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

CS1685

Incident date

November 26, 2017

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child died in a casualty event in Al Baghouz, according to local media.

The Al Sharq al Souri agency reported on November 28th that the victim died from wounds sustained by an artillery shell in the village of Al-Baghouz two days ago.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee also blamed an artillery shell for the child’s death. It didn’t say who was responsible, meaning that the Coalition cannot be ruled out.

However, according to DE 24, the vicitm died as a result of an artillery bombardment by Assad’s forces.

The coalition report says after a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male via DE 24 facebook killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Baghouz (الباغوز), for which the coordinates are: 34.4641667, 40.9452778

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
    Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU786153
    Military Grid Reference System

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition report says after a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1717

Incident date

January 24, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Three women died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hajeen, according to local media.

The three victims were named by Deir Ezzor 24 as Mansya Samir Al-Aswad; the wife of Eid Mansy Al Aswad; and the wife of Ali Mansy Al Aswad

Some reports appear to have confused elements of the event with CS1716 the previous day. For example Baladi News claimed that “according to local media sources, three women were martyred on Wednesday by the bombardment of a Hajeen hospital east of Deir al-Zour. They explained that they were from one family. The family had previously migrated from the ِAl Baghuoz”.

However, the victim names in this event do not match those of CS1716, indicating that they are two separate incidents. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mansya Samir Al-Aswad
Adult male killed
Wife of Eid Mansy Al Aswad
Adult female killed
Wife of Ali Mansy Al Aswad
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

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 January 24th 2018 the Coalition reported: “On Jan. 24 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal, 11 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed a front-end loader, two ISIS supply routes, four fighting positions and an ISIS line of communication.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1747

Incident date

May 1, 2018

Location

القصر, Al Qasr village, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.039279, 41.126139 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, at least 13 and up to 30 civilians were killed and “tens of others” were injured in airstrikes on al Qasr village, also known as al Fadel, near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the Tal al Jayer area of al Hassaka governorate. Reports identified both the Coalition and the Iraqi air force as the likely culprit.

Most sources reported 25 or more civilians killed. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported a lower tally of “at least 13”, whereas Shaam News detailed the higher figure of 30 civilians killed. Nearly all reports detailed that many women and children were among the killed and injured. Bukmalna described it as “a massacre against the al Jabour tribe”, but was the only source mentioning the tribal background of the victims.

An Al Khabour correspondent detailed that the bombing “targeted al Sheikh petrol station” where “the largest concentrations of displaced people in the region” are settled. The reporter stated that the bodies were buried in a mass grave in the town of Tel Jair.

A number of sources published the names of civilians killed in the strike. Marsad al Hassaka reported the most comprehensive list of 22 fatal victims, which included the names mentioned by all other sources:

Local journalist Mudar al Assad confirmed to Zaman al Wasl that most of the victims of the bombing were children, women and elderly members of the Khashman al-Assad family and pointed out that “the air raid targeted them as they slept in their homes last night.”

Other sources, including Sound and Picture, reported that “war planes coming from the side of #Iraq” were behind the initial airstrikes. Al Sham al Fadha tweeted that “The Iraqi Shiite crowd targets al Qasr village in al-Shadadi inside Syria”. Marsad al Hassaka stated that the “Iraqi Popular Militia Units (PMU)” subsequently struck the village with rockets, which “hindered the ambulance getting to the wounded from the Coalition bombing”.

A Euphrates Post reporter reiterated this in an interview with Orient News, stating that “they were also targeted again during the rescue operation from the raid.” In the same item, the reporter claims ISIS were no longer present in the village. An Al Jisr TV report reiterated that the PMU at the Tal Safok border crossing fired “dozens of mortars and artillery shells” on ISIS positions in Syria.

Most sources however, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights, identified the Coalition as the primary culprit.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights instead emphasized that it was not known whether the airstrikes “belong to the Iraqi Air Force or to the International Coalition”.

On May 6th the Iraq National Army tweeted a video of the Air Force carrying out airstrikes “against Daesh leadership HQs in the al Dashisha area inside Syrian territory”. This report was reiterated by Kurdistan 24. However, Hassaka Youth Union stated that this was in fact a video of the raid on the village of al Qasr. Airwars researchers have reached out to the source and are waiting for clarification to verify whether or not the video is related to this specific incident.

Nedaa quoted local sources reporting that “buildings located in al Sheikh fuel station, which housed displaced people from Deir Ezzor and Iraq were targeted killing 30 people”.

