Three people were killed in the al-Latwa neighborhood of the town of Ziban in Syria’s Deir Ezzor at 1:00 a.m. on 21 December, 2025 when “International Coalition forces” and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) allegedly “conducted a surprise airdrop operation” on the area, reportedly working in conjunction with the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Father and son Ghannam al-Sabouh al-Sarih and Ma’moun Ghannam al-Sarih were reported killed in the strike. 60-year-old Da’ar al-Jabr al-Attiya was also killed, possibly by “explosives [that were] used to blow up the door of his house.” Facebook account “The people of Hoshea Al-Hamzihun,” however, reported that al-Attiya was “taken into custody,” but that “traces of blood were found on his mattress, raising serious concerns that he may be killed and his son arrested.” As such, while sources agree that al-Attiya was killed, it is unclear whether he was killed during the strike, or while he was under arrest. According to @DeirEzzore, the bodies and detainees were brought to al-Omar oil field,

Other men, including Muhammad al-Ali al-Turki, Hamza al-Farhan al-Salem, Ali Muhammad al-Ali, Mazen Sabouh al-Ali al-Nasser, Adhian Sabouh al-Ali al-Nasser, Amjad Sabouh al-Ali al-Nasser, and Ibn Farhan al-Salem were arrested, as was Da’ar’s son, Ibn Daar al-Jabr al-Atiya. Their jailing was decried by X/Twitter user @DeirEzzore, who slammed the operation as illegitimate: “the accusation of terrorism is now leveled against anyone who opposes the SDF/PKK militia.” Facebook user Knights of the Uqaydat stressed that “all of these detainees are civilian and do not belong to any group.”

Facebook user Mohamad Alhamoud mourned “the passing of [his] aunt’s husband,” Da’ar al-Attiya. Describing him as feeble and in poor health, Mohamad stressed that he was “suffering from heart diseases and poor eyesight,” but remembered him for his decency: he “was known for his kindness, dignity, and good character.”

Facebook user Ahmed al-Ramadan included photographs of both Ghannam and Ma’moun. Ghannam, reported as “in his fifties” wears a thawb and head covering, while Ma’moun sports a T-shirt and appears as a teenager or young adult.

A video published by @DeirEzzore reportedly shows the damage to al-Attiya’s room caused by the explosives used to blow up his door.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the operation to the International Coalition and SDF.