Incident Code

CS1752

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Filasteen neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.51851, 40.96319
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1576)

Four civilians were killed and up to 14 injured following air or artillery strikes on the Filasteen neighbourhood of al Soussa, with the Coalition believed by sources to be responsible.

A resident of Abu Kamal told Al Haal that Coalition aircraft had targeted the village with more than five raids – with one of them hitting a motorcycle market. According to the report this resulted in the deaths of four civilians and the injuring of 14. Several sources reported that al Sha’afa and Hajin were also targeted by both Coalition airstrikes and “artillery shelling by the forces of the SDF” [most likely in fact by the Coalition].

Step mentioned in its own report that civilians were wounded when an ISIS vehicle was targeted – also killing four ISIS fighters. According to Deir Ezzor Media Centre the civilians had been “nearby” when the vehicle was hit. Radio al Kull however stated that four civilians were in fact killed as they were on board the targeted vehicle as detainees. Sound and Picture was the only media outlet claiming that dozens of civilians were injured.

Euphrates Post initially reported that civilians were injured and killed by “an artillery bombardment”, but later concluded that four civilians died and a number were wounded as a result of a raid by a military aircraft in the afternoon. A later report by the news organization also provided the names and photos of the four killed civilians.

In October 2018, the US-led Coalition admitted responsibility for the deaths of four civilians in an event at al Soussa – although this was dated the previous day. The Coalition later confirmed to Airwars in February 2019 that event CS1752 is unlikely to be the confirmed incident dated the previous day, based upon the descriptions. Those conceded deaths are now recorded as CS1751a.

Victims

Invidivuals

Hussein Ali Al-Saeed
Adult male Reportedly an ISIS detainee killed
Mohammed Ali Al Musleh
Adult male Reportedly an ISIS detainee killed
Louay Karkaz al Rawi
Adult male Reportedly an ISIS detainee killed
Ali al-Awad
Adult male Reportedly an ISIS detainee killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Civilians reported killed
4
4–2 Men
Civilians reported injured
3–24

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the Filasteen (فلسطين) neighbourhood (a market for motorbikes) in the village of al Soussa (السوسة), for which the coordinates are: 34.528889, 40.9675. Strikes were first reported at 6 am local time, civilian casualties were first reported at noon

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Not yet assessed
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For May 16th, the Coalition reported that: “Near Abu Kamal, 10 strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed one Daesh vehicle and one Daesh fighting position."
French Military Strike Report
Between 16th and 22nd May, France reports 34 artillery missions in the Euphrates Valley. French aircraft carried out 12 aerial sorties in support of ground troops but no strikes were conducted.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
During a strike on Daesh IED facility, four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Media From Sources (7)