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

CS1935

Incident date

October 26, 2019

Location

باريشا , Barisha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.165820, 36.627355 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians including two women and three children were reported killed in the US military operation that successfully targeted ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib countryside, Syria, on October 26th, 2019.

Al-Baghdadi was an ISIS leader who declared himself a Caliphate in Mosul, Iraq in 2014, and according to local sources was killed in an overnight raid, and that whole operation lasted for around four hours.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SNHR), U.S. helicopters came from Turkish territories, carried out a landing in the area and clashed with militants near the targeted house of al-Baghdadi west of Barisha where many casualties were reported. Among the nine alleged civilian deaths were two or three women and up to three children. The Observatory said it believed the death toll was bound to rise because there had been many other injuries with victims in a serious condition. Local sources also mentioned that the targeted area was a few kilometres away from Tor Laha where a camp for internally displaced persons is located.

US President Trump and an official from the Pentagon said that al-Baghdadi blew himself up after hiding in a dead-end tunnel killing himself, with family members around him. In his statement addressing the US people after the operation, Trump said al-Baghdadi dragged three of his children with him to the tunnel where they were killed with him after he blew himself up. He also mentioned that 11 children were taken out of the area uninjured. However, Newsweek, reporting US Defense officials said that only al-Baghdadi’s wife was killed in the operation but none of his children was injured. Other Pentagon sources claimed that al-Baghdadi’s two wives were killed by blowing themselves up with explosive vests.

Describing the scene of the operation, local medical sources said that as a result of the operation, a house was completely destroyed and a number of tents were burned. Seven bodies were found in the area, among the  bodies of a child and three women, in addition to five injuries.

According to Shbabbek.com, among seven bodies found near the area, three of them belong to civilians who happened to be passing by during the time of the operation, and that many cars moving around were targeted. Reuters also reported that the bodies of three men and three women were found in addition to al-Baghdadi’s. His companion and security man Ghazawan Arrawi is also believed to have been killed in the operation.

A report published by NPR on December 3rd 2019 stated that locals reported the killing of two civilians and the injury of a third one in the Coalition airstrike that killed Al Baghdadi: “Syrians say civilians were killed and wounded during the U.S. raid on ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. That contradicts the account by the U.S. military, which says it’s looking into the matter.”

The report stated that two relatives of their contact in Syria – who lives abroad – were killed. The mother of one of those killed said that “her son and his cousin were driving  through the village of Barisha when their van was hit.”

Sources identified the victims as cousins Khaled Mustafa Qurmo (27 years old) and Khaled Abdel Majid Qurmo (30 years old). “Their relatives said that another man named Barakat Barakat was also in the car, and his hand was blown off.”

Barakat (45), the only survivor in the van narrates what happened: “I was with my best friends. They wanted to drop me off at home. We had pumpkin seeds and bought coffee on the road and were having fun. We were driving through the village of Barisha. And at that moment, the helicopters arrived. Suddenly, we were hit. I didn’t know what was going on. I was just trying to escape death.”

In an update about this incident by NPR in October 2020, the US military conducted and concluded an investigation into the matter, classifying the two killed men as combatants. Majida Qurmo, the widow of one of the victims, called it “an investigation of lies”.

According to NPR, “the military’s account of events, shared with NPR, offers no evidence the men were combatants or intended to threaten troops, raising the question of whether the U.S. is mischaracterizing innocent civilians as the enemy as it protects the official narrative of a celebrated operation against one of the military’s most-wanted targets.”

CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Bill Urban told the NPR that as the van approached, a U.S. helicopter fired warning shots: “A normal reaction to warning shots in the middle of the night from a helicopter would be to stop and turn around if you had no business being there. But they proceeded towards the helicopter and accelerated.”

According to Capt Urban, the men fled, running in the direction of the targeted ISIS compound without raising their hands, leaving U.S. forces to perceive them to “demonstrate hostile intent”, after which the helicopter fired at that. The victims did not open fire and the military found no evidence that they were armed.

Barakat Barakat continues to suffer from the consequences of the attack. The NPR report states: “What worries him most is how to provide for his five children. He cannot work. Part of his right arm is gone, he can only use two fingers on his left hand, and doctors tell him he needs surgery. He is ashamed to have to beg for bread.”

