US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS1969

Incident date

November 7, 2021

Location

جرابلس, Jarablus, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three people were killed and three others were injured in alleged Coalition drone strikes in the city of Jarablus on November 7, 2021. Among the victims of the strikes, two of them were identified as being militants.

Shaam News reported that according to the “Media Office in the city of Jarablus”, an unidentified aircraft targeted a person on the outskirts of the city of Jarablus, adding that local sources suggested that the Coalition was responsible for the drone strike.

Macro Media Center identified the Coalition as being responsible, reporting that two people on a motorcycle were targeted by a drone and killed. However, Fact News reported that only one of the two people on the motorcycle were killed, and three other people were injured. Syrian Press Center gave the highest death toll, stating that three people were killed in the drone strikes.

A tweet from @IdlibCalling referred to those killed as being “militants of the Islamic State” and put the death toll at two, specifically naming field commander nicknamed Abu Abdo Al-Hamwi as among the victims while @sarihakann placed the man/men killed as belong to “Hurras al-Din” (Guardians of Religion). Baladi News reported that according to eyewitnesses, the person who was killed was wearing an explosive belt.

Fresh Syria specifically referred to the three people injured in the strikes as being civilians while the majority of sources referred to them only as “people”. The sources that mentioned militants killed or wounded only identified two of the victims as being militants, with one sources reporting that one militant was killed and one injured or that two militants were killed.

The location of the strikes was identified as being in a residential neighborhood in Jarablus, according to Fact News and Zaman Al Wasl added that the strikes occurred “near the Agricultural Bank, on the “Manbij-Jarabulus” road”.

The majority of sources identified the Coalition as being responsible for the drone strikes and Zaman Al Wasl reported that two missiles were launched from the drone. The Coalition has not yet commented on this incident. The only source that identified another possible culprit was Syria TV, which stated that one fo the possible explanations given by local sources was that the Syrian Democratic Forces could’ve bombed the city with rocket-propelled grenades, but did not provide details of which local sources provided this information.

The incident occured at approximately 5:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of an alleged Coalition drone strike in the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Victim(s) of an alleged Coalition drone strike in the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • Location of an alleged Coalition drone strike in the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • Location of an alleged Coalition drone strike in the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • Victim(s) of an alleged Coalition drone strike in the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021 bring taken away by White Helmets. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • One of the victim(s) of an alleged Coalition drone strike in the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibCalling)
  • The location of the alleged Coalition strikes on a deserted gas station in Jarablus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victim(s) of an alleged Coalition drone strike in the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)
  • One of the victim(s) of an alleged Coalition drone strike in the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)
  • White Helmets cover the body of one of the victims of strikes on the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by Jesr Press)
  • Debris from the strikes on the city of Jarabulus on November 7, 2021. (Image posted by @sarihakann)

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
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1970

Incident date

November 8, 2021

Location

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.896421, 39.904919 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man was killed in an alleged Coalition and Syrian Defense Forces airdrop operation in the town of Al-Sabha on November 8th, 2021. Sources were conflicted as to whether the man killed was a civilians or a militant.

According to Euphrates Post, the Coalition and the Syrian Defense Forces carried out an airdrop operation at dawn on November 8th, 2021, which resulted in the killing of one person and the arrest of two others.

Local sources told Euphrates that the SDF raided the house of Abdul Nahar al-Majwal (nickname Abu Jarrah), an alleged arms dealer who was shot dead while trying to escape, and arrested two of his brothers, Fahd and Suleiman. The correspondent of the Step News Agency added that Fahd’s wife was also arrested in the operation.

Eye of Euphrates reported that Abu Jarrah was smuggling weapons to the Syrian regime and that he was killed by a bullet in his chest while a tweet from @Sada_AlSharqieh mentioned that Abu Jarrah had been accused of belong to ISIS and North Press Agency referred to him as a leader of ISIS. However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified Abu Jarrah’s brother as being “a former weapons merchant arrested for dealing with ISIS” without mentioning that Abu Jarrah was associated with any militant activities.

@baznewz also referred to Abu Jarrah and his brother as formerly involved with ISIS and arms smuggling. Syrian Arab News Agency also reported that the two people killed in operations in al-Sabha and Fenijil (incident CS1970) were civilians and that the three people arrested in al-Sabha were civilians.

The operation lasted from 1:30am to around 2:30am.

The incident occured at 01:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Nahar al-Majwal (nickname Abu Jarrah), an alleged arms dealer who was shot dead in the town of Al-Sabha on November 8, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sabha (الصبحة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.896421, 39.904919. 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

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
    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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1971

Incident date

November 8, 2021

Location

فنيجين, Fenijin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.896421, 39.904919 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man was killed, another person was injured, and four people were arrested in an alleged Coalition airstrike and Syrian Democratic Forces ground operation in Fenijin on November 8, 2021. The status of the man killed and the person injured as a civilian is contested by local sources.

Zaman Al Wasl quoted local activists who reported that Coalition airplanes carried out an airstrike on a home in Fenijin, followed by a raid by the “Democratic Union” (Syrian Democratic Forces), which resulted in the death of one person and the injury of others. They quoted Asayiş, the security arm of the Democratic Union Party, said in a statement that clashes erupted during the operation, during which one person was killed, another member of the cell was wounded, and 4 others were arrested. Asayiş alleges that the operation was carried out against an ISIS sell that intended to launch an attack on a prison.