The report went on to say that that the Coalition killed 23 more civilians in the village of al Fadil. Al Sharq News also reported on both incidents, but noted that there “were conflicting reports about the second massacre”. Indeed, it is important to stress that in a private conversation, Hassaka Youth told Airwars researchers that the village of al Fadil does not exist. The sources are likely referring to the same incident in al Qasr, in which some of the casualties were from the al Fadil tribe – accidentally confusing the tribe for a village.

CJTF’s director of public affairs confirmed to Airwars around this time that some Iraqi air and artillery strikes against ISIS targets within Syria were now being counted as Coalition actions – though with Baghdad still also conducting its own unilateral actions. This meant that all recent civilian harm events allegedly involving Iraqi aircraft in Syria should be considered likely Coalition civilian casualty events.

In the second 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 was first reported on May 1, 2018 at 12:00 pm by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Zahra Ahmed Al Omar
Adult female Wife of Badi’ Al Khashman Al Fadhel killed
Abdullah Badi’ Al-Khashman
16 years old male killed
Siham Badi’ Al Khashman
Age unknown female killed
Khadija Badi’ al Khashman
Adult female killed
Child of Khadija Badi’ al-Khashman
Child killed
Name unknown

Family members (5)

Abdul Salam Badi Khashman
Adult male killed
Hind Nuhair al Fadel
Adult female Abdul Salam Badi Khashman killed
Unnamed victim 1
Child Child of Abdul and Hind killed
Unnamed victim 2
Child Child of Abdul and Hind killed
Unnamed victim 2
Child Child of Abdul and Hind killed

Family members (5)

Abdul Qadir Badi Khashman
Adult male killed
Wife of Abdul Qadir Badi Khashman
Adult female killed
Unnamed victim 1
Child Child of Abdul and his wife killed
Unnamed victim 2
Child Child of Abdul and his wife killed
Unnamed victim 3
Child Child of Abdul and his wife killed

Family members (11)

Wife of Abd al-Salam al Omar
Adult female killed
Child of Abd al-Salam al Omar
Child killed
Abd al-Salam al Omar
Adult male injured
Munther
Child male Son of Abd al-Salam al Omar’ injured
Fatima Abdel Salam al Omar
8 years old female killed
Ahmed Abdel Salam Al Omar
7 years old male killed
Abdulqader Abdel Salam al Omar
5 years old male killed
Haneen Abdel Salam al Omar
3 years old female killed
Anfal Abdel Salam al Omar
5 months old years old female killed
Hammad Ahmed Al Omar
Age unknown male Listed as missing
Thamer Abdul Hamid Al-Omar
Age unknown female Listed as missing

Family members (4)

Wife of Khattab al Fadel
Adult female killed
Unnamed victim 1
Child Child of Khattab al Fadel killed
Khattab al Fadel
Adult male injured
Unnamed victim 1
Child Child of Khattab al Fadel injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 30
  • (5–14 children3–5 women7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • A photo of two children who were allegedly killed in the shelling on the village of Al Qasr, May 1st (via Al Hassaka Youth Union)
  • Unnamed child victim of reported Coalition strike on Umm Qasr, Syria on May 1st 2018 (via Hassakah Youth Union)
  • Unnamed victims of reported Coalition strike on Umm Qasr, May 1st 2018 (via Hassakah Youth Union)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    GRAPHIC: Unnamed victims of reported Coalition strike on Umm Qasr, May 1st 2018 (via Hassakah Youth Union)
  • An Iraqi military video reporting airstrikes on Hassakah, May 6th 2018

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Al Qasr (القصر) or al Fadel, both of which Airwars was unable to locate. It’s reportedly in the Tell al Jayer area, for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 36.034837, 41.097579. Some reports mention the Sheikh fuel station, for which the coordinates are: 36.039279, 41.126139. The incident was first reported on May 1, 2018, after noon local time

  • Tell al Jayer area and the Sheikh fuel station

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
    37SFV915903
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • May 1, 2018, in Al Qasr, 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. 3167/CS1747 37SFV915903

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 1st, the Coalition reported that “On May 1 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of five engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, four strikes damaged one Daesh-held building. Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed two headquarters buildings."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 30
  • (5–14 children3–5 women7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1778

Incident date

July 2, 2018

Location

تل الشاير, Road near Tal al Shayer, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.592222, 41.224722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that three brothers from the same family – reportedly civilians – were killed and one other was injured in a Coalition airstrike near the town of Tal al Shayer.

