US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CS1945

Incident date

May 16, 2020

Location

بالقرب من مسجد أبو بكر الصديق ,البصيره, Vicinity of Abu Bakr Al Siddiq mosuqe, Al Basira , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.152540, 40.423494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The homes of civilians were reportedly raided and bombed by alleged Coalition forces in a possible joint action with the Syrian Democratic Forces in the city of Al Basira, Deir Ezzor governorate, on May 16th, 2020, leading to the death of five possible civilians. Sources additionally reported that two to three men likely linked to ISIS were killed.

Euphrates Eye reported that Coalition forces had targeted three houses of Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Al Basira. The source indicates that five possible civilians were killed in one of the raids: “In Ibrahim Al Baraka’s house, inhabited by displaced people from Albukamal, there were clashes because the displaced people refused to surrender.” Five of the displaced people present were reportedly killed in the house, after which Coalition forces bombed the building. It is not specified whether the victims were civilians or militants.

According to Euphrate Eye, men and women were arrested and interrogated after raids on the house of Hassan (“pharmacist of Albufahd”) and the house of Hammoud Abu Hani, which were both in use by internally displaced people from Albukamal. According to the source, all those arrested were later released.

@DeirEzzor24 wrote that “three persons believed to be linked to ISIS were killed, and a number of others were arrested, by the international Coalition forces, in an airdrop operation in a neighbourhood of the city of Al Basira, east of Deir Ezzor, on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Special forces from SDF participated in the operation.” The source added that the operation lasted for an hour, while the Coalition requested civilians through loudspeakers to remain in their homes.

Other sources also report the victims were “likely” ISIS members. According to Eye On Hasaka, the operation took place in the evening, whereas Step Agency reported the incident occured around dawn.

According to Euphrates Post “the Coalition aircraft targeted with heavy machineguns around the Abu Bakr Al Siddiq mosque in Al Basira after a military convoy of SDF forces arrived in the city from the side of the Al Safa mosque.”

Whereas all sources reported the operation to be a joint action, Step Agency wrote that “it is worth noting that this raid operation did not witness the participation of the “Qasd militia”, unlike the previous times that the American forces raided the areas of Deir Ezzor.” Hence, Airwars graded the strike status of this incident as contested.

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 occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–7
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the vicinity of Abu Bakr Al Siddiq mosque (مسجد أبو بكر الصديق), in the village of Al Basira (البصيره). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Abu Bakr Al Siddiq mosque are: 35.152540, 40.423494

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
    37SFU296908
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • May 16, 2020, in Al Basira, 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. 3182/CS1945 37SFU296908

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–7
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1944

Incident date

May 1, 2020

Location

حقل كونيكو النفطي, Koniko Oil Fields, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.341858, 40.319093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed on May 1st, 2020 allegedly by a sniper bullet fired at him by the American troops in Koniko oil field in Deir Ezzor or by YPG/QSD members who guard the oil field as local sources said.

The victim who worked as a teacher in Raqqa city was identified as Yasser Al-Asman. (Yasser Muhammad Al Aslan/Al-Osman as other variations of the name).

SMART Agency reported that the victim “was heading on the main road from the countryside of Deir Ezzor Al-Sharqi to Raqqa, but his car veered off the road towards the [oil] field, by mistake, which drove the American forces to kill him instantly.”

SMART also said that YPG members transported his body to to the Hospital of Jadid Bakar village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, and asked the hospital staff to communicate with his relatives to receive his body.

On a different story of how the civilian was killed, Shaam News reported that he was first shot by the guards of the oil field who belong to YPG/QSD as he took the wrong road, and afterwards a US led-coalition warplane targeted his car and burned it completely.

However, Suriye.u.a.d didn’t specify who was responsible but reported “the death of the civilian Yasser Muhammad Aslan with a sniper bullet from the American base in the Koniko oil field, northeast of Deir Ezzor.”

