Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1753

Location

هجين/الشعفة, Hajin or al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1578)

A local monitor reported that a number of civilians were injured after the towns of Hajin and al Sha’afa were shelled on May 20th.

According to Sound and Vision, the “continuous bombardment by French artillery aimed at the city of Hajin and the town of al Sha’afa” harmed non-combatant civilians. The report however failed to provide any more details.

Other sources, like the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, also reported “rocket shelling by French and American forces on sites and areas controlled by ISIS”. None of these local reports however made mention of any civilians harmed as a result of these clashes.

Deir Ezzor 24 also reported the death of ISIS fighter Abdul Sattar Fares al-Ani in the bombardment.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in the alleged Hajin strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

In the same report, the Coalition also assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in the alleged al Sha’afa strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

Key Information

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

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the two near villages of Hajin (هجين) and Sha’fa (الشعفة). The coordinates for Hajin (هجين) are: 34.6897222,40.83; the coordinates for Sha’fa (الشعفة) are: 34.57888,40.93441  

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, Insufficient information on the time and location
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SFU676401/37SFU774280
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For May 20th, the Coalition reported that: “On May 20 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed one Daesh fighting position and one Daesh supply route."
French Military Strike Report
Between 16th and 22nd May, France reports 34 artillery missions in the Euphrates Valley. French aircraft carried out 12 aerial sorties in support of ground troops but no strikes were conducted.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-09-09
Original Source
May 20, 2018, in Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3169/CS1753 37SFU676401
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-09-09
Original Source
May 20, 2018, in Al Sha’afa, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3170/CS1753 37SFU774280