Most sources stated that the three “martyrs” were all from the same family and in a “civilian car” when they were targeted.

Many sources identified the victims by name. Later reports also mention a fourth brother, Saeed Khalil Khlouf al Madhi, who was injured in the attack which led to the amputation of his leg.

In August 2018, Eye on Hassakah claimed that several other brothers had later been detained by the US-led Coalition – with one allegedly dying after being tortured in captivity by the SDF.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mohammed Khalil Al-Khloof al Madhi
Adult male killed
Abdul Rahman Khalil Al-Khloof al Madhi
Adult male killed
Abdul Razzaq Khalil Al-Khloof al Madhi
Adult male killed
Saeed Khalil Khlouf al Madhi
Adult male Leg amputated injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a civilian car south of Al-Hasakah governorate, near the town of Tal Al Shayer, for which the coordinates are: 36.592222, 41.224722. Due to limited 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
  • Stated location
    near Tel al-Shayer, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA990519
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018
  • July 2, 2018, near Tel al-Shayer, Syria, via Airwars. 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

The Coalition publicly reported that “On July 2 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.... Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh vehicle."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1800

Incident date

September 19, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of an adult civilian male, Hussein al-Humeidahin al Bagouz. There was however a discrepancy in the reports. While some local sources attributed the civilian’s death to (SDF) artillery shelling, one source claimed that he was killed by a sniper.

Euphrates Post reported for example the “martyrdom of Hussein al-Humeidah after artillery shelling by the SDF on the town of Al-Bagouz this morning.”

Al Boukamal Direct added that Mr al-Humeidah had refused to leave his home to flee intense fighting in al Bagouz. However another source said Mr al-Humeidah had instead been shephering his sheep at the time of his death.

Other media also reported heavy fighting between so-called Islamic State and the SDF. Al Shafaa stated on its Facebook page that in the “early hours of the morning” columns of smoke were rising from al Baguoz and “the sounds of artillery did not calm down during most of the daylight hours”. Sound and Picture added that dozens of ISIS fighters were killed in clashes with SDF militia.

The reports of artillery shelling seemed to contradict the report from Fajr al Boukamal, who detailed that al-Humeidah was killed by sniper fire “while he was in a field shepherding his sheep”. Fajr al Boukamal is however alone in saying this.

In the second 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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haj Hussein Al Humaidah Al Khalaf Al Hassan Al Nasser
Adult male Local shepherd killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1–0 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Haj Hussein Al Humaidah Al Khalaf Al Hassan Al Nasser, reportedly killed in al Bagouz either by artillery shelling or by a sniper (via Euphrates Post)

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU786153
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Sep. 19, 2018, in Al Bagouz Fawqani, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3190/CS1800 37SFU786153

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 19th, the US-led Coalition reported the following:
“On September 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes consisting of 26 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Albu Kamal, 18 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed three ISIS fighting positions, two ISIS command and control center, one ISIS vehicle, one ISIS vehicle-borne IED, one ISIS rocket launcher, one ISIS Structure, two ISIS staging areas, one ISIS machine gun, six ISIS supply routes and one ISIS tunnel and damaged two ISIS sites and suppressed one ISIS staging area.”

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

[After August saw few weapons fired, the NL MoD reported airstrikes for the fourth consecutive week. For September 19th-25th, aircraft deployed weapons in three missions, targeting ISIS fighters, a weapon cache and a logistical storage unit near Abu Kamal.]

Nieuwsbericht | 26-09-2018 | 12:00 In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 8 missies. Die zijn gevlogen boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal. Er zijn 3 keer wapens ingezet. ISIS-strijders, een wapenopstelling en een logistieke opslagplaats waren het doelwit. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 19 tot 25 september 2018.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1–0 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1839

Incident date

November 17, 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

A girl was killed in an alleged airstrike on Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, according to local reports.

Smart News reported that dozens were wounded including the relatives of the victim, specifying that “her uncle was seriously injured”.

Three sources including Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24, reported that the Coalition was responsible. Further to this, Smart News claimed that “activists said the bombing came from Coalition forces”, despite their own coverage blaming Syrian Forces.