The Syrian Press Agency reported that the Coalition airstrike and SDF raid occurred in the Abu Hasan Badia, west of the monastery, and resulted in a person named “Madlool Al-Adas” being killed. Jisr’s correspondent differed in their reporting, stating that the raid was on the home of Madlool but that the raiding forces “killed the young man, “Jassem Hammadi Al-Adas”, tied him and photographed him.

According to Furat Al Wehda, SDF forces surrounded the village and “stormed it amid heavy gunfire and supported them in air surveillance and live fire on the homes of the residents, helicopters belonging to the American occupation”.

A tweet from @VOSyria_ reported that a civilian was killed in the operation and Syrian Arab News Agency, the Syrian regime-run news agency, identified two civilians as being killed in the operations in Al Sabha and Fenijil but does not specify within these incidents. However, the majority of other sources did not identify whether the victim was a civilian or combatant and only Zaman Al Wasl specifically referred to those killed and injured as members of an ISIS cell.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo of Jassem Hammadi Al-Adas, killed in a Coalition/SDF operation in the village of Fenijil on November 8, 2021. (Image posted by @YusufAd76532779)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Fenijil (فنيجين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.896421, 39.904919. 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
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1972

Incident date

November 30, 2021

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two people, according to local sources, identified as Saber Sinjar Al-Fahd and Sami Dilis Al-Aoun, were killed allegedly by US-led Coalition and Kurdish SDF forces during an airstrike on an ISIS “sleeper cell” or the house of a former member of the oppostion factions in the city of Hajin, east of Deir Ezzor, Syria, on November 30th 2021 at dawn. None of the sources refer to Sami as being a militant while sources are conflicted as to whether Saber was affiliated with ISIS.

A local souce, @Sada_AlSharqieh tweeted that the men killed were cousins.

The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights reported that the two killed were apparently shot, and that this coincided with the airdrop operation.

According to Watan News, one person was arrested on charges of belonging to ISIS. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that the person arrested by the “International Coalition” forces was also released after the end of the security operation.

There is somewhat confusing reports, with Furat and other sources reporting that the house was Saber Al-Sinjar’s, one of the men reported to have been shot, and that he was arrested and taken to an unknown destination. According to the Euphrate Post, Al-Sinjar had fled about three years ago to Turkish territory after the SDF and Coalition forces took control of the area, only to return several months before this incident took place.  However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the person arrested was later released at the end of the security operation.

Local sources who reported to Nedaa said that Saber Al-Sinjar was working in Turkey and has no political activity. Therefore, whether he was or was not still a member of ISIS remains unclear.

Apparently the operation lasted for around four hours, during which the Coalition launched stun grenades, “which caused a state of panic and fear among civilians living in the area.”

Furat reported that the SDF launched a ground raid operation with the support of a US-led Coalition aircraft, and that the SDF “used sound bombs in the raid, in conjunction with the flight of helicopters of the International Coalition at a low altitude, and one of the SDF military vehicles fell in an empty water canal (Al-Sarb).”

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Saber Sinjar Al-Fahd
Age unknown male killed
Sami Dilis Al-Aoun
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Saber Al-Sinjar, allegedly killed by the US-led Coalition and SDF in an airstrike or by gunshot wounds on November 30th 2021. (Image via @jamlyyyyy_)
  • Sami al-Aun, allegedly killed by the US-led Coalition and SDF in an airstrike or by gunshot wounds on November 30th 2021. (Image via @jamlyyyyy_)
  • "A military vehicle of the international coalition forces deteriorated during a raid on the house of Saber Sinjar in the city of Hajin, east of Deir Ezzor" (Twitter post by @Sada_AlSharqieh)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hajin (هجين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.6897222, 40.83. 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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1973

Incident date

December 3, 2021

Location

المسطومة, Al-Mastouma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.838709, 36.622450 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one young man was killed and between six and seven civilians, including up to four children, were injured in a declared US drone strike on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road on December 3rd, 2021. Sources are conflicted as to whether the young man killed was an active or former member of the Guardians of Religion Organization, an Al Qaeda affiliate group.

In a press briefing on December 6, 2021, the Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters “a senior leader with Hurras al-Din, which is an Al-Qaeda affiliated group, by the name of Musab Kinan was the person targeted and killed in a kinetic strike by U.S. forces near Idlib on the 3rd of December. It was a strike conducted from an MQ-9 unmanned aircraft. The initial review of the strike did indicate the potential for possible civilian casualties. They’ve [CENTCOM] launched a civilian casualty assessment report, which they have to do when they think there’s a potential and as far as I know that’s still ongoing. I don’t know what the results might be.”

Associated Press reported that at least four members of the Qasoum family were children – 16-year old Hiba Qasoum, 15-year old Batoul Qasoum, 12-year old Walid Qasoum and 10-year old Mohammad Qasoum. Fatima, 48, was also reported seriously injured in the strike alongside her husband Ahmed Qasoum who sustained light injuries. One source (@jabha_sy) reported different ages (included in brackets in victim details below).

The Middle East Eye (MEE) also reported on the Qasoum family, including an interview with father Ahmed Qasoum who told MEE that one of those injured was his 10-year old son: ““The motorcycle was going in front of me and I decided to pass it, when I got parallel to it, I felt a lot of pressure pushing the car to the left of the road….It was horrible,” Qasoum said. “We didn’t hear any sound of the explosion. The shrapnel hit the left side of the car, tearing through that side, which acted as a sort of filter for a lot of it.”

“My 10-year-old son has had a fractured skull and is now in a very serious condition in the intensive care at a hospital in Idlib. Doctors have told me that he would have nerves problems on his right side in the future,” Qasoum said, speaking to MEE via WhatsApp.”

Mr. Qasoum added that his 15-year old daughter was also seriously injured after shrapnel struck her head, and that it might take her a week to be able to walk again.

In an interview with Associated Press published December 6th, Mr. Qassoum said that he was driving 10km every day to visit the hospital where his son, Mahmoud, was being treated for his head injuries.

Step News Agency reported that the Qasoum family had been displaced from the village of Kafr Batikh after regime forces took control of the area.

@humam_isa identified the young man, “Musab Khaled Kanaan” (a first-year Turkish language student) as being one of the people killed by Coalition missile strikes on the Idlib-Al-Mastouma road, while Syrian Network for Human Rights and Shaam News referred to Musab as being a former Hurras al Din (Guardians of Religion) fighter.

A tweet from @SunaUnique reported that a drone struck a car traveling on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road, killing those inside, but didn’t specify how many were traveling in the car.

According to @Click_Syria, a drone alleged to belong to the Coalition struck a motorcycle belonging to a military official from the Guardians of Religion Organization and also hit a Santa Fe car passing by on the same road, the Ariha-Mastouma highway, injuring six people in the car. @syr_television added that the family of six people in the car were “lightly” injured. Euphrates Eye put the number killed at two and identified them both as Guardians of Religion.

Syrian Civil Defense put the number of injured civilians at five, including three women and a child.

A tweet from @FreshFM90MHZ referred to those killed and injured as being “civilians”.

A video posted by @syr_television shows the moment that the drone strike hit the motorcycle from the perspective of the car where the six family members were injured. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified that three missiles were involved in the attack.

@NotWoofers pointed out that this is the first time in a while in Idlib that there have been civilian casualties from a Coalition drone strike.

The Military Times reported that “the command [CENTCOM] would not say whether such operations will pause during the investigation” into civilian harm allegations.

Limited local media coverage was noted by the Middle East Eye, who reported that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the armed group in control of Idlib, seized the Qasoum family car after the attack “under the pretext of checking the car’s papers”, and “prevented the media from filming the damage at the scene”.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Fatima Qarqour
48 years old injured
Muhammad Qasoum
10 (also reported as 15) years old injured
Heba Qasoum
16 (also reported as 30) years old injured
Batoul Qasoum
15 (also reported as 20) years old injured
Walid Qasoum
12 (also reported as 50) years old injured
Ahmed Qasoum
52 years old injured

The victims were named as:

Musab Khaled Kanaan
Age unknown male conflicted as to whether the young man killed was an active or former member of the Guardians of Religion Organization, an Al Qaeda affiliate group killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • A drone struck a car traveling on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road, killing those inside. (Image posted by @SunaUnique)
  • A drone struck a car traveling on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road, killing those inside. (Image posted by @SunaUnique)
  • Musab Khaled Kanaan, killed in an alleged Coalition drone strike on a car on the Idlib-Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by @humam_isa)
  • White Helmets observe the motorcycle struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets observe the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Blood of the victims on the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A White Helmet with remnants from the drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Remnants of the car destroyed by the drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • A White Helmet with remnants from the drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Blood of the victims on the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Blood of the victims on the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Blood of the victims on the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Ahmed Qasoum was reported to be one of at least six members of the Qasoum family who sustained injuries after a US military strike hit a road in Idlib, December 3rd 2021. Image via Middle East Eye/Izzeddin Kasim.
  • "The wife of Ahmed Qasoum resting her broken leg after being injured in a US attack near Idlib on 3 December", Image via Middle East Eye/Izzeddin Kasim.
  • ""The shrapnel hit the left side of the car, tearing through that side," Ahmed Qasoum said", Image via Middle East Eye/Izzeddin Kasim.
  • Mahmoud Qasoum was was reported seriously injured in a US strike in Idlib December 3rd 2021. Image published by Associated Press/Ghaith Alsayed.
  • The Qasoum family, injured by a US strike in Idlib December 3rd 2021. Image via Associated Press.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention vehicles struck on the road between Ariha (أَرِيحَا) and Al Mastouma (المسطومة). Analyzing audiovisual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to the following coordinates: 35.838709, 36.622450.

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  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Middle East Eye

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Macro Media Center

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Macro Media Center

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces

"A senior leader with Hurras al-Din, which is an Al-Qaeda affiliated group, by the name of Musab Kinan was the person targeted and killed in a kinetic strike by U.S. forces near Idlib on the 3rd of December. It was a strike conducted from an MQ-9 unmanned aircraft. The initial review of the strike did indicate the potential for possible civilian casualties. They've [CENTCOM] launched a civilian casualty assessment report, which they have to do when they think there's a potential and as far as I know that's still ongoing. I don't know what the results might be."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1974

Incident date

December 12, 2021

Location

ابريهة, Abirha near Al Busaira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Professor Khalaf Al Wahhab, a school teacher, and his two sons, Hamza Al Wahhab and Muhammad Al Wahhab, from the village of Abreha, were killed during a US-led Coalition airdrop or landing operation, with the Syrian Democratic Forces, in the village of Abirha, near Al Busaira in Deir Ezzor on December 12th 2021. In total, four people were killed. The fourth person, according to @Sada_AlSharqieh, was “a visitor to them who is the target of the landing operation.” The incident apparently happened at dawn.

Some sources also mentioned that Professor Al Wahhab’s son in law, Abu Malik, was also killed but it is unclear whether he was the fourth person pre-mentioned. Deir Ezzor 24 referred to “Ab Malik” as a person “believed to be affiliated with Daesh” and from the village of al-Bulail.

According to Euphrates, the operation lasted for about two hours and “they were targting a livestock pen after refusing to surrender.”  They also reported that the operation was carried out from the direction of Al-Eshreen Street, “using two helicopters loaded with elements and ground forces.” Apparently, the Coalition was “broadcasting on loudspeakers that the place is surrounded by the Coalition forces and the people must surrender.”

According to @Sada_AlSharqieh, they also asked residents to stay in their homes. Their correspondent also reported that “the Coalitin aircraft struck a house in the town of Al-Bireha and destroyed the entire house, and then began the process of landing in Al-Busira.” Various sources reported that eight people were arrested in Al-Busira.

At the time of the incident, Colonel Joel Harper, spokesman for the International Coalition, issued a statement that “Daesh are still active in Syria and poses an existential threat if it is allowed to resurge,” stressing that the coalition continues in its partnership with the SDF and continues to target Daesh in Syria, not directly referring to the incident.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Khalaf Al Wahhab
male father killed
Hamza Al Wahhab
Age unknown male son
Muhammad Al Wahhab
Age unknown male son

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image of Hamad Al Wahhab, killed with his father and brother, after a house was targeted in Al Busayrah at dawn on December 12th 2021. (Image via Euphrates)
  • The area where an alleged airdrop operation was carried out by the US-led Coalition on December 12th 2021, allegedly killed three men. (Image via @YusufAd76532779 / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abirha (أبرهة), allegedly within/in the vicinity of the town of Al Busaira (البصيرة‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Busaira are: 35.154879, 40.426462.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

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
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1975

Incident date

January 17, 2022

Location

الحوايج, Al Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.056389, 40.488056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two men were killed in an alleged Coalition and declared Syrian Democratic Forces’ airdrop operation on the village of Al-Hawaij on January 17/18, 2022. One of the men was identified as being a member of ISIS.

Euphrates Post reported that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with helicopter support from the Coalition carried out an airdrop operation in the village of Al-Hawaij that resulted in the death of Amjad Muhammad Al-Ways Al-Ayed “Abu Omar”. The SDF and Coalition targeted his home on the pretext that he possessed “booby-trapped motorcycles”.

Private sources told the Euphrates Post that Amjad Muhammad is a resident of the city of Al-Mayadin and was living in a house near the “Al-Hawi” area on the outskirts of the village, owned by Awad Al-Shatat, a resident of Al-Hawaij village. @DeirEzzorNow referred to Amjad Muhammad as being “displaced” from Al-Mayadin.

A tweet from @Sada_AlSharqieh reported that Amjad Muhammad was an ISIS leader and that he was killed after he clashed with the patrol and refused to surrender. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified Amjad as an ISIS leader, the leader of a brigade operating in Deir Ezzor airport, and that weapons and explosive belts were found when searching the home that he hid in.

@DeirEzzorNow tweeted that in addition to Amjad Muhammad, Mohamed Alwes was killed. @DeirEzzor24 that Mohamed Alwes was also from the city of Al-Mayadin. None of the sources refer to Mohamed Alwes as being a militant. However, @SOJTF_LEVANT reported that “no other personnel were injured or taken off site”.

Enab Baladi identified that one person was arrested during the operation but didn’t provide any other details.

The Syrian Democratic Forces issued a statement that “one of the leaders of the terrorist organization ISIS was killed in the Al-Hawaij area, during a shooting operation initiated by the terrorist while our forces and the international coalition carried out a joint airdrop operation to arrest the aforementioned terrorist yesterday evening. The terrorist was involved in planning the attack on Ghweran prison in al-Hasakah, in November of last year, where our forces were able to thwart the plot and arrest a number of terrorists involved in it, including the leader of the cell, “Mohamed Abdel-Awwad,” as well as detonating two car bombs that were a cell belonging to the terrorist organization that had prepared To attack the prison and make holes in the main gate of the prison.”

Euphrates Post provided details that the operation took place at 10pm while @thawraa_syr reported that the raid took place around 2am.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Alwes
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
  • Known attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hawaij (الحوايج), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.056389, 40.488056. 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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Democratic Forces

One of the leaders of the terrorist organization ISIS was killed in Al-Hawaij area during a shooting operation initiated by the terrorist while our forces and the international coalition carried out a joint airdrop operation to arrest the aforementioned terrorist yesterday evening.
The terrorist had participated in planning the attack on Ghweran prison in Al-Hasakah in November last year, where our forces were able to thwart the scheme and arrest a number of terrorists involved in it, including the leader of the cell, Muhammad Abdul-Awwad, as well as detonating two car bombs that the terrorist organization cell had prepared to attack the prison and make holes in the prison. The main gate of the prison.
During a search of the house where the terrorist was hiding, our forces found a quantity of weapons and an explosive belt.
In another security operation, the Special Units of the Syrian Democratic Forces arrested a local leader of the terrorist organization ISIS in the Al-Alwa area in the Shaddadi countryside, south of Hasaka. The terrorist was active in transferring weapons to the organization's cells, attracting new members to its ranks, and planning operations to target military forces and service institutions.
During the operation, weapons, equipment and documents were confiscated from his possession.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
  • Known attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1976

