Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1853

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: S1727)

Fourteen civilians from the same family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike which was said to have targeted or struck civilians homes in Al Sha’afa.

Jisr TV called the incident an “aerial bombardment” and labeled it a continuation of the recent massacres in Deir Ezzor over recent days.

According to multiple sources, the victims were mostly women and children, however none have yet been named. Madar Daily said that a family of six including four children were among 32 fatalities in multiple strikes on the town around this date.

A single source reported that the victims were “elements of Daesh”, however no other reports made this claim, and it was also not clear if this indicated family members rather than fighters. Further to this, many sources added that the area targeted was residential.

All sources blamed the US-led Coalition for the event.

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
14
2–6 Children, 2–6 Women

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
al Shaafa, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU805225
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 24th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 24 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 65 strikes consisting of 86 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 65 strikes engaged 24 tactical units and destroyed 28 firing positions, eight vehicles, six fighting positons, four supply routes, four IED factories, two buildings, five command and control facilities, two staging areas, one vehicle borne IED, one piece of engineer equipment,  one checkpoint, one weapons cache and one AAA system.
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
For November 21st-27th 2018, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16's supported ground troops in the fight against ISIS during 9 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting vehicles, logistical places and IS-fighters.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-10-29
Original Source
18.Nov. 24, 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. 3244/CS1853 37SFU805225