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

CS1882a

Incident date

January 4, 2019

Location

near Ash Sha'fa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.56493, 40.93594 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an artillery strike near Ash Sha’fa, Syria. This was later confirmed by the Pentagon to be a US-only event.

In its June 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition artillery conducted a strike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.”

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

In May 2020, the Pentagon in its annual report to Congress conceded this as a US-only action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table of US-only civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria for 2019, declared by the Pentagon to Congress in May 2020.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Ash Sha'fa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU776265
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 27, 2019
  • Jan. 4, 2019, near Ash Sha'fa, Syria, via self-report. Coalition artillery conducted a strike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Between Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 12, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 575 strikes consisting of 1,147 engagements in
Syria, and conducted 13 strikes consisting of 19 engagements in Iraq.

In Syria, 575 strikes engaged 485 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 308 staging areas, 220 fighting positions, 105 mortar, rocket and artillery systems, 57 supply routes, 50 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive device and vehicle borne improvised explosive device, 31 command and control nodes, 26 vehicles, 19 weapons caches, 18 mortar launching sites, 18 petroleum oil and lubricant storage facilities, 11 heavy and light weapon systems, eight reservoirs and tankers for petroleum oil and lubricants, eight pieces of heavy equipment, seven vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, six tunnels and caves, four buildings, two unmanned aircraft systems, one weapons facility, one logistics hub and one fuel storage

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1966

Incident date

October 16, 2021

Location

الزر, Al Zir, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least one young man was killed in an alleged Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces operation in the village of Al Zir on October 16, 2021.

According to Euphrates Post, five people were arrested in a security operation carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with the support of the Coalition: Muhammad Khader Al-Rathi, Ayman Khader Al-Rathi, Moamen Khidr Al-Rathi, Jawad Ali Al-Ahmad Al-Khalaf, Moaz Ali Al-Ahmad Al-Khalaf. A man named Abdullah Ayad al-Khater, 25 years old, was also killed during the raid.

Step News Agency identified two young men as being killed in the raid after being shot by SDF forces.

Al Khabour News added the name Abdelwahab Ghanem Al-Rudaini to the list of people that were arrested during the raid and @humam_isa added the name Thaer Ghanem Al-Rudaini.

Zaytoun Agency reported that the SDF and Coalition forces raided the village of Al Zir “under the pretext of pursuing ISIS cells”, entering the village with a convoy of more than 20 armored vehicles with air cover from the Coalition. Civilian Abdullah Ayad al-Khater was said to be killed for violating the curfew that was imposed on residents and overall, 120 people were arrested and some of them were arrested while others were held for interrogation.

Syrian Documentation Center detailed that the “SDF gunmen deliberately shot a person who was standing near the house, which led to his death instantly”, adding that the SDF did not comment or explain why they killed the civilian who was not trying to escape or resist arrest.

Syrian Arab News Agency identified the man that was killed as being a civilian and added that 10 of the village’s locals were arrested and taken to a nearby location. Al-Tariq News put the number of people arrested in the raids at eight while Step News Agency added that 10 minors under the age of 18 were among those arrested and that the detainees were severely beaten before they were tied up and transported by the Coalition helicopters.

In a civilian casualty assessment released November 3 2023, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “After a thorough review of all CJTF-OIR strike and operation history, no strike or operation was identified +/-24 hours, in the vicinity of the allegation.”

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Abdullah Ayad al-Khater, killed during a raid by Coalition and SDF forces on October 16, 2021. (Image posted by the Syrian Network for Human Rights)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zir (الزر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.12527, 40.42864. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 3, 2023
  • October 16, 2021, near Al Zir, Syria, via Airwars report. After a thorough review of all CJTF-OIR strike and operation history, no strike or operation was identified +/-24 hours, in the vicinity of the allegation. 3311/CS1966 37SFU3017187869

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI469

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul Airport, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition said in its July report that an allegation on social media of civilian casualties had been assessed as Not Credible.

According to the report “Feb. 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. A similar report of possible civilian casualties less than a kilometer away is still being assessed.”

