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

CS1946

Incident date

May 17, 2020

Location

الزر, Al Zir, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.12527, 40.42864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was killed by a sniper on the rooftop of his house in Al Zer as he was watching Coalition forces entering the village of Al Shouhaibl, Deir Ezzor governorate, on May 17th 2020, according to local sources.

Euphrates Eye wrote that “Muhammad Khleif Al Hamra was killed when he was watching the Coalition forces from the roof of his house as they stormed the house of Muhammad Al Hussein Al Madad in Al Shouhaibl town and arrested several people from Al Madad’s house.” The source added that Al Hamra was killed by a sniper and was “a civilian who does not belong to any faction who is the owner of a food store in the town of Al Zir.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “the raiding forces killed a civilian who was shot while he was on the roof of his house located at the outskirts of the village of Al Zir near Al Shouhaibl, where the young man was watching the operation [in Shouhaibl]. His brother was arrested after that.”

According to the SOHR, the incident occurred during a United States forces operation in coordination with the Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of Al Shouhaib to find two people from the same family, reportedly working in trade. The special task forces of the SDF surrounded two houses and secured the area before the houses were raided and searched. The two wanted individuals were not found, but two of their sons were arrested.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Khleif Al Hamra محمد خليف الحمرا
Adult male owner of a food store in the town of Al Zir killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad Khleif Al Hamra was killed by alleged US-led Coalition snipers when he watched Coalition forces enter his village Al Shouhaibl from the roof of his house on May 17th 2020 (via Euphrates Post).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad Khleif Al Hamra was killed by alleged US-led Coalition snipers when he watched Coalition forces enter his village Al Shouhaibl from the roof of his house on May 17th 2020 (via Euphrates Post).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a civilian being struck by gunfire on a rooftop in the village of Al Zir (الزر), while on looking into the adjacent village of Al Shahel (الشحيبل). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Zir are: 35.12527, 40.42864.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1978

Incident date

February 8, 2022

Location

البصيرة, Bisira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.154879, 40.426462 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and his father was injured in an alleged airdrop operation by the Coalition and the SDF in the city of Bisira on February 8, 2022.

A tweet from @DeirEzzorNow reported that the International Coalition and HAT forces carried out a landing operation in the city of Bisira that resulted in the killing of the child “Nashwan Al-Jamil” (15) (Qasqas), the wounding of his father, Hassoun Al-Jamil, and the arrest of (3) people. Hassoun was identified as being a “dignitary of the Al-Bukair clan”. Euphrates Post added that Hassoun was had to have his leg amputated.

@DeirEzzorNow also provided the names of the men that were arrested: Hasan Al Jamil, Tariq Al Jamil, Bashir Ghadhban.

The correspondent for Euphrates Post reported that  “SDF” members surrounded the house of Hassoun al-Jamil, a dignitary of the al-Bakeir clan in Deir ez-Zor countryside, and started shooting at his house on the pretext of the house owner’s resistance to them, knowing that “Hassoun” is a civilian and does not belong to any political or military party.”

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the child that was killed as being the brother of the wanted person, and that their father exchanged gunfire with the SDF and Coalition. North Press Agency referred to two people as being killed, a child and a local sheikh.

Deir Ezzor 24 provided context that Coalition and SDF forces were trying to capture ISIS members who were involved with Iranian networks specializing in weapons smuggling. The civilian casualties resulted from ISIS members using civilians as human shields and the operation was stopped right after the civilian victims were engaged.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nashwan Al-Jamil نشوان الجميل
15 years old male killed
Hassoun Al-Jamil حسون الجميل
male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • ISIS members arrested by SDF in an operation on February 8, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Bisira (البصيرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.154879, 40.426462. 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
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS120

Incident date

August 29, 2015

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

A reported Coalition airstrike on a municipal stadium in Raqaa being used as a facility by Daesh may also have injured some civilian prisoners being held there.

According to reports at least 8 alleged fighters died while the group’s local ’emir’ was injured. Claims were confused as to whether prisoners at the facility had escaped or had been injured following the attack.

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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    8
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 35.95056, 39.00941

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0084978465
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Aug. 29, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. 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. 2825/CS120 37SEV0084978465

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 29th-30th 2015, the Coalition confirmed that “Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL facility.” There were no reports of strikes on the city the following day.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    8
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1751

Incident date

May 14, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.43221, 40.99226 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, several civilians were wounded as a result of Iraqi and Coalition air or artillery strikes on the village of Al Baghouz on May 15th.

