US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CS1651

Incident date

October 29, 2017

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Sharqiya Voice, “military aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Hajeen in eastern rural Deir Ezzor. The bombing focused on a number of civilian homes and the vicinity of the public market; there was news of the death of a woman and the wounding of others”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the death of a woman and the injury of other civilians, but like Sharqiya Voice didn’t say who was responsible.

Euphrates Post named a victim as “the daughter of Farid Faris al-Saad“, though SPC said that a son of Farid Faris al-Sa’ad was killed.

Al Hall reported that 22 civilians were wounded in addition to the death of a woman and blamed the Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

the daughter or son of Farid Faris al-Saad
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–22
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hajeen (هجین), for which the coordinates are: 34.6897222, 48.83. 

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hajin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 29th-30th: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed two ISIS staging areas and an ISIS-held building. Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS tactical vehicles and two heavy weapons.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–22
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1681

Incident date

November 21, 2017

Location

سوح الرفاعي, Souh al Rifai camp, Abu Kamal countryside, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.619365, 40.456123 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, a father and his two daughters, died and many more were wounded in shelling of a camp for displaced people in the Abu Kamal countryside. It was not clear who was responsible for the incident as no sources apportioned blame.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, unidentified warplanes carried out a massacre in the area of South Al-Refaei camp in the desert of Al-Bukamal. It said that a man and his two daughters died and that many more civilians were wounded – many seriously.

Sharqiya Voice named a man killed with his daughters by aircraft and artillery shelling of the camp, but didn’t say who was responsible.

The Coalition publicly reported no airstrikes in Syria that day.

 

The incident was first reported on November 21, 2017 at 8:00 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abboud al Muhaidi Al-Saleh Al Mithkal
Adult male via Sharqiya Voice killed
Daughter 1 of Abboud al Muhaidi Al-Saleh Al Mithkal
female via Sharqiya Voice killed
Daughter 2 of Abboud al Muhaidi Al-Saleh Al Mithkal
female via Sharqiya Voice killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Suh Al Rifai (سوح الرفاعي), an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp, and the countryside of Abu Kamal, near the village of Mu’ayzilah (معيزيلة), for which the coordinates are: 34.619365, 40.456123. Satellite imagery available to Airwars from December 2017 shows tents of IDP around the following coordinates: 34.483620, 40.531890

  • Location of IDP tents seen on satellite imagery of December 2017, near the village of Mu'ayzilah (معيزيلة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Souh al Rifai camp, Abu Kamal countryside, Deir ez-Zor
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU526547
    Military Grid Reference System

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS vehicle.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1713

Incident date

January 13–14, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five named civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajeen, sources on the ground said. The earliest report of casualties was on January 13th, though some reports later claimed the event was on the 14th or even the 15th.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “five civilians, including a woman, were killed as International Coalition warpalnes fired missiles on Hajin city in Deir Ez-Zour eastern suburbs, on January 13, 2018.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, also blaming the Coalition, put the death toll at four including “a man and his wife”.

Step News referred to a “massacre” in Hajeen, in which “a family of five including a woman” died.

Euphrates Post and Free Deir Ezzor named the victims. And Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office reported that “Both Matruk al-Saleh and his wife, and Yashar al-Salih, Yasser Shaker Al Isma’il and Abdul Qader Shaker al-Ismail were killed as a result of the shelling that targeted their home in a Hajeen city” – thought this report put the event as January 14th.

Sound and Picture, DCHRS and Qasioun were among other sources attributing the event to the Coalition.

ANHA news agency made no mention of civilian deaths, but reported that “17 Daesh mercenaries were killed during clashes between Syrian Democratic forces and Daesh mercenaries near the village of Hajin”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Matrouk al Saleh
Adult male killed
Wife of Matrouk al Saleh
Adult female killed
Yashar al-Salih
female Sometimes spelled Bashar and therefore possibly male. killed

Family members (2)

Yasser Shaker Al Isma’il
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Qader Shaker al-Ismail
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (17) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hajin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU676401
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 13th 2018 the Coalition reported that “On Jan. 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes consisting of 24 engagements against ISIS targets.