The incident occured between 11:00 pm and 3:30 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

27 years old male killed
30 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

35 years old male lost his hand injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1–3 children1–2 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–11
  • 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 Forces

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (45) [ collapse]

  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Photos of the al-Baghdadi location targeted by US forces on 26/27 October 2019. (via Idlib Plus)
  • Photos of the al-Baghdadi location targeted by US forces on 26/27 October 2019. (via Idlib Plus)
  • Photos of the al-Baghdadi location targeted by US forces on 26/27 October 2019. (via Idlib Plus)
  • Photos of the al-Baghdadi location targeted by US forces on 26/27 October 2019. (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial photos of the house targeted by US forces #Baghdadi (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial photos of the house targeted by US forces #Baghdadi (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial photos of the house targeted by US forces #Baghdadi (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial photos of the house targeted by US forces #Baghdadi (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial Photos of the house where the al-Baghdadi leader of ISIS was targeted by American troops in the village of Barisha, northern Idlib (26-27 October 2019) - Via MMC
  • Aerial Photos of the house where the al-Baghdadi leader of ISIS was targeted by American troops in the village of Barisha, northern Idlib (26-27 October 2019) - Via MMC
  • Aerial Photos of the house where the al-Baghdadi leader of ISIS was targeted by American troops in the village of Barisha, northern Idlib (26-27 October 2019) - Via MMC
  • Aerial Photos of the house where the al-Baghdadi leader of ISIS was targeted by American troops in the village of Barisha, northern Idlib (26-27 October 2019) - Via MMC
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Child in the location where the US forces operation killed al-Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib on 26/27 October 2019 (via SMART).
  • Man standing in the location where the US forces operation killed al-Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib on 26/27 October 2019 (via SMART).
  • Children in the location where the US forces operation killed al-Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib on 26/27 October 2019 (via SMART).
  • Child in the location where the US forces operation killed al-Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib on 26/27 October 2019 (via SMART).
  • Syrians ride a motorcycle past a burned vehicle near the village of Barisha in the Idlib province of Syria, near where U.S. forces raided the compound of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Local residents tell NPR that noncombatant civilians were killed and injured in the van the night of the U.S. raid. (via NPR from Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a raid on the hiding place of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, then leader of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, in vicinity of the village of Barisha (باريشا). The exact coordinates for this location is: 36.165820, 36.627355

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1–3 children1–2 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–11
  • 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 Forces

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1936

Incident date

November 8, 2019

Location

خبيرة, Khubeirah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.50109, 40.652545 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three tents were reportedly bombed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Khabira area in the northeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It is unclear how many people died in this event.

The Observatory reported that “the tents were set up about a week ago by people who claimed to be hunters, and the targeting killed all those who were in the tents”.

Kurdistan Peace Movement in Syria reported: “The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the planes of the international coalition after midnight Friday-Saturday targeted three tents in the area of Khabra in Badia Deir Ezzor northeast. The observatory said that the tents were erected about a week ago by people who claimed to be fishermen.”

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The incident was first reported on November 8, 2019 at 6:55 pm by Step News Agency.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike within the desert of Khubeirah (خبيرة), northeast from the city of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور). Some sources mention Khubeirah to be located east of Al Suwar subdistrict (ناحية الصور), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.50109, 40.652545. 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV498298
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • Nov. 8, 2019, near Khabira, 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. 3133/CS1936 37SFV498298

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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

Incident Code

CS1937

Incident date

November 22, 2019

Location

حي اللطوة, Latwa neighbourhood, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor , Syria

Geolocation

35.0162094, 40.5101418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was killed and one woman and five children from the same family injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted their home in Al Latwa neighbourhood of the town of Dhiban, Deir Ezzor governorate, on November 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. Two members of the SDF were also reported killed and another five wounded.

Euphrates Post reported that the house of civilian Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi was hit by the alleged International Coalition airstrike, which killed him and injured his wife. The Euphrates correspondent added that two SDF soldiers were also killed in the incident.

According to Halab Today, “The SDF arrested at least 20 people in the town, including civilians and former ISIS operatives, during a series of raids in the town’s al-Latwa neighbourhood.” The source added that Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi “had tried to prevent SDF members from raiding his house, which led to his death”.

Jesr Press also said that “there was a verbal altercation with members of the patrol which developed into a  shooting. Khalid opened a bomb and threw it on the elements [of the SDF], injuring five of them”.

Xeber24 said: “Activists added that the landing operation, which took place on Friday morning (November 22nd), involved three US Apache helicopters, a war fighter and two reconnaissance planes, during which clashes took place between the gunmen in Al-Lattwa neighborhood in Theban town and SDF fighters.”

