Incident Code

CS1908

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.44758, 40.95342
Accuracy: Exact location (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1784)

Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike struck Al-Baghouz camp on the night of March 13th. Sources reported varying numbers of civilian deaths.

Several sources reported that up to 100 civilians were killed in the airstrike. One source, Christian Turner, tweeted that 20 civilians were killed. All sources reported that most of the victims were women and children.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition deemed this incident credible and assessed that “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a camp. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.”

Three victims were identified, one of whom seems to have been involved with ISIS. Baladi News reported that Mu’adh Muhammad al-Ali al-Daham was one of the most prominent journalists of ISIS. “He covered several battles during the organization’s control over large areas in the area. He also described many executions and releases carried out by the organization in the cities of al-Boukamal and al-Mayadin.” His nickname was “Abu Amer Zer” and he was reported to be the eldest brother of the military commander in “the organization” that Deir Ezzor 24 referred to as “Abu Dajana Abu Daqana”.

The second victim identified is a French child. A tweet by @Idriss Sihamedi reads that “This French child is seriously injured. He is between life and death in Syria. He claims someone named “Marianne” may be his grandmother” and calls for people to search for his family back home in France. According to a tweet by @annakkachi, his mother was killed in the bombing.

No other details are known at this time.

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 (2)

Adult female killed
Child male killed

Invidivuals

Adult male Reportedly one of the most prominent journalists of ISIS killed

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
20–100
2–3 Children, 2–3 Women, 1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to 34.447579, 40.953426 to the nearest city.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Open incident
Civilian deaths conceded
4
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near al Baghouz, Syria
MGRS coordinate
37SFU7945513515
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
"Between March 10 - 23 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 250 strikes consisting of 398 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 193 strikes consisting of 338 engagements, engaged 346 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 104 vehicles, 63 supply routes, 39 fighting positions, 31 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, nine tactical vehicles, six fuel tankers, four weapons caches, two command and control nodes, one tunnel, one tanker for petroleum oil and lubricants, one mortar system, and one checkpoint."
French Military Strike Report
For March 13th-19th, France report that Task Force Wagram did not carry out any artillery missions. Aircraft carried out 57 sorties and there was one strike. It also provides a review of the four years of training of TF Narvik and Monsabert
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2022-03-10
Original Source
Mar. 13, 2019, near al Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a camp. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike. 2682/CS1908 37SFU7945513515

Media From Sources (2)