For January 14th, the Coalition reported that "Near Abu Kamal, nine strikes [1 British?] engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed two pieces of ISIS engineering equipment, a fighting position, an ISIS vehicle, an indirect fire weapon, two logistics centers, two VBIED factories, an ISIS line of communication and a UAV."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 14 January – a Reaper eliminated a Daesh drone operator…On Sunday 14 January, a Reaper spotted the third terrorist drone team identified during the week; on this occasion, the extremists attempted to conceal themselves in a building, but could be seen controlling the drone from the top-floor window. A Hellfire was directed accurately through the window.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1743

Incident date

April 13, 2018

Location

Him Shanshar military installation, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.681389, 36.466111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were credibly reported injured as a result of British strikes on a military compound West of the city of Homs “in the early hours of Saturday”.

The United States, France and the US declared that they had participated in the strikes in Damascus and Homs. In its own regular strike reports the Coalition made no mention of either action – suggesting that they may have been unilateral attacks.

A second location (34.695000, 36.536944) was also suggested by Airwars geolocators after studying published imagery relating to the event.

A tweet by @Syriahr and a report by Dostor News, quoting the state-run news agency SANA, reported that “rockets targeted army warehouses” which were either deflected or missed their target. The subsequent explosion of one missile allegedly “led to the injury of three people”.

In an Assad government statement, clipped by BBC Arabic, the defense ministry spokesperson also makes mention of the three civilians wounded in the Homs strike.

Sky News shared aerial footage of the “Shinshar chemical weapon facility” before and after it was targeted by the airstrike. Euphrates Post shared similar footage, and stated that the military compound was “completely destroyed”.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Aerial footage of the "Shinshar chemical weapons facility" pictured after the strike (via Sky News)
  • Euphrates Post published a number of high quality satellite images of the strike locations.
  • Euphrates Post published a number of high quality satellite images of the strike locations.
  • Euphrates Post published a number of high quality satellite images of the strike locations.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Him Shanshar military installation: at (1) 34.695000, 36.536944 and (2) 34.681389, 36.466111. The Euphrates Post and Sky News published satellite imagery of the destruction, see above

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Homs, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • April 13, 2018, near Homs, Syria, via Airwars. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 13th, General Joseph F. Dunford stated during a press conference that “At 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, French, British and U.S. forces struck targets in Syria in support of President Trump’s objective to deter the future use of chemical weapons. Our forces were integrated throughout the planning and execution of the operation. […] The second target was a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs. We assessed that this was the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1774

Incident date

June 21, 2018

Location

الحصية, Al Sha'afa, Al Hassya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.614722, 40.933056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to eight civilians including four children and two women were killed in a Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa.

Most sources reported that 17 people were killed overall, including eight civilians and nine or more ISIS fighters. The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that four children and two women were among the eight civilians who perished. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was the only source stating that 14 ISIS fighters were killed.

According to Al Soussa Youth, the casualties were a result of multiple “international Coalition air raids targeted the town of Al-Sha’afa”. According to the outlet, the first raid was near a car wash. Later, eleven bodies were recovered from the site, four of them civilians.

The second attack targeted a house in the al Hassya area, reportedly killing 4 civilians. The third raid targeted a four-wheel drive vehicle at an intersection at Ramtha. Another attack targeted an ISIS vehicle “near the orchard”. Syria News quoted Syrian state media SANA as identifying the bombed sites as “the Rafa’a al-Sattam complex, the fence complex, the Saeed al-Tawfeh al-Hazza and al-Husayya areas”.

Sound and Picture reported that in addition to the eight civilians that were killed, 14 others were injured in the attack.

According to a correspondent for Radio al Kul, Coalition aircraft dropped leaflets on the “areas under the control of the organization [ISIS] in the eastern countryside of Deir Al-Zour, calling on it to withdraw from the area.”

In correspondence with Airwars, Deir Ezzor 24 provided a list of what it said were eight unidentified civilian victims – including 4 boys, 2 women and an adult male – in “raids by fixed wing aircraft belonging to the international coalition on the town of Sha’afa”.

In September 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible. Their monthly civilian harm report noted, “After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.”

The incident was first reported on June 21, 2018 at 2:00 pm by .

