Incident Code

CS012

Location

كۆبانی, Kobanî, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.8883919, 38.3528042
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S12)

A Kobanî official reported that a civilian – an 87 year old woman – and six Kurdish fighters from the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in the besieged city.It was also reported that two hospitals in the town had been destroyed.

According to Sky News Arabia, Kurdish sources said that the bombing occurred near Al-tall Street in the city. It represented the first known alleged Coalition ‘friendly fire’ incident in Syria.

CENTCOM disputed the claims, noting internally that Kurdish YPG sources instead insisted the elderly woman “was executed by ISIL forces.” The declassified report also concluded that no hospitals had been targeted by the Coalition, although it was conceded that “The closest target struck was approximately 100m away.”

 

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Woman

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kobanî (كۆبانی), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.8883919, 38.3528042. 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
Insufficient information on the time and location
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
Kobani, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2015-05-01
Original Source
Open sources reported that an 87 year old woman was killed during a dvnamic stirke IVO Kobanl, and that two main hospitals were destroyed by us bombing. Neither allegation credible. No CIVCAS determined. SiNe 29 Sep 14, no women or children have been observed by TF IVO Kobani. No reporting or intel supports the death of the 87 year old civilian from US airstrikes. Information provided by the YPG in the ground indicates that the woman alleged killed was executed by ISIL forces, and that the reported source of the report was not in Kobani at the time of the report. IRT the hospital, TF ID’d 3 hospitals IVO Kobani. None have been targeted. The closest target struck was approximately 100m away

Media From Sources (1)