Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS318

Location

حاجي كوسا, Haji Koussa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5563, 37.63915
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S286)

A woman and her three children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition or Russian strike at Haji Koussa, near Al Bab.

Blame was divided. Local Syran Civil Defence and Qasioun said Russia carried out the strike. Syrian News Desk blamed the Assad regime. Syrian Rebels Gathering said unidentified aircraft were responsible. And Radio Al Kul, Aleppo 24, Halab News, Al Jisr, Baladi News, the Syrian Network and Halab Today blamed the Coalition.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
4
3 Children, 1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Haji Koussa (حاجي كوسا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.5563, 37.63915. 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
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SCA782465
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For September 28th-29th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.“
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-05-01
Original Source
Sept. 29, 2016, in Haji Koussa, 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. 3054/CS318 37SCA782465
Unknown Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Unknown position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (3)