Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS245

Location

الخفسة, Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52415, 37.95006
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S220)

Four civilians were killed and three injured in a US strike at Al Khafsa.

According to the Manbij Coordinating Committee, “the village of Arba’a Kbeer [al Hamr] suffered Coalition raids on the road between Manbij and al Khafsa. There are wounded and one death of a displaced person in the area.” One of the dead men was named as Muhammad Waleed Al Hamood al Sheikho. Those injured were named as the children of Mustapha Ibrahim al Khalif.

Baladi News placed the death toll at four: “Just after midnight Coalition aircraft carried out a series of raids on a number of villages and towns along the Maskana – Manbej road, near al Khafsa and al Ma’moura [al Mahdoum] village at Arba’a Kabir – killing 4 people and leaving several wounded, some critically.”

The US later confirmed it had killed four civilians, noting: “Near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL fighting position, it is assessed that four civilians were killed.”

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

Victims

Individuals

It's unknown how many children were wounded injured

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
4
1 Man
Civilians reported injured
3

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.2308082, 38.021965

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
No reason given
Civilian deaths conceded
4
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Manbij, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SDA060426
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 2nd-3rd 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, six strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2016-11-09
Original Source
July 3, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL fighting position, it is assessed that four civilians were killed.

Media From Sources (4)