Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1868

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1742)

One young girl named as Maryam Abdel Salam was reported killed in an alleged  artillery strike on Hajin.

Some sources reported that the attack was conducted by SDF ground forces using artillery while one source reported on “shelling of French artillery”. With the SDF not known to have had access to artillery at Hajin, this indicates that this was most likely a Coalition event.

Euphrates Post for example reported “Martyr child Maryam Abdel Salam was killed by artillery shelling by the SDF on Hajin city, under the control of Daesh, two days ago.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently instead noted “the martyrdom of the child Maryam Abdel Salam as a result of the bombing of the International Alliance on a village in the Deir Ezzor countryside.”

In its December 2020 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to assess its credibility.”

Victims

Individuals

Maryam Abdel Salam
Child female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Child

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
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
Insufficient information on the time and location
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
in Hajin, Syria
MGRS coordinate
37SFU676401
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
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
Friday 7 December – Tornados bombed a group of terrorists and their vehicles near Hajin, whilst Typhoons dealt with two defensive strongpoints...A Tornado flight was directed onto a group of terrorists, along with a number of vehicles, north-west of Hajin, on Friday 7 December. Once again, persistent cloud complicated the attack, but a Paveway IV was guided accurately onto the group and their vehicles. North of Hajin, the SDF reported being in a firefight with two Daesh defensive positions; Typhoons worked closely with the SDF to eliminate the threat from both targets, hitting them with Paveways.
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
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-12-15
Original Source
Dec. 7, 2018, in Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to assess its credibility. 3252/CS1868 37SFU676401

Media From Sources (1)