Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1930

Incident date

September 4, 2019

Location

بين معيزيلة و مراط‎, Between Mu'ayzila and Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

The child Ali al-Ahmad was alleged killed at dawn during a landing operation carried out by the International Coalition.

According to Shaam News, “a coalition landing operation with the SDF [targeted] a civilian home between the towns of Mu’ayzila and the village of Marat on the old road between Deir al-Zour and al-Hasakeh governorates.”

Local sources reported that the operation was accompanied by a military convoy believed to be from the SDF. Three other civilians were reportedly arrested.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “September 4, 2019, in Maizeela, 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. 2778/CS1930 37SFV126086”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Ali al-Ahmad
Age unknown male killed

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a convoy moving between the two villages of Marat (مراط) at 35.31407, 40.23865 and Ma’izayla (معيزيلة) at 34.619365, 40.456123, on an unspecified road connecting Deir Ezzor to the Al-Hasaka governorate. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention a convoy moving between the two villages of Marat (مراط) and Ma'izayla (معيزيلة) on an unspecified road connecting Deir Ezzor to the Al-Hasaka governorate.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • 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 Maizeela, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV126086
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • September 4, 2019, in Maizeela, 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. 2778/CS1930 37SFV126086

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]