(Previous Incident Code: S38)

An 8.30pm coalition bombing raid on Jarablos – a major Islamic State hub – destroyed a cultural centre being used as an ISIL headquarters in the town. According to Aleppo News, “According to activists, the strikes caused great devastation in the building in addition to the destruction of two civilian houses in the vicinity. Witnesses confirmed that the targeted building was inhabited by many of the elements of the organization (ISIS) which led to the deaths of most of them and seriously injuring the rest.”

‘Dozens’ of militants were reportedly killed. However civilians were also reportedly being detained at the location. Two women casualties of the coalition strike were named as 30 year old Hiba Raei and Jorieh Hamdan. A third victim, a member of the local KazKaz family, was also cited. He may be Fawaz Al Taha (an 18 year old male reportedly killed by the coalition at either al Bab or Jarablos on December 28th.)

VDC also cited local residents as saying that “an unconfirmed number of detainees were killed during this attack” adding that “several ISIL leaders, one of whom was French (his name could not be obtained) were killed as well. Moreover, Abu Omer al-Shami, the prison governor, who is known as Abu Hadid, appeared to have been injured. Eyewitnesses also said that an F-16 fighter aircraft of the International Coalition appears to have carried out the attack.”

In their February 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.