US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
2984 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS1376 CS320

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

الشحيل, Al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0865, 40.45232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three children and an elderly woman died in an airstrike on a primary school at al Shaheel, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Syrian regime, Russia or the US-led Coalition.

Deir Ezzor 24, the Syrian Observatory and Euphrates Post reported only that unspecified warplanes had carried out the attack. The pro-regime site Al Ahed News instead said Assad’s forces had carried out the attack – as did Step News, Smart News, Syrian Press Center, and the Syrian Network (which said the attack was on a primary school.)

Masar Press and Deir Ezzor 24 instead blamed the Coalition.

In the most detailed report Syria News Desk – which blamed Russia – noted: “Media opposition activist Abu Wassim al-Dairi, quoting civilian sources said that ‘the air force targeted with two raids a secondary School in Al Shaheel which shelters displaced people from the village of Almrieih which is adjacent to the military airport at Deir Ezzor. The attack killed two children and an elderly woman and a man, and injured four others, all from one family. The bombing resulted in the destruction of the school building and extensive damage to nearby houses.”

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:

Franjiya Mhaissan al Nahar
Adult female the wife of the late Ali Al Ahmad Abu Hassan killed
Malak Barhan Adel al Mushref
Child female killed
Sulaf Mohammad Karbit
Child female The four victims were all internally displaced from nearby Deir Ezzor city. They were named by Euphrates Post. killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Malak Barhan Adel al Mushref, killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Image of the alleged location which was targeted by the Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • A mother and her three children reported killed in alleged regime shelling on a primary school in Al Shaheel. [Via: SN4HR 30th September 2016]
  • Euphrates post names three of the victims killed in warplane shelling on al Shaheel. 30th September 2016
  • Four civilians reported killed following alleged coalition strikes on al Shaheel. [Via: Masar Press 30th September 2016]
  • DE24 reports that four civilians from a displaced family were killed in the air raids that targeted al Shaheel. 30th September 2016
  • DE24 tweets photos of the aftermath of the raids on al Shaheel. 30th September 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
    37SFU323836
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 30, 2016, in Al Shaheel, 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. 3056/CS320 37SFU323836

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Coalition strike reports mentions strike in the province of Deir Ezzor without mentioning the village in name.
"On Sept. 30, coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed six oil tanker trucks, two vehicles, and an oil pump jack and damaged a vehicle and another oil tanker truck. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed 24 oil tanker trucks and two oil well heads."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI038

Incident date

February 8, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, 100km South of Mosul on ‘Road 1’, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.462108, 43.067723 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged coalition airstrike struck a vehicle on the road between Mosul and Baghdad, which was carrying Jordanian mosque janitor Ahmed Abdul Aqi [sometimes Baqi], his wife and daughter. All three died in the incident. The driver of the car Ahmed al Azzawi (pictured below) also died according to his family.

In a detailed report on the deaths, Alghad Press said that Aqi was making the trip because he was critically ill, and could not receive treatment in Islamic State-controlled hospitals. He had spent days getting the necessary ISIL permits to travel: “He was so poor that he had to sell some of his wife’s jewellery to pay for the trip by taxi.” The alleged airstrike on the vehicle was reported as occurring about 100km south of Mosul, near Kanu: “This was the third such incident in a week which had turned that only route out of the town into a dangerous trap for innocent civilians.“

The cousin of the driver later confirmed to Airwars by email that Ahmed al Azzawi had died, along with Aqi’s family, in what he described as an airstrike.

 

The incident was first reported on February 8, 2015 at 11:39 pm by Facebook commemoration page by @Mosul.ateka.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmed Abdul Aqi
Adult male Father killed
Wife of Ahmed Abdul Aqi
Adult female killed
Daughter of Ahmed Abdul Aqi
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed al Azzawi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Abdul Aqi (via Google+ page)
  • Ahmed Al Azzawi, the driver of a car alleged to have been struck by a coalition aircraft (family photos via Facebook)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle travelling from Mosul to Baghdad, at approximately “100 km South of Mosul.” Coordinates for 100 km South of Mosul on ‘Road 1’ (the main route between Mosul and Baghdad) are: 35.462108, 43.067723

  • Map showing ‘Road 1’ between Mosul and Baghdad, with a 100 km radius marked in red.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Point coordinates taken, West of Al Shirqat ( الشرقاط‎ )

    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
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE246260
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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

No public report from CJTF-OIR for February 7th-9th appears to match this incident.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS404

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Location

العبارة, `Abbarah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1553406, 39.0213776 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including three brothers – along with two ISIL fighters – were reported killed in an alleged Coalition air raid on al Abbara.

