Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1814

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.705423, 40.845537
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1683)

An alleged fourth problem Coalition airstrike in the governorate of Deir Ezzor over a 48 hour period allegedly hit a ‘Qur’anic institute’ (a place in which the Qur’an is taught) in Hajin, in what some local sources described as another “horrific massacre”.

Various sources reported that the airstrike killed six civilians and wounded several others. Eldorar for example reported that “According to sources speaking to Eldorar,  aircraft of the International Coalition targeted a Qur’an memorization school in the city of Hajin east of Deir al-Zour evening; resulting in the death of six civilians immediately, mostly children and women, and the wounding of others.”

Marsad al Hassakah reported that “six Syrian and Iraqi [civilians] died on October 19th, as a result of strikes targeting a Qur’an institute (Mosque) and surrounding houses in the town of Sousse, while 11 members of the [ISIS] organization were killed in the same strikes – with the number of martyrs and dead still rising because of those wounded.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the strike occurred at 12.00 and killed 6 civilians, including at least 3 children and 1 woman, all of whom were said to be Iraqi refugees.

Horrya News claimed that “dozens” were wounded in the event.

In its December 2020 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that it had conducted no strikes in the geographical area which corresponded with civilian harm claims.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
6
3 Children, 1–2 Women
Civilians reported injured
2–12

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
in Hajin, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU690419
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For October 18th – 19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal and Hajin, 10 strikes engaged 29 tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers, one IED facility, one vehicle-borne IED facility, one mortar team headquarters, one building and two staging areas.” For October 19th-20th: “Near Hajin, 10 strikes engaged 11 tactical units, and destroyed one vehicle-borne IED, one armored vehicle, three vehicles and five supply routes.”
Dutch Military Strike Report
For Oct 17th-24th, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in six of these missions – against ISIS fighters and vehicles near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor.
French Military Strike Report
France report that between Oct 17th-23rd, the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram conducted 17 firing missions, from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and conducted eight strikes north of Abu Kamal in Syria.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-12-15
Original Source
Oct. 19, 2018, in Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3207/CS1814 37SFU690419

Media From Sources (1)