US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CS1812

Incident date

October 18, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa: Ammar bin Yasser moque, al Boubadran village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.544353, 40.958265 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 10 and as many as 60 civilians were reported killed  by the US-led Coalition after a strike or strikes hit the Ammar bin Yasser mosque in Al Boubadran village near al Soussa. The event may have been confused in some media and social media reports to one or two additional nearby civilian harm events over a 30 hour period. In October 2020, the Coalition itself classed the incident as a duplicate report.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported at the time that the strike occurred “at around 12:00, during the Friday Prayer”.

According to most other reports the strike took place around noon – although Eldorar and Baladi News claimed that worshippers leaving an evening prayer service were struck. Other reports confused this strike and associated imagery with an event on October 19th at another mosque in al Soussa (see below.)

An ISIS propaganda video showed multiple male corpses among the rubble of the entirely destroyed mosque, along with at least one dead child. An eyewitness in the film stated: “They knew that this place is a place to spread religion, the guys were here to learn but they wanted them to oppose their religion, the Coalition cannot face our brothers in the front lines, so they destroy mosques, this mosque I saw it I was an eye witness.”

Deir Ezzor Radio said that “at least 30 civilians died including two children” in the mosque strike. Zaman al Wasl instead said the toll was 15 including women and children, noting that “the civilians are 6 Syrians and 9 members of displaced Iraqi families.”

Bukamal Live named a victim as Diaa Latouf Al Dibs from Abu Kamal. Euphrates Post named the same victim as Mohammed Dia’a Abdul Latif al-Dabbas – while a footnote to that story asserted that 38 civilians in total had died in the attack. Euphrates Post itself placed the toll at 10 however – while noting two other major civilian harm events in the near vicinity. Sana News (the official Syrian state media outlet) also placed the civilian toll at 10.

A Reuters report indicated that the Coalition had deliberately struck the mosque believing it to be an ISIS command and control centre. ‘The U.S.-led coalition said it destroyed a mosque which Islamic State fighters had turned into a headquarters in al-Sousa to defend their last territory. The strike on Thursday killed 12 militants, disabling a command center they had used to attack coalition forces and their allies, it said. “Such Daesh misuse of the mosque is another example of their violation of the law of war and made the mosque a valid military target,” spokesman Colonel Sean Ryan said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State. The coalition monitored the facility to know when only fighters were present, and it investigates “all credible allegations of civilian casualties”, he said in an emailed statement in response to questions from Reuters.”

The Syrian Observatory initially placed the toll for this and the previous event at al Soussa on October 18th at 24 civilian fatalities, noting that “the number of martyrs is still increasing due to some wounded being in a serious condition, and the presence of missing persons.” On October 22nd the Observatory lowered its estimate to 18 killed on both events, along with 11 ISIS fighters: “18 Iraqi citizens of the families of Daesh including 7 children and 4 women, were killed in the bombardment which targeted a mosque and a house in Al-Susah town, on 18th October 2018.”

Madar News, citing a local activist, said 43 people died in the two October 18th events. Marsad al Hassakah placed the toll for the two events lower, reporting that “Eighteen Iraqi civilians, including seven children and four citizens, were martyred in the air bombardment of a mosque and an adjacent house.”

According to reports, multiple Coalition airstrikes targeted the ISIS-occupied town of al Soussa between Thursday October 17th and Friday October 18th causing mass casualties. As well as the Ammar bin Yasser mosque which was struck at noon on the Thursday along with the home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab earlier that same morning (event S ), the Othman mosque was also reported hit the following day at Friday prayers (event S ). Deir Ezzor Radio said that overall, 60 to 70 civilians including 10 children died in the three Coalition strikes on the town. Sana News placed the overall death count at 62.

The Syrian Observatory placed the toll for the three events at 47 civilians and 9 ISIS fighters killed. Al Jazeera said approximately 65 civilians were killed with dozens injured in the three events.

