Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1864

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.542338, 40.959091
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1738)

Up to 12 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Boubadran in Al Soussa.

Radio al Kul reported that a child was killed in Al Boubadran, while most other sources reported on the deaths of four women and and three children. Hajin News for example reported that “Four women and three children were killed by coalition aircraft bombing on the city of # Hajin, including elements of Daesh.”

Mena News was the only source that reported on the deaths of 12 civilians, including four women. Al Jisr TV explicitly blamed the deaths on Coalition ‘fighter planes’.

In a civilian casualty assessment issued April 16th 2021, the Coalition claimed this to be a ‘non credible’ event, on the grounds 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 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
7–12
3 Children, 4 Women

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 Soussa, Syria
MGRS coordinate
37SFU797240
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
On Dec. 4 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 66 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 31 strikes engaged seven tactical units, and destroyed 15 fighting positions, eight staging areas, four supply routes, two pieces of engineering equipment, three command and control nodes, one piece of heavy equipment, and one weapons facility.
French Military Strike Report
"From November 28th to December 4th, the aircraft of Operation Chammal made 16 air sorties and conducted one airstrike. Task Force Wagram conducted 61 firing missions from Iraq – 24 lighting, 37 destruction."
Dutch Military Strike Report
For November 28th - Dec 4th, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16's supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 9 missions. Weapons were deployed during 7 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting vehicles, logistical places and IS-fighters.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2021-04-16
Original Source
Dec. 4, 2018, in al Soussa. 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. 3250/CS1864 37SFU797240

Media from Sources (1)