Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1849

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1723)

Between 10 and 19 civilians were reported killed as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike at al Sha’afa.

According to a tweet from @addouniatv, 10 civilians died resulting from the attack.  @DeirEzzor24 and Free Deir Ezzor Radio reported that as many as 18 civilians died. Most other sources put the death toll at 11 civilians, and reported that among the victims were three women and five children.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights however, observed that “in the town of Al-Sha’afa in the east of Deir Ezzor at least 19 were killed, including five fighters from Daesh and 14 civilians, including 5 children and 3 women”.

Dozens were also reported injured including many critical cases, which in addition to the difficulties of lifting the wounded from the rubble raised an expectation that the number of deaths would increase, according to sources citing Syrian state media Sana News.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2020, the US-led Coalition asserted that “that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
10–19
5 Children, 3 Women
Civilians reported injured
12–24

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sha’afa (الشعفة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.57888, 40.93441. 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
in al Shaafa
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU774280
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 23rd the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 23 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 50 strikes consisting of 69 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 50 strikes engaged seven tactical units and destroyed 27 firing positions, five fighting positions, five supply routes, two vehicle borne IEDs, one armored vehicle, four tunnels, three technical vehicles, four tunnels, one checkpoint, one bunker, and one mortar firing position.
French Military Strike Report
From Nov 21st-27th, France report that Task Force Wagram carried out 62 firing missions (35 lighting, 27 destruction) from Iraq territory. Aircraft carried out 16 sorties and two strikes.
Dutch Military Strike Report
Dutch F-16's supported ground troops in the fight against ISIS during 9 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor. Vehicles, warehouses and ISIS fighters were targeted.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-10-29
Original Source
17.Nov. 23, 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. 3240/CS1849 37SFU774280