Coalition officials said the alleged event took place in the vicnity of 38SLF 33392 18801.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3339218801
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. A similar report of possible civilian casualties less than a kilometer away is still being assessed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 18th-19th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed four ISIS headquarters, four watercraft, three engineering equipment pieces, three command and control nodes, two artillery systems, a vehicle, an excavator, a fighting position, an ISIS-held building, and an ISIS support facility; damaged nine supply routes and three tunnels; and suppressed 11 mortar teams, and an artillery team.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI479

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Location

حي النجار, Mosul, Al Najar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.359375, 43.093826 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown allegation, the Coalition reported in June 2017 that following a self-reported event in Mosul, it had been determined that no civilians had been harmed.

According to the June report, “Feb. 23, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The Coalition provided the following co-ordinates to Airwars – 36.359375, 43.093826 – which placed the incident in al Najar, at least 5km from the other two Mosul neighbourhoods where civilian harm was alleged that day.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2897425496
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 22nd – 23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three mortar systems, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIED factories, a supply cache, a fighting position, a front-end loader, an excavator, a dump truck, a generator trailer, a weapons cache and a vehicle; damaged 15 supply routes and three tunnels; and suppressed 17 mortar teams and an artillery team.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS623

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

Hamrat, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.907881, 39.169956 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In July 2017 the Coalition reported that it had unintentionally injured one civilian in a strike previously unreported by Airwars: “March 25, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle carrying mortar rounds, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured by a secondary explosion.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV1533573744 which placed the event at Al Hamrat, a town 15 km from Raqqa city.

Although local sources confirmed the strike at the time of the event, reports did not make mention civilian casualties in al Hamrat (which is a collection of 5 villages: حمرة ناصر Hamrat Nasser, حمرة بويطية Hamrat Buweitiya, حمرة بلاسم Hamrat Blassem, حمرة غنام Hamrat Ghnam and حمرة جماسة Hamrat Jamassa).

Most sources, like RBSS, Raqqa RWB and Syrian PC, stated that the Coalition conducted three raids on “the village of Hamra Nasser and the brick factory east of the city.” Smart News Agency noted that these villages were “empty […] after a gradual displacement following instructions from the Islamic state to evacuate those who remained.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by secondary explosion(s)
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria [Hamrat]
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV1533573744
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • March 25, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle carrying mortar rounds, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured by a secondary explosion.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 25th-26th: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, and a mortar system; and damaged a supply rout” and “Near Tabqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, an improvised weapons facility, and a weapons factory; and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS838

Incident date

May 18, 2017

Location

حمار, Hamar, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

All other sources also blamed the Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture reported to show Coalition airplanes during raids (by Euphrates Post, May 18th, 2018).
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hamar, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV871370
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

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

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

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

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1097

Incident date

June 26, 2017

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Al Samsam, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.009878, 40.422084 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians in an event near Al Mayadin, Syria.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS IED factory, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one-metre box. The location given is in the Sesam neighbourhood on the western outskirts of Al Mayadin.

It was later confirmed by Coalition officials that this event was unlikely to be a match to any of the incidents that we listed in Al Mayadin on this day (S959, S959a and S959b) due to their descriptions and locations.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU2975675062
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • June 26, 2017, near Al Mayadin, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS IED factory, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dawr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, a tactical vehicle, two bunkers, two pump jacks, a front-end loader, an IED factory, an ISIS financial facility, and an ISIS headquarters.” It additionally reported that “On June 26, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS factory.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For June 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dawr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, a tactical vehicle, two bunkers, two pump jacks, a front-end loader, an IED factory, an ISIS financial facility, and an ISIS headquarters.” It additionally reported that “On June 26, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS factory.” (via Coalition monthly casualty report (September 2017)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1931

Incident date

September 4, 2019

Location

الحداجة, Al Hadaja, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.03078, 41.05519 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that two civilians were killed during a landing operation from the International Coalition forces.

According to Asrar7days, “local sources indicated that the US occupation helicopters carried out an aerial landing by the lake of Al-Bassel dam towards the east, reaching Wadi Al-Raml and another in Al-Haddaja village amid fear and panic among the residents as a result of heavy shooting and attempting to terrorize civilians and force them to leave their jobs and evacuate their areas of presence and oblige them to stay. In their homes, the landing resulted in the death of two people who were not identified by the local population because of the difficulty of access to them.”

No other details are known at this time.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hadaja (الحداجة), for which the coordinates are: 36.03078, 41.05519

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
    37SFV851893
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • Sept. 4, 2019, in Al Hadaja, 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. 3132/CS1931 37SFV851893

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]