Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1844

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1718)

The Coalition was said to have fired white phosphorus munitions on Hajin, according to sources on the ground.

Free Deir Ezzor Radio claimed that it was the sixth time Coalition forces used white phosphorus during the month.

Amongst others, Sound and Picture and Sana News claimed that civilians were killed and injured, but exact numbers were not stated.

Marsad al Hasakah reported that the town had come under fierce artillery bombardment: “The heavy artillery of Syrian Democratic Forces [in fact likely the Coalition] did not stop targeting the market behind the General Hospital and the neighbourhoods near the Khalid ibn al-Walid mosque and near the  Al-Tawheed mosque amid intermittent clashes between SDF and ISIS on the outskirts of Hajin  on the side of the Badia [the desert] and near al Jaabi area. The suffering of thousands of civilians trapped in the areas under the control of ISIS in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour areas, continue after they have become a direct target of the bombing of the international coalition forces and the SDF.”

In its December 2020 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that it had conducted no strikes in the geographical area which corresponded with civilian harm claims.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hajin (هجين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.6897222, 40.83. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed
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 Hajin, Syria
MGRS coordinate
37SFU676401
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 20th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 20 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, six strikes destroyed six supply routes.
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
2020-12-15
Nov. 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. 3235/CS1844 37SFU676401

Media from Sources (4)