Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1733a

Location

Near al Shaafah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.58024, 40.93739
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike at Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to be a US action.

According to the OIR report, “March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this event to within 100 metres. This placed the event within Al Shaafah itself.

In May 2020 in its annual report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to be a US civilian harm event.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
No reason given
Civilian deaths conceded
1
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
Near al Shaafa
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU777282
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
On March 1 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed a Daesh motorcycle and two weapons caches.
French Military Strike Report
Dutch Military Strike Report
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-11-16
Original Source
March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.
U.S. Forces Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-05-06
Original Source
Since last year’s Section 1057 report, CJTF-OIR assessed that an additional seven reports of civilian casualties during 2018 were credible, with approximately eight civilians killed and approximately one civilian injured as result of U.S. military operations. With these additional assessments, CJTF-OIR assessed that a total number of 19 reports of civilian casualties during 2018 were credible, with approximately 37 civilians killed and approximately 17 civilians injured. Mar-18 Al Sha'fa, Syria Air 0 civilians injured 1 civilians killed

Media From Sources (1)