Incident Code

CS1890

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz: Sheikh Hamad neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.46385, 40.94231
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1766)

Local sources reported that a Coalition airstrike struck a civilian vehicle moving out of ISIS controlled areas at the intersection of Sheikh Hamad on the outskirts of the town Al Baghouz, east of Deir Ezzor, shortly before midnight.

The Coalition described an admission of six civilian deaths at Baghhouz on this date as “related incidents”, with the Pentagon later confirming it as a US action.

Dozens of families were reported to be leaving the town to other surrounding areas to escape the intensive shelling. A named woman was reported killed and her two daughters injured when their car was hit. Sources pointed out that the airstrike caused the destruction of several other cars as well, with more people reported wounded. There was therefore speculation that the death toll was expected to go up.

The Washington Post later reported that “the United States said Friday that it had launched an investigation into the death of a mother and the injury of two of her children when their car was allegedly hit by an airstrike.”

In December 2019, the Coalition conceded six civilian deaths on this date in the vicinity, stating that “January 22, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh facilities and vehicles. Regrettably, six civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of this strike. 2660 37SFU784153”.

Asked by Airwars whether this might be a match for this event, Coalition officials said that “The information provided in CS1890 leads us to believe that these are related incidents.”

In May 2020, this event was declared to be a US-only civilian harm event – though wrongly attributed to January 23rd 2019 – in the Pentagon-s annual report to Congress.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

Victims

Family members (3)

Dima al-Okidi
Adult female killed
Shahd
Child female Child of Dima al-Okidi injured
Mustafa
Child male Child of Dima al-Okidi injured

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
6
1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.458659, 40.954199.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
No reason given
Civilian deaths conceded
6
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Baghouz, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU784153
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
Between Jan. 13 - 26, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 645 strikes consisting of 1,360 engagements in Syria, and conducted nine strikes consisting of 12 engagements in Iraq. In Syria, 645 strikes engaged 394 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 244 fighting positions, 172 supply routes, 85 staging areas, 21 vehicles, 17 buildings, 15 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 14 mortar launching sites, 13 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive devices, 12 command and control nodes, nine tunnels, eight weapons catches, seven pieces of engineering equipment, five launching sites for unmanned aircraft systems, two weapons storage facilities, two mortar tubes, two improvised explosive devices, one unmanned aircraft system, one machine gun, one logistic node and one check point.
French Military Strike Report
For January 16th - 22nd, France report and 9 strikes in the Hajin region of Syria. Task Force Wagram carried out, from the Iraqi territory, 28 firing missions.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-12-05
Original Source
January 22, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh facilities and vehicles. Regrettably, six civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.2660 37SFU784153
U.S. Forces Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-05-06
Original Source
As of March 1, 2020, CJTF-OIR assessed that 11 reports of civilian casualties during 2019 were credible, with approximately 22 civilians killed and approximately 13 civilians injured as a result of U.S. military operations. The following table contains additional details about each instance during 2019 that was assessed to have resulted in civilian casualties. 23-Jan-19 Al Baghouz, Syria Air 0 civilians injured 6 civilians killed

Media From Sources (2)