Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1725

Location

هجين, Hajin / Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1530)

Between 12 and 16 civilians, including 5 children and 6 women were allegedly killed and “dozens” wounded in a Coalition airstrike on the city of Hajin on February 19th. However some sources, like Deir Ezzor24, stated that the airstrike in fact took place in Al Bahra, a town near Hajin.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the victims were Internally Displaced Persons from Mouhasan, Deir Ezzor. This claim was supported by other local sources who reported that ten members of the Al-Khalaf Al-Saleh family, all IDPs from Mouhasan, were killed in the airstrike.

Deir Ezzor24 and Euphrates Post published a list with all known casualties. It is worth mentioning that an earlier report by Euphrates Post stated that Muhammad al-Da’as (number 14 on its casualty list) was a member of so-called Islamic State. His whole family was reported killed in the same airstrike and was included on the list as well.

The Syrian Network, among others, later reported that on that same day the Khdairin bakery in Hajin was additionally targeted by an airstrike, damaging the building severely.

It is worth mentioning that an earlier report by Euphrates Post stated that Muhammad al-Da’as (number 14 on the casualty list) was a member of so-called Islamic State. His whole family was killed in the same airstrike and was included on the list as well.

SN4HR, among others, later reported that on that same day, the Khdairin bakery in Hajin was targeted by an airstrike, damaging the building severely.

Victims

Family members (8)

Khaled Al Khalaf Al Saleh Al Hussein
male killed
Hanaa al Khalaf al Saleh al Hussein
female killed
Rahaf Mahmoud al Khalaf al Saleh
male killed
Lara Mahmoud t al Khalaf al Saleh
female killed
Hala Khalaf Al Saleh Al Hussein
female killed
Bakr
male Son of Hana al Khalaf al Saleh killed
Ghafran
female Daughter of Hana al Khalaf al Saleh killed
Name unknown

Family members (7)

Habiba Mohammad al-Da’as
female killed
Tayba Mohammad al-Da’as
female killed
Maryam Mohammed al-Da’as
female killed
Hamza Mohammad al-Da’as
male killed
Ahmed Mohammad al-Da’as
male killed
Jabir al-Da’as
Adult male killed
Wife of Jaber al-Da’as
Adult female killed

Individuals

Fatima Nasser Al Ali
female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
12–16
5 Children, 6 Women
Civilians reported injured
12–24

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hajin / Bahra (هجين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.6897222, 40.83. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Hajin
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU676401
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For February 19th, the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 12 engagements against Daesh targets. • Near Abu Kamal, seven strikes engaged four Daesh tactical units and destroyed a Daesh observation post, a weapons cache and a Daesh resupply vehicle and damaged a bulldozer and a mortar."
Dutch Military Strike Report
For February 14th-21st, the Netherlands reports its F16s attacked ISIS combatants near Abu Kamal, Syria. The jets supported ground troops in 9 missions, including in the Nineveh and Diyala provinces, Iraq. Only weapons deployed in one mission
French Military Strike Report
For Feb 14th-20th, France reports 28 air sorties. Two strikes were conducted: one in the area of ​​Abu Kamal in support of the SDF, the other in support of security operations in Iraq, northeast of Baghdad. Task Force Wagram carried out four shooting missions in support of the Iraqi Security Forces (2 interdiction missions and 2 illuminance missions).
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-10-25
Original Source
February 19, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via Airwars. 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.

Media From Sources (1)