Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS118

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52691, 37.95561
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S119)

A 45-year old non-combatant male named as Haji Al Jaabri was reported killed in a Coalition strike at Manbij.

According to Manbij News, Hajji al Jaabri had been forcefully conscripted by Daesh to dig tunnels in the north of the town, which had then been bombed “by Coalition drones.”

The Syrian Network later issued an overhead image of the bombing site, noting that “International coalition warplanes shelled a farm in a region called “Hajj Jalaa Shankan” in the western side of the city next to a trench that was being dug by ISIL. The shelling killed an individual, Hajji Al Ja’abari, a bulldozer driver, who was hired by ISIL to dig the trench.”

On July 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “Aug. 29, 2015, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report: During a strike on ISIS equipment, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed and three were injured after, unbeknownst to the Coalition, the civilians were forced to do manual labor for ISIS against their will.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

Victims

Individuals

Adult male SN4HR in its February 13th 2016 report says he was a bulldozer driver, who was hired by ISIL to dig a trench killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Man
Civilians reported injured
3

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.5269242, 37.9559288

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
Killed by strike blast
Civilian deaths conceded
1
Civilian injuries conceded
3
Stated location
near Manbij, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SDA065429
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
No Coalition strike appeared to directly match the location. The closest, for August 29th-30th 2015, noted that “Near Kobani, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and three ISIL excavators and destroyed five ISIL motorcycles, three ISIL structures, two ISIL guard shacks, two ISIL excavators and an ISIL vehicle.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-07-07
Original Source
Aug. 29, 2015, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report: During a strike on ISIS equipment, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed and three were injured after, unbeknownst to the Coalition, the civilians were forced to do manual labor for ISIS against their will.

Media From Sources (1)