In its civilian casualty report for October 2020, the US-led Coalition said that this review was a ‘duplicate’ of a previous assessment of the same incident: “1. Oct. 18, 2018, in Al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation is a duplicate of allegation 2620 (Not Credible, published January 31, 2019). 3206/CS1812 37SFU796242”

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Dia’a Abdul Latif al-Dabbas
Age unknown male Bukamal Live named a victim as Diaa Latouf Al Dibs killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 60
  • (2–5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    ISIS propaganda video posted on Facebook by Muhajareen Al Furat, Siraj Aldyin 2018 and Al Soussa village Facebook pages on the 20th of October 2018.
  • The destroyed mosque at al Bubadran in which up to 60 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on October 18th (image with al Free Deir Ezzor Radio – most likely grabs from an ISIS propaganda video)
  • The destroyed mosque at al Bubadran in which up to 60 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on October 18th (image with al Free Deir Ezzor Radio – most likely grabs from an ISIS propaganda video)
  • The destroyed mosque at al Bubadran in which up to 60 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on October 18th (image with al Free Deir Ezzor Radio – most likely grabs from an ISIS propaganda video)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Duplicate
    Assessed to be a duplicate of another report that has already been assessed.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU796242
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020
  • 1. Oct. 18, 2018, in Al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation is a duplicate of allegation 2620 (Not Credible, published January 31, 2019). 3206/CS1812 37SFU796242

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition publicly reported the following at the time: "On Oct. 18 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 14 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal and Hajin, 10 strikes engaged 29 tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers, one IED facility, one vehicle-borne IED facility, one mortar team headquarters, one building and two staging areas."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Oct 17th-24th, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in six of these missions – against ISIS fighters and vehicles near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor.

Midden-Oosten In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 6 zijn wapens ingezet tegen ISIS-strijders en voertuigen. Dat gebeurde in de provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

France report that between Oct 17th-23rd, the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram conducted 17 firing missions, from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and conducted eight strikes north of Abu Kamal in Syria.

'OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent sans évènement particulier relevé cette semaine. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué en volume. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 17 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1992 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations. Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus) et conduit 8 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8582 sorties / 1472 frappes / 2271 objectifs neutralises.'

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 60
  • (2–5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1811

Incident date

October 18, 2018

Location

السوسة , al Soussa: Home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Aaliyya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.539811, 40.957417 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 9 and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed, described as women and children of Iraqi origin, following a reported Coalition airstrike on the home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Soussa. The event may be confused in some media and social media reports with one or two nearby additional civilian harm events over a 30 hour period.

Euphrates Post – which timelined a number of civilian harm events in the town over a period of hours, – stated that “According to our correspondent, the killing of nearly 15 civilians, including women and children of Iraqi nationality, following an air strike targeted a house in the neighborhood of Al-Aaliyya in the town of Al Sousse in Al Bukamal countryside early Thursday.

Free Deir Ezzor Radio placed the toll at 13 civilians killed. The Syrian Network placed the toll at a minimum of nine killed, noting “at least 9 civilians, including 4 children and 2 women, killed as International Coalition forces warplanes fired missiles on a house in al Aliyat neighborhood.”

Smart News said that a number of houses were targeted by the Coalition, particularly in the al Sarat area of al Soussa: “The source pointed out that the houses that were destroyed belonged originally to  expatriate civilians in the GCC countries and to others who have recently moved to the village of Al-Shaaf’a, as the organization seized them and turned them into headquarters and houses for its members and their families.”

Halab Today instead said that those harmed were IDPs from nearby villages: “the raid targeted a house where displaced people from neighboring villages, resulting in the deaths and injuries of an unknown number.”

The Syrian Observatory initially placed the toll for this and the following event at al Soussa on October 18th at 24 civilian fatalities, noting that “the number of martyrs is still increasing due to some wounded being in a serious condition, and the presence of missing persons.” On October 22nd the Observatory lowered its estimate to 18 killed on both events, along with 11 ISIS fighters: “18 Iraqi citizens of the families of Daesh including 7 children and 4 women, were killed in the bombardment which targeted a mosque and a house in Al-Susah town, on 18th October 2018.”

