US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CS1897

Incident date

February 9, 2019

Location

بادية بلدة الطيان, Desert of Al Tayyana town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.993798, 40.548059

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike struck al-Tayyana town in the countryside of al-Mayadeen and killed up to five civilians, according to local sources. The action occurred in response to an ISIS attack on an oil well.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that violent clashes between Syrian Democratic Forces and ISIS took place in the vicinity of al-Omar oilfield, killing up to 10 ISIS members while two others were able to flee.

According to Euphrates post, ISIS attacked the oil field on motorcycles, after which the Coalition conducted several airstrikes that killed three civilians in the town of Tayyana near the oil field and wounded others.

Hurrayah News claimed a higher death toll and reported that five civilians were killed, and also said that ‘dozens’ were injured.

In the first 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 after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU449833
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Feb. 10, 2019, in Al-Omar Oil Fields, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2670/CS1897 37SFU449833

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Between Jan. 27 - Feb. 9, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 199 strikes consisting of 326 engagements against ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq.In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 179 strikes consisting of 303 engagements, engaged 146 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 131 supply routes, 53 fighting positions, 31 staging areas, 14 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 13 engineering equipment, 11 explosive belts, nine tankers for petroleum oil and lubricants, eight tactical vehicles, five command and control nodes, four buildings, three aircrafts operations areas, three tunnels, two petroleum oil and lubricant storage facilities, two manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive devices, two artilleries, two weapons caches and one armored vehicle.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

From Feb 6th-12th, French MoD report 7 firing missions by Task Force Wagram on the Hajin area of Syria, from Iraqi territory. Additionally, French Rafales carried out 21 sorties and 6 airstrikes.

CHAMMALSITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATREOffensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en SyrieEn moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les Forces démocratiques syriennes ont repris les opérations de reconquête de la poche de Hajin dans la nuit du 09 et 10 février. Elles sont appuyées par les tirs des forces aériennes de la Coalition, dont celles de l’opération Chammal, ainsi que par les tirs d’artillerie de la Task Force Wagram.Poursuite des actions en IrakLa situation sécuritaire est stable en Irak. Les Forces de sécurité irakiennes, appuyées par la Coalition, maintiennent un rythme opérationnel élevé face à Daesh.ACTIVITE DE LA FORCELe dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué.La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’EuphrateDepuis le territoire irakien, la Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie les forces démocratiques syriennes engagées contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine.La TF Wagram a réalisé 7 missions de tir (1 mission d’éclairement, et 6 missions d’aveuglement – bilan du 06 au 12 février inclus).Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérationsLes aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition.Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 21 sorties aériennes (bilan du 06 au 12 février inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 6 frappes au cours de cette période.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS666 CS183

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4561111, 40.9190941 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on al Bukamal according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the US-led Coalition were to blame.

SyrianPC said four non-combatants died in a Russian shelling of “oil separators in the Al-Hajjana area”. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also put the death toll at four after a “war plane targeted an oil refinery in the outskirts of al Boukamal“.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that this was a Coalition strike, reporting that “Luqman Al Zarzour died in International Coalition missile shelling on Al Boukamal city in Deir Ez-Zour governorate, February 24.” And DeirEzzor24 reported that “Coalition aircraft targeted primitive oil refineries” in the Al Bukamal area.

Algharbuya also pointed towards the Coalition, saying: “Coalition with coordination of the army [it’s not clear which army] and the seventh brigade bombarded the road between western Ramadi and Abu Kamal, and the number of people killed is still unknown.”

Other sources referred to raids by “warplanes” but didn’t identify the culprit. According to Alamawi three strikes killed three workers in the oil refinery.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male named by Syrian Network for Human Rights, and VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image showing one of the raids on Al Bukamal, February 24th 2016. (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Lokman Watani al-Zarzour, killed in an alleged raid on Al Bukamal. (via, SN4HR )
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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition classed this incident as non credible due to insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “Feb. 24, 2016, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 24th-25th 2016 the Coalition noted: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes struck an ISIL modular refinery and an ISIL gas and oil separation plant.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1054b

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Location

Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.958455, 38.991499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians from one family were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Originally the names of the victims were published under incident number CS1054, however Amnesty research assessed that there were two separate strikes, this one occurring at 11pm, while the other occurred at 6pm.

Amnesty has placed the strike on the 21st despite Aadel Hayoun – a resident and survivor of another strike – suggesting that the strike occurred “a month before I left Raqqa and I left on 17 September”. This would place the Duehi strike in mid-August 2017. All other sources and information gathered allude that the strike occurred on the 21st.

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” states that, “Eleven members of the Dueihi family – seven children, two women and two men – were killed when the five-story building where the family was sheltering was destroyed in a coalition air strike.”

The family was – according to interviewees – residing on the ground floor of the building.

Isra, a relative of one of the victims told Amnesty in a testimony that “The building where the Dueihi family was staying was bombed and they were all killed. We fled our home immediately after and it was then that all the men in my family were killed in another air strike.”