Incident date

January 20–26, 2022

Location

سجن الصناعة, Al Sina'a Prison, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.476929, 40.762153 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between January 20th and January 26th 2022, Islamic State militants (ISIS) attempted to take control of Al-Sina’a prison in Gweran neighbourhood in Al-Hasakah, Syria. The prison, managed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), by some reports held between 3000 to 5000 individuals associated with ISIS, including “hundreds” of so-called ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ – the term for ISIS child soldiers. The prison came back under SDF control on January 26th after Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with air and ground support from the US-led Coalition launched a counter-attack on the prison and surrounding area.

Initial reports indicate that between 6 and 7 civilians were killed as a result of SDF and the US-led Coalition actions during the counter-attack, who were likely residents living in the area surrounding the prison. However there were very few reports that were able to clearly identify the number of fatalities. Local reporting on civilian casualty estimates were challenged by the high intensity of the operation – while most sources were in agreement that seven civilians had been killed in the surrounding area, there was lack of consensus on whether or not one of the individuals included in that count had in fact been killed by ISIS.

Estimates of the number of injured also varied – one source reported that a journalist with Hawar news station was injured by SDF and US-led Coalition actions in the surrounding area, while one other source mentioned witnessing ‘lots’ of injured bodies.

The majority of reports characterised the US-led Coalition action in the surrounding areas as using heavy machine guns from helicopters to target ISIS militants in nearby residential areas. The Pentagon confirmed that they were also providing ground support using Bradley fighting vehicles; armoured vehicles capable of firing heavy weapons.

Inside the prison, as the events unfolded local sources were unable to distinguish between those individuals killed ‘hors de combat’ – i.e. protected under international humanitarian law given that they are detainees, and as such ‘in the power of an adverse party’; those killed as a result of directly participating in hostilities with SDF and US-led Coalition forces who were not imprisoned in the first place; and those who took up arms during the fight to gain control of the prison.

This is reflected in reporting on the large number of children reported to be detained in the prison. According to local reports, between 15 and 22 formerly detained children were killed inside or in the vicinity of the prison. The New York Times reported that the leader of the SDF said that “a very small number” of children had been killed. Apparently “some escaped with the adults” who were “either rearrested or killed.” John Kirby, the chief Pentagn press spokesperson confirmed on February 1st that ISIS did “have a population of children there. Many of them teenage boys, which they were either and or using as human shields.”

In a voice recording obtained by Human Rights Watch, a boy who identified himself as a 17 year old Australian said he had been wounded in an airstrike, and witnessed at least two others, aged 14 and 15, killed in front of him. According to the Associated Press, the boy said that he saw other children killed in shooting he described as “non-stop” and that he was reported to have said, “they are not stopping shooting. Every little bit they shoot. Every little bit they hit a missile.” This indicates that children inside the prison may have been killed from both ground operations and airstrikes overhead conducted by the US-led Coalition.

Another young prisoner told Human Rights Watch that “children as well as adults had been killed though they weren’t certain of numbers. One said perhaps 15 to 20 boys were killed.” Another prisoner said “It’s hard to guess, honestly it’s very chaotic… One kid I evacuated as we were trying to stop his bleeding, he died in front of me. His leg was busted open… We tried to stop the bleeding with a shirt. He looked very young.”

Two boys were reported by the New York Times to have been found on January 30th on the northeastern side of the prison, on the road. Four other adult corpses were found with them, presumed to be ISIS members. According to the Times, “neighbourhood residents said the boys were among a group of escaped inmates, most of them Iraqi, who were killed on Friday by the SDF as its troops went door to door to hunt down ISIS fighters.”  Apparently it was not clear whether the boys were being held hostage by the ISIS fighters or were trying to escape with them. The witnesses did not know whether they had been armed.

Human Rights Watch also noted reports that a makeshift hospital in the prison had come under anti-aircraft and heavy machine gun fire on Tuesday 25th January around sunset.

John Kirby confirmed that the US was providing support to the SDF on January 24th during a Pentagon Press Briefing, “we have helped provide real-time surveillance during the event. We have conducted a series of strikes through this days long operation to include the procession targeting of ISIS fighters who were attacking the SDF from buildings in the area and we have provided limited ground support strategically positioned to assist security in the area.” Clashes between SDF and the US-led Coalition and ISIS militants continue in the surrounding area, particularly in response to concerns around escaped detainees who are now unaccounted for.

SDF released a statement on January 26th which said “The Peoples’ Hammer Operation has culminated with our entire control of the al-Sina’a prison in al-Hasakah and the surrender of all Daesh terrorists.”

Operation timeline as reported by local sources:

January 20th 2022

In a video by North Press Agency, witnesses described explosions around 9-10pm on the night of January 20th. One witness identified the body of a young man who lived in the surrounding area named Ghassan Awaf al-Anezi, aged 20, who was killed by ISIS. She also added: “there were a lot of victims in our neighborhood. We saw many martyrs, the dead and the wounded were on the ground.” It was unclear from local reporting if the civilian casualties mentioned resulted from ISIS actions or from actions by SDF and the US-led Coalition. According to the New York Times, ISIS found a photo of him in an SDF uniform during compulsory military service, before they shot him.

