Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1715b

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Location

near al-Khashmah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.62996, 40.92873 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians in an event near al-Khashmah.

In its April 2019 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted multiple engagements against Daesh forces. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the targets.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    4
  • Stated location
    near al-Khashmah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU768337
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019
  • Jan. 20, 2018, near al-Khashmah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted multiple engagements against Daesh forces. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the targets.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Jan. 20 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 19
engagements against ISIS targets.
- Near Abu Kamal, 12 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed two
fighting positions, a staging facility, a VBIED, three weapons caches, two ISIS
headquarters, an ISIS motorcycle, an ISIS construction vehicle and an ISIS-held
building.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]