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 incident occured at 23:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Mohammed Abdel al Duehi
Age unknown male killed
Mohannad Abdel al-Karim Duehi
35 years old male killed
Fatima
25 years old female Mohannad's wife killed
Abdelkarim
Child male Mohannad and Fatima's son killed
Son of Mohannad and Fatima
Child male killed
Daughter of Mohannad and Fatima
Child female killed
Firaz’s wife
Adult female Firaz was Mohannad’s brother who had previously died killed
Child 1
Child female child of Firaz and his wife killed
Child 2
Child female child of Firaz and his wife killed
Child 3
Child female child of Firaz and his wife killed
Child 4
Child male child of Firaz and his wife killed
Child 5
Child male child of Firaz and his wife killed

The victims were named as:

Unknown male 1
Adult male killed
Unknown male 2
Adult male killed
Unknown male 3
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (7 children2 women2 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • An unnamed victim of airstrikes on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. It is unclear which strike this victim belonged too. (via RBSS)
  • Khaled al-Marbad, killed in an alleged Coalition raid, June 21st 2017. (via Al Ragga truth)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Abdul Aziz al-Duwaihi, 9, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Hamza Al Duwehi, 13, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Judy al Duwehi, 15, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Mohammed al Ahmed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Mohammed al Azari, 9, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Muhannad Abdel Karim al Duwehi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Razan al Azarii, 7, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Sabah al Duwehi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Sabah al Duwehi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Sara al Azari, 11, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

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
    37SDV992793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • June 21, 2017, in Raqqah, 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. 3114/CS1054b 37SDV992793

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Not yet assessed.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (7 children2 women2 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS011

Incident date

October 7, 2014

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.59539, 39.128559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of sources reported that a named civilian male as being killed in a coalition strike on Slouk near Ar Raqqah. The sources mention another male [CS010] but it’s not clear if the incidents are linked. One of the sources claims both males were ISIL members but the rest of the sources say they were civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Tweet claiming that Salama Mohammad al Thiab and Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho [incident CS010] are daesh members from al Hamam. The tweet reports their death in air raids. 7th October 2014
  • Raqqa Media Office reports the death of Salama Mohammad al Thiab and Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho [incident CS010] 7th October 2014.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Civcas reported from coalition airstrike in Slouk, Raqqa province. No further information on time or location. The coordinates for ( سلوك ) Slouk are: 36.59539, 39.128559

  • ( سلوك ) Suluk

    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
  • Stated location
    near Suluk, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 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

The coalition has confirmed activity in the area for October 7th-8th 2014, noting that “Two airstrikes northwest of Ar Raqqah successfully struck an active ISIL training camp and associated ISIL fighters.” However it has denied any non-combatant casualties.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1932

Incident date

September 19, 2019

Location

الزر, Al Zer, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two unidentified men were killed by an alleged drone strike from the International Coalition in the morning of September 19th, according to local sources.

It is unclear whether these were civilians. Several sources claimed the men were masked and riding a motorcycle when they were hit by an airstrike, which Euphrates Post believed to have been a drone strike.

Activists told Smart news that it was not possible to identify the victims because their bodies were burned, but were  “most likely to be two members of the Islamic State”.

Ain Hasaka claimed that activists later revealed the identity of one of the dead as  Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “46. September 19, 2019, in Al-Zur, 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. 2779/CS1932 37SFU310880”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

The incident occured between 10:00 am and 11:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the remains of the victims of an alleged US drone strike on Al Zur on September 19th (via Euphrates Post).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the burning remains of the vitims of an alleged US drone strike on Al Zur on September 19th (via Deir Ezzor 24).
  • Smoke coming up from the scene after two people on a motorcycle were alleged killed by the US-led Coalition on September 19th (via Minarat Furat).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a motorcycle within the village of Al Zer (الزر), for which the exact coordinates are: 35.125156, 40.433489

  • Reports of the incident mention a strike on a motorcycle within the village of Al Zer (الزر)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image with objects present in audiovisual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Stitched panorama image with objects present in audiovisual material from sources

    Imagery:
    DeirEzzor24

  • Imagery:
    DeirEzzor24

  • Staircase from other sources tagged in a video taken after the strike

    Imagery:
    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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Al-Zur, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU310880
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2018
  • 46. September 19, 2019, in Al-Zur, 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. 2779/CS1932 37SFU310880

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS032

Incident date

December 2, 2014

Location

المريعية, Marbaʼīyah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2726894, 40.2245951 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian males, both residents of the village of Al-Mrey’iya, were reported by SOHR to have been killed in a coalition airstrike. They were named as Hassan Al Ali Al Zahiya and Moyyed Mohammad Al Assaf.

The Committee for the Defence of Democracy, Freedoms and Human Rights also named the two men as civilians – but said that Moyyed Mohammad Al Assaf was killed in an airstrike at Al Shadadi on December 1st, while Hassan Al Ali Al Zahiya was reportedly “killed in the ‘countryside of Deir Ezzor” the following day.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed
Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al-Mrey’iya, Deir Ezzor (المريعية), for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 35.2726894, 40.2245951. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 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

The coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity between December 3rd-5th 2014, though has not conceded any non-combatant casualties: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, an airstrike destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL excavator and struck a ISIL training camp.” Between December 1st-3rd, the coalition has only publicly reported airstrikes for the Kobane area.