Jesr Press added that the victim was killed the day after his wedding: “Khaled Mahmoud al-Hussein, a native of Theban, was working in Qatar before the Syrian revolution. He returned to his home town two months ago to get married, and then intended to return to Qatar to continue his work. He celebrated his wedding on Thursday. he was killed today [Nov 22nd0 although he did not participate in any armed activity.”

Additionally, Step said that  Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi’s “wife and five of his children were wounded” in the operation.

AA reported: “A coalition statement said on Saturday that ground and air operations continued in Deir ez-Zor on Friday, including airdrops, which resulted in the neutralization of many ISIS elements and the injury of others (without giving a specific number).

“The statement said that ‘special forces from several countries in the coalition participated in the clearance of ISIS positions’ in the province, and the arrest of many of its fighters, as well as the confiscation of ‘a significant amount’ of light weapons, hand explosives and ammunition”.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Adult female first name unknown injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–6
  • 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
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Husse (via Jesr Press)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike within the Latwa neighbourhood (حي اللطوة) in the village of Diban (ذيبان) for which the generic coordinates are: 35.0162094, 40.5101418. 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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU388738
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Nov. 22, 2019, in Diban, Syria via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2888 37SFU388738

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–6
  • 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
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1938 ISSY007 RS4199

Incident date

November 25, 2019

Location

ترحين, Tarhin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.516944, 37.541389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime, Israeli or US-led Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village, Aleppo governorate, on November 25th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians were wounded.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “local sources said that six explosions were heard in different areas, and the sources confirmed that the raids targeted the Al-Haraqat area near Tarhin village, Al Burj village and the southern part of Jarabulus city.” The SOHR added that there were reports of injured civilians in Tarhin.

Smart News Agency said that “three people were killed and another was missing as a result of the shelling by unknown warplanes of oil burners near the village of Tarhin in the Al Bab area, east of Aleppo city in northern Syria.”

There were conflicting claims against the Coalition, Israel, Russia and the Assad regime. According to Baladi News, “there was a discrepancy in information about the identity of the aircraft, whether they were Russian or belonging to the international coalition.” Sources reported that the Turkish army and/or Turkish-backed factions were the target.

A tweet from @putintintin1 referred to an “unknown warplane (believed to be UAV) targeted a truck near Tarhin”.

@osama_sy87 tweeted a video, writing that “Russian airstrikes targeted oil burners in Tarhin village of Al Bab countryside, north of Aleppo, which resulted in deaths and injuries of burners workers, as well as shelling of oil burners and tanks in Al Kousa village of Jarablus countryside, east Aleppo.”

A Syrian PC correspondent reported that “a number of oil burners in the village of Tarhin of the city of Bab east of Aleppo were killed and others were injured after Russian aircraft targeted three oil tanks in the village.”

Effect News posted a video of Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering the heavily charred bodies of the victims a day after the strikes. The SCD themselves wrote that “three people were found dead by Civil Defense teams as they inspected the area that was hit by aerial bombardments yesterday evening in Tarhin village east of Aleppo.”

Step News Agency reported that, according to a private source, “telephone conversations took place on Tuesday, the nineteenth of this month [November], between the Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister, Yisrael Katz, and the co-chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Democratic Council ‘Syria’, Ilham Ahmed.”

According to the informant, “the two sides agreed during the contacts on the principle of oil for protection, that is, Israel’s access to Syrian oil located in areas controlled by the militia ‘SDF’ northeast of the country, in return for securing protection for the militia, and pressure on Turkey regarding its military operation Peace Spring”, implying that Israel had been responsible for the strikes on Tarhin villages.

The source added that “the raid on the oil burning areas was aimed at sending a message to the opposition factions supported by Turkey, and behind Turkey, not to extend too much in the areas of Operation Peace Spring.”

Zaman Al Wasl reported that, according to a private military source, the Coalition had been responsible for the strikes. In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports of civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (55) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “The effects of the bombing of the diesel burners two days ago in # Terhin, north of Aleppo. Of course, the Syrian regime falsely claimed that it bombed a column of Kurdish tanks that were smuggling Syrian oil to Erbil via Jarablus, to be smuggled later from Erbil to Turkey. You understand! ? The bombing was Turkish, and the target was political and economic” (via @CihadKoro).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SCD found bodies of civilians killed in Tahrin. (via SCD)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SCD found bodies of civilians killed in Tahrin. (via SCD)
  • SCD found bodies of civilians killed in Tahrin. (via SCD)
  • SCD found bodies of civilians killed in Tahrin. (via SCD)
  • SCD found three bodies of civilians killed in Tarhin (via Orient)
  • SCD found three bodies of civilians killed in Tarhin (via Orient)
  • Translation: “Video documents Russian air strikes targeting oil burners in Tarhin village of Al Bab countryside, north of Aleppo, which resulted in deaths and injuries of burners workers, as well as shelling of oil burners and tanks in Al Kousa village of Jarablus countryside, east Aleppo” (via @osama_sy87).
  • 1. “Translation: From the northern countryside of Aleppo. Warplanes are likely Russian. Shelling multiple areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo. Knew them burners in Tarhin north of the city of Bab 15 km and Kusa south of Jarablus” (via @naserhmedi).
  • Translation: “Warplanes bombard oil burners in Aleppo countryside” (via Enab Baladi).
  • Translation: “An unknown bombardment is likely that the Russian occupation affects oil burners northeast of Aleppo” (via OrientTV).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers putting out fire after alleged Russian, Israeli or Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village on November 25th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence Aleppo).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers extinguishing fire after alleged Russian, Israeli or Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village on November 25th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence Aleppo).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers putting out fire after alleged Russian, Israeli or Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village on November 25th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence Aleppo).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers attending to fires after alleged Russian, Israeli or Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village on November 25th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence Aleppo).

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on oil refineries in the area west of the village of Tarhin (ترحين). The coordinates for the village are: 36.516944, 37.541389

  • Reports of the incident mention the oil refineries in the area west of the village of Tarhin (ترحين) being struck.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Russian Military Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA693422
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • Nov. 25, 2019, near Tarhin, 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. 3134/CS1938 37SCA693422

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (55) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1939a

Incident date

November 27, 2019

Location

قرب قرية الميلبية على طريق الشدادي, near Al Milbiya village on Al Shadadi road, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.393926, 40.863744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

SANA reported: “A number of civilians were injured when a convoy for US occupation forces hit a microbus on al-Shadadi road in Hasaka southern countryside.

The SANA reporter said that a convoy for US occupation forces on Wednesday [Nov 25th] afternoon hit a microbus carrying civilians near al-Milbiyah village on al-Shadadi- Hasaka road in the south of Hasaka, causing the injury of the civilians.

Local sources told SANA that reporter that a US convoy consisting of about 20 military vehicles, carriers of four-wheel drive cars, and fuel trucks crossed Hasaka city ,and headed south on al-Shadadi /Deir Ezzor road.”

No further details are currently available.

In the third of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this event as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation “refers to a vehicular accident, not a Coalition force engagement”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Shadadi road (طريق الشدادي), near the village of Al Milbiya (الميلبية) that stretches south from Al Hasaka (الحسكة) towards the town of Al Shadadi (الشدادي). Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the closest point on the street to the village are: 36.393926, 40.863744

  • Reports of the incident mention Al Shadadi road (طريق الشدادي), near the village of Al Milbiya (الميلبية) that stretches south from Al Hasaka (الحسكة) towards the town of Al Shadadi (الشدادي).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA671292
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020
  • Nov. 27, 2019, Al Milbiya, Syria, via Airwars report. This allegation refers to a vehicular accident, not a Coalition force engagement. 3214/CS1939a 37SFA671292

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1939

Incident date

December 3, 2019

Location

أطمة, Atma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.307309, 36.689379 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A militant leader, named as Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir, was killed when his vehicle was reportedly struck by the US-led Coalition, local sources said. Reports added that two of Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir’s “companions” also died in the strike, though their combat status was unclear.

A private source told Baladi News: “A reconnaissance plane ammunition by the coalition forces targeted a van in the town of Atma, adjacent to the borderline with Turkey with three missiles, believed to be American-made.

“A leader of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham was killed this evening, Tuesday, after targeting his car in the town of Atma, which borders the border with Turkey in the northern Idlib countryside, through a drone of the coalition forces.”

Ebaa and Xeber both reported “the killing of a prominent leader and two of his companions.”

According to The Step News Agency, “A aircraft believed to be belonging to the International Coalition targeting a van-type car in the city of Atma, North Idlib, which killed the driver of the car without information about his identity yet”.

Step added that the strike was reportedly by a drone, and it occurred in “Rawda Street”.

