Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1823

Incident date

November 3, 2018

Location

الشعفة و, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources named three children as killed and “many” more civilians wounded in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Al Shaafa on November 3, 2018. Some sources reported that the airstrike targeted a house in a residential neighbourhood.

Euphrates Post for example reported: “The killing of three children, the children of Imad Mahmoud al-Haj Al Hussein from the city of Mohsen after international Coalition air raids targeted the town of Al-Sha’afa in the countryside of  the city of Abu Kamal yesterday.”

According to the Syrian Network, the victim family was originally from al Mouhasan city.

Syrian United Observatory mentioned “shelling” of the town – suggesting that artillery may have been responsible.

SANA also mentioned that “many civilians were injured” in the event.

In a civilian casualty assessment released November 3rd 2023, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that ” Based on pre-strike intelligence and surveillance, and post-strike battle damage assessment, it was determined that civilian casualties did not occur because of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Zaid I’mad Mahmoud Al Haj Al Hussein
Child male killed
Ziyad I’mad Mahmoud Al Haj Al Hussein
Child male killed
Aisha I’mad Mahmoud Al Haj Al Hussein
Child female

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sha’afa (الشعفة و), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.57888, 40.93441. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Zaid I’mad Mahmoud Al Haj Al Hussein (via Euphrates Post)
  • Ziyad I’mad Mahmoud Al Haj Al Hussein (via Euphrates Post)
  • Aisha I’mad Mahmoud Al Haj Al Hussein (via Euphrates Post)
  • Images of the three children killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Shaafa, Nov 3rd.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Shaafa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU7742928044
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 3, 2023
  • November 03, 2018, near Al Shaafa, Syria, via Airwars report. Based on pre-strike intelligence and surveillance, and post-strike battle damage assessment, it was determined that civilian casualties did not occur because of a Coalition strike. 3220/CS1823 37SFU7742928044

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 3rd the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Hajin, 28 strikes engaged eight tactical units, and destroyed three headquarters buildings, two command and control centers, two supply centers, four weapons caches, three mortars, 10 staging areas, 1 firing position, and one guest house.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

From October 31st to November 6th, the three CAESAR guns carried out 54 fire missions in the Hajin region, Syria, from Iraqi territory (illumination, harassment, destruction) from Iraqi territory. Aircraft conducted 18 sorties and 2 strikes, north of Abu Kamal, Syria.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, marque un temps d’arrêt. Les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent, avec un renforcement à la frontière irako-syrienne. Les FSI ont assuré la sécurisation du pèlerinage chiite de l’Arbaïn, ce qui a permis à ce rassemblement religieux de se tenir dans des conditions de sécurité satisfaisantes. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 54 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 31 octobre au 6 novembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2052 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 31 octobre au 6 novembre inclus) et conduit 2 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8618 sorties / 1478 frappes / 2277 objectifs neutralisés.'

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

or October 31st-November 6th, the Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions in the fight against ISIS. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria. Targets were ISIS vehicles, warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 31 oktober t/m 6 november laat MinDef weten Nederlandse F-16’s te hebben ingezet tijdens 9 missies, ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS. Bij 4 van deze missies werden wapens ingezet boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour bij Abu Kamal. Hierbij zijn voertuigen, opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities van ISIS vernietigd.‘

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]