Syria News Desk said that “Four civilians and two members of Islamic state were killed and others were injured this afternoon, due to international coalition raids targeting with four raids the village of Al A’bbara under the control of ISIL in the countryside of northern Raqqa.”

According to Smart news, seven civilians were also injured in the attack.

Syrian PC has named three of the dead, all from the same family.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event had been submitted “for further review.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmad Shareef Sakher
20 years years old male killed
Hussein Shareef Sakher
18 years years old male killed
Mo’ayad Ibrahim Sakher
15 years years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Sharif al Sakhir and his brother Hussein Sharif al Sakhir (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered)
  • Mouayed Ibrahim al Sakhir (via RBSS)
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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al-Abbara village, northern Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA020010
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 5th-6th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

CS669

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.882222, 39.048611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Smart News Agency reported the death of three civilians inlcuding two children and the injury of four more in an alleged Coalition strike on Rata.

Other sources put the death toll at four including two children, though they did not identify who was responsible for the “raids”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ 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 Ratlah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • 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. (1294)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 6th-7th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; and destroyed four fighting positions and a tactical vehicle.”
For April 7th-8th, the Coalition did not report on any airstrikes near Ar Raqqah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1512

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media named four civilians as killed in Raqqa by “aerial bombardment and artillery”. The culprit was not identified, though Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery at Raqqa, and was conducting airstrikes on the city at the time.

The date of the incident is yet to be confirmed. Sources reported the deaths on either September 22nd or 23rd and said that they occurred “a few days ago”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hossein Al – Salloum Al – Ibrahim
Adult killed
Ali Mohamed El Hassan
Adult killed
Osama Mohamed El Hassan
Adult killed
Youssef Said Mouawad
Adult killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 19th-20th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed 28 fighting positions, three vehicles, two ISIS communications infrastructure items and an ISIS headquarters."
For September 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions; a vehicle; two logistics nodes; a VBIED and a VBIED factory.” It additionally added that “On Sept. 20, near Raqqah, Syria, 25 strikes destroyed 30 fighting positions, a logistics node, a an ISIS supply route and damaged two fighting positions, and suppressed a fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For September 20th, the UK MOD reported that "Wednesday 20 September – Typhoons destroyed a truck carrying mortars in northern Iraq… On Wednesday 20 September, Typhoons successfully bombed a truck carrying mortars some 25 miles north-west of Bayji."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI875

Incident date

February 7, 2018

Location

المخيسة, Al Mikhisa village, Diyala, Iraq

Geolocation

33.911152, 44.735234 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were reports that two civilians were killed and two injured by airstrikes in Al Mikhisa village, east of the Abu Sayda district. Local sources told Airwars that two of the deceased civilians may have been farmers.

All reports mentioned that airstrikes targeted the “orchards” or “the farms” in the village. None however provided any information on the culprit.

According to Alebaa TV, the head of the security committee in the Abu Saida district council stated instead that four “criminal elements” from Fallujah had been killed and wounded by “an intensive aerial bombardment” in the eastern part of the area.

Al Bawabh News later quoted the same head of the security committee who stated that “the so-called military prince of the Daesh organization in the Waqf basin was killed from wounds” that were a result of an air raid “near the orchards of Al-Mukhisa”.

The US-led Coalition later denied responsibility for any civilian harm, noting in October 2018 that “The [Airwars] report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (5) [ 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al-Mikhaisa, Diyala, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SMC755523
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 28, 2018

  • February 7, 2018, near al-Mikhaisa, Diyala, Iraq, via Airwars. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 7th, the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 7 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets. Near Taji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For February 7th-13th, the Netherlands report its F16s attacked ISIS fighters and a logistic storage facility near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor. Jets supported ground troops in 8 missions, including in the Al Anbar province, Iraq. Weapons deployed in two missions.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 14-02-2018 | 12:00 Nederlandse F-16’s vielen ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen ISIS-strijders en een logistieke opslagplaats aan. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 7 tot en met 13 februari 2018. De jachtvliegtuigen hielpen de grondtroepen, ook boven de Iraakse provincie Al-Anbar, tijdens 8 missies. Bij 2 werden wapens ingezet. Nederland strijdt boven Irak en Oost-Syrië in coalitieverband tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1752

Incident date

May 16, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Filasteen neighbourhood, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.51851, 40.96319 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed and up to 14 injured following air or artillery strikes on the Filasteen neighbourhood of al Soussa, with the Coalition believed by sources to be responsible.

