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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Incident Code

CS124

Incident date

September 11, 2015

Location

الطوب, Al Toub, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.1739486, 40.3728676 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies,  reported that three non-combatant males, sharing the same surname of al Khoudar, died in an alleged Coalition strike at Al Toub. No further details were given.

Syrian Martyrs also listed the dead while quoting the same source.

In its monthly civilian harm assessment report for November 2019 – published on January 2nd 2020 – the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: ”September 11, 2015, in Al Toub, 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. 2829/CS124 37SFU250932″.

The Coalition provided geolocates, indicating to within 100 metres the area on which it had focused its assessment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ismail Al Khoudar
Adult male killed
Sai’d Al Khoudar
Adult male killed
Yaseen Al Khoudar
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ 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 Toub, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU250932
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2020

  • September 11, 2015, in Al Toub, 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. 2829/CS124 37SFU250932

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reported that on September 11th-12th 2015 it carried out a strike in the Dayr ez Zawr area: “Near Abu Kamal, two airstrikes struck two ISIL crude oil collection points.”

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS347

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

3 civilians were killed when a garage was bombed by the Coalition, according to a local source.

Smart News reported that 3 civilians were killed when a garage belonging to ISIL was struck by the Coalition. According to the account, six cars belonging to ISIL were also destroyed. The report noted other raids on that day in Raqqa governorate. Meanwhile, Halab Today reported that Coalition attacks had led to the “burning” of 6 members of ISIL along with the “martyrdom of three civilians.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (2) [ 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 Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes engaged two ISIL supply routes and destroyed an oil pump jack.” For October 24th-25th, the Coalition reported no strikes in the vicinity.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI624

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

دور موظفي السكك, Mosul, Sekak, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.33881, 43.10241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that three named civilians were killed including a child, after an airstrike struck their house in Sekak neighborhood in West Mosul.

The Coalition later accepted responsibility for the event, publishing an assessment in December 2018 that stated: “On Apr. 10, 2017, near Sekak (Mosul), Iraq, via Airwars report. The Coalition aircraft engaged two buildings used as ISIS fighting positions. The buildings and ISIS fighters were destroyed. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed during the explosion.”

Local residents reported on Facebook that Professor Yasser Al Habo (see image below) died in the raids, together with his one-year-old daughter, and his nephew Professor Abdul Karim. Iraqyoon also quoted eyewitnesses saying that three people from one family died in the Railway neighbourhood.

While most sources did not specify the culprit, Shafaaq and Al Jazeera indicated that the Coalition was responsible. The Iraqi Spring Media Center posted a video, which it said showed “the destruction of the civilian homes in Sikak neighborhood, their cars and a wounded man who was injured when shelling targeted Khalid Bin Al-waleed Masjid at the right side of Mosul.“

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Yasser Al Habo
Adult male Professor, uncle killed
Abdul Karim
Adult male Professor, nephew killed
Daughter of Yasser Al Habo
1 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Professor Yasser Al Habo allegedly died in an airstrike on the Railway neighbourhood, together with his daughter and nephew (via Yasir Ahmed Alhussien, Facebook)
  • Another picture of Yasser Al Habo (centre front row, via Hiatham Saddi)
  • Video of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest street at 36.329341, 43.125032

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Sekak (Mosul), Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF297232
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • On Apr. 10, 2017, near Sekak (Mosul), Iraq, via Airwars report. The Coalition aircraft engaged two buildings used as ISIS fighting positions. The buildings and ISIS fighters were destroyed. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed during the explosion.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 9th-10th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, five mortar systems, three medium machine guns, and a vehicle; damaged 22 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar teams.”

For April 10th-11th it reported: "Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a supply cache, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, one VBIED; damaged a fighting position; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a mortar team."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI724

Incident date

May 19, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.351767, 43.107451 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians in an event near Mosul.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS mortar position, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event in the Zanjili area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3018024628
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017

  • May 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS mortar position, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 18th-19th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 13 fighting positions, three rocket systems, two heavy machine guns, two medium machine guns, a VBIED, and a mortar system; and damaged seven fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1437

Incident date

September 1, 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

On January 11th 2018, Rami Assaf reported that “news of the martyrdom of the family of Mr. Ahmed Al-Hanan from Muhsin in rural Deir Al-Zour has now been confirmed. They were killed four months ago as a result of the bombing of the International Coalition against the city of Raqqa. Their bodies were found today and were named as Mrs. Sakina Hussein Al-Fathi, and her two children Alaa and Abdul Rahman Al-Hanan. Their father and the eldest son were killed before them in Deir al-Azur”.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also blamed the Coalition for the deaths.

Deir Ezzor 24, also naming the above victims, reported on January 11th that they “were found today under the rubble following a missile attack on the city of Raqqa about four months ago”.

The exact date of this event is currently unknown.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mrs. Sakina Hussein Al-Fathi
Adult female killed
Alaa Rahman Al-Hanan
Child child of Mrs. Sakina Hussein Al-Fathi killed
Abdul Rahman Al-Hanan
Child child of Mrs. Sakina Hussein Al-Fathi killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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]

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

Date unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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]

Incident Code

CS1542

Incident date

September 28, 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

Three civilian men died in Raqqah city following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes, local sources said.