Multiple sources stated that the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF), supported by the International Coalition and in coordination with Iraqi forces, took control of the town of Al Baghouz on the Syrian-Iraqi border.

Al Haal quoted Faisal Sayed, an Abu Kamal resident, as saying that “Iraqi and international coalition planes targeted IS positions”. In an earlier statement to Al Haal, the source confirmed that the bombing led to “several civilians wounded” but did not identify whether this was a result of Coalition or Iraqi air or artillery strikes. Marsad al Hassaka published an almost exact copy of the report.

Some sources, such as a tweet by @DeirEzzoreNow, mentioned that the Coalition targeted locations within the town of al Baghouz and its environs. However, Airwars researchers did not identify any other public reporting mentioning civilian harm.

A report by Zaman al Wasl also noted that the SDF People’s Protection Unit had said in a statement that it had taken control of the village.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'International coalition targets locations within the town of # Albagouz and its outskirts.'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Baghouz (الباغوز), for which the coordinates are: 34.43221, 40.99226

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 al-Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018

  • May 14, 2018, near al-Baghouz, 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 May 14th, the Coalition reported that: “Near Abu Kamal, eight strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed one Daesh fighting position, one Daesh logistics office, one Daesh headquarters building, and one Daesh command and control center."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For May 9th -15th, France reports that Task Force Wagram conducted 27 shooting missions in the Euphrates Valley. There were 16 air sorties in support of the local forces engaged on the ground. A planned strike was carried out in the area of Abu Kamal destroying an ISIS logistics building.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, cette semaine a été marquée par la poursuite de l’offensive contre les dernières emprises territoriales de Daech en Syrie et par le bon déroulement des élections parlementaires en Irak. Offensive contre les dernières poches daechies en Syrie En Syrie, l’offensive menée contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate suit son cours. Menée par les forces démocratiques syriennes, elle est appuyée par la Coalition et coordonnée avec les forces de sécurité irakiennes positionnées en interdiction de leur côté de la frontière. Depuis le 1er mai et le lancement de l’offensive, plus de 30 km2 de terrain ont été repris à Daech. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les forces de sécurité irakiennes ont été principalement engagées dans la sécurisation des élections parlementaires qui se sont déroulées sans incident majeur. La France a participé à aider les Irakiens, en particulier avec un stage d’apprentissage à l’utilisation de drones qui ont permis la surveillance des abords de certains points de vote. En parallèle, les opérations des forces de sécurité irakiennes se sont poursuivies, en particulier dans les secteurs de Tal Afar et Mossoul. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes Les instructeurs de la Task Force Narvik ont débuté depuis le 29 avril l’enseignement d’un nouveau module intitulé « Intelligence Collecting Course » au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Ce stage a pour but de former des petites unités autonomes capables de s’infiltrer, de se dissimuler, de collecter, d’analyser et de faire remonter des informations afin de fournir du renseignement tactique et appuyer le commandement. Cette nouvelle formation dure un mois, deux semaines de cours théoriques suivies par deux semaines de pratique. 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 est toujours engagée en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, elle a réalisé 27 missions de tir (bilan du 09 au 15 mai). Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1709 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations. L’activité des forces aériennes françaises engagées dans l’opération Chammal se poursuit en appui des forces engagées au sol. Sur la semaine écoulée, les aéronefs engagés dans l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 16 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 09 au 15 mai). Une frappe planifiée a été réalisée dans le secteur d’Abu Kamal permettant la destruction d’un bâtiment logistique de Daech. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 8063 sorties / 1450 frappes / 2241 objectifs neutralisés.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For the second consecutive week, Dutch F-16s deployed weapons in Deir Ezzor. The Dutch MoD reported that between May 8th-15th jets targeted ISIS fighters and an HQ in two missions nr Abu Kamal. Dutch aircraft supported ground troops in Deir Ezzor in 10 missions.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 16-05-2018 | 12:00 Plaatsvervangend Commandant der Strijdkrachten luitenant-generaal Wijnen en de krijgsmachtadjudant Nico Spierenburg brachten een bezoek aan de militairen van de Capacity Building Mission Iraq in Erbil. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 8 tot en met 15 mei 2018. Na aankomst in het gebied was er een ontspannen meet and greet met militairen in de Dutch Corner op Camp Stephan. Tijdens de gesprekken kreeg de P-CDS een positieve indruk van de gedrevenheid waarmee de trainers zich aan hun taak kwijten. Hij benadrukte namens de CDS het belang van de inzet in Koerdistan waar Nederland een waardevolle bijdrage levert aan de opleiding van Peshmerga. De Special Operation Forces (SOF) zijn in Erbil begonnen met de voorbereidingen op terugkeer naar Nederland. De Nederlandse SOF-bijdrage in Bagdad en een resterend trainingsteam in Noord-Irak blijven actief in het gebied.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1739a TS282a

