Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1937

Location

حي اللطوة, Latwa neighbourhood, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0162094, 40.5101418
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

One civilian male was killed and one woman and five children from the same family injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted their home in Al Latwa neighbourhood of the town of Dhiban, Deir Ezzor governorate, on November 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. Two members of the SDF were also reported killed and another five wounded.

Euphrates Post reported that the house of civilian Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi was hit by the alleged International Coalition airstrike, which killed him and injured his wife. The Euphrates correspondent added that two SDF soldiers were also killed in the incident.

According to Halab Today, “The SDF arrested at least 20 people in the town, including civilians and former ISIS operatives, during a series of raids in the town’s al-Latwa neighbourhood.” The source added that Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi “had tried to prevent SDF members from raiding his house, which led to his death”.

Jesr Press also said that “there was a verbal altercation with members of the patrol which developed into a  shooting. Khalid opened a bomb and threw it on the elements [of the SDF], injuring five of them”.

Xeber24 said: “Activists added that the landing operation, which took place on Friday morning (November 22nd), involved three US Apache helicopters, a war fighter and two reconnaissance planes, during which clashes took place between the gunmen in Al-Lattwa neighborhood in Theban town and SDF fighters.”

Jesr Press added that the victim was killed the day after his wedding: “Khaled Mahmoud al-Hussein, a native of Theban, was working in Qatar before the Syrian revolution. He returned to his home town two months ago to get married, and then intended to return to Qatar to continue his work. He celebrated his wedding on Thursday. he was killed today [Nov 22nd0 although he did not participate in any armed activity.”

Additionally, Step said that  Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi’s “wife and five of his children were wounded” in the operation.

AA reported: “A coalition statement said on Saturday that ground and air operations continued in Deir ez-Zor on Friday, including airdrops, which resulted in the neutralization of many ISIS elements and the injury of others (without giving a specific number).

“The statement said that ‘special forces from several countries in the coalition participated in the clearance of ISIS positions’ in the province, and the arrest of many of its fighters, as well as the confiscation of ‘a significant amount’ of light weapons, hand explosives and ammunition”.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that 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.

Victims

Family members (7)

Adult female first name unknown injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Man
Civilians reported injured
1–6
5 Children, 1 Woman
Military actors reported killed
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike within the Latwa neighbourhood (حي اللطوة) in the village of Diban (ذيبان) for which the generic coordinates are: 35.0162094, 40.5101418. 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
Other
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SFU388738
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-05-01
Original Source
Nov. 22, 2019, in Diban, Syria via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2888 37SFU388738

Media From Sources (6)