US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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US-led Coalition
Country
Syria
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Incident Code

CS838

Incident date

May 18, 2017

Location

حمار, Hamar, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.57296, 39.96198 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or more civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Himar area in the desert of Abu Kamal, local sources said.

According to Baladi, “Coalition fighters raided the Hamar area of ​​Badia, Abu Kamal on Thursday, destroying a number of oil tankers and a number of incinerators, as well as injuring a number of civilians working in the liquidation of oil materials.”

All other sources also blamed the Coalition.

 

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
    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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture reported to show Coalition airplanes during raids (by Euphrates Post, May 18th, 2018).
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 Hamar, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV871370
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, seven strikes destroyed seven ISIS well heads, four fighting positions, a front-end loader and a mortar system.”
For May 18th-19th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed four fighting positions, two tunnels, two VBIED facilities, a mortar system, a vehicle, a supply cache, an ISIS headquarters, a weapons cache, and a tactical vehicle; and damaged three fighting positions." It added for May 18th "Near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, an ISIS-held building and an ISIS recruiting station."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

"This week, Operation Chammal aircraft carried out 38 sorties, 30 of which were armed reconnaissance or ground support (CAS), 2 refueling, and 6 intelligence gathering. Eight strikes were conducted in Iraq and Syria. They were all in support of ground operations, mainly in Mosul, but also near Tabqah and Palmyra in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 80 artillery strikes."

‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie, après la prise de la ville de Tabqah et de son barrage, les forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS) mènent des opérations de sécurisation de la zone, afin de la nettoyer des nombreux pièges et engins explosifs improvisés (IED) laissés par Daech, alors que la population revient dans la ville. Plus près de Raqqah, les FDS ont poursuivi leur progression vers la ville en s’emparant de plusieurs positions défensives occupées par Daech. En Irak, Daech poursuit ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement dans le pays. Celles-ci continuent de se concentrer contre les forces irakiennes dans l’Anbar. Dans la région de Mossoul, l’offensive des Forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) a été marquée par des gains territoriaux quotidiens. Au nord, la 9e division poursuit son avancée le long du Tigre. Les autres unités resserrent l’étau autour de la médina en continuant d’avancer depuis l’ouest. Les trois quarts de la ville sont désormais libérés, mais la progression des FSI est freinée par un réseau d’habitations toujours plus dense à mesure qu’elles se rapprochent de la Médina où Daech est toujours solidement retranché. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie désormais la 15e division irakienne, qui a repris en charge la sécurisation du secteur de Badush à la suite de la 9e division, profondément engagée dans les zones urbaines de Mossoul. Elle a réalisé 80 missions de tir en appui des unités irakiennes, essentiellement d’éclairement pour contrer ou interdire les actions de harcèlement et d’infiltration de Daech. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 38 sorties aériennes dont 30 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), 2 de ravitaillement, et 6 de recueil de renseignements. 8 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. Elles ont toutes été conduites en appui des opérations au sol, principalement à Mossoul, mais également près de Tabqah et Palmyre en Syrie.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1162

Incident date

July 5, 2017

Location

دلحة وكسرة محمد الآغا, Dahla and Kasrat Muhammed al Agha, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.85412, 39.17217 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sharqiya Voice reported that a “number” of civilians were injured following ‘SDF artillery fire’ – which would most likely have been a Coalition action – on the villages of Dahla and Kasrat Muhammed al Agha in Raqqa.

Other sources – Newsjorf and Baladi – reported that the victims had been wounded as a result of SDF machine gun fire.

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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ 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 Dahla, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 5th-6th: “Near Raqqah, 21 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 13 fighting positons, two vehicles, two heavy machine guns, a front-end loader, a UAV site and a sniper position.”

It additionally reported that “On July 5, near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, a sniper position, and a heavy machine gun,”

And also that “On July 5, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a front-end loader, and an UAS launch site; and suppressed 17 fighting positions and a sniper team.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 5 July – Typhoons hit seven Daesh strongpoints in Mosul, Tornados eliminated a sniper team in Raqqa…Typhoons continued to support the Iraqi troops in west Mosul on Wednesday 5 July. Exceptionally careful coordination was needed given the very short distances between the Iraqi forces and the Daesh positions, but the two Typhoons were able to destroy seven strongpoints, including two with medium machine-guns, each struck by a Paveway IV. Tornados kept watch over the latest SDF advances in Raqqa, and used a Paveway IV to deal with a sniper team.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the past week, June 29th – July 4th, France reports 4 airstrikes in Mosul and 4 in Raqqa, all in support of the troops on the ground.