Incident date

March 18, 2018

Location

تل حميس, Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli, Al Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.754529, 41.398836 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that Turkey carried out airstrikes on SDF positions in Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli. However, other outlets also stated that this was not the case and that the US-led Coalition conducted strikes on homes which reportedly held family members of ISIS. However, no casualty estimates were given.

The Shaam News Network, citing activists, said that Turkish aircraft targeted the positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the area of Tal Hamis and at the Umm al-Russ station southeast of the city of Qamishli.

Syria al hadath added: Turkish planes targeted locations of the Kurdish units at the Umm al-Rouss station in the west of Tal Hamis, in the north-eastern countryside of Al-Hasakah.

Al Hasaka Youth Union Facebook page posted: Turkish aircraft target the positions of the militia PYD in the area Tel_hamis southeast of  Qamishli but later corrected themselves, stating that it was, in fact, a Coalition airstrike. The source also ambivalently reported that the strike targeted homes of Iraqi refugees with the claims that IS elements were present there.

Shaam Network also reported it as a Turkish airstrike while Baladi News blamed the Coalition. The source added that homes were targeted because there were claims that there were ISIS militants present.

Baladi said: Local sources from the region said that an aerial landing of the International Coalition, carried out by a helicopter accompanied by two other aircraft, on the area of agricultural projects, pointing out that it targeted two homes inhabited by two Iraqi families, who fled earlier to the region.

According to the sources, the operation was carried out at 2 am, followed by loudspeaker calls, saying that they were soldiers from the International Coalition, followed by intermittent firing.

Some sources said that a Turkish air strike targeted the area near the town of Tal Hamis – but these reports could not be verified.

According to Jisr TV, in the north-east of Hasaka, Coalition forces arrested a number of Iraqi refugees in the countryside of Tel Hamis, after the implementation of an aerial landing in the region.

Asia News provided some more detail, adding that three US helicopters carried out an aerial landing targeting a house between the villages of Kalou and al-Jaysi, 2 km south of Tal Hamis district in the south-eastern suburb of Qamishli.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli ( تل حميس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.754529, 41.398836. 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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

There were no reported strikes conducted in Syria or Iraq on March 18, 2018.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Sunday 18 March – a Reaper killed two terrorists on a motorcycle in eastern Syria…On Sunday 18 March, a Reaper tracked a pair of terrorists on a motorcycle south-east of As Shadadi in eastern Syria. It became clear that they were operating as a mobile checkpoint in an attempt to exert control over the local area. The Reaper’s crew waited until the motorcycle was in open country, and despite its high speed, achieved a direct hit with a Hellfire which killed both of the Daesh extremists.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1932

Incident date

September 19, 2019

Location

الزر, Al Zer, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two unidentified men were killed by an alleged drone strike from the International Coalition in the morning of September 19th, according to local sources.

It is unclear whether these were civilians. Several sources claimed the men were masked and riding a motorcycle when they were hit by an airstrike, which Euphrates Post believed to have been a drone strike.

Activists told Smart news that it was not possible to identify the victims because their bodies were burned, but were  “most likely to be two members of the Islamic State”.

Ain Hasaka claimed that activists later revealed the identity of one of the dead as  Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana.

