Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1697a

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Location

هجين, near Hajin, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.68547, 40.83724 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Hajin.

In its March 2018 report, the Coalition noted: “During a coalition strike which killed a known high-level ISIS member a civilian scooter inadvertently crossed into the strike area and it is assessed that one civilian was injured.”

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

According to Al Haal, a Coalition strike in Hajin killed one civilian and wounded another nine. However, the confirmation of the injury came from a Coalition self-report so we cannot be certain that this is referring to the same strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Hajin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU683397
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018
  • Dec. 13, 2017 near Hajin, Syria via self-report. During a coalition strike which killed a known high-level ISIS member a civilian scooter inadvertently crossed into the strike area and it is assessed that one civilian was injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Dec. 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 17
engagements against ISIS targets.
 Near Abu Kamal, nine strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed three
ISIS vehicles and an ISIS headquarters.
 Near At Tanf, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS
vehicles, four cave entrances and a tactical vehicle.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]