Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1838

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1712)

An alleged Coalition night time airstrike killed “a number of civilians” and injured others, according to local media.

Several sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported the deaths of two civilian brothers. According to sources including Zaman Al Wasl, Al Soussa News, Al Shaafa News and the Syrian Unified Observatory, the injured belonged to the same family as the brothers.

Al Watan News reported that more civilians were trapped under the rubble of destroyed houses in the village. However Al Sha’afa News, while noting the deaths of the brothers, said that other family members were only lightly injured.

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “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.”

Victims

Family members (2)

Sanad Hamad Al-Awad Al-Kahkawi
Adult male killed
Yousef Hamad Al-Awad Al-Kahkawi
Adult male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
2
2 Men
Civilians reported injured
2–4

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention Al Sha’afa (الشعفة) village, 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.

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
in al Shaafa, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU805225
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For 16th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 16 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 41 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 22 strikes engaged 14 tactical units and destroyed 11 vehicles, eight supply routes, five buildings, three staging areas, one tunnel, one vehicle borne IED and one media cell.   For November 17th, the Coalition reported: On Nov. 17 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 37 strikes consisting of 53 engagements against ISIS targets. ]Near Hajin, 37 strikes engaged five tactical units and destroyed 15 buildings, seven supply routes, seven staging areas, four fighting positons, two weapons caches, one media cell, and one tunnel.
UK Military Strike Report
Friday 16 November – Typhoons destroyed an armed truck and a concealed truck bomb in eastern Syria… The following day [Nov 16th], a Daesh armed truck was reported to be firing to the north of Hajin; Typhoons responded, and destroyed it with a direct hit from a Paveway IV. The Typhoons were then directed to a ruined building, next to a road, within which the terrorists had been spotted hiding a truck-bomb. A second Paveway was used against this target, producing a large explosion which confirmed that the truck-bomb had been successfully detonated before any civilians or SDF had been placed in danger.
French Military Strike Report
France report that from Nov 14th – 20th, Task Force Wagram conducted 64 firing missions – 47 ‘lighting’, 17 ‘destruction’. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties but there were no strikes.
Dutch Military Strike Report
For November 14th-20th 2018, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16’s supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 10 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting IS warehouses and fighting positions.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
10.Nov. 16, 2018, in al Shaafa, 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. 3230/CS1838 37SFU805225

Media from Sources (1)