A resident of Abu Kamal told Al Haal that Coalition aircraft had targeted the village with more than five raids – with one of them hitting a motorcycle market. According to the report this resulted in the deaths of four civilians and the injuring of 14. Several sources reported that al Sha’afa and Hajin were also targeted by both Coalition airstrikes and “artillery shelling by the forces of the SDF” [most likely in fact by the Coalition].

Step mentioned in its own report that civilians were wounded when an ISIS vehicle was targeted – also killing four ISIS fighters. According to Deir Ezzor Media Centre the civilians had been “nearby” when the vehicle was hit. Radio al Kull however stated that four civilians were in fact killed as they were on board the targeted vehicle as detainees. Sound and Picture was the only media outlet claiming that dozens of civilians were injured.

Euphrates Post initially reported that civilians were injured and killed by “an artillery bombardment”, but later concluded that four civilians died and a number were wounded as a result of a raid by a military aircraft in the afternoon. A later report by the news organization also provided the names and photos of the four killed civilians.

In October 2018, the US-led Coalition admitted responsibility for the deaths of four civilians in an event at al Soussa – although this was dated the previous day. The Coalition later confirmed to Airwars in February 2019 that event CS1752 is unlikely to be the confirmed incident dated the previous day, based upon the descriptions. Those conceded deaths are now recorded as CS1751a.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Ali Al-Saeed
Adult male Reportedly an ISIS detainee killed
Mohammed Ali Al Musleh
Adult male Reportedly an ISIS detainee killed
Louay Karkaz al Rawi
Adult male Reportedly an ISIS detainee killed
Ali al-Awad
Adult male Reportedly an ISIS detainee killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • One of the four men allegedly killed in the airstrike on the village of Al Soussa (via Euphrates Post)
  • One of the four men allegedly killed in the airstrike on the village of Al Soussa (via Euphrates Post)
  • One of the four men allegedly killed in the airstrike on the village of Al Soussa (via Euphrates Post)
  • One of the four men allegedly killed in the airstrike on the village of Al Soussa (via Euphrates Post)
  • Debris from a car that was allegedly targeted in a Coalition airstrike (via Euphrates Post)
  • A destroyed vehicle at al Soussa said to have been carrying four named civilian male victims (via Euphrates Post)
  • A destroyed vehicle at al Soussa said to have been carrying four named civilian male victims (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Filasteen (فلسطين) neighbourhood (a market for motorbikes) in the village of al Soussa (السوسة), for which the coordinates are: 34.528889, 40.9675. Strikes were first reported at 6 am local time, civilian casualties were first reported at noon

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition

  • During a strike on Daesh IED facility, four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 16th, the Coalition reported that: “Near Abu Kamal, 10 strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed one Daesh vehicle and one Daesh fighting position."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Between 16th and 22nd May, France reports 34 artillery missions in the Euphrates Valley. French aircraft carried out 12 aerial sorties in support of ground troops but no strikes were conducted.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, l’activité majeure demeure l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie. Offensive contre les dernières poches daechies en Syrie En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes, appuyées par la Coalition, ont achevé la conquête de la bande frontalière avec la saisie de Baghouz. Le bilan des deux premières semaines d’offensive est positif dans la mesure où tous les objectifs ont été atteints et que la coordination entre les forces démocratiques syriennes et les forces de sécurité irakiennes s’est bien déroulée. L’objectif consiste maintenant à poursuivre la réduction de ces poches qui sont les dernières emprises territoriales de Daech sur le théâtre. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la semaine a été relativement calme après les élections parlementaires dont le déroulement s’est effectué sans incident sécuritaire majeur. Les forces de sécurité irakiennes mènent actuellement des opérations de sécurisation dans le nord de Bagdad, dans l’Anbar, en Ninive et dans la région de Tikrit. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Poursuite des actions de formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes La Task force Narvik poursuit ses actions de formation au profit des soldats irakiens de l’Iraki Couter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Deux stages sont toujours en cours : un stage de restitution au profit de 460 stagiaires et un nouveau stage d’apprentissage au recueil de renseignements au profit d’une vingtaine de stagiaires. La Task force Monsabert conduit quant à elle deux stages au profit des soldats de la 6e division irakienne : un stage d’apprentissage des techniques de fouille opérationnelle et un stage dédié aux techniques de combat tactique dans un environnement pollué par des engins explosifs improvisés. 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, ils ont d’ores et déjà réalisé 84 missions de tirs.'

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1806

Incident date

October 10, 2018

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians including a child were reported killed in Coalition airstrikes on al Sha’afa, according to a number of sources.

