Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1801a

Incident date

September 30, 2018

Location

Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.54567, 40.9562 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Al Sousah.

In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: ” Coalition aircraft engaged multiple ISIS vehicles, including a machine-gun equipped pick-up truck engaging friendly forces with machine gun fire. The ISIS vehicles were destroyed in the attack but regrettably a civilian was also unintentionally killed when his vehicle entered the target area after the weapons were released.”

Airwars is aware of another event near al Sousah on this day that allegedly killed one civilian (CS1801) that has not yet been assessed by the Coalition. However, that allegation details artillery and the Coalition have confirmed to us that this incident was an airstrike with a precision munition.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Sousah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU795244
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • September 30, 2018, near Al Sousah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft engaged multiple ISIS vehicles, including a machine-gun equipped pick-up truck engaging friendly forces with machine gun fire. The ISIS vehicles were destroyed in the attack but regrettably a civilian was also unintentionally killed when his vehicle entered the target area after the weapons were released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Sept. 30 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 17 engagements against ISIS
targets.
• Near Abu Kamal, 10 strikes engaged 14 tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers,
one truck, one up-armored vehicle, four fighting positions and two supply routes.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition