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

CS1694

Incident date

December 10, 2017

Location

ابو حمام, Al Diyaf in Abu Hamam, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.827222, 40.665278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Euphrates Post reported “The martyrdom of Ali Hamoud al-Tarihah and the wounding of Saleh al-Badri as a result of air raids by the international coalition that targeted his home in the area of Al Diyaf in the town of Abu Hamam”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the Coalition for the victim’s death, as did Asharqi News Network.

In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible, noting “After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Hamoud al-Tarihah
Age unknown male killed
Saleh al-Badri
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an area known as Al Diyaf (الضياف) in the village of Abu Hamam (ابو حمام), which we were unable to locate. However, the coordinates for the village are: 34.827222, 40.665278

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
  • Stated location
    near Deir ez-Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU523551
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 27, 2019
  • Dec. 10, 2017, near Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 9th-10th: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS vehicle and an ISIS line of communication. Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged an ISIS mortar team.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1693

Incident date

December 9, 2017

Location

سويدان جزيرة, Suwaydan Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.898278, 40.593731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Euphrates Post reported the death of “Haj Hamad Taha al-Salem from the town of Suwaydan Jazira, who was killed as a result of air strikes targeting the perimeter of Al-Huda mosque (also known as al-Sayyid mosque)”. The victim was also named by Asharq al Arabi.

According to Al Araby al Jadid, “a civilian was killed and another was wounded as a result of aerial bombardment by the International Alliance on the village of Suweidan Jazira”.

Euphrates Post also reported that for the fifth day there had been “violent clashes” between the SDF and ISIS. It added that the Coalition had been carrying out airstrikes.

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Dec. 9, 2017, near Suwaidin Jazeera, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haj Hamad Taha al-Salem
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Haj Hamad Taha al-Salem from the town of Suwaydan Jazira, reportedly killed in an airstrike on Suweidan Jazira, Deir Ezzor, Dec 9th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Suwaydan Jazeera (سويدان جزيرة), for which the coordinates are: 34.9013889,40.5897222. The alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the area around the mosque known as Al Huda or Al Sayyid (الهدى/السيد), for which the coordinates are: 34.898278,40.593731  

  • Location of the Al-Huda or Al-Sayyid (الهدى/السيد) mosque in the village of Suwaydan Jazeera (سويدان جزيرة)

    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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Suwaidin Jazeera, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU456629
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018
  • Dec. 9, 2017, near Suwaidin Jazeera, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle and a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

CS1692

Incident date

December 6, 2017

Location

ابو حمام, Abu Hamam, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.827222, 40.665278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Step News Agency, “The International Air Force bombed the towns of Abu Hammam, Hajin and Alshakiya in the eastern countryside and no damage was reported.”

However, Al Haal and Qasioun said that SDF artillery strikes wounded a number of civilians.

Airwars understands that the SDF does not have access to artillery, therefore this appears likely to be a Coalition action, whether the result of air or artillery action.

 

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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abu Hamam (ابو حمام), for which the coordinates are: 34.827222,40.665278

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 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 December 5th-6th the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, eight strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 ISIS watercraft, an improvised explosive device, an ISIS line of communication, an ISIS headquarters, a heavy weapon, an ISIS vehicle and an ISIS motorcycle.”

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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1691 RS2781

Incident date

December 5, 2017

Location

الجردي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.884892, 40.635273 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 24 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Jarthi town, local media reported – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow.

According to Al Haal, “Abu Hassan al-Khalifa (a resident of the town) told al-Hal, that the Russian warplanes targeted the two towns of Al Jarthi Al Sharqi [Eastern] and Al Jarthi al Gharbi [Western], with more than 9 raids, killing 17 civilians, mostly women and children, wounding more than 20 others.”

Al Jisr TV, citing local sources, reported that “[Russian] fighters targeted with rockets a residential complex, and then returned to target a car that tried to aid the wounded”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights was alone in blaming the Coalition, putting the number killed at “at least 7 civilians, including 2 children and a woman”.

