Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS626

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.18553, 36.72231
Accuracy: Exact location (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S548)

Up to three civilians were killed on the road between Sarmada and Kafr Daryan when their nearby motorcycle was hit in what appears to have been a unilateral US strike targeting members of Ahrar al Sham. The Coalition later admitted to the strike and reported that three civilians were killed and two were injured.

According to Baladi, “two civilians and four fighters were killed on Monday in a bombardment by an international coalition aircraft [sic] targeting the town of Sarmada in the countryside of Idlib.

The correspondent of My News (Ahmed Rahal) said that Coalition aircraft targeted a missile vehicle belonging to Tahrir Al Sham near the northern city of Sirmda, Idlib, causing the deaths of civilians, and four fighters, including a commander in the army of Fatah.

Step instead reported that “a US drone targeted a vehicle carrying members of the Tahrir Al Sham Organization, killing Abu Jaber al-Shami, three members of the Commission and two civilians riding a motorcycle near the incident.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the civilian death toll at three.

On March 10, 2022, in their CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition assessed this incident as credible, stating that “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Al Qaida-Syria terrorists in a vehicle. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed and two others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to
the strike.”

Victims

Individuals

Adult male possibly a combatant killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
2–3
2–3 Men

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to 36.18553, 36.72231 to the nearest town.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Open incident
Civilian deaths conceded
3
Civilian injuries conceded
2
Stated location
near Sarmada, Syria
Location accuracy
1 m
MGRS coordinate
37SBA9518306931
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
Mar. 27, 2017, near Sarmada, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Al Qaida-Syria terrorists in a vehicle. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed and two others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. 2496/S548 37SBA9518306931
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2022-03-10
Mar. 27, 2017, near Sarmada, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Al Qaida-Syria terrorists in a vehicle. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed and two others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. 2496/S548 37SBA9518306931

Media From Sources (5)