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: “46. September 19, 2019, in Al-Zur, 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. 2779/CS1932 37SFU310880”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

The incident occured between 10:00 am and 11:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Abboud al-Fahad
Adult male a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the remains of the victims of an alleged US drone strike on Al Zur on September 19th (via Euphrates Post).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the burning remains of the vitims of an alleged US drone strike on Al Zur on September 19th (via Deir Ezzor 24).
  • Smoke coming up from the scene after two people on a motorcycle were alleged killed by the US-led Coalition on September 19th (via Minarat Furat).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a motorcycle within the village of Al Zer (الزر), for which the exact coordinates are: 35.125156, 40.433489

  • Reports of the incident mention a strike on a motorcycle within the village of Al Zer (الزر)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image with objects present in audiovisual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Stitched panorama image with objects present in audiovisual material from sources

    Imagery:
    DeirEzzor24

  • Imagery:
    DeirEzzor24

  • Staircase from other sources tagged in a video taken after the strike

    Imagery:
    Euphrates Post

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-Zur, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU310880
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2018

  • 46. September 19, 2019, in Al-Zur, 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. 2779/CS1932 37SFU310880

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1957

Incident date

April 4, 2021

Location

مبروكة‎, Mabrouka countryside, Al Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.665778, 39.858190 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one named man, whose status as a civilian or belligerent presently remains contested, was killed and a civilian was injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes (or possibly an IED attack) near the city of Ras Al-Ain in the Al Hassaka countryside on April 4th 2021. The UK declared a Reaper drone strike in the near region for that date.

Free Hasska Reporter described and included pictures of what it said was a Kia vehicle, after having been reportedly struck with “three missiles” and named the person killed as Omar Abdel-Fattah. Adar Press indicated that he may have been using another name and ” it was not able to know his real name, but he bears an identity issued by the local council of the city of Ras al-Ain.”

Instead according to Ezdina, “a civilian lost his life and another was wounded, as a result of the explosion of an explosive device, today, Sunday, in the countryside of Sere Kaniye / Ras Al-Ain.” It  also reported that “the explosive device, which was planted in a civilian vehicle, exploded.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that ” the dead man was a civilian, not belonging to any armed faction, and he was from the region and belonged to the Adwan clan, which is why it is likely that his death was a result of clan and family disputes.”

Ida2at also identified the man killed as a civilian, stating that he died from “the explosion of a truck transporting petroleum products…as a result of a technical failure that led to the ignition of the refined fuel.” They also added that the road that the incident occurred on was “used by armed factions loyal to the “Turkish occupation”, to allegedly facilitate smuggling operations with Syrian Democratic Forces.

Syrian TV also identified both the man killed and wounded as being civilians, though harmed by an explosive device planted in the car, adding that they had “crossed illegally” coming from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the countryside of Hasaka.”

Euphrates Post quoted local sources as saying “a “Kia 2700” vehicle exploded on Darbasiyah Road before entering Ras Al-Ain, killing the driver, whom it described as a member of the “National Army”, and also wounding a civilian.”

A tweet by the Violations Documentation Centre identified the man killed as being an “ISIS leader” and attributed the strike to “a drone, believed to be by the international coalition to fight ISIS led by the United States.” Rojava Network also noted what it said was the “killing of the leader of the terrorist organization ISIS, Omar Abdel Fattah, in a raid by an international coalition drone”.

Xeber 24 instead reported that “sources suggested that the targeted person was affiliated with the armed factions and organizations supported by Turkey, as the Ankara loyalists struck a large security cordon at the location of the targeting.”

According to NPA Syrian, “this [would be] the first time that the Global Coalition has targeted ISIS or al-Qaeda leaders in this region.”

The British Royal Air Force issued a statement on April 8th that “In a separate operation carried on Sunday 4 April, an RAF Reaper, armed with Hellfire missiles, identified a small group of Daesh terrorists in northern Syria, some fifty miles west of Al Hasakah. Having checked that there were no civilians nearby, the Reaper’s crew attacked the terrorists, striking the target successfully.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Abdel-Fattah
Adult male Contested as to whether belligerent or civilian killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    UK Military
  • Suspected targets
    ISIS, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: Unidentified aircraft targeted a Kia vehicle with three missiles near Al-Sarli village, killing a person named Omar Abdel-Fattah (Images posted by Free Hasska reporter via Facebook)
  • Caption translation: Unidentified aircraft targeted a Kia vehicle with three missiles near Al-Sarli village, killing a person named Omar Abdel-Fattah (Images posted by Free Hasska reporter via Facebook)
  • Caption translation: Unidentified aircraft targeted a Kia vehicle with three missiles near Al-Sarli village, killing a person named Omar Abdel-Fattah (Images posted by Free Hasska reporter via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of Omar Abdel Fattah, contested as to whether he was a civilian or belligerent, killed in strikes against Ras al-Ain on April 4, 2021. (Image posted by Roja Ava network via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Mabrouka (مبروكة‎). According to research conducted by @obretix, a possible location for this strike is: 36.665778, 39.858190. However, due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

