Incident Code

CS1756

Location

باغوز فوقاني, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.469968, 40.954784
Accuracy: Exact location (via Airwars)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1581)

According to local sources, Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling on the town of Al Baghouz led to the deaths of up to nine civilians, including two or three children.

Coalition officials indicated to Airwars that it is likely that this incident matches one of the following concession of civilian harm. In their February 2019 press release, they noted: “Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS staging area. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the target location”, following an allegation they received from social media.

Deir Ezzor 24 stated in a tweet that “the bombing by warplanes” took place “at dawn”. A number of sources, including Shaam News, reported that these airstrikes were accompanied by “land to land missile attacks by the international Coalition forces located in al Omar oil field”.

A Step News correspondent detailed that the artillery strikes originated from French troops who targeted “the outskirts of the town, Bagouz Fawqani, and the towns of Al-Shafa, Al-Sousse”.

The victims were identified in a tweet by Al Rased And Euphrates Post also later listed an anonymous fatal victim of the strike, along with a named married couple who  were injured.

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

Victims

Family members (2)

Bassam Al-Qasim
Age unknown male killed
Abdullah Al-Qasim
Age unknown male killed

Family members (4)

Khair Allah al-Qasim
Adult male injured
Wife of Khair Allah al-Qasim
Adult female injured
Child 1 of Khair Allah al-Qasim
Child killed
Child 2 of Khair Allah al-Qasim
Child killed

Invidivuals

Sallouh Al-Attiyah
Age unknown male killed
Saad Al-Yousef
Age unknown male killed
Ammar Al-Fazza
Age unknown male killed
Child of Fantal
Child killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
7–9
3 Children, 1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention several buildings in Baghuz Fawqani (باغوز فوقاني), the village of Shajlah (الشجلة). Photos and videos from social media show damaged and destroyed buildings (including the remains of a car next to a large crater in the ground) at this location: 34.469968,40.954784

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
2
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Al Baghouz, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU795159
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For May 31st, the Coalition reported that “On May 31 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of seven engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, four strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed three Daesh vehicles, one Daesh command and control center and one Daesh fighting position.”
UK Military Strike Report
Thursday 31 May – Typhoons and Tornados destroyed two compounds in eastern Syria, used by the terrorists as a headquarters and equipment store…The focus for RAF attacks for the remainder of the week were terrorist facilities in eastern Syria towards the border with Iraq. On Thursday 31 May, flights of Tornados and Typhoons joined forces to deliver an attack with twelve Paveway IVs against two large adjoining compounds, which were being used by Daesh as a headquarters, weapons store and muster point. All twelve weapons hit and destroyed their intended targets.
Dutch Military Strike Report
For the 2nd straight week, Dutch F-16s fired weapons near Abu Kamal and Hajin in Deir Ezzor. The Dutch MoD reported that between May 30th-June 5th, aircraft targeted ISIS fighters and logistics centers in three missions. Jets supported ground troops in 9 missions, including in Nineveh, Iraq.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-02-28
Original Source
May 31, 2018, near Al Baghouz, Syria, via social media report. Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS staging area. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the target location.

Media From Sources (4)