Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1730

Location

ظهرة العلواني, Zahret Al Alwni, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.539793, 40.960979
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1535)

Local sources reported that 10 to 25 civilians had been killed and dozens wounded as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Zahret Al Alwni – an IDP camp located between Al Sousse and Al Sha’afa. Most sources reported that 16 non combatants had died.

According to most reports, the victims of the airstrike were “mostly children and women”. Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24 included a list of the known victim families in their reports:

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the highest tally of at least 25 civilian fatalities, including 7 children and 6 women.

Victims

Family members (1)

Family of Hussein Al Shuja
killed

Family members (1)

Family of Mohammed Al Shuja
killed

Family members (1)

Family of Ahmed Al Shuja
killed

Individuals

Daughter of Ali Al Shuja
female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
10–25
7 Children, 6 Women
Civilians reported injured
12–24

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zahret Al Alwni (ظهرة العلواني), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.539793, 40.960979. 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 Zahret al-Alwani village, Dier Ezzor, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For February 25th, the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 25 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged a Daesh tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions.”
Dutch Military Strike Report
For February 21st-27th, the Netherlands report that its F16s attacked ISIS combatants and vehicles on one occasion near Abu Kamal, Syria. The jets supported ground troops during 9 missions, including in the Nineveh, Kirkuk and Al Anbar provinces in Iraq.
French Military Strike Report
For Feb 21st-27th, France reports 25 sorties and four strikes were made in the Abu Kamal area in support of the SDF in the Euphrates Valley. The Wagram Task Force continues its support for security operations in the Euphrates Valley. This week, three ‘lighting missions’ were carried out for the Iraqi security forces.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-10-25
Original Source
February 25, 2018, near Zahret al-Alwani village, Dier Ezzor, 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.