Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1772

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1601)

Three civilians, including women and children, were allegedly killed and several others injured by a Coalition airstrike on Al Soussa.

Sound and Picture reported “three martyrs” and several wounded. Smart News quoted local activists who also mentioned a tally of three civilians killed after a Coalition raid targeted the “residential neighbourhoods in the town of Al Sousse”. The report also mentioned the destruction of “homes and property”.

Shahab al Sousse did not identify the number of civilians killed, but did mention that women and children were among those who died in the bombardment. And al Jisr TV reported that “Local sources said that among the dead were Iraqi refugees.”

Shaam News also reported “artillery bombardment by SDF” on Al Soussa, but did not make mention of civilian harm. The US’s ground proxies in Syria were not known to have had access to artillery – making this likely an erroneous attribution.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
3
1–2 Children, 1–2 Women
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention residential neighbourhoods in the village of Al Soussa, for which the coordinates are: 34.528889, 40.9675. The incident was first reported at 7 am local time

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 al-Soussa, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU805225
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For June 15th, The Coalition reported that “On June 15 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed 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
2018-10-25
Original Source
June 15, 2018, near al-Soussa, 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.