Madar News, citing a local activist, said 43 people died in the two October 18th events. Marsad al Hassakah placed the toll for the two events lower, reporting that “Eighteen Iraqi civilians, including seven children and four citizens, were martyred in the air bombardment of a mosque and an adjacent house.”

According to reports, multiple Coalition airstrikes targeted the ISIS-occupied town of al Soussa between Thursday October 17th and Friday October 18th causing mass casualties. As well as the Ammar bin Yasser mosque which was struck at noon on the Thursday along with the home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab earlier that same morning, the Othman mosque was also reported hit the following day at Friday prayers.

Deir Ezzor Radio said that overall, 60 to 70 civilians including 10 children died in the three Coalition strikes on the town. Sana News placed the overall death count at 62. The Syrian Observatory placed the toll for the three events at 47 civilians and 9 ISIS fighters killed. Al Jazeera said approximately 65 civilians were killed with dozens injured in the three events.

In its December 2020 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that it had conducted no strikes in the geographical area which corresponded with civilian harm claims.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 15
  • (4 children2 women)
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU962237
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 15, 2020
  • Oct. 18, 2018, near al Soussa, 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. 3205/CS1811 37SFU962237

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Oct. 18 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 14 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal and Hajin, 10 strikes engaged 29 tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers, one IED facility, one vehicle-borne IED facility, one mortar team headquarters, one building and two staging areas.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

France report that between Oct 17th-23rd, the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram conducted 17 firing missions, from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and conducted eight strikes north of Abu Kamal in Syria.

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent sans évènement particulier relevé cette semaine. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué en volume. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 17 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1992 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations. Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus) et conduit 8 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8582 sorties / 1472 frappes / 2271 objectifs neutralises.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Oct 17th-24th, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in six of these missions – against ISIS fighters and vehicles near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor.

Midden-Oosten In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 6 zijn wapens ingezet tegen ISIS-strijders en voertuigen. Dat gebeurde in de provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 15
  • (4 children2 women)
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1813

Incident date

October 19, 2018

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: Othman Bin Affan mosque, al Boubadran village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In what several sources described as “a massacre”, at least 8 and as many as 70 civilians were alleged killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Osman Bin Affan Mosque in the village of Al-Sousse after Friday prayers.

The incident occurred after two other reported incidents on October 18th in and around al Soussa, targeting the home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in Al-Soussa and the Ammar bin Yasser mosque in Al Boubadran village near al Soussa. Some reports confused elements of these separate events.

The lowest death count at the Osman Bin Affan Mosque was given at 8, by Smart News. It said that bombing caused the deaths of more than 40 people, “including eight civilians”. The source went on to say that the rest of those killed were “elements of Daesh, mostly Iraqis.” It should be noted, however, that “elements of Daesh” does not specifically refer to ISIS fighters and can also include ISIS family members, which may explain why other sources put the death toll higher.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least 16 civilians, including five children, were killed as International Coalition forces warplanes fired missiles on Othman Bin Affan Mosque, also known as Hajji Mohammad Mosque, in al Boubadran neighborhood in al Sousa town”.

Marsad Al Hasaka put the death toll higher at 23 civilians including 3 children, of whom it said 6 were overall reportedly Syrians and the rest of Iraqi nationality. It added that 11 members of ISIS also died, noting that the airstrike hit the mosque and surrounding houses.

The majority of sources put civilian deaths in the range of between 30-46, although some sources referred to the total while others refer to the number as civilian casualties.

For example, Euphrates Post said that a total of 37 people, including a large number “members of Daesh” died, whereas Sana News said that 37 civilians were killed.
Sana’s sources stated that the death toll was likely to rise as most of the wounded sustained serious injuries and many people remained trapped under the rubble of destroyed homes.

Al Jazeera quoted German medical sources of the opposition in Deir al-Zour, stating that in total more than 35 people were killed and 60 others wounded. In addition, “the sources pointed out that a number of bodies and wounded are still under the ruins of the mosque, which was completely destroyed…”

Sound and Picture put the death toll even higher, at 46 civilians with 100 wounded. In a subsequent post, this source posted a video reportedly showing F-16 international coalition planes flying over the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor just minutes before the airstrike.

