Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1780

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.52491, 40.95789
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1613)

Up to thirteen civilians were allegedly killed when Coalition aircraft struck two or more houses in al Soussa, local sources reported.

In September 2019, the Coalition’s monthly civilian casualty report noted: “In Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh explosive factory. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike.”

Coalition officials subsequently indicated to Airwars that their own report was possibly a match to this incident. And in May 2020, the Pentagon declared this to be a US-perpetrated civilian harm event.

According to Boukamalna, the house of Haj Ali Al Mohsen Al Faress was targeted on July 16th. This was reiterated by most sources, stating that this led to “his death along with his wife.” Euphrates Post later identified his wife as Mrs. Nabieh and also noted that their daughter or grand-daughter Mona was also killed, in addition to five victims of Iraqi nationality in a neighbouring house.

Later reports noted that the house of Hamid al-Ali, located next to the Mohsen family house, was struck while it was inhabited by an Iraqi refugee family. Baladi News Agency reported that this resulted in “the death of all members of his family of five people, including women and children”.

Al Soussa Youth stated that the strike took place “ten minutes ago”, which corresponds to around 7:20am and Euphrates identified the location of the airstrikes to the Filasteen neighbourhood.

Most sources, including an initial report by Smart News Agency, noted the death of eight civilians, “including at least one woman and several others wounded.” Step News Agency however later reported the highest tally of thirteen civilians killed. According to the news outlet, four airstrikes targeted “the homes of civilians in the town of “Sousse” at seven o’clock this morning”, causing the destruction of three houses.

The report added that the number of victims was likely to rise as people were still trapped under the rubble, “due to the lack of medical staff or civil defense teams in the town, amid a severe shortage of medical and ambulatory materials.”

Al Soussa Youth later reported that Ali Al Muhsin Al-Faris, his wife and the daughter of Muhammad Ali Al-Mohsen had been buried and that “the son of Saleh Al Mohammed Al-Salim and the mother of Walid are in hospital and in a stable condition”.

Victims

Family members (6)

Haj Ali Al Mohsen Al Faress
Adult male pictured killed
Mrs Nabieh
Adult female Wife of Haj Ali Al Mohsen Al Faress killed
Mona
Daughter or grand-daughter of Haj Ali Al Mohsen Al Faress and Mrs Nabieh killed
Son of Muhammad Al-Ali Al-Muhsin
male Said to have been severely injured injured
Son of Saleh Al Mohammed Al-Salim
male injured
Mother of Walid
Adult female Association with family unclear injured

Family members (5)

Unnamed victim 1
Adult male Iraqi refugee family killed
Unnamed victim 2
Adult female killed
Unnamed victim 3
Child killed
Unnamed victim 4
Child killed
Unnamed victim 5
Child killed

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
8–13
1 Child, 1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Soussa, for which the coordinates are: 34.528889, 40.9675. The alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the “house of Hamid al-Ali, located next to Mohsen family house,” Airwars was unable to verify the exact location of these civilian houses Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.528889, 40.9675

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
in Deir ez-Zor, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU797221
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
The Coalition publicly reported at the time that: “On July 16 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of four engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, four strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed one Daesh vehicle, two Daesh supply routes and one Daesh-held building."
French Military Strike Report
From July 11th to 17th, France report that Task Force Wagram carried out six artillery ‘shooting missions’ in the Euphrates Valley. In total since the start of the offensive on May 1st, it’s conducted 195 shooting missions. Aircraft conducted 24 sorties but there were no strikes.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-09-26
Original Source
July 16, 2018, in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh explosive factory. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the 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. 16-Jul-18 As Susah, Syria Air 0 civilians injured 2 civilians killed

Media From Sources (2)