The victims were described as internally displaced people (IDPs) by al Sha’afa town’s Facebook page, which noted “Confirmation of the killing of four civilians in Al-Sha’afa in the recent raids on the town. The victims were IDPs in al Sha’afa and include an 11-year-old boy.”

Step News also noted that “Four civilians, including a child, were killed by air strikes by the International coalition aircraft yesterday in the eastern town of Al-Shafa, east of Deir Ezzor.”

Deir Ezzor 24 instead placed the death toll at three civilians killed, though it also blamed the US-led alliance. And Smart News noted that additional civilians were injured in the event: “A local source told Smart that four civilians were killed Thursday, including a child and others received wounds ranging between medium and light, as a result of bombing by the coalition aircraft International on the town of Shaaafa east of Deir Ezzor which is under the control of the Islamic State.”

In the second of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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:

Unnamed boy
11 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Local media reported the deaths of up to four civilians, including a boy.

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
    37FSU774280
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Oct. 10, 2018, in Al Sha’afa, 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. 3195/CS1806 37FSU774280

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

"On Oct. 10 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 33 strikes consisting of 50 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal, 33 strikes engaged 18 tactical units, and destroyed 15 fighting positions, 11 mortars, two command and control centers, one tech vehicle, and two vehicle-borne IEDs."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

[For October 3rd-10th, Dutch F-16s supported ground troops in Syria during nine missions. Weapons were deployed during two missions. The weapons deployment took place in the province of Deir Ezzor, in the vicinity of Abu Kamal. ISIS weapons, a logistics warehouse and ISIS fighters targeted.]

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 10-10-2018 | 12:00 Nederlandse F-16’s ondersteunden tijdens 9 missies grondtroepen in Syrië. Dit gebeurde in het kader van de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS. Tijdens 2 missies werden wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 3 tot 10 oktober 2018. De wapeninzet gebeurde in de provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal. ISIS-wapenopstellingen, een logistieke opslagplaats en ISIS-strijders waren het doelwit. Irak Nederlandse militairen geven momenteel de ‘bataljonstraining’ aan Koerdische eenheden in de omgeving van Erbil, Irak. Dat geldt ook voor een instructeursopleiding en een training voor het beveiligen van grote gebieden. Samen met Finse militairen wordt een leiderschapstraining voorbereid, die op korte termijn start. In de omgeving van Bagdad ondersteunen Nederlandse trainers het Speciale Operaties Trainings Centrum. Defensie levert ook een chirurgisch team voor het Amerikaanse Role 2-hospitaal. Hier werken de Nederlanders nauw samen met Deense en Britse medici.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For October 10-16th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram carried out, from Iraqi territory, 28 firing missions (lighting, smoke, harassment, destruction). Aircraft made 18 sorties and carried out two airstrikes, north of Abu Kamal in Syria. Totals for Iraq and Syria since Sept 19th 2014: 8564 sorties, 1464 strikes, 2256 targets ‘neutralised’.

‘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, se poursuit. La progression est rendue difficile car Daech, qui a organisé sa défense, notamment grâce à de très nombreux engins explosifs improvisés, profite des conditions météo actuelles. Celles-ci réduisent les capacités de frappe aérienne de la coalition. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué en volume. Les TF Wagram, Monsabert et Narvik ont été relevées. 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 Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Cette semaine, compte tenu des conditions météo, c’est l’appui sol-sol qui a été privilégié. Les trois canons CAESAR de la TF Wagram ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 28 missions de tir (éclairement, fumigène, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 10 au 16 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1975 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 10 au 16 octobre inclus) et conduit deux frappes en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8564 sorties / 1464 frappes / 2256 objectifs neutralisés. Formation des militaires Irakiens : lutte contre les engins explosifs improvisés (IED) Trois militaires français servent aux côtés de trois Britanniques et d’un Néerlandais au sein d’un laboratoire d’exploitation contre-IED de premier niveau à Besmayah, ville située à une vingtaine de kilomètres à l’est de Bagdad. Leur tâche consiste à analyser les IED découverts par l’armée irakienne. Ils réalisent également des actions de formation au profit des militaires irakiens. Un lieutenant irakien a ainsi été formé aux techniques permettant, après avoir découvert des engins explosifs improvisés, d’en tirer des informations sur les savoir-faire de l’ennemi. Une sensibilisation a été dispensée au personnel de la police fédérale qui est confrontée, au quotidien, à la découverte d’engins explosifs improvisés. L’exploitation des IED découverts par les forces de sécurité irakiennes permet d’obtenir des renseignements utiles pour démanteler les réseaux terroristes comme pour adapter la protection des forces partenaires.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]