A number of  sources, including Baladi, @saaraaa2011 and @NorsForStudies tweeted that as many as 70 civilians died in this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 70
  • (3–5 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–100
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video posted on the Sound and Picture Facebook page on the 20th of October 2018, allegedly showing the aircraft responsible for the airstrike.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The supposed aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Osman Bin Affan Mosque in the village of Al-Sousse, Oct 19th. In fact these images relate to an event in the same village the previous day.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 18th – 19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal and Hajin, 10 strikes engaged 29 tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers, one IED facility, one vehicle-borne IED facility, one mortar team headquarters, one building and two staging areas."

For October 19th-20th: “Near Hajin, 10 strikes engaged 11 tactical units, and destroyed one vehicle-borne IED, one armored vehicle, three vehicles and five supply routes."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

France report that between Oct 17th-23rd, the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram conducted 17 firing missions, from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and conducted eight strikes north of Abu Kamal in Syria.

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent sans évènement particulier relevé cette semaine. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué en volume. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 17 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1992 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations. Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus) et conduit 8 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8582 sorties / 1472 frappes / 2271 objectifs neutralises.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Oct 17th-24th, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in six of these missions – against ISIS fighters and vehicles near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor.

Midden-Oosten In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 6 zijn wapens ingezet tegen ISIS-strijders en voertuigen. Dat gebeurde in de provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 70
  • (3–5 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–100
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1814

Incident date

October 19, 2018

Location

هجين , Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.705423, 40.845537 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged fourth problem Coalition airstrike in the governorate of Deir Ezzor over a 48 hour period allegedly hit a ‘Qur’anic institute’ (a place in which the Qur’an is taught) in Hajin, in what some local sources described as another “horrific massacre”.

Various sources reported that the airstrike killed six civilians and wounded several others. Eldorar for example reported that “According to sources speaking to Eldorar,  aircraft of the International Coalition targeted a Qur’an memorization school in the city of Hajin east of Deir al-Zour evening; resulting in the death of six civilians immediately, mostly children and women, and the wounding of others.”

Marsad al Hassakah reported that “six Syrian and Iraqi [civilians] died on October 19th, as a result of strikes targeting a Qur’an institute (Mosque) and surrounding houses in the town of Sousse, while 11 members of the [ISIS] organization were killed in the same strikes – with the number of martyrs and dead still rising because of those wounded.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the strike occurred at 12.00 and killed 6 civilians, including at least 3 children and 1 woman, all of whom were said to be Iraqi refugees.

Horrya News claimed that “dozens” were wounded in the event.

In its December 2020 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that it had conducted no strikes in the geographical area which corresponded with civilian harm claims.

The incident occured around midday.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'Deir Ezzor western countryside The International Alliance is again targeting children Quoting # Deiralzur Unified Media Office 6 martyrs residents of the area, including children and women, have been killed by raids from the International Alliance Air Force (IAF) targeting a Qur’anic school for children in Hajin town near Abu Kamal.'

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 Hajin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU690419
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 15, 2020
  • Oct. 19, 2018, in Hajin, 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. 3207/CS1814 37SFU690419

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 18th – 19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal and Hajin, 10 strikes engaged 29 tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers, one IED facility, one vehicle-borne IED facility, one mortar team headquarters, one building and two staging areas.”
For October 19th-20th: “Near Hajin, 10 strikes engaged 11 tactical units, and destroyed one vehicle-borne IED, one armored vehicle, three vehicles and five supply routes.”

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Oct 17th-24th, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in six of these missions – against ISIS fighters and vehicles near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor.

Midden-Oosten In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 6 zijn wapens ingezet tegen ISIS-strijders en voertuigen. Dat gebeurde in de provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

France report that between Oct 17th-23rd, the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram conducted 17 firing missions, from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and conducted eight strikes north of Abu Kamal in Syria.

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent sans évènement particulier relevé cette semaine. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué en volume. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 17 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1992 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations. Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus) et conduit 8 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8582 sorties / 1472 frappes / 2271 objectifs neutralises.'