The combat status of the Tahrir al-Sham leader’s companions is currently unclear. For example, Orient reported: “The identity of the dead was not yet clear, and that preliminary information indicates that the bombing operation resulted in a major mutilation of the bodies of the two targeted individuals.”

In the third of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Image showing the targeted vehicle (via Baladi)
  • Paper showing the person killed in the attack is a military training with HTS (via Jesr Press)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a vehicle in the village of Atma (أطمة), for which the coordinates are: 36.307309, 36.689379

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBA925205
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020
  • Dec. 3, 2019, in Idlib, 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. 3213/CS1939 37SBA925205

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1940

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

طريق بين عفرين وإعزاز، قريب من تقاطع قيبار, Road between Afrin and A’zaz, close to Qibar Junction, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.537842, 36.902342 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three people were reported killed – one of whom was said to be a militant leader in the Ahrar al-Sham Movement which is affiliated with the Syrian National Army – in an alleged Coalition drone strike on their car on Afrin- Azaz road in Aleppo, Syria, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. The combat status of two of the victims was unclear.

The identity of those killed is not clear yet. While Aramme reported those killed were civilians, Step Agency said that they included a smuggler who transported people between Turkey and Idlib, and that he was accompanied by two ISIS leaders, one of whom was wearing an explosive belt.

A report by Jesr Press said that the strike targeted “a leader of the Ahrar al-Sham Movement in the northern countryside of Aleppo, which led to the death of him and two others who were travelling in the same car.”

However, the Smart News Agency reported that “the commander-in-chief of Ahrar al-Sham, Jabir Ali Pasha, and spokesman for the National Liberation Front, Captain Naji Mustafa, denied through their official knowledge that the dead were linked to Ahrar al-Sham, noting that the military tasks carried by the dead were forged.” But a ‘National Army’ ID card was found in the targeted car and referred to ‘Abu Sa’ad Al Hoss’ as the leader who was killed.

Other sources such as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported the three allegedly belonged to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

In the third of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the alleged Coalition drone strike in Afrin - Azaz road on Dec 7, 2019 (via Jesr Press).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the alleged Coalition drone strike in Afrin - Azaz road on Dec 7, 2019 (via Jesr Press) - GRAPHIC.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the alleged Coalition drone strike in Afrin - Azaz road on Dec 7, 2019 (via Jesr Press) - GRAPHIC.
  • Aftermath of the alleged Coalition drone strike in Afrin - Azaz road on Dec 7, 2019 (via Jesr Press) - GRAPHIC.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the car that was allegedly attack by a Coalition drone strike (via Al souria)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the Qibar (قيبار) junction, while travelling between Afrin (عفرين) and A’zaz (أعزاز).  Using visual information from available sources, we have narrowed down the location of the wreckage to a field northwest of Qibar. The coordinates for the wreckage are: 36.537842, 36.902342

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  • Matching features between footage of incident and Google Earth visualisations

    Imagery:
    Nedaa

  • Matching features between footage of incident and Google Earth visualisations

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA122456
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020
  • Dec. 7, 2019, Aleppo, 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. 3215/CS1940 37SCA122456

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1941

Incident date

December 21, 2019

Location

دوار قرموطي, Qarmouti Roundabout, Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.049272, 41.205214 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Manar Saqer, female, aged 27, was reported killed on December 21st 2019, after she was run over by a US-led Coalition vehicle (truck) near Qarmouti square in Qamishli, Syria, according to local sources.

Manar was reported hit while she was returning back from her work around 17:30 local time. Another source believed the victim killed in the accident was a child.

Qamishli for Everyone reported: “Manar Saqer, a 27-year-old girl, was run over by a loader last night [DEc 21st] at about half past five on the Amouda road near Qarmouti roundabout next to the auto oil store during her return from work. This resulted in the amputation of her legs in hospital, where she later passed away”.

In the third of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this event as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation “refers to a vehicular accident, not a Coalition force engagement”.

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

The victims were named as:

27 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Qarmouti Roundabout (دوار قرموطي), sometimes called Osman Sabri roundabout, on the road that connects the city of Al Qamishli (القامشلي) to the town of Amuda (عامودا‎) towards the west. The exact coordinates for the roundabout are: 37.049272, 41.205214.

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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFB960026
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020
  • Dec. 21, 2019, Al Hassaka, Syria, via Airwars report. This allegation refers to a vehicular accident, not a Coalition force engagement. 3216/CS1941 37SFB960026

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]