Conflicts

Russian Military in Syria
U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Codes

CI865 RS2613

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: I667R2489)

According to many reported, two brothers were killed in Al Qaim, Iraq or al Hari in Syria, near the Iraqi border on October 8, 2017. Reports were contested: one source implied that Iraqi aircraft may have been responsible, while a number of sources identified Russia as the culprit, one source attributed the attack to the Coalition and others did not apportion blame. The Coalition itself has reported airstrikes in the vicinity at the time.

The Euphrates Post reported that the two brothers were killed as a result of an air strike targeting the city of Al-Qaim in Iraq.

It is important to note that a number of sources reported that the brothers were killed in a village southeast of Abu Kamal, either by Coalition or Russian aircraft. A tweet by @Yousef339y noted: Russian [military] aircraft bombing the village of Hari on the border with Iraq.

Additionally, an adult man was reported killed in the same attack as the Al-Zein brothers.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria stated that the three civilians were killed by international coalition forces.

Victims

Family members (2)

Child male Via Lawhat Bukmalna‎ FB account killed
Child male Via Lawhat Bukmalna‎ FB account killed

Individuals

Adult male Via Asaad Al Sattam killed

Key Information

Country
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
3
2 Children, 1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Qaim (القائم), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684. Due to the 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
Insufficient information on the time and location
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near al Qaeim, Iraq
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For October 7th – 8th the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a headquarters and a vehicle.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-06-28
Original Source
The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility
Iraq Government Forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Iraq Government Forces
Iraq Government Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (4)