According to the Euphrates Post, “there were more than 15 martyrs and a number of wounded as a result of military aircraft targeting the town of al-Jarthi al-Sharqi [al Jarthi East]. A van carrying civilians in Al Jarthi al Gharbi [al Jarthi West] was struck last night [Dec 5th]. Most of the victims are from the town of al-Duyer, including the family of Ali al-Shakil al-Hamad. The father, son and grandfather died, in addition to three people from al Jarthi itself.

Step News Agency blamed Russia, initially putting the death toll at 14. It later said that the number killed had risen to 23, of which 13 were from one family. It added that “dozens more” were injured. 

The Syrian Observatory also pointed towards Russia, initially reporting that 14 people died including six children and women, with 10 more wounded, “during Russia’s support of operations by the SDF east of the Euphrates River”. A further report by the Observatory said that the death toll had risen to 24, of which 10 were children and four were women.

The Smart News Agency also said that the strikes were “likely” Russian.

Qasioun appeared to blame the regime, putting the death toll at 20 with another 30 wounded.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Family members (1)

Family members (2)

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 24
  • (10 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Jarthi town, Dec 5th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Jarthi, 5th December 2017. (via Euphrates Post‎)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a building in the village of Al Jarthi al Sharqi (الجردي الشرقي), for which the coordinates are: 34.8687930, 40.6480229. Satellite imagery analysis geolocated the image of a destroyed house posted on social media by Euphrates Post. Before (Dec. 03, 2017) and after (Dec. 26, 2017) images showed visible structural damage. Airwars does not have the rights to publish the images. The exact coordinates for the destroyed building are 34.884892, 40.635273. Further evidence of this can be seen in a separate video posted on Twitter by @Al_sharqnews

  • The location of the destroyed building in the village of Al Jarthi al Sharqi (الجردي الشرقي), shown in the Euphrates Post and the @Al_Sharqnews video. Airwars geolocated these two sources to 34.884892, 40.635273

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Panorama from the video posted by @Al_Sharqnews

    Date taken:
    December 6, 2017

    Imagery:
    https://twitter.com/Al_sharqnews/status/938401362211155973

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al-Jarthi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU494361498
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Dec. 5, 2017, near al-Jarthi, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 2554/S1488 37SFU494361498

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS fighting position.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 24
  • (10 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1690

Incident date

December 2, 2017

Location

Abu Hamam or Al Kashkiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.823668, 40.668812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Abu Hamam and al Kashkiya, local media reported.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “International Coalition’s warplanes targeted areas in the towns of Abu Hamam and Al-Kashkia, killing three citizens including two women, and injuring others”.

One woman was specifically reported killed by the Coalition in Abu Hamam by the Shaam News Network, Step News and others.

Other sources reported Coalition airstrikes on al Kashkiya that day in support of SDF ground actions. And there were broader references to three civilians killed in the two towns.

According to Al Sharq al Souri, “Three members of the [Islamic] state organization were killed in a coalition air raid targeting a car for the organization in the town of Al-Kashkiya east of Deir Al-Zour”. Al Haal put the number of ISIS fighters killed at six with nine others wounded, while other sources also reported violent clashes in the area.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 women)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image showing SDF presence in the town of Daranj East, Dec 2nd (via QSD jabha )

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbouring villages of Abu Hamam (ابو حمام) and Al Kashkiya (الكشكية), for which the coordinates are: 34.823668, 40.668812

  • The neighbouring villages of Abu Hamam (ابو حمام) and Al Kashkiya (الكشكية).

    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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 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 December 1st-2nd the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, 12 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed four ISIS vehicles, a tactical vehicle, an ISIS fighting position, an indirect fire weapon and a heavy weapon.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 women)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1689

Incident date

December 1, 2017

Location

البرهوم, al Burham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.654112, 40.88346 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In its July 26th, 2018 civilian casualty statement, the Coalition self-reported an incident of civilian harm on the banks of the Euphrates river, near the crossing between the villages of Al Burham ( البرهوم ) and Abu Hasan ( أبو حسن ).

