Incident Code

CS1827

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.67595, 40.87086
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1701)

Local media reported that between 11 and 26 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, in what some sources described as “a massacre”. 

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for just one death in this event, with their monthly civilian casualty report noting: “Near Hajin, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.” Officials confirmed to Airwars that this matched our event CS1827.

Airstrikes were carried out in Hajin and Al Shaafa on the same day according to locals, and most sources reported on a combined number of civilian casualties as a result of airstrikes in both places. Zaman al Wasl News reported the death of 11 civilians, but did not specify the number of  casualties in each location.

Smart News and Al Haal added that air and artillery strikes were allegedly carried out by both the Coalition and the regime. The Coalition itself later complained of multiple strikes by an unnamed party (presumably the regime) into the Hajin Pocket. According to Al Haal’s named source, 18 civilians died in addition to six members of ISIS and dozens of wounded. 

This particular airstrike in Hajin allegedly targeted “Mohammed al-Latta’s shops, on al Ishreen Street”, a site which reportedly housed ISIS families and weapons. 

Reuters reported that the Syrian government protested to the United Nations about an air strike by the US-led coalition against Islamic State which it said killed 26 civilians in Hajin – to which the Coalition’s spokesman replied that the alliance had “successfully struck and destroyed an ISIS (Islamic State) observation post and staging area in Hajin, void of civilians at the time”. 

Sana News described the event as a “massacre” that claimed the lives of two children and two women, who were reported to be of the same family by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.Euphrates Post named five victims, all from the same family.

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

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this as a US event.

Victims

Family members (5)

Mariam Al Abd Al Mukhlef Al Mulla
Adult female killed
Hiba Al Abd Mukhlef Al Mulla
Adult killed
Obeida Mahmoud Al Sharif Al Mulla
Child killed
Esraa Sharif al-Mukhalif Al Mulla
Age unknown killed
Son of Shahwan Abd Al Mukhlef Al Mulla
Child male 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
11–26
2–3 Children, 2 Women
Civilians reported injured
12–24

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.6897222, 40.83

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
Killed by strike blast
Civilian deaths conceded
1
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Hajin, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU714387
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 9th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 9 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes consisting of 46 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 19 strikes engaged 15 tactical units, and destroyed six buildings, three tunnels, two command and control centers, one observation point, one vehicle borne IED, three supply routes and two weapons caches.
French Military Strike Report
From Nov 7th – 13th, France reports that the three CAESAR guns carried out 49 ‘fire’ missions from the Iraqi territory – 35 illumination, 14 destruction. Aircraft conducted 18 sorties and 1 strike in support of forces on the ground in Syria.
Dutch Military Strike Report
For November 7th-13th, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during 8 missions in the fight against ISIS. Weapons were deployed in 3 missions near Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria. Targets were ISIS warehouses and fighting positions.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-06-27
Original Source
Nov. 9, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to 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. Nov-18 Hajin, Syria Air 0 civilians killed 1 civilian injured

Media From Sources (4)