Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1771

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1600)

One or more civilians were reported killed and injured after artillery shelling on the village of al Soussa.

Sound and Picture reported the “martyrdom of a civilian” in the village of Soussa as a result of French artillery shelling. Shaam News only made mention of “a number of civilians” wounded and stated that this was instead a result of shelling by “the Assad forces”.

In a tweet, Deir Ezzor 24 also reported artillery shelling by Assad forces on al Soussa, but did not mention any civilian casualties.

It is important to note that reports of Assad forces shelling Al Soussa could also be referring to June 12th. Suliman Mansoor mentioned for example “Syrian army artillery” on the village a day before the civilian harm incident was reported.

Euphrates Post reported a number of civilians killed, including children, as a result of artillery shelling but failed to identify any culprit.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights made mention of both “shelling by Syrian forces” and “bombing of aircraft likely to belong to the International Alliance” and confirmed the death of “two people believed to be members of the organization [ISIS]”. Two days later Al Jisrt TV reported that “bombardment and artillery on the same area resulted in a number of dead and wounded, including refugees.”

In September 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted, “After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
1–3
1–2 Children
Civilians reported injured
0–2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Soussah (السوسة), for which the coordinates are: 34.528889, 40.9675

Military Statements

Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed
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
Other
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
in Al Soussa, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU806226
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For June 13th, the Coalition reported that “On June 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of seven engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, four strikes destroyed two Daesh vehicles, one Daesh supply route and damaged one Daesh vehicle.”
French Military Strike Report
For June 13th – 19th, France’s Task Force Wagram reports five shooting missions in the Euphrates Valley. Since the launch of the offensive on May 1st there have been 148 missions. Over the past week, There were 22 air sorties in support of the local forces on the ground, but no strikes.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-09-26
Original Source
June 13, 2018, in Al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

Media From Sources (1)