Incident Code

CS1820

Location

و الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6205556, 40.9386111
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1692)

Local sources reported on “two new massacres” resulting from alleged Coalition airstrikes targeting the towns of Al Sha’fa and al-Kashma in Deir al-Zour. Several sources including Free Deir Ezzor Radio and Baladi News reported the killing of a total of 17 non-combatant civilians including four women and three children.

Baladi added that the victims were all Iraqis.

However, Step News Agency and a tweet from @Olay reported that 17 civilians were killed in Kashma alone and four others in the town of Shaafa, including women and children.

According to Step, those killed were members of ISIS families.

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “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.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Civilians reported killed
17
0–3 Children, 0–4 Women

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Kashma (و الكشمة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.6205556, 40.9386111. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
al Kashma, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU777326
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For October 30th, the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Hajin, six strikes engaged six tactical units, and destroyed nine vehicles, seven supply routes, and one vehicle borne IED.”
Dutch Military Strike Report
For October 24th – 31st, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria and near Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq. Targets were ISIS warehouses and vehicles.
French Military Strike Report
For Oct 24th-30th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram have conducted 6 firing missions from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and four strikes north of Abu Kamal, Syria.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-10-29
Original Source
5. Oct. 30, 2018, al Kashma, 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. 3217/CS1820 37SFU777326
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed