Incident Code

CS194

Location

الصالحية, Sala Heya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.82738, 43.38919
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S176a)

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians in an artillery strike near Sala Heya.

Their December 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIL mortar system, it was assessed that three civilians were inadvertently killed by Coalition counter-battery artillery near the point of origin of an ISIL mortar strike on friendly forces.”

Reports from the day made no mention of the Coalition, instead blaming the Assad regime. Baladi News noted that “Warplane shelling in Sala Heya, Kanamat, Jafar and Mariya in East of Syria killed a civilian and wounded others.” LCCSY reported that “Abdulla Sibhi al-Zaid, from #Jiaa village, was martyred due to targeting #Salhia neighbourhood with airstrikes yesterday.”

A day later Sin News said that 34 ISIL fighters had died in Coalition strikes on the town.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

Victims

Invidivuals

Abdulla Sibhi al-Zaid
Age unknown male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest district at 35.336, 40.145

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
Killed by strike blast
Civilian deaths conceded
3
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Sala Heya, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
38SLE545660
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
Artillery strikes are not reported as part of daily Coalition press reports.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2016-12-01
Original Source
March 31, 2016, near Sala Heya, Syria: During a strike on an ISIL mortar system, it was assessed that three civilians were inadvertently killed by Coalition counter-battery artillery near the point of origin of an ISIL mortar strike on friendly forces.