar. Weapons were used six times.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-04-25
Original Source
Jan. 30, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Media From Sources (4)