Smart News claimed that the relatives of the family who were targeted understood the shelling to be a mortar shell which landed on their house in the village of Al Boubadran, “from regime forces in Badia Shamia”. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the girl was killed by Syrian regime forces.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2020, the US-led Coalition asserted that “that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Iylaf Sulaiman Khaled Al-A’ran
Child female named by Hjeen news killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Iylaf Sulaiman Khaled Al-A’ran, killed in an alleged Coalition or regime strike on Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, 17th November 2018. (via Hajeen News)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFY805225
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020
  • 12.Nov. 17, 2018, in al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars. 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. 3231/CS1839 37SFY805225

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 17th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 17 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 37 strikes consisting of 53 engagements against ISIS targets.
]Near Hajin, 37 strikes engaged five tactical units and destroyed 15 buildings, seven supply routes, seven staging areas, four fighting positons, two weapons caches, one media cell, and one tunnel.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For November 14th-20th 2018, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16’s supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 10 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting IS warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 14 t/m 20 November laat MinDef weten F-16’s te hebben ingezet tijdens 10 missies ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Bij 3 werden wapens ingezet, boven Deir al Zour in Syrie. Opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities van IS zijn vernietigd.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

France report that from Nov 14th – 20th, Task Force Wagram conducted 64 firing missions – 47 ‘lighting’, 17 ‘destruction’. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties but there were no strikes.

‘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, marque actuellement un temps d’arrêt. Appuyées par la coalition, les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions avant de relancer leur offensive. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. Evitant le contact, Daech tente d’alimenter un sentiment d’insécurité par des actions clandestines ciblant indistinctement les FSI ou la population irakienne. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE 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 (TF) Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Elle a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 64 missions de tir (47 éclairement, 17 destruction – bilan du 14 au 20 novembre inclus).’ Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2165 missions de tirs.'

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1518

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died and between four and ten were wounded after a series of three cluster missile attacks were carried out against the city of Maarat Misrin, according to local media. The majority of sources have assigned responsibility to Syrian regime planes but LCCSY and Syria Idlib Today alleged that Russian warplanes carried out the attacks. In addition, Moussa al Assa’ad, an armed leader of the FSA, and the Fath al-Sham Front, blamed the US-led coalition as being responsible for the attack.

In a statement released following the strikes, Fath al-Sham alleged ”the criminal world sponsor, America’s injustice and tyranny have targeted one of our Mujahideen centers in Maarrat Misrin.”

Those killed in the attacks were alleged by Sky Souria to be members of Jabhat Al Nusra.

The Holy Defence Network reported that the raids were a response to attacks that alleged militants had carried out in al Fo’a and Kafriya.

Video footage published by the Idlib White Helmets shows badly injured people being removed from the rubble and loaded into emergency vehicles. According to Syrian News Desk, they were swiftly transported to medical units in the town. 

An on the ground source said that cluster bombs were used in this raid, however other sources such as RadioAlKul reported that surface missiles were used. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adel Abu Mohammad al Ansari
Age unknown male named by Moussa al Assa’ad killed
Abu Hamza al Masri
Age unknown male named by Moussa al Assa’ad killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment the alleged airstrike hit Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via The Holy Defence Network)
  • The exact moment the alleged airstrike hit Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via The Holy Defence Network)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage showing people being rescued and dug up from the rubble in the dead of night in the aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via Idlib white helmets)
  • Footage showing just moments after the airstrike hit Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via Union Activists Revolution)
  • Footage showing the alleged plane which dropped bombs on Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via Union Activists Revolution)
  • Rough translation: "On Wednesday 2nd November 2016 the protector of international crime the oppressive America targeted one of the centres of al Mujahidin in Maarat Misrin in the Idlib countryside which destroyed the place completely killing all the mujahidin who were inside. The most notable of the martyrs were: -Adel Abu Mohammad al Ansari -Abu Hamza al Masri [administrator] May god receive them in his paradise. This targeting complements the role played by Russia in bombing and destroying and supporting Bashar’s regime." (via Moussa al Assa’ad)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Maarat Misrin (معرة مصرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36,012172, 36,6730499. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

CJTF–OIR for November 1, 2016 – November 2, 2016 reported that "Coalition military forces conducted no strikes in Syria".

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1151a

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Location

الحسينية, Al Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.358711, 40.151682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Coalition airstrikes allegedly struck the towns of Al Husseiniya, Baghiliya, Mara’iyah around the same time. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that International Coalition warplanes shelled areas in Al-Husseiniya, killing two men in in Al-Husseiniya and wounding an unknown number of others.

Not other details are known.

In their June 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV046134
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • July 3, 2017, in Al Hussainiya, 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. 3119/CS1151a 37SFV046134

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 31 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS well-head.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 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 (3) [ collapse]