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1814a

Incident date

October 22, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa: Mosque and internet cafe, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were killed and injured in alleged Coalition air and/or artillery strikes on a mosque and internet café in Al Soussa, according to a single source – though a number of other reports said that the victims were members of ISIS.

Euphrates Post reported that “a number of members of the Islamic State organization were killed and wounded following  an air strike by the international coalition targeted an Internet lounge in the town of al Sousse.”

Smart also reported deaths and injuries of “a number” of people “likely” to have been members of ISIS –  “in addition to material damage in a number of houses, a mosque, and an Internet place.”

However, in two posts Free Deir Ezzor media said that the alleged Coalition strikes had resulted in “dead and wounded civilians”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported no civilian harm, but said that the Coalition had “fired missiles on al Ghannam Mosque in al Sousa town…severely damaging the building and rendering it inoperable, on October 22, 2018.”

An October 22nd Centcom press release confirmed that the Coalition had carried out a strike on a mosque in Al Soussa on this day, which it said was being used by ISIS as a “defensive fighting position and command center”. It added that the strike had killed “several Daesh”.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.52889, 40.9675

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU8057322558
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Oct. 22, 2018, near al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3208/CS1814a 37SFU8057322558

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal and Hajin, 13 strikes engaged 13 tactical units, and destroyed three supply routes, two bridges, two vehicles, one command and control center, one fighting position, one firing position, one compound and two staging areas.”
For October 22nd-23rd: “Near Abu Kamal and Hajin, 33 strikes [1 British] engaged 16 tactical units, and destroyed 13 fighting positions, 10 supply routes, two firing positions, two compounds, one piece of heavy equipment, one IED facility, and one staging area.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Monday 22 October – Tornados bombed a base for a terrorist improvised explosive device team in eastern Syria…Intelligence identified a small building north-east of Abu Kamal as a base for terrorists planting improvised explosive devices. Two Tornados carried out an attack with a Paveway IV on Monday 22 October, which destroyed the target and caused a number of secondary blasts as the explosives inside detonated.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

France report that between Oct 17th-23rd, the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram conducted 17 firing missions, from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and conducted eight strikes north of Abu Kamal in Syria.

'OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent sans évènement particulier relevé cette semaine. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué en volume. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 17 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1992 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations. Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 17 au 23 octobre inclus) et conduit 8 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8582 sorties / 1472 frappes / 2271 objectifs neutralises.'

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Oct 17th-24th, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in six of these missions – against ISIS fighters and vehicles near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor.

Midden-Oosten In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 6 zijn wapens ingezet tegen ISIS-strijders en voertuigen. Dat gebeurde in de provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1815

Incident date

October 24, 2018

Location

مسجد الزوية, Hajin: Al Zawiya mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A Coalition airstrike hit the Al-Zawiya Mosque in Hajin – the fourth reported airstrike on a mosque carried out by the Coalition in the governorate of Deir Ezzor in less than a week.

Local sources claimed that at least 7 and up to 16 civilians died in this attack. Free Deir Ezzor said that there were reports of “several civilian deaths” after “international coalition aircraft committed a new massacre by targeting Al Zawiya mosque in Hajin”.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a total of 16 people were killed, of whom 7 were civilians and 9 were members of ISIS.

Step News Agency put the civilian death toll at 8 and Sound and Picture at nine.
According to Syrian Unified Observatory, “16 people” died with “dozens more wounded”. This source also attributed the event to the Coalition.

The Coalition’s chief spokesman confirmed a strike on a mosque on the same day, though placed the event at either al Shaafa or al Soussa – noting in a tweet that “#ISIS continues to launch attacks from mosques. They have no regard for innocent lives and protected sites. The Coalition conducted a strike today on an ISIS fighting position in Ash Shafa mosque. The MERV will be liberated soon by #SDF”.

Hajin magazine provided some context on the recent mosque strikes: “People inside Hajin and the villages under the control of Daesh have unfortunately become the target of planes while they’re in mosques. The reason for this is that those dogs and pigs of Daesh are using mosques as headquarters. We ask you as far as possible to stay away from them. God save us from Daesh.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 16
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • 'International coalition planes target with several raids al Zawiya mosque in Hajin eastern Deir Ezzor.'