Mahmoud Al Rahim, Mohammed Ahmed Al Yahya and Ayman Ahmed Al Yahya were named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Raqqa Media Office. There is limited information available, although both sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

@7UFCmSxd0IUBffH also named the victims, reporting on October 13th that they died “a few days ago”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mahmoud Al Rahim
Adult male killed
Mohammed Ahmed Al Yahya
Adult male killed
Ayman Ahmed Al Yahya
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Images of the three alleged victims

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.  

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 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 27th – 28th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 33 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 23 fighting positions, a vehicle, and an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed three ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1790

Incident date

August 8, 2018

Location

البوبدران, Medical clinic in Al Bubadran area between Al Soussa and Al Sha'afa villages, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on a medical clinic between Al Sousse and Al Shaafa, according to local media.

The Step News Agency, Shaam News Network and Sound were among sources reporting that a medical clinic was struck, along with other sites, as the Coalition reportedly targeted ISIS elements in the area.

According to the source Al Ghad al Souri, “activists from the area said that a number of civilians were killed and others were injured by the bombing of an international coalition aircraft which targeted the medical clinic in the village of Al-Sousse, one of three towns still controlled by Daesh in Deir al-Zour. Neighborhoods of Al-Shafa village near the city of Abu Kamal were also struck”.

Al Soussa Youth reported that Al Sousse was “under heavy shelling from the Coalition flights and there is smoke rising above the roofs.”

A number of sources didn’t give a specific number of casualties. For example, the Step News Agency said that “there were a number of dead and wounded though the number is not yet known”. Other sources noted that members of ISIS were killed but again gave no figures.

However, The Displaced of the Euphrates said that there were “three martyrs in al Soussa, believed to be civilians”. It went on to add that “some of the weak souls in the villages of Deir al-Zor east of the Euphrates hide Daesh members in their homes in return for a few dollars, thereby exposing their women and children to danger when the SDF attacks their homes!”

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 (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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU797240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Aug. 8, 2018, in Al Bubadran, 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. 3179/CS1790 37SFU797240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh vehicle.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

From August 8th to 14th, France reports that Tsk Force Wagram carried out one artillery shooting mission in the Euphrates Valley. Over the past week, the aircraft of Operation Chammal conducted 32 sorties in support of ground troops – but there were no airstrikes.

‘IRAK – SYRIE – CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie En Syrie, les Forces Démocratiques Syrienne continuent leurs actions offensives. Elles ont achevé cette semaine leurs opérations de sécurisation de la région de Dashisha, et œuvrent désormais à la mise en place d’une nouvelle administration locale. La zone reste encore polluée par les nombreux pièges et IED posés par Daech, et les opérations de neutralisation de ces derniers devraient encore se poursuivre plusieurs semaines. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak Les opérations de sécurisation se poursuivent et continuent d’obtenir des résultats. Les forces de sécurité irakiennes ont cette semaine neutralisé plusieurs groupes de Daech opérant dans la province de Ninive, tout en continuant à mettre à jour des complexes de tunnels aménagés servant de stocks de matériels et d’ateliers de confections d’IED pour les combattant terroristes. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes La Task Force Narvik achève cette semaine un cycle de formation entamé à la fin du mois de juin au profit de près de 200 soldats de l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) dans 5 domaines de spécialité différents. Cette fin de cycle est l’occasion de mener des exercices de synthèse afin d’évaluer le niveau atteint par les stagiaires. La Task Force Monsabert poursuit ses activités de conseil et de formation au profit de la 6e Division. 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 poursuivent leurs actions en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, une missions de tir a été réalisée (bilan du 8 au 14 août inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1861 missions de tir. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Sur la semaine écoulée, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont effectué 32 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 8 au 14 août inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8357 sorties / 1456 frappes / 2247 objectifs neutralisés.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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

CS1929

Incident date

September 3, 2019

Location

العزبة, Al Ezba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.366944, 40.345556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 15-year old Alloush Suleiman Al-Subhi was killed during a raid on Al-Ezba in the evening on September 3rd. Several sources claimed that Coalition forces and Kurdish militias conducted an airdrop in the area.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) reported that Alloush was shot by SDF forces, with air support from the International Coalition. According to Jisr TV the Deir Al-Zour News however, the child was killed when Coalition forces and Kurdish militias opened fire during an airdrop operation that was meant to target a leader of ISIS.

SHRC added that Alloush was one of three people killed by the SDF, but did not clarify whether the other two victims were combatants.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “September 3, 2019, in Al-Ezba, 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. 2777/CS1929 37SBV866787”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review. However this showed only central Idlib, rather than the cited village.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, after reopening the case, the US-led Coalition again 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 incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Alloush Suleiman al-Subhi
15 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village or area of Al Ezba (العزبة). We have found an oil field of the same name towards the northeast of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.366944, 40.345556. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • The oil fields of Al Ezba, northeast of Deir Ezzor city

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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-Ezba, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV222145
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Sept. 3, 2019, near Al Ezba, 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. 2777/CS1929 37SFV222145

  • September 3, 2019, in Al-Ezba, 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. 2777/CS1929 37SBV866787

Summary

  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (11) [ collapse]