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children2 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Destruction at al Sha'afa following a reported Coalition strike on June 21st 2018 (via Deir Ezzor 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a car wash and a house in the area of Hassia (الحصية) in the town of Al-Sha’afa, for which the coordinates are: 34.614722, 40.933056. Other areas mentioned in Al Sha’afa include “the complex of spring Sattam, junction fence and Bustan Saeed Al-Hatzah”

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Stated location
    in Al Shafah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU772320
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 26, 2019

  • June 21, 2018, in Al Shafah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition publicly reported at the time that “On June 21 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of six engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, five strikes destroyed five Daesh supply routes."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Thursday 21 June – Typhoons bombed a hostile position which persisted in firing on coalition forces in southern Syria...On Thursday 21 June, coalition forces operating against Daesh in the south of Syria were fired on by hostile positions, not believed to be held by Daesh. Although the coalition forces decided to withdraw to attempt to de-escalate the situation, one particular position continued to fire on them. As an act of collective self-defence, RAF Typhoons dropped a single Paveway IV on the position, which successfully removed the threat to our coalition partners.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France report that from June 20th to 26th, Task Force Wagram carried out 14 artillery shooting missions in the Euphrates Valley. A total of 162 have been conducted since the start of the offensive on May 1st. Aircraft carried out 15 sorties but once again no airstrikes were conducted.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie En Syrie, l’offensive contre les dernières emprises territoriales de Daech se poursuit. Menée par les forces démocratiques syriennes, coordonnée avec les forces de sécurité irakiennes et appuyée par la coalition, elle a déjà permis de reprendre plus de 300 km2 de territoire à Daech depuis son lancement le 1er mai. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation sur l’ensemble du territoire. Ces opérations permettent la saisie régulière de grandes quantités d’armes et de munitions de Daech. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes La Task Force Narvik mène actuellement cinq stages au profit de l’Iraki Counter Terrorisme Service (ICTS). Ils couvrent les domaines de formation suivants : la lutte contre les engins explosifs, le maniement et l’entretien d’armements lourds, le déplacement tactique en convoi, le secourisme au combat et le tir de précision.La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate Les artilleurs de la Task Force Wagram demeurent engagés en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Depuis le lancement de l’offensive le 1er mai, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 162 missions de tirs, dont 14 sur la semaine écoulée (bilan du 20 au 26 juin inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1821 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Sur la semaine écoulée, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 15 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 20 au 26 juin inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8174 sorties / 1450 frappes / 2241 objectifs neutralisés.’

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Dutch F16's supported ground troops in the fight against terrorist organization ISIS. This occurred during 6 missions above the provinces Al Anbar in Iraq, Al Hasakah and Deir al Zour in Eastern Syria. Weapons were deployed during one mission in the area of Hajin, targeting an ISIS building.

In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 6 missies. Dat gebeurde boven de provincies Al Anbar in Irak, Al Hasakah en Deir al Zour in Oost-Syrië. Bij een missie zijn wapens ingezet. Nederlandse jachtvliegtuigen vielen in de Oost-Syrische provincie Deir al Zour, in de buurt van Hajinn een ISIS-gebouw aan.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children2 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1377 CS321

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

بقرص, Bokros, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.090833, 40.398056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 10 civilians including a family of four died following air raids on Bokros, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian regime, Russia and the Coalition were all blamed.

According to Shaam News, “In the town of Bokros Coalition aircraft attacked houses belonging to civilians, which led to the death of four people, including two boys and a girl, in addition to the fall of the number of wounded.”

The Syrian Observatory blamed unspecified warplanes for the attack, while Smart News held the Assad regime responsible. Eldorar and Syria News Desk blamed Russia. According to the latter, “four civilians, including two children, were killed and seven others wounded, after Russian aviation raids targeting four residential sites in Bokros, which also led to the complete destruction of three houses and significant material damage to another four.”

Deirezzor24 put the death toll at 10 and also blamed Russia.

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.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mohammad Hamed al A’shraj
Child male killed
Aref Mahmoud al A’shraj
Adult male “A football player in al fotwa and Bokros team”, according to @ahmed_rahall. killed
Salmin Hassan al A’shraj
Child female killed
Nour Bassem al A’shraj
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Aref Mahmoud al A’shraj, killed in an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via ahmed_rahall)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via EuphratesPost)
  • Damage to civilian homes can be seen here following an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via Furat Post)
  • Damage to civilian homes can be seen here following an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via Furat Post)
  • Damage to civilian homes can be seen here following an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via Furat Post)
  • Aref Mahmoud al A’shraj, killed in an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via awaadalkh1)
  • Euphrates post names the victims in Bokros as A'ref Mahmoud al A'jrash and the children, Mohammad Hamed al A'jrash and Salmeen and Nour Bassem al A'jrash
  • An oppositionst activist reports that the footballer A'ref was killed in Bokros. 30th September 2016
  • Euphrates post tweets photos of the aftermath of the raids at Bokros which they report left 4 dead including three children. 30th September 2016
  • Two people killed due to their injuries sustained in alleged Russian strikes on Bokros yesterday. 1st October 2016

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU274840
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 30, 2016, in Bokros, 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. 3057/CS321 37SFU274840

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 29th-30th 2016 the Coalition stated: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes damaged four ISIL supply routes and disabled a bridge along an ISIL supply route.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1836

Incident date

November 15, 2018

Location

البوبدران, Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.554886, 40.950379 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a residential area and reportedly killed between eight and 23 civilians, in what local sources described as “a massacre”.