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: “Near Hajin, 30 strikes engaged 16 tactical units, and destroyed 18 fighting positions, 10 supply routes, two bridges, three vehicles, two firing positions, one compound, one vehicle borne IED, one command and control center.”
For October 24th-25th: “Near Hajin, 27 strikes engaged five tactical units, destroyed 22 fighting positions, three firing positions, one weapons cache, two staging areas, three mortars, five supply routes, one IED factory, one vehicle borne IED, one bridge, one vehicle, one command and control center, and one factory.”

The Coalition's chief spokesman also confirmed a strike on a mosque that day, though claimed this was either at al Shaafa or al Soussa.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Wednesday 24 October – Tornados destroyed an armed truck, and two strong-points which were firing at the Syrian Democratic Forces…On Wednesday 24 October, another Tornado flight provided further close air support to the SDF in the same area [north-east of Abu Kamal]. Our aircraft struck a truck, armed with a pair of anti-aircraft guns, with a Paveway; the attack also accounted for a number of terrorists close to the vehicle. The SDF then encountered two successive Daesh strong-points, both of which engaged the SDF at short range. Despite the proximity of the SDF to the two targets, the Tornados were able to strike both of the terrorist positions with Paveway IVs.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Oct 24th-30th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram have conducted 6 firing missions from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and four strikes north of Abu Kamal, Syria.

'CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Daech a profité des mauvaises conditions météorologiques pour mener des contre-attaques cette semaine et reprendre du terrain aux forces démocratiques syriennes. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 6 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1998 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus) et conduit 4 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8600 sorties / 1476 frappes / 2275 objectifs neutralisés.'

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For October 24th – 31st, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria and near Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq. Targets were ISIS warehouses and vehicles.

‘In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 4 zijn wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 24 tot 31 oktober 2018. Dat gebeurde in de provincies Deir al Zour en Ninawa, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal (Oost-Syrië) en Mosul (Irak). Doelwit waren opslagplaatsen en voertuigen van ISIS.‘

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 16
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1814b

Incident date

October 24, 2018

Location

السوسة , Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the source Marsad al Hassaka, “more than 20 civilians were killed in an air strike by international coalition aircraft on a house in the town of al-Soussa in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour. There were dozens of air strikes targeting civilian houses and large-scale destruction in the town amid attempts by the SDF to enter its neighborhoods. The SDF are meeting violent resistance from ISIS”.

Meanwhile, on October 24th, Syria’s state news agency reported: “local sources told SANA that the coalition’s warplanes raided the residential neighborhoods in al-Soussa village and its vicinity in the south eastern countryside of the province, claiming the lives of a number of civilians and injuring others.

The Coalition’s chief spokesperson later tweeted that the alliance had carried out a strike on a mosque in Al Soussa on this day.

In another post, Marsad Hassaka (again on October 24th) gave some context: “There have been dozens of raids by the international coalition aircraft since early morning and artillery shelling fired from Al-Tank oil field targeting al Sousse. Additionally, there has been artillery shelling by the French in al Baghouz to prepare the ground for the Kurdish units to invade. The area saw missile shelling fired from al Omar oil field. Kurdish units are sending dozens of fighters to storm al Sousse following a counterattack by the organization [IS] yesterday night [Oct 23rd]. Clashes are continuing and Syrian regime forces are on alert on the opposite Bank of the Euphrates (al Shamia).”

