Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1745

Location

Al Sarajiya village near Abu Hamda, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.993563, 40.994453
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1558)

Local sources reported on the deaths of up to eleven civilians as a result of strikes carried out by Coalition helicopters in an area east of the city of Al Shadadi.

According to Euphrates Post “a massacre” took place after a bombardment on a prison in the town of Abu Hamda. The report put the initial civilian death toll at eleven. The media outlet also stated that US helicopters carried out “landing attempts” – as did most other sources. All reports blamed the Coalition for the casualties.

An Al Khabout correspondent quoted sources from inside the villages, who confirmed that an “Apache aircraft” used “heavy machine guns” to target an ISIS HQ which resulted in “martyrs and wounded among the villagers”. The same sources stated that Coalition forces arrested four people who were allegedly taken to the US base in the city of Shaddadi.

The report of Coalition bombardments on a prison was reiterated by Zamanalwasl and Al Jisr TV. However, both media outlets stated that 8 civilians were killed and a number of others injured in the village of al Sarajiya, east of Abu Hamda.

The lowest fatal tally, 3, was reported by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
3–11
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Abu Hamda (أبو حامضة), Hasakah governorate, for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 35.993563, 40.994453 (or according to the Military Grid Reference System: 37S FV 78). 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-Sarajiya Village, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For April 17th, the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in the Hasakah governorate.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-10-26
Original Source
April 17, 2018, near Al-Sarajiya Village, 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.