According to Sana News, 23 civilians died as a result of the airstrike. Step News  and Euphrates Post reported that a total of 20 people died. Step added that 17 belonged to the same family of Al Hamid al-Saleh Al Abdullah, of whom many were women and children.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights first reported 10 civilian deaths as a result of the strike, including four women. It later added that the death toll had risen to 18 and that all victims were of the same family, including 14 children and three women. Most other media sources reported similar numbers between 17 or 18 civilians of whom most were reported to be women and children of the same family.

Deir Ezzor 24 reported the lowest number of civilian casualties and put the death toll at eight.

Free Deir Ezzor Radio posted that several civilians were injured in addition to the family members who died. According to Step News, it was one female family member who survived.

According to Jisr TV, the family was displaced and had fled Coalition bombing and Kurdish militias on their border village in search of safety in the town of al Soussa.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (27)

Mahmoud Saleh Al-Abdullah
Adult male killed
Kaddifa Ali Al Khalaf
Age unknown killed
Samira Dideb al-Jassim
Age unknown killed
Hamid Saleh Al-Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Warfa Aeef al-Azzawi
Age unknown killed
Khalfa Al  Hussein
Age unknown killed
Hamdan Saleh Al-Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Warda Ahmed Al-Hamad
Age unknown killed
Hamid Saleh Al Abdullah Abo Yusef
Age unknown male killed
Khalife Hussein Al-Qatta
Adult female killed
Maha Mohammed Al-Musleh
Adult female killed
Majida Hamid al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Amjad Hamid Al Saleh
Age unknown killed
Dunya Hamid al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Nadia Hamid al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Shadia Hamid al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Farah Hamid Al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Kafa Hamid Al Saleh
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Hamid Saleh
Age unknown male killed
Ayman Yousef  Hamid al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Yamen Yousef  Hamid Al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Amena Hamid Al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Iman Hamid Al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Saleh Mahmoud Al Saleh Al - Abdullah
Child of Hamid al-Saleh
Child female killed
Entsar Aayef Al-Thayab
Adult female injured
Child of Hamid al-Saleh
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 23
  • (8–14 children3–4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Photograph of Saleh Mahmoud Saleh, one of the victims of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Soussa on November 15th 2018, according to Deir Ezzor 24.
  • Victims of the alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Soussa on November 15th 2018, according to Jisir TV.
  • Victim of the alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Soussa on November 15th 2018, according to Jisir TV
  • Victims of the alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Soussa on November 15th 2018, according to Jisir TV
  • # URGENT | # ORGANIZATION OF THE [Islamic] STATE: 18 civilians, most of them children, were killed by raids of the coalition on the # Albaqouz countryside # Abu Kamal

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Boubadran (البوبدران) neighbourhood, in the north of Al Soussa (السوسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.554886, 40.950379. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.54233, 40.84554

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Boubadran (البوبدران) neighbourhood, in the north of Al Soussa (السوسة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 15th-16th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 15 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes consisting of 38 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 19 strikes destroyed five buildings, three supply routes, 11 fighting positions, two mortars, one weapons cache, and one command and control center.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Thursday 15 November – Typhoons struck three Daesh positions in eastern Syria…Further assistance was rendered to the SDF on Thursday 15 November by a Typhoon flight, which bombed in turn three Daesh positions on the banks of the Euphrates, north-west of Hajin.’