January 21st 2022

An ISIS car bomb exploded outside the prison walls, with local sources stating that a riot was taking place as a result inside the prison. Fighting continued between SDF with US-led Coalition forces and ISIS in the surrounding area and on the prison facility.

US-led Coalition helicopters targeted ISIS militants with heavy machine guns in the vicinity of the Municipal Departments College in the Gheweran neighbourhood, south of Al-Hasakah. Al-Zohour neighbourhood was also targeted by the US-led Coalition. A Facebook post by ِAl Khabour reported that the Faculty of Economics in Al-Hasakah was destroyed by Coalition airstrikes without mentioning any casualties.

Euphrates Post put the number of civilians killed at four, while Sky News reported that five civilians had been killed. Neither source specified if the civilians were killed by SDF and US-led Coalition forces, or by ISIS attacks. It is also unclear whether this number was a cumulative toll of civilian harm, or from this specific day.

Euphrates Post additionally reported that at least 10 members of ISIS and 13 members of the SDF had been killed “in the vicinity of Al-Sina’a Prison in Ghweran neighborhood”.

January 22nd 2022

According to Euphrates Post, an airstrike by the US-led Coalition targeted the Al-Sana’a prison, the first locally reported incident of a US-led Coalition air attack on the prison itself. One building was reported to have been hit.

In addition, US-led Coalition F16 planes reportedly carried out airstrikes in the Ghweran neighbourhood targeting alleged ISIS cells. Euphrates Post also reported that the US-led Coalition also dropped flyers in the city of Al-Hasakah, calling on people to report any “terrorist or suspicious activities.”

Local reports also indicated direct clashes between Syrian Democratic forces and ISIS militants inside the prison.

January 23rd 2022

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the total death toll since the start of the prison fighting had reached “123: 77 ISIS fighters, seven civilians and 39 members of Asayish Forces, prison guards and counter-terrorism forces.” Save the Children reported that audio testimony indicated that multiple children were likely among those killed.

January 24th 2022

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that there were “renewed clashes inside Ghuwayran prison… after airstrikes by International Coalition aircraft on positions where ISIS members holed up.”  Outside the prison, the SDF, Asayish forces and US-led Coalition reportedly continued to search for ISIS members and escaped prisoners in local neighbourhoods.

The New York Times reported that as of January 24th, ISIS fighters were in control of a quarter of the prison and were “using the boys as human shields”, in addition to threatening to kill the boys if the Coalition continued its assault. According to the Times, among the inmates at the prison were boys as young as 12 – including Syrians, Iraqis, and about 150 non-Arab foreigners.

The Morning Star News put the death toll as of January 24th at five civilians, with one rumored to have been beheaded by ISIS. A journalist working for the SDF was reportedly killed and a reporter from the Hawar news station was reportedly injured.

January 25th 2022

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a group of children were evacuated from the prison in buses, but the final destination of these buses remain unknown. They also mentioned that the day before other prisoners had been transferred to Al-Shaddadi. According to the Washington Post, this number could be around 400. SOHR also provided an updated death toll: “114 ISIS fighters, seven civilians and 45 members of Asayish Forces, prison guards and counter-terrorism forces” killed since January 20th.

Local sources reported that US-led Coalition airstrikes continued with “five raids a while ago.” Al Araby reported that this happened “at dawn.”

@DeirEzzore reported that paramedics were brought in to treat wounded ISIS fighters and prisoners. According to a video posted by Euphrates, a witness reported that there are unarmed civilians who were killed by the SDF and that “children were among [the] killed” and “many children [were] injured inside.” A Hawar News Agency report also identified nine hostages as being liberated by SDF from the prison the night before.

Two US-led Coalition airstrikes were reported on Sadkob Gas Station, Al Hasakah. The building was reportedly severely damaged, but there were no reports of civilian casualties in the area.

January 26th 2022

On January 26th there were no reports of US-led Coalition action inside the prison or its vicinity. The SDF announced the defeat of ISIS and that it had regained control of the prison.

Any on-going reporting of civilian casualties relating to the SDF and US-led Coalition actions will be treated as separate incidents in the Airwars archive.

As more information comes available, Airwars will attempt to disambiguate the civilian casualty incidents over the course of the six days into separate civilian harm events.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1 journalist0–374 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–10
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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
  • Known attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    24–374
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2–200

Sources (74) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (25) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Nasser, a member of the media center of the "Self-Defense" of the SDF, was killed during the the clashes over Al-Sina'a Prison. His death was reported on January 21, 2022. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • The Faculty of Economics in Al-Hasakah after it was destroyed by an air strike by the International Coalition. (Image posted by Al Khabour via Facebook)
  • The belongings of some Islamic State fighters. Pic: SDF via AP
  • Kurdish security forces deploy in Syria’s northern city of Hassakeh amid ongoing fighting with Isis, 22 January 2022 (AFP via Getty )
  • Islamic State fighters who were arrested after the prison was attacked. Pic: SDF via AP
  • Forces involved in clashes outside of the prison in Al Hassakah. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Hasaka on Monday.Credit...Ahmed Mardnli/EPA, via Shutterstock
  • Some of the 300 ISIS fighters who surrendered on Monday in a photo provided by the Syrian Democratic Forces. Credit...Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, via Associated Press
  • An American attack helicopter flies over Hasaka on Monday. The United States has been conducting airstrikes there for four days.Credit...Baderkhan Ahmad/Associated Press
  • SDF Forces surrounding the prison during the siege. (Image from Reuters)
  • Location of the prison. (Image from Google Maps)
  • Residents fled their homes in Ghwayran, Hasakah, amid fighting between IS and Kurdish forces in Syria. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • After targeting it with two air raids hours ago, a number of ISIS fighters are still holed up in the Sadkob gas station, the number of fighters is about three (source), they clashed with members of the SDF a few minutes ago.
  • Syria Democratic Forces liberate 9 hostages inside Al-Sina'a prison in Ghweran neighborhood of Hasaka city during an operation on Monday night. (Hawar News Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Sina’a Prison (سجن الصناعة) and its surroundings, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.476929, 40.762153. 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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Democratic Forces

