Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1848

Incident date

November 21–22, 2018

Location

الحصية في الشعفة, Al Sha'afa: Al Hassiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Six civilians from the same family were reported killed as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Hassiya, Al Sha’afa.

The date of the incident appears to range between November 21st and 22nd. Local media reported that among the victims were one man, four children and one woman, who were originally displaced from al Qaryatein in Homs.

The Syrian Network for example noted the following: “Six civilians from the same family, including four children and a woman, IDPs from al Qaryatein city in Homs governorate eastern suburbs, killed as International Coalition forces warplanes fired missiles on al Sh’afa city in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs, on November 22, 2018.”

According to tweets from several sources including @Mirashami60, the father was a car electrician whose nickname was Abu Kasem. The mother’s name was Najah. According to these sources, the couple had four children. The oldest child was reported to have been 8 years old.

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.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Abu Kasem
Adult male a local car electrician killed
Najah
Adult female Wife of Abu Kasem killed
Unnamed victim 1
8 years old Child of Abu Kasem and Najah killed
Unnamed victim 2
Child Child of Abu Kasem and Najah killed
Unnamed victim 3
Child Child of Abu Kasem and Najah killed
Unnamed victim 4
Child Child of Abu Kasem and Najah killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (21) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • 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 al Shaafa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU773320
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 15, 2020
  • Nov. 21, 2018, in al Shaafa, 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. 3238/CS1848 37SFU773320

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: On Nov. 20 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, six strikes destroyed six supply routes.
For November 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: On Nov. 21 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 11 strikes engaged two tactical units and destroyed eight supply routes, four tunnels, and one bunker.
For November 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: On Nov. 22 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 11 strikes destroyed one supply route, three fighting positions, four firing positions and four technical vehicles.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Dutch F-16's supported ground troops In the fight against ISIS during 10 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor near Abu Kamal. The targets were ISIS fighting positions and wearhouses.

In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 10 missies. Bij 3 werden wapens ingezet. De toestellen kwamen in actie boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour bij Abu Kamal. Hierbij zijn opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities van ISIS vernietigd.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (21) [ collapse]