Incident Code

CS031

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.958429, 36.711587
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S30)

There were claims that a ‘civilian male’, named as Dergham Karah Ali, was killed in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Binnish in Idlib governorate.

However, two videos later emerged challenging Ali’s non-combatant status. One showed him singing a moderate resistance song.

The second video, posted by Islamic State, indicated that Ali had later become a fighter for ISIS, using the nom de guerre of Abu Hammam.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “November 25, 2014, in Binnish, 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.”

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

Victims

Invidivuals

Dergham Karah Ali
Adult male Probable combatant though named by some sources as a non combatant killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
0–1
0–1 Men

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Binnish (بنش), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.958429, 36.711587. 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 Binnish, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SBV936818
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
No coalition airstrikes were officially reported as occurring in Idlib governorate between November 24th-26th 2014.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-12-05
Original Source
November 25, 2014, in Binnish, 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.

Media From Sources (2)