The report noted: “December 1, 2017, near al Burham, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh position used to conceal weapons, one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

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

Airwars researchers could not find any reported claims of civilian harm in the area on this day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near al Burham, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU726363
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • December 1, 2017, near al Burham, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh position used to conceal weapons, one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Abu Kamal, 12 strikes [1 or more British] engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed four ISIS vehicles, a tactical vehicle, an ISIS fighting position, an indirect fire weapon and a heavy weapon.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Friday 1 December – a Reaper conducted three attacks on terrorists in eastern Syria, and supported seven attacks by coalition aircraft…Whilst other Royal Air Force aircraft flew armed reconnaissance missions to identify remaining concentrations of terrorist activity, RAF Reapers supported the Syrian Democratic Forces as they cleared Daesh extremists from villages in eastern Syria, along the Euphrates valley. On Friday 1 December, a Reaper worked very closely with two flights of coalition aircraft, some fifteen miles north-west of Abu Kamal. The Reaper supported seven attacks by the coalition jets against several groups of terrorists, an armed truck and a Daesh-held building, and conducted three attacks with its own Hellfire missiles, which killed a number of extremists spotted both in defensive positions and in the open.’

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1688

Incident date

December 1, 2017

Location

غرانيج / درنج, Daranj (possibly غرانيج Granij), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.91808, 40.58189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child died in a Coalition airstrike according to local media.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported “a child died on December 3rd, due to wounds sustained from International Coalition warplanes which fired missiles on Darnaj village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs on December 1, 2017″.

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event noting” Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.” The Coalition additionally provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. Eleven months later this was declared to have been a US action.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights made no mention of civilian casualties but confirmed that the SDF had gained control of Daranj.

However, two other sources (Marsad Al Sharqiya and Obaidahalabdull) reported that the victim died in the town of Granij.

Other sources reported that the SDF had taken control of Daranj.

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US military action.

The incident was first reported on December 1, 2017 at 2:00 pm by .

The victims were named as:

Adult male (via @obaidahalabdull) killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image shows destruction in a building following an alleged coalition strike on Daranj (via step agency)
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention two possible locations: the village of Darnaj (درنج), for which the coordinates are: 34.9244444,40.5791667; and the village of Garnij/Kharanij (غرانيج), for which the coordinates are: 34.7588889,40.7611111 Prior to the release of the MGRS for this incident, Airwars geolocated this incident to the nearest village at 34.9245045, 40.5793762. In June 2019 the Coalition released the MGRS for this incident: 37SFU445651.

  • A geographic image of the villages of Darnaj (درنج) and Garnij/Kharanij (غرانيج)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Daranj, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU445651
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • Dec. 1, 2017, near Daranj, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 30th-December 1st: ” Near Abu Kamal, five strike engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS fighting position, a tactical vehicle and an explosive hazard.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1687 RS2771

Incident date

November 30, 2017

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.91443, 40.5851 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died, and 14 were wounded in an airstrike on Daranj, local media said, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia.

In January 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing at Coalition partner forces. Regrettably, while the ISIS mortar team was destroyed, one of the munitions struck near a residential area injuring 14 civilians and five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Al Sharq News reported the death of five civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Daranj. The victims were identified by name.

Syria News Desk noted clashes in the area, reporting that SDF militias announced their control over the town of Daranj in the eastern suburb of Deir ez Zawr after heavy fighting with Daesh.

Asharq Al Souri network, Step News Agency Al Jisr TV all blamed the Coalition.

However, according to Al Haal, this was the work of Russia. It said that four civilians including one woman died and that 14 others – mostly women and children – were wounded.

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

The incident was first reported on November 30, 2017 at 9:30 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Child male via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows the moment of the airstrike by alleged coalition on Daranj, Deir Ez-Zor on November 30, 2017 (via Salamah AL hussein tweet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Daranj (درنج), for which the coordinates are: 34.918333, 40.581389 Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.57888, 40.93441

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 deaths conceded
    5
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    14
  • Stated location
    near Darnaj, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU448647
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019
  • Nov. 30, 2017 near Darnaj, Syria via self-report. Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing at Coalition partner forces. Regrettably, while the ISIS mortar team was destroyed, one of the munitions struck near a residential area injuring 14 civilians and five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a tactical vehicle, two ISIS watercraft, a heavy weapon, five ISIS vehicles and four supply routes.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]