On January 20, 2022, roughly 7 p.m., and through prior planning, the Daesh terrorists waged an attack using several suicide bombers on al-Sina’a prison that hols thousands of Daesh terrorist detainees.
In the beginning, the terrorists exploded a car bomb at the main gate of the prison and attacked it from three axes, in an attempt to control the prison and strike our forces that intervened to abort this attack.
At the same time, thousands of the terrorist detainees inside attacked the prison staff, such as internal security forces and institutional workers, and a large cargo car loaded with weapons and ammunition approached the prison gate so that terrorist detainees could get weapons as they escaped from the prison.
Had the attack succeeded, they would have continued their attack against the Geweran and al-Zuhour neighborhoods, in addition to some civil and military institutions of the Autonomous Administration in the region, and that was exactly the scheme that they wanted to implement.
Once again, tunnels had been dug inside some houses in neighborhoods such as Geweran and al-Zuhour in order to back the attack. That is how they prepared the ground for the success of their plan. But at first, the prison guards and our fighters showed super bravery, fought valiantly until they reached the stage of martyrdom. These comrades were the main factor in thwarting the Daesh well-planned scheme that adopted the surprise method. Then our forces (SDF) and the internal security forces (Asayish) intervened quickly, moved in an orderly manner, and imposed the siege on the prison and the university building adjacent to the prison wall. After controlling the perimeter of that wall, it was found that some Daesh terrorist detainees who managed to escape from the prison dormitories had reached those buildings, and barricaded there, so a tight cordon was imposed around those buildings as well.
On the other hand, our forces had imposed a complete security cordon on the vicinity of the Geweran neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods. Then our forces started the attack phase.
As part of the “Hammer of peoples” operation, our forces have conducted a sweep and clear-up operation against Daesh terrorists in the vicinity of the prison, in the al-Hasaka neighborhoods, and also in the areas of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa. Our SDF and the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) moved very professionally towards the groups of the terrorist attackers, eliminating many of them and incapacitating other armed attackers.
As a result, all the terrorist detainees were recaptured and transferred to other prisons.
In order not to harm the lives and homes of citizens in Hasaka, as well as to protect the children (cubs of the caliphate) in prison, and because ISIS mercenaries used them as “human shields”, for these reasons, our forces moved with high sensitivity and had long patience to deal with the situation, which made the process take additional time.
In order not to harm the lives and homes of citizens in al-Hasaka and to protect the children (the caliphate cubs) were used by Daesh terrorists as “human shields”, our forces dealt with the situation in high sensitivity and long patience which made the process take a long time.
In the end, based on the heroism of prison guards under the leadership of Comrade Jamal Kobane, who showed unique resistance by their robust and rapid intervention, and by the beginning of the sweep operation in al-Hasaka, the Daesh terrorist scheme was foiled, and the situation was controlled.
The Daesh terrorist attack was undoubtedly not a normal attack, and it was part of a long-planned extensive scheme. According to the documents confiscated and the confessions of the captured leaders of the terrorist attackers, it was found that if their attack had succeeded, they would have attacked other neighborhoods in al-Hasaka as well, in conjunction with the attacks on the areas of Al-Hol, Al-Shadada, and Deir Ezzor, to put their extensive scheme into effect, thus declaring the alleged caliphate of Daesh, falsely called the “Second Islamic State”. The attack on the al-Sina’a prison was not a local attack, nor could it be limited to the prison alone, and it was not only aimed at releasing a number of terrorist detainees, but also they wanted to launch a large-scale attack on the area to spread once again their terrorism in killing and imposing darkness on the people of the area and to revive the terrorist organization again.
However, their scheme ultimately failed at the end, and again, as what happened in the al-Baguz, they collectively surrendered to our forces, and we took full control of the situation.
Once again, our forces have strongly demonstrated their boldness, vigilance, and their ability in achieving victories, creating the spirit and hope of victory for all the region’s components, proving its worth, and earning the confidence of their people.
Without a doubt, the large-scale scheme of the daesh terrorist organization was not a purely local attack. According to the information we have and the confessions of the arrested terrorists, some of the terrorist attackers came from the occupied areas of Sri Kaneh/Ras al-Ain and Gri Spi/Tal Abyad, and others came from Iraq to support them. However, the basis of the scheme and the management of the attack, “i.e. the operating room”, according to the documents, was prepared outside the Syrian border.
Certainly, the Daesh terrorist attack was not out of the blue. After the victory achieved in al-Baguz, and the end of the geographical presence of Daesh, the terrorist organization reconstituted and revived its ranks to adapt to the new conditions and circumstances, to regain its former power, and impose fear and terrorism on society and the people of the region. He has always attempted to attack, but our forces, especially in the areas of Deir Ezzor, Raqqa, al-Shadada, and on the Iraq-Syria border, have been fighting relentlessly for more than three years the Daesh terrorist organization. If the Daesh terrorist organization could stand on its feet and strengthen itself, it would have been able to conduct terrorist attacks and operations, yet it failed to do so. What happened in the attack on the al-Sina’a prison confirms that it has invested in the political circumstances and has been assisted, directly or indirectly, by some regional States. In this context, the role of the Turkish state was the most prominent.
