Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1866

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1740)

Five to eight civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike at Hajin according to sources on the ground. All victims were said to be women and children.

According to Syrian state media SANA News, “warplanes of the US-led Coalition attacked several residential houses in Hajin city on Thursday night or Friday morning, claiming the lives of eight civilians from one family and injuring other people.”

Other sources including Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24 reported on the death of five civilians: three women and two children. DPN reported that the displaced family was originally from the town of Al-Marayya.

Al Soussa Youth Facebook page, the Syrian Network and Step News put the death toll at seven, and reported that among the victims were three women and four children – one grandmother, her two daughters and two granddaughters.

All sources blamed the Coalition.

Victims

Family members (7)

Huda Muhy Al-Hewitt
Adult female killed
Shaima Mohammed Al-Afeen
Adult female killed
Daughter of Shaima Mohammed Al-Afeen
Child female killed
Daughter of Shaima Mohammed Al-Afeen
Child female killed
Bayan Mohammed Al-Afeen
Adult female killed
Daughter of Bayan Mohammed Al-Afeen
Child female killed
Daughter of Bayan Mohammed Al-Afeen
Child female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
5–8
2–4 Children, 3 Women

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hajin (هجين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.6897222, 40.83. 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
Not yet assessed
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
On Dec. 6 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 63 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 32 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 13 fighting positions, five staging areas, six supply routes, two pieces of engineering equipment, one logistics facility, one petroleum oil and lubricant tanker, one piece of heavy equipment, one heavy machine gun, one tactical vehicle and one financial facility. On Dec. 7 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 46 strikes consisting of 66 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 46 strikes engaged one ISIS tactical unit, and destroyed 19 fighting positions, seven pieces of heavy equipment, seven staging areas, five supply routes, four command and control nodes, three vehicles, one building and one financial facility.
Dutch Military Strike Report
Dutch F-16's supported ground troops during 9 missions in the fight against ISIS. Weapons were deployed during 6 missions. The aircrafts were operational above Syrian provide Deir Al Zour near Abu Kamal and targeted vehicles, logistical places and IS-fighters.
UK Military Strike Report
Thursday 6 December – Typhoons attacked a Daesh position north-west of Hajin... Typhoons conducted a further strike in the same area the following day, accounting for a further terrorist position.
French Military Strike Report
For December 5th to 11th, France reports that it carried out 20 sorties and 7 strikes. Task Force Wagram carried out 38 firing missions (20 lighting, 18 destruction). Since November 21, 161 fire missions have been carried out and nearly 1,000 shells have been fired. Airwars reached out to French MoD to ask where the airstrikes were conducted and was told that all seven strikes were near Hajin