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

Incident Code

CS1955

Incident date

January 9, 2021

Location

العزبة, Al Azbat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.321848, 40.307980 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 7-year-old child was killed and his mother and brother were injured when an alleged US-led Coalition mortar shell hit the family’s home in the town of Al Azbat, Deir Ezzor governorate, on January 9th, 2021. Local sources reported that the incident occured during a military training near the Coalition base near the Koniko oil field.

According to a Euphrates Post correspondent, “a mortar shell landed in a house in the vicinity of the Koniko oil field base, east of Deir Ezzor, during training of the American forces.” The source added that the “the shell landed in the house of the civilian Hani Hussein Al Toukan, killing his son Ahed and seriously injuring his wife and other son, Fahed.” The US forces reportedly brought the victims to a nearby medical point.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights wrote that “a child was killed and his mother was injured, as a result of an unknown explosion near their house in the Azbat area north of Deir Ezzor city, Koniku Oil, where the International Coalition forces and the SDF conduct joint military exercises.”

Several other sources wrote that the civilian house was targeted. @SyriawatanNews, for example, tweeted that “the ‘American occupation’ forces present in the Koniko oil field targeted the town of Ezbet in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor with mortar shells, killing a child and wounding others.”

@SalamaAlhussein tweeted that it was not the village of Al Azbat that was hit, but the village of Khasham. All other sources mentioned Al Azbat village.

In a civilian casualty assessment released April 16th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that ” 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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female mother of Ahed Hani Al Toukan injured

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “The child Ahed Hani Al Toukan was killed and all his family members were injured when a mortar shell fell on his home in the village of Khasham, east of Deir Ezzor, from the Coalition forces stationed in the Koniko field, where a patrol of the American forces brought the child and his mother to the hospital” (via @SalamaAlhussein).
  • The boy Ahed Hani Al Toukan was killed when his home was hit by an alleged US-led Coalition mortar shell in Al Azbat on January 9th, 2021 (via @SalamaAlhussein).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Azbat (العزبة) area, south of the Conoco Oil Refinery, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.321848, 40.307980. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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 Azbat, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV188095
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 16, 2021
  • Jan. 9, 2021, in al Azbat, 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. 3293/CS1955 37SFV188095

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS049

Incident date

February 2, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Major coalition air raids on the oil fields around Shadadi reportedly led to the deaths of up to four non-combatants. Residents described a significant attack, with one site reporting: “Among the most prominent oil fields targeted were Al Rawees and Al Howyaziah east of Shadadi. The fires are also still burning in Kabiba close to the gas factory, north of Shadadi. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the flames and sound of explosions were seen and heard dozens of kilometers from the bombing site. The villages near the oil fields have seen a large displacement of civilians who left for fear of further raids, as the coalition’s flights are still being seen and heard flying overhead.

According to SNHR, a 70 year old man died with his two daughters, aged 27 and 25, when their mud-built home near to an oil field was bombed. Eyewitness and near neighbour Mahmoud al-Hadidya told the group: “The home has been completely destroyed, killing Ibrahim with his two daughters… and had turned their bodies to pieces. We found Ibrahim’s hand next to the house, and we were collecting bits of flesh and body parts until the early hours of the following morning.”

Another eyewitness, named by ARA news as local resident Suleiman Al Awda, said “the raid caused the death of Ibrahim Almusjul and all members of his family, after targeting of the Gona oil fields near his home by coalition aircraft.” The family was buried in Hadidiya Cemetery. There were additional claims that “dozens” of civilians were injured in the coalition attack.

CENTCOM investigators were made aware of the alleged deaths within 24 hours, a declassified report later revealed, noting that “Coalition aircraft reportedly killed a family in an attack on their house near the Ghunah oilfields“.

However it was swiftly concluded that the claims were “not credible.” In a highly-redacted section of the report, it was also noted that the Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar “assesses not enough information to confirm credibility.”

 

The incident occured at 19:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

70 years old male Surname also someimes pronounced as al Musjul killed
27 years old female Ibrahim's daughter killed
25 years old female Ibrahim's second daughter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women1–4 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Video showing alleged coalition raids on the oil fields near al Shadadi in southern Hassakah. [Via: SOHR 4th February 2015]
  • Grainy photo published by SOHR on 3rd February 2015 purportedly showing 'International-Arab coalition bombing in areas in South and south East of al Hassakah which led to injured and reported deaths.'
  • Victim Ibrahim al-Mussul, almost 70 years old. [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]

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
    Ash Shadadah, Al Hasakah ProviNe, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015
  • Coalition aircraft reportedly killed a family in an attack on their nouse near the Ghunah oilfields in northern Ash Shaddah. Not credible. After assessing the information on the four targets XXX XXXX CADC agrees that it is not a credible allegation. Not enough information.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 2nd 2015, the Coalition publicly reported that "Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck multiple ISIL oil pump jacks and destroyed four ISIL mobile drilling rigs."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women1–4 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 (10) [ collapse]