The Turkey State is the most responsible for the Deash terrorist attack on the al-Sina’a prison and the continued existence of the Daesh terrorist organization. The Turkey State’s attacks and constant threats on the north and eastern Syria give Daesh terrorist organization moral strength to catch its breath again and prepare the ground for a regrouping. Occupied areas such as Sri Kaneh/Ras al-Ain and Gri Spi/Tal Abyad have also been transformed into the safest and most protected areas for Daesh to organize itself and train its elements, and some of the terrorists attacking the al-Sina’a prison came from those areas. On this basis, the Turkish State is responsible for the terrorist attacks on the region.
On the other hand, good cooperation has emerged between our SDF and the international coalition forces against Daesh. The work and fight against Daesh took place at a good level, where operations were coordinated and conducted together
. But since the defeat of Daesh geographically, leaving thousands of Daesh detainees and tens of thousands of their families living in Al-Hol camp, it caused a heavy burden on SDF and the Autonomous Administration, and the recent attack has proved that the Daesh still poses a major threat not only to our regions but also to the security of the whole world. This attack showed that there is an urgent need for international military and political assistance, particularly by the international coalition, to the SDF and Autonomous Administration, and intensify the assistance by providing advanced technology to eliminate the terrorist organization and to stop this imminent threat to the whole world. This is certainly a responsibility directly related to working to fight the Daesh terrorist organization, as well as to solving the issue Daesh families by the SDF, Autonomous Administration, and the international coalition, which is ultimately a joint responsibility.
This attack once again demonstrated the need to seek radical solutions to the issue of Daesh families in the al-Hol camp that has become a time bomb with a pulled safety pin, and the need to speed up the trial and prosecution of Daesh terrorists by constructing an international tribunal.
The longer it takes to find implemented solutions to these issues on the ground, the more benefits Daesh got.
Our people in al-Hasaka in general, ” Kurds, Arab, Syriac and Assyrians”, particularly those living in the neighborhoods of Geweran, al-Zuhour, al-Nashwa, and in all neighborhoods of the city, have shown, over the past week, unprecedented cooperation with our SDF and with the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), defending their neighborhoods and cities, providing information swiftly to the security forces. The last week has also proved that if fighters and the people unite, victory is inevitable and achieved. This has become a luminous example of that fact we have experienced. We, therefore, thank our people in al-Hasaka for their vigilance and spirit of sacrifice, as well as for their help and honorable standing with their forces. We say to our people in the north and eastern Syria that it is necessary to be more vigilant and alert against all attacks by Daesh and others and that they must organize themselves strongly to defend their neighborhoods, villages, and homes. This is one of the lessons that can be deduced from this attack by Deash terrorist organization.
Once again, we thank the international coalition forces, which have shown, over the past week, good cooperation and coordination with our forces and have strongly and effectively provided the necessary assistance.
The SDF and the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) have also shown a high spirit of sacrifice, and have made the hopes and schemes of Daesh stuck in their throats. In this operation, a number of our fighters have risen to the rank of martyrdom. On this basis, we recall with all due respect and pride all the martyrs of the “Hammer of peoples” operation, and we promise them to achieve the victory, and we congratulate our people and all our fighters and leaders for the success of this operation.
We call on the public and all relevant parties, telling them that in order for Daesh’s nightmare not to happen again, and not to be able to regroup again, it would be imperative to provide aid and assistance — more strongly — to the SDF, the people and components of north and eastern Syria and the Autonomous Administration. The more political, military, and economic support for SDF and Autonomous Administration, the more Daesh gets weakened and enters the atrophy stage.
As a result, the Daesh terrorist organization tried to bring the area and its people back to the dark days and a nightmare hanging over them, so it benefited from several parties. But, the heroism, boldness, skill, vigilance of our fighters, and the association of our people with their forces and rally around them and on the anniversary of the victory of the resistance of Kobane and with its spirit, they made another victory, and we, in turn, dedicate this victory to our people and martyrs.
As part of the “Hammer of Peoples” operation, and in areas such as Deir Ezzor and Raqqa, local sweep operations are still ongoing in specific points and widely against the remnants of the Daesh and its sleeper cells.
The outcome of the Hammer of Peoples operation:
The Daesh terrorist detainees inside the prison brutally killed 77 martyrs of the prison staff and guards. In the 7-day-long clashes outside the prison, 40 of our fighters and 4 civilians were martyred.
In total: 121 of our fighters and prison staff were heroically martyred.
Once again, we recall with all due respect and reverence all of our martyrs.
The number of Deash terrorist detainees and attackers killed 374.
The General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1 journalist0–374 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–10
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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
  • Known attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    24–374
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2–200

Sources (74) [ collapse]