Airwars assessment
On the 4th of August 2023, International Coalition forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) allegedly conducted an airdrop operation, which involved a ground action and helicopters, at dawn in the town of Matab Al Burashid, in Deir Ezzor, shooting and killing a civilian named Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed and injuring his brother.
Multiple media including RBSS, Euphrates, SOHEB, Roaaststudies published similar accounts of the incident, corroborating each other’s details. Naher Media News’ correspondent reported that the International Coalition was targeting a “displaced person” and alleged ISIS member from Deir Ezzor alias Abu Khattab. The ISIS member took refuge in Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed’s house and then fled without being captured. The International Coalition raided the house and shot Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed, and then prevented anyone from approaching the house until they had left, leaving the body of Ali in the house. Local sources claimed that the victim Ali brought Abu Khattab to the village and “settled him the house next to his house” which also belonged to Ali’s family. Baladi news, Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and Adel HR verified this account. No other information was provided about Ali.
Oِn Facebook, several people expressed their sadness over the passing of Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed. Abulwahab Al Ali , Ali’s uncle, announced that his nephew “the martyr Professor Ali Abdul Hamid Al-Areed” died “at dawn on Friday 4/8/2023” and added that “the condolences were at his father’s house in the village of Matab Al-Bourashid”. Murtada Ali also offered his condolences to the Al-Barashid clan for the death of the victim. ِJabouri published on Facebook a picture of Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed outside, in front of a house, alongside a young girl.
Al-Khabour, @SOHEB2019 and Al Raqqa News Agency reported that in addition to the young man killed, his younger brother was wounded and was transferred to a medical point for treatment.
In a civilian casualty assessment released on November 30th 2023, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.
The incident occured around dawn.
The victims were named as:
Summary
Sources (18) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]
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This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.
Graphic image of Ali Abdul Hameed Al-Areed, killed by International Coalition forces in Deir Ezzor on August 4, 2023. (Image posted by @SOHEB2019) -
Picture of Ali Abdul Hamid Al-Areed alongside a young girl. Source: ِJabouri (Facebook)
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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August 04, 2023, near Matab Al Burashid, Syria, via Airwars report. 3341/CS1996/ 37SEV6054861697