Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1444

Location

Hamda barrier on road to Al-Hool camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.592661, 40.819016
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1265)

Local sources reported that two civilians, an elderly man and woman, were killed following airstrikes in Eastern Deir Ezzor.

The civilians killed were displaced from the town of Al-Matarada, Deir Ezzor, and they were travelling in a van toward the Al-Hool refugee camp in the southern countryside. The US-led Coalition was not blamed for the attack. However no other actors were cited, with sources referred instead to “unidentified airplanes” and “unknown warplanes”. According to Al Hassaka Marsad, the strike hit the vehicle close to the Hamda checkpoint.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
2
1 Woman, 1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a car or van, near a checkpoint in the village of Abu Hamda (أبو حامضة), approximately 35 km from Shaddadi, on the road to Al-Hool refugee camp (مخیم الهول) in the eastern Deir Ezzor countryside. The civilians killed were displaced from the town of Al-Matarada (المطاردة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the Hamda checkpoint, however, the coordinates for the town of Al-Matarada (المطاردة) are: 34.592661, 40.819016, and the coordinates for the Al-Hool refugee camp (مخیم الهول) are: 36.375962, 41.141396

The town of Al-Matarada (المطاردة) and the Al-Hool refugee camp (مخیم الهول)

Imagery: © 2018 Google

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
near Hamdha barrier, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For September 3rd – 4th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed 30 ISIS oil barrels, three oil stills, a well-head and a VBIED.” For September 4th - 5th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four vehicles and a VBIED"
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-06-28
Original Source
After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.
Unknown Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Unknown position on incident
Not yet assessed