‘Point de situation des opérations ARMÉE FRANÇAISE – OPÉRATIONS MILITAIRES·WEDNESDAY, 5 JULY 2017 OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, les combats pour le contrôle de la ville se poursuivent. Daech concentre sa défense sur les zones les plus urbanisées selon une stratégie qui a déjà été observée à Mossoul : piégeage, tunnels, fortifications sont en place et rendent la progression des Forces Démocratiques Syriennes difficile et dangereuse. Les FDS progressent néanmoins de l’Est vers l’Ouest de la ville, profitant de brèches dans le mur d’enceinte pour entrer dans la Médina. Elles poursuivent également leur manœuvre d’encerclement au Sud de la ville pour réduire les soutiens de Daech, notamment en provenance du Sud-Ouest. Les Forces pro-régime sont à une vingtaine de km au Sud de Tabqa. En Irak, A Mossoul, Daech perd du terrain chaque jour dans la Médina et s’acharne à défendre le dernier kilomètre carré encore tenu. Sa liberté de circulation dans la région environnante est également compromise. L’organisation terroriste essaie de se recentrer vers Tal Afar à l’Ouest, et Hawijah plus au sud de Mossoul, deux secteurs fortement défendus et encore sous son contrôle. Daech a néanmoins la capacité de réactiver des cellules dormantes qu’elle concentre au moment opportun contre les forces de sécurité. Ceci démontre que la prudence reste de mise quant à la reprise de Mossoul même si l’optimisme des forces locales domine. MOSSOUL Cette bataille s’inscrit bien dans une stratégie coordonnée entre la Coalition et le pays hôte. Cette stratégie comportait une première phase de préparation de la bataille afin d’accompagner la montée des forces de sécurité vers Mossoul et d’encercler la ville pour couper tout renfort ou soutien extérieurs au profit des terroristes retranchés. 300 frappes aériennes françaises ont accompagné pendant plusieurs mois cette première étape de préparation et de renseignement (Shapping). Dans la deuxième phase, avec l’engagement des canons CAESAR et du Groupe aéronaval, 300 autres frappes aériennes, auxquelles s’ajoutent près de 1200 missions d’artillerie, ont permis d’appuyer les forces de sécurité engagées pour la libération de la ville. Les 600 frappes aériennes délivrées dans la région représentent donc une partie conséquente de l’effort français réalisé depuis trois ans, lequel s’élève début juillet à plus de 1 300 frappes. Avant de débuter une éventuelle troisième phase pour Mossoul et ses habitants, de longues opérations de déminage et de sécurisation devront néanmoins être menées pour neutraliser les pièges dont Daech a saturé la ville et éliminer les cellules dormantes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 35 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement. 04 frappes ont été réalisées à Mossoul et 04 autres à Raqqah, toutes en appui des troupes au sol. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 14 missions de tir dont 13 de harcèlement et 01 d’éclairement. Le bilan global depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1307 frappes, 2072 objectifs et 6754 sorties. OPÉRATIONNELS ENSEMBLE : LE SOUTIEN INTERARMÉES EN OPÉRATIONS Pour réussir ces opérations, il faut réaliser les « 12 travaux de la logistique » et être « opérationnels ensemble ». 1 200 militaires sont déployés dans le cadre de CHAMMAL sur cinq pays. 16% seulement de cet effectif contribue à soutenir le personnel comme les matériels dengagés. La logistique en opérations recouvre douze domaines spécialisés : 07 sont principalement dédiés au profit du personnel, 05 le sont au profit des matériels. Dans le domaine de l’acheminement, en trois ans, 24 000 passagers ont transité par voie aérienne vers le théâtre. 15 000 tonnes de matériels ont été projetées de France, la moitié par voie aérienne et l’autre par voie maritime, avec une recherche permanente d’équilibre entre la nécessaire réactivité et les coûts induits. Dans le domaine du soutien carburant, 12 000 pleins (avitaillement) ont été réalisés au sol, 14 000 en vol (ravitaillements) au profit de l’ensemble des aéronefs français engagés. Ces forces sont parfaitement interopérables grâce aux réseaux classifiés établis entre 700 ordinateurs reliés sur le théâtre et avec la métropole, par le biais de 50 stations satellitaires.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For July 5th-11th, France reports 4 strikes – 2 in Iraq and 2 in Syria (Raqqa) and 15 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

CS1821a

Incident date

October 31, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.67595, 40.87086 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of four civilians in an airstrike near Hajin. There are indications that this was either a French or Dutch action.

In its April 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted one strike on a Daesh improvised explosive device factory. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the impact point.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The Pentagon’s annual civilian harm report to Congress issued in May 2019 initially flagged this as a US action. However, in the following year’s report the DoD noted: “the incident on October 31, 2018, in Hajin, Syria, that was assessed to have
resulted in injuries to four civilians was not attributable to U.S. military operations.”

Alongside the US, only Dutch and French aircraft within the Coalition potentially conducted strikes near Hajin on this date, according to official records.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ 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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    4
  • Stated location
    near Hajin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU714387
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019

  • Oct. 31, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted one strike on a Daesh improvised explosive device factory. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the impact point.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 30th-31st: “Near Hajin, six strikes engaged six tactical units, and destroyed nine vehicles, seven supply routes, and one vehicle borne IED.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CS1457a

Incident date

September 9, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.78199, 40.82231 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian and the injury of three others in an event near Abu Kamal.

