Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1817

Location

متجرعطية العبيدي الشيخ القديمات, Shop of Attia Al Obaidi Al Sheik Al Qadimat, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441
Accuracy: Exact location (other)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1694)

Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, on October 30th, 2018, according to local sources.

Al Shaafa town’s Facebook page wrote on October 30th that an alleged Coalition airstrike on “the shops of Atiyya Al Obeidi Al Sheikh Al Qadimat on the public street at the division of Al Shafaa and a car repair shop” killed three civilians.

Several other sources also reported airstrikes on Al Sheefa. @MasarPressNet, for example, tweeted: “International coalition warplanes target the town of Al Shaafa in the eastern countryside with intense raids.” However, none of the other sources reports civilian casualties. Hence, while Airwars graded the strike status of this incident as fair, its civilian harm status remains weak.

Al Shaafa town’s Facebook Post stated that “in the last three days, more than a dozen airstrikes of coalition aircraft were recorded on the town of Al Shaafa. Most of these raids targeted civilian homes and properties. More than 7 houses and 20 people were killed, including children and women.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Weak
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention a shop belonging to Attia Al Obaidi Al Sheik Al Qadimat (عطية العبيدي الشيخ القديمات) and a car repair shop allegedly located on the main road of Al Shafa (الشعفة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the car repair shop. However, according to images from sources a possible location for Attia’s shop can be found at these coordinates: 34.572206, 40.935694.

Reports of the incident mention a shop belonging to Attia Al Obaidi Al Sheik Al Qadimat (عطية العبيدي الشيخ القديمات) and a car repair shop allegedly located on the main road of Al Shafa (الشعفة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the car repair shop.

Imagery: Google Earth

Comparison of image from Ash Shafa Facebook page and a Google Earth satellite image from 2011.

Imagery: Ash Shafa Facebook Page / Google Earth

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
Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SFU774280
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
The Coalition publicly reported the following for October 27th-30th: “On Oct. 27 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 24 strikes engaged 12 tactical units, and destroyed three headquarters buildings, five command and control centers, four supply routes, three weapons caches, two IED facilities, and one mortar. On Oct 28, 2018 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight military strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, eight strikes engaged two tactical units, and destroyed one supply route, two vehicles, one command and control center, one mortar, one explosive manufacturing facility, one compound and one staging area. On Oct. 29 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of eight engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, eight strikes engaged 10 tactical units, and destroyed two weapons caches, one vehicle borne IED, one vehicle, one command and control center, and one fighting position. On Oct. 30 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 20 engagements against an ISIS targets. Near Hajin, six strikes engaged six tactical units, and destroyed nine vehicles, seven supply routes, and one vehicle borne IED."
UK Military Strike Report
On Sunday 28 October, a Reaper conducted armed reconnaissance over the Abu Kamal area, and carried out a successful attack with a Hellfire missile, striking a group of terrorists spotted manoeuvring through fields.
UK Military Strike Report
Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to provide close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces attacking the one significant remaining area held by Daesh in eastern Syria. A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft responded to reports of a terrorist team planting improvised explosive devices north of Hajin on Monday 29 October; its crew were able to spot evidence of their activity around a large fuel tank positioned next to a road. Having checked that there were no signs of any civilians in the immediate area who might be placed at risk, the Reaper’s crew fired a single Hellfire missile, which safely destroyed the booby-trapped fuel tank.
French Military Strike Report
For Oct 24th-30th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram have conducted 6 firing missions from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and four strikes north of Abu Kamal, Syria.
Dutch Military Strike Report
For October 24th – 31st, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria and near Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq. Targets were ISIS warehouses and vehicles.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2021-07-09
Original Source
Oct. 27, 2018, near al Shaafa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 3211/CS1817 37SFU774280