Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1739

Location

.السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1544)

A single source reported on the shelling of Al Soussa on March 8th, which allegedly resulted in “a number of civilian casualties”.

According to 7al, the same shelling that targeted Hajin had also struck al Soussa in the countryside of Abu Kamal, killing or injuring a number of civilians. The site noted the following: “The shelling also targeted the village of al-Soussa in the countryside of Abu Kamal city, resulting in a number of civilian casualties, in addition to damage to property and houses according to our source.”

At present, Airwars researchers have not identified any further known public allegations of civilians killed or injured relating to this incident.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Weak
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Soussa (.السوسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.528889, 40.9675. 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
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near al-Soussa, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For March 8th the Coalition reported that “On Mar. 8 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed a Daesh supply route and a UAV.”
UK Military Strike Report
Thursday 8 March – a Reaper destroyed a terrorist drone in eastern Syria…Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to fly daily armed reconnaissance missions over eastern Syria against Daesh. A terrorist drone was reported north of Abu Kamal in the Euphrates valley of Syria on Thursday 8 March, and an RAF Reaper was tasked with hunting for it. The Reaper’s crew spotted the conventional winged drone on a flat roof where it had landed. Having conducted a careful check for any signs of civilian life in the area, the drone was then destroyed by a direct hit from a Hellfire missile.
French Military Strike Report
For March 7th to 13th, France reports 25 aerial sorties were carried out in support of local forces engaged on the ground. This led to 3 strikes: two in Syria in the Abu Kamal region and one in Iraq west of Ramadi. Task Force Wagram carried out three ‘three lighting firing missions‘ in support of ISF in Euphrates Valley.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-10-25
Original Source
March 8, 2018, near al-Soussa, Syria, via Airwars. 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.

Sources (1)