Their February 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed Daesh weapons facility under and headquarters one civilian was unintentionally killed and three were unintentionally injured.”

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

Airwars had previously thought that this entry in the civilian casualty report was referring to CS1457, however, following an opportunity to clarify this with the Coalition, they confirmed that they were separate incidents.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ 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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    3
  • Stated location
    near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV647613
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

  • Sept. 9, 2017 near Abu Kamal, Syria via social media report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed Daesh weapons facility under and headquarters one civilian was unintentionally killed and three were unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting
positions and a vehicle.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1955

Incident date

January 9, 2021

Location

العزبة, Al Azbat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.321848, 40.307980 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 7-year-old child was killed and his mother and brother were injured when an alleged US-led Coalition mortar shell hit the family’s home in the town of Al Azbat, Deir Ezzor governorate, on January 9th, 2021. Local sources reported that the incident occured during a military training near the Coalition base near the Koniko oil field.

According to a Euphrates Post correspondent, “a mortar shell landed in a house in the vicinity of the Koniko oil field base, east of Deir Ezzor, during training of the American forces.” The source added that the “the shell landed in the house of the civilian Hani Hussein Al Toukan, killing his son Ahed and seriously injuring his wife and other son, Fahed.” The US forces reportedly brought the victims to a nearby medical point.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights wrote that “a child was killed and his mother was injured, as a result of an unknown explosion near their house in the Azbat area north of Deir Ezzor city, Koniku Oil, where the International Coalition forces and the SDF conduct joint military exercises.”

Several other sources wrote that the civilian house was targeted. @SyriawatanNews, for example, tweeted that “the ‘American occupation’ forces present in the Koniko oil field targeted the town of Ezbet in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor with mortar shells, killing a child and wounding others.”

@SalamaAlhussein tweeted that it was not the village of Al Azbat that was hit, but the village of Khasham. All other sources mentioned Al Azbat village.

In a civilian casualty assessment released April 16th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that ” After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that
corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahed Hani Al Toukan عهد هاني الطوكان
7 years old male killed
Wife of Hani Hussein Al Toukan زوجت هاني حسين الطوكان
Adult female mother of Ahed Hani Al Toukan injured
Fahed Hani Al Toukan فهد حسين الطوكان
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “The child Ahed Hani Al Toukan was killed and all his family members were injured when a mortar shell fell on his home in the village of Khasham, east of Deir Ezzor, from the Coalition forces stationed in the Koniko field, where a patrol of the American forces brought the child and his mother to the hospital” (via @SalamaAlhussein).
  • The boy Ahed Hani Al Toukan was killed when his home was hit by an alleged US-led Coalition mortar shell in Al Azbat on January 9th, 2021 (via @SalamaAlhussein).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Azbat (العزبة) area, south of the Conoco Oil Refinery, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.321848, 40.307980. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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 Azbat, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV188095
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 16, 2021

  • Jan. 9, 2021, in al Azbat, 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. 3293/CS1955 37SFV188095

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1988

Incident date

November 22, 2022

Location

الزر, Al Zar, Deir Ezzour, Syria

Geolocation

35.124387, 40.432541 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young man was either injured or killed during a raid allegedly carried out by the Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of al-Zar the evening/morning of November 22, 2022.

According to @euphratspost, a young man named Ahmed Hussein Ali al-Qubbah was severely injured and a 13 year old named Ahmad Mahmoud al-Hilu was arrest during a raid carried out by the SDF in the village of al-Zar around 2am.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that units affiliated with the SDF, with the support of “International Coalition” aircraft, carried out a raid and arrested a person alleged to be a member of ISIS. At the time of reporting, SOHR did not have information on human losses or material damage.

Nedaa Post referred to the raid as being carried out against “a number of civilian homes” and added that armed clashes between the people in the homes and the SDF resulted in the injury of the young man Ahmed Hussein Ali al-Qubbah when he tried to leave his house.

Baladi News reported that Ahmed Hussein was killed during the raid and Chamtimes referred to the person killed as being a civilian, indicating that Ahmed later died from his injuries. @DeirEzzore identified Ahmed Hussein as being 37 years old and added that he was wounded by a bullet that penetrated his back, paralyzing him.

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Hussein Ali al-Qubbah أحمد حسين علي القبة
37 years old male Possibly killed injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The young man, "Ahmed Hussein Ali al-Qubba," who was injured or killed by alleged Coalition and SDF raids on November 22, 2022. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zar (الزر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.124387, 40.432541. 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
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS042

Incident date

January 12, 2015

Location

near al-Bo Omar, Syria, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Airwars assessment

In the January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near al-Bo Omar had been assessed as non credible: “#1 Jan. 12, 2015, near al-Bo Omar, Syria via regional human rights group report. 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.” The event was previously unknown to Airwars.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Jisr al Jadid, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 11th-12th 2015 the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Dawr az Zawr, an airstrike struck an ISIL oil refinery.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS496

Incident date

February 16, 2017

Location

near Tabaqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.