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For November 14th-20th 2018, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16’s supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 10 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting IS warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 14 t/m 20 November laat MinDef weten F-16’s te hebben ingezet tijdens 10 missies ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Bij 3 werden wapens ingezet, boven Deir al Zour in Syrie. Opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities van IS zijn vernietigd.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France report that from Nov 14th – 20th, Task Force Wagram conducted 64 firing missions – 47 ‘lighting’, 17 ‘destruction’. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties but there were no strikes.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, marque actuellement un temps d’arrêt. Appuyées par la coalition, les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions avant de relancer leur offensive. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. Evitant le contact, Daech tente d’alimenter un sentiment d’insécurité par des actions clandestines ciblant indistinctement les FSI ou la population irakienne. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Elle a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 64 missions de tir (47 éclairement, 17 destruction – bilan du 14 au 20 novembre inclus).’ Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2165 missions de tirs.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 23
  • (8–14 children3–4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1864

Incident date

December 4, 2018

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.542338, 40.959091 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 12 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Boubadran in Al Soussa.

Radio al Kul reported that a child was killed in Al Boubadran, while most other sources reported on the deaths of four women and and three children. Hajin News for example reported that “Four women and three children were killed by coalition aircraft bombing on the city of # Hajin, including elements of Daesh.”

Mena News was the only source that reported on the deaths of 12 civilians, including four women. Al Jisr TV explicitly blamed the deaths on Coalition ‘fighter planes’.

In a civilian casualty assessment issued April 16th 2021, the Coalition claimed this to be a ‘non credible’ event, on the grounds that “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 12
  • (3 children4 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected targets
    ISIS, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU797240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 16, 2021

  • Dec. 4, 2018, in al Soussa. 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. 3250/CS1864 37SFU797240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

On Dec. 4 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 66 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 31 strikes engaged seven tactical units, and destroyed 15 fighting positions, eight staging areas, four supply routes, two pieces of engineering equipment, three command and control nodes, one piece of heavy equipment, and one weapons facility.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

"From November 28th to December 4th, the aircraft of Operation Chammal made 16 air sorties and conducted one airstrike. Task Force Wagram conducted 61 firing missions from Iraq – 24 lighting, 37 destruction."

"CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie Dans la région d’Hajine, dans la moyenne vallée del’Euphrate, profitant de conditions météo défavorables, Daech a lancé à nouveau des offensives contre les positions des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Celles-ci se sont heurtées à des frappes aériennes et des tirs d’artillerie de la coalition. Au bilan, la ligne de front n’a pas évolué cette semaine. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation est inchangée. Les opérations des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. A la frontière, l’effort visant à contrer toute tentative d’action d’infiltration de Daech depuis la Syrie est maintenu. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La frégate légère furtive Aconit patrouille actuellement en Méditerranée orientale dans le cadre de la fonction stratégique connaissance et anticipation. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. De façon à assurer une précision maximale des tirs, Wagram dispose de la nouvelle station météo baptisée SEPHIRA (Station d’Elaboration de Profils atmospHérIques et Radiosondage pour l’Artillerie) qui permet de transmettre aux pièces d’artillerie les éléments atmosphériques influant sur la trajectoire des obus : force et direction du vent, température, taux d’humidité ou encore pression atmosphérique. De plus, cette semaine ont été employés, pour la première fois en opération, les obus Bonus, qui sont des munitions antichars à effet dirigé, de précision métrique. Chaque obus Bonus dispose de deux charges militaires, ce qui permet de détruire deux véhicules blindés avec une seule munition. Ainsi, le 3 décembre, alors qu’une colonne de véhicules de Daech est détectée, la TF Wagram a reçu l’ordre de lui barrer la route. Après un premier tir de barrage, Daech contourne la zone et relance son action. Ordre est alors donné à Wagram de détruire la colonne. Au bilan, l’emploi de 4 obus Bonus a permis la neutralisation de 8 véhicules blindés. La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 61 missions de tir (24 éclairement, 37 destruction – bilan du 28 novembre au 4 décembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2288 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 16 sorties aériennes (bilan du 28 novembre au 4 décembre inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 1 frappe cette semaine sur des combattants de Daech. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8688 sorties / 1482 frappes / 2283 objectifs neutralisés. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), notamment dans les domaines suivants : mise en œuvre d’armes lourdes, combat motorisé, lutte contre les engins explosifs improvisés, sauvetage au combat et tir de précision."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For November 28th - Dec 4th, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16's supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 9 missions. Weapons were deployed during 7 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting vehicles, logistical places and IS-fighters.

In het overzicht van 28 Nov- 4 Dec laat MinDef weten tijdens 9 missies F-16's te hebben ingezet ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Bij 7 missies boven Deir al Zour in Syrie werden wapens ingezet. Voertuigen, logistieke plaatsen en IS-strijders zijn geraakt.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 12
  • (3 children4 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected targets
    ISIS, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]