UK Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

UK Military
Official source

In a separate operation carried on Sunday 4 April, an RAF Reaper, armed with Hellfire missiles, identified a small group of Daesh terrorists in northern Syria, some fifty miles west of Al Hasakah. Having checked that there were no civilians nearby, the Reaper’s crew attacked the terrorists, striking the target successfully.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    UK Military
  • Suspected targets
    ISIS, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1990

Incident date

January 21, 2023

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.104756, 40.456084 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was injured during a declared raid carried out by CENTCOM and partner forces in Al Shahil on January 21, 2023. Up to three alleged ISIS members were also arrested during the raid.

CENTCOM released a statement that “US Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21, capturing two ISIS-Syria members, Abdallah Hamid Muslih al-Maddad AKA Abu Hamza al-Suri, an ISIS facilitator, and Husam Hamid al-Muslih al-Maddad, al-Khayr, ISIS facilitator and logistician, and one associate. One civilian received minor injuries. “The injured civilian was escorted by our partner forces to a nearby medical care facility along with an accompanying family member,” said Colonel Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “He received care and was released back to his family.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that during an operation carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Units with the support of International Coalition aircraft, three members of ISIS were arrested when the home of the “Al-Madad” family in the town of Al Shahil was raided. SOHR added that the operation lasted two hours and consisted of the Coalition forces asking the wanted persons to surrender via loudspeaker, however when the wanted persons refused, clashes took place.

@Sharqya_reporte tweeted that the home that was raided belongs to Hamid Al-Musleh Al-Madad and that Hisham Al-Hamid Al-Musleh was arrested for unknown reasons. @HamamIssa7 added that Majid Kamel Al Musleh and the son of Subh Al-Musleh, 13 years old, were also arrested.

Halab Today TV added that Abd Hamed Al-Musleh was also arrested, and that a fourth person escaped from the raid – Hisham Al-Hamid Al-Musleh. According to Halab Today, all men arrested are cousins of Hisham, who was residing in the city of Ras Al-Ain before coming back to Al Shahil and that Hisham is a close associate of Sabahi Ibrahim al-Musleh, an alleged member of ISIS who was killed by an air strike carried out by the Coalition in October 2022 in the city of Ras al-Ain.

A tweet from @nahermedia reported that on February 19th, a Coalition helicopter released Majid Kamel Al-Musleh Al-Medad on the outskirts of the town of Al Shahil after being held for a month.

A local source told Al Araby that “the operation was accompanied by the sound of explosions in the area, without knowing whether any injuries occurred during the operation.” Eye of Euphrates identified machine guns from Coalition helicopters as used in conjunction with an SDF military convoy.

A tweet from @alsharqia24news identified the location as being in the Al-Hawi area of Al Shahil. @Rian_almasri stated that following the raid, the Coalition forces headed towards the Al-Omar oil field.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Al-Khabour correspondent: The International Coalition forces are carrying out an airdrop on the outskirts of the city of Al-Shuhail, in conjunction with an intense flight of the International Coalition aircraft.
  • Statement from CENTCOM
  • Image of the alleged ISIS members detained during a raid by the SDF and Coalition on January 22, 2023. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Hawi (الحاوي) area of the town of Al Shahil (الشحيل), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.104756, 40.456084. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

US Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21, capturing two ISIS-Syria members, Abdallah Hamid Muslih al-Maddad AKA Abu Hamza al-Suri, an ISIS facilitator, and Husam Hamid al-Muslih al-Maddad, al-Khayr, ISIS facilitator and logistician, and one associate. One civilian received minor injuries.

"The injured civilian was escorted by our partner forces to a nearby medical care facility along with an accompanying family member," said Colonel Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. "He received care and was released back to his family."

"This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS," said Buccino. "The capture will disrupt the terrorist organization's ability to further plot and carry out attacks that threaten regional security and stability."

"ISIS represents a threat to our partners and to the people of Iraq and Syria and beyond," he added. "Our mission to defeat ISIS alongside our Syrian Democratic Forces partners continues."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (24) [ collapse]