Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1674

Location

الحوايج, Al Jawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0528105, 40.4941326
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1475)

Three civilians died in an airstrike on al Jawaij town, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame.

Deir Ezzor noted “clashes between the forces of SDF and the organization [IS] in the town of Hawayj”. That suggested that any airstrikes may have been by the Coalition.

Additionally, Smart News reported that “Syrian Democratic Forces took control of the town of Al-Hawayj (45 km east of Deir al-Zour) east of Syria after clashes with the Islamic State.”

In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible, noting “After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

Victims

Individuals

Suleiman Al-Ghalab
male named by Sharqiya Voice who blamed "the bombing by warplanes”. They didn’t identify the aircraft responsible. killed
Ahmed Ali Al-Hamoud
male named by Sharqiya Voice who blamed "the bombing by warplanes”. They didn’t identify the aircraft responsible. killed
Ali Adel Al-Rabee
male named by Sharqiya Voice who blamed "the bombing by warplanes”. They didn’t identify the aircraft responsible. killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hawaij (الحوايج), for which the coordinates are: 35.0528105, 40.4941326

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
Other
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Deir ez-Zor, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU363799
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 14th-15th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed three explosive hazards, two fighting positions and a command and control center.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-06-27
Original Source
Nov. 14, 2017, near Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.