Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS223

Location

أوجقناه, Ojkana, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4203501, 38.0766392
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S203)

22 civilians including at least 13 children were reported killed and 13 people injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes in Manbij.

The Shaam News Network reported that “Coalition planes launched raids on IS positions in Manbij and the surrounding area which led to the fall of civilian martyrs and wounded.”

The Syrian Press Centre said that “Ten civilians were killed in coalition aircraft bombing of the village of Ojkana a village near the city of Manbej in the countryside north of Aleppo, to coincide with the ongoing clashes in the area.

They added: “The ‘democratic forces of Syria,’ launched a massive offensive supported by the international coalition on the countryside Manbej in an attempt to control the city which is under IS control, the region is witnessing battles and clashes continuing, under air cover from the international coalition, which targeted at midnight the village of Ojkana Village, near Manbej led to the death ten civilians two of whom were identified as Bahjat al Hilal and Hashem al Hilal according to Manbij coordinating committee.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that they were “informed that no less than 10 civilians including 5 family members were killed by aerial bombardment by the U.S led coalition warplanes in Ojana village in Menbej countryside, while no less than 13 others were wounded.”

The Manbij Coordinating Committee too said Coalition raids had killed 10 civilians from the village of Ojkana “of whom Bahjat Hilal and Hashem Hilal are known”, while Shanba Press also put the death toll at 10, but did not say who was responsible for the “air raid“.

Manbij Mother of the World reported: “a family of 23 people was killed in Ojkana which no one is talking about. It includes 12 kids and 5 women. The family of Bahjat Al Hilal, his 2 wives, his children and his grandchildren. His brother Saad al Hilal lives in Lebanon but his wife and 8 children were killed including a one and a half year old daughter.”

In its assessment of the event, Amnesty noted that “Based on the available information, Amnesty International is concerned that the strikes in Ojqana on 3 June, which appear to have been carried out by Coalition aircraft, resulted in heavy civilian casualties possibly due to a failure to adequately distinguish between civilians and military targets, resulting in an indiscriminate attack.”

The Syrian Revolution Network later named the dead.

 

 

Victims

Individuals

Hashem Helal
male killed
Haja Al Met’eb
Adult male killed
Wahida Saadllah Al Helal
Child female killed
Hussein Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
So’oud Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
Bahjat Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
Hashem Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
Adnan Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
child, from the family of Saadllah Al Hussein Al Helal
Child killed
Bahjat Al Helal
male killed
Satah Al Hmidi
Adult male killed
A woman
female killed
Hani Bahjat Al Helal
male killed
Amani Bahjat Al Helal
Child female killed
Jasim Bahjat Al Helal
Child male killed
A child from the family of Bahjat Al Hussein Al Helal
Child female killed
Foad Al Helal
male killed
Heyab Al Abd Al Helal
Adult male killed
Saddam, from the family of Fo’ad Al Hussein Al Helal
male killed
A woman from the family of Fo’ad Al Hussein Al Helal
female killed
Unborn child, son of Saddam
Child killed
A child from the family of Fo’ad Al Hussein Al Helal
A child from the family of Fo’ad Al Hussein Al Helal
killed
Name unknown

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
22–23
11–15 Children, 6 Women
Civilians reported injured
13–15

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ojkana (أوجقناه), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.4203501, 38.0766392. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Not yet assessed
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
The Coalition reports for June 2nd-3rd “Near Manbij, 10 strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL cave entrances, two ISIL caves, and an ISIL-used bridge.“

Media From Sources (12)