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Tweet from OIR spokesman confirming a strike on Al Soussa. It was originally reported as a strike on Ash Shafa, but then corrected to a Al Soussa.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU805225
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020
  • 1. Oct. 24, 2018, in al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3209/CS1814B 37SFU805225

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: “Near Hajin, 30 strikes engaged 16 tactical units, and destroyed 18 fighting positions, 10 supply routes, two bridges, three vehicles, two firing positions, one compound, one vehicle borne IED, one command and control center.”
For October 24th-25th: “Near Hajin, 27 strikes engaged five tactical units, destroyed 22 fighting positions, three firing positions, one weapons cache, two staging areas, three mortars, five supply routes, one IED factory, one vehicle borne IED, one bridge, one vehicle, one command and control center, and one factory.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Wednesday 24 October – Tornados destroyed an armed truck, and two strong-points which were firing at the Syrian Democratic Forces…On Wednesday 24 October, another Tornado flight provided further close air support to the SDF in the same area [north-east of Abu Kamal]. Our aircraft struck a truck, armed with a pair of anti-aircraft guns, with a Paveway; the attack also accounted for a number of terrorists close to the vehicle. The SDF then encountered two successive Daesh strong-points, both of which engaged the SDF at short range. Despite the proximity of the SDF to the two targets, the Tornados were able to strike both of the terrorist positions with Paveway IVs.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Oct 24th-30th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram have conducted 6 firing missions from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and four strikes north of Abu Kamal, Syria.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Daech a profité des mauvaises conditions météorologiques pour mener des contre-attaques cette semaine et reprendre du terrain aux forces démocratiques syriennes. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 6 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1998 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus) et conduit 4 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8600 sorties / 1476 frappes / 2275 objectifs neutralisés.'

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For October 24th – 31st, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria and near Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq. Targets were ISIS warehouses and vehicles

‘In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 4 zijn wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 24 tot 31 oktober 2018. Dat gebeurde in de provincies Deir al Zour en Ninawa, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal (Oost-Syrië) en Mosul (Irak). Doelwit waren opslagplaatsen en voertuigen van ISIS.‘

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1816

Incident date

October 27, 2018

Location

البوبدران, Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.554073, 40.950336 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what local media referred to as a “massacre”five civilians including a woman and two or three children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Rajab al-Hassan in the area of Al Boubadran, a village near al Soussa said to be under ISIS control.

The victims were named by multiple sources as Rajan al Hassan, his wife, their two children, and another man named as Zidan Atiyya al-Salbi.

Baladi News and Horrya joined the majority of sources in putting the death toll at five, noting that four of these people were from the same family.

But while @DeirEzzor24 also said five had died, it reported that three of these were children. All other sources, however, said that two children had died.

Free Deir Ezour Radio was alone in saying that the two children killed were Mr Rajab’s grandchildren; all other sources said that they were his children.

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Rajan al Hassan
Adult male killed
Wife of Rajan al Hassan
Adult female killed
Child of Rajan al Hassan
Child Free Deir Ezzor radio claimed the child victims were the granchildren of Rajan al Hassan killed
Child of Rajan al Hassan
Child Free Deir Ezzor radio claimed the child victims were the granchildren of Rajan al Hassan killed

The victims were named as:

Zidan Atiyya al-Salbi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on a home in Al Boubadran, Oct 27th, which reportedly killed five civilians (via RT)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Boubadran (البوبدران), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.554073, 40.950336. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in al Boubadran, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU693238
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020
  • 2. Oct. 27, 2018, in al Boubadran, Syria, via Airwars report. This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3210/CS1816 37SFU693238

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 27th – October 28th 2018 the Coalition reported “Near Hajin, 24 strikes engaged 12 tactical units, and destroyed three headquarters buildings, five command and control centers, four supply routes, three weapons caches, two IED facilities, and one mortar.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Oct 24th-30th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram have conducted 6 firing missions from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and four strikes north of Abu Kamal, Syria.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Daech a profité des mauvaises conditions météorologiques pour mener des contre-attaques cette semaine et reprendre du terrain aux forces démocratiques syriennes. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 6 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1998 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus) et conduit 4 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8600 sorties / 1476 frappes / 2275 objectifs neutralisés.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For October 24th – 31st, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria and near Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq. Targets were ISIS warehouses and vehicles.

‘In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 4 zijn wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 24 tot 31 oktober 2018. Dat gebeurde in de provincies Deir al Zour en Ninawa, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal (Oost-Syrië) en Mosul (Irak). Doelwit waren opslagplaatsen en voertuigen van ISIS.‘

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (25) [ collapse]