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yasser Al Asman ياسر العصمان
Adult male Other sources named the victim (Yasser Muhammad Al Aslan) killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, YPG

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the Koniko Oil Fields (حقل كونيكو النفطي), in the east of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the oil field are: 35.341858, 40.319093.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the Koniko Oil Fields (كونيكو النفطي بريف), in the east of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV198117
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • May 1, 2020, near the Koniko Oil Fields, 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. 3131/CS1944 37SFV198117

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, YPG

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1943

Incident date

February 12, 2020

Location

خربة عمو, Road between Khirbet Amo and the Allaya neighborhood on the outskirts of Al Qamishli, Al Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

37.038759, 41.274014 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was killed and three civilians were wounded in clashes between American troops and Syrian regime forces near the village of Khirbet Ammo, Al Hasaka governorate, on February 12th, 2020, according to local sources. It remains unclear if the killed man was a civilian or a member of an armed group.

Sana reported that “American occupation soldiers fired live bullets and smoke bombs on the locals as a civilian from the village of Khirbet Ammo was martyred while another civilian from Hamou village was injured.” According to Sana, “hundreds of locals of Khirbet Ammo and Hamou villagers gathered near the post to prevent the American occupation vehicles from crossing and to force them to return from where they came.”

Step News Agency gave different accounts of the incident, writing when American troops were approaching a checkpoint of the Syrian regime forces, the regime forces then used young men to throw stones at the four American vehicles.

According to Step’s correspondent, “armed men in the gathering in civilian clothes opened fire in the air, and the American forces retaliated returning fire, killing Faisal Khaled al Muhammad, a resident of Khirbet Ammo village, and wounding another civilian. Whereas some sources reported the killed man was a civilian, other sources, such as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, wrote it was still unclear if the man was “a civilian or regime-backed militiaman”. According to Step, two members of the Syrian regime forces were also wounded.

Al Khabour reported that a group of youths from the village intercepted the American patrol by throwing stones at them and then “took refuge in the regime’s checkpoint”, adding that American soldiers directly targeted the young men.

Colonel Myles Caggings, spokesman for the international Coalition against ISIS, posted a statement on Twitter (@OIRSpox), stating that “Coalition forces, conducting a patrol near Qamishli, Syria, encountered a checkpoint occupied by Syrian regime forces. After Coalition troops issued a series of warnings and de-escalation attempts, the patrol came under small arms fire from unknown individuals. In self-defence, Coalition troops returned fire. The situation was de-escalated and is under investigation. The Coalition patrol returned to base”.

Shaam News Network reported that Russian military vehicles were also present in the area. Sources gave conflicting reports on the incident occurring either in the morning or in the afternoon.

In a civilian casualty assessment released July 10th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Faisal Khaled Al Muhammad فيصل خالد المحمد
Adult male from Khirbet Ammo killed
Hamid Suleiman Al-Arab حميد سليمان العرب
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Khalil Al-Jumaa احمد خليل الجمعة
Age unknown male injured
Abdel-Baqi Al-Saleh عبدالباقي الصالح
Age unknown male injured

Summary

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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Statement by Coalition military spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggings III on Twitter (via @OIRSpox).
  • Faisal Khaled Al Muhamad was reported killed allegedly when American forces opened fire on locals of the villages of Khirbet Ammo and Hamou in eastern Qamishli. (via Eye on Hasaka)

Geolocation notes (6) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Coalition forces encountering a Syrian regime checkpoint where an exchange of small arms fire took place, during a patrol on the outskirts of Al Qamishli (القامشلي‎). Investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed this location down to a road connecting Khirbet Amo (خربة عمو) and the neighbourhood of Allaya (علايا). The exact coordinates for this incident are: 37.038759, 41.274014

  • Reports of the incident mention Coalition forces encountering a Syrian regime checkpoint where an exchange of small arms fire took place, during a patrol on the outskirts of Al Qamishli (القامشلي‎). Investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed this location down to a road connecting Khirbet Amo (خربة عمو) and the neighbourhood of Allaya (علايا).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident. Satellite imagery available to Airwars does not show building A, which we believe to be a recent construction.

    Imagery:
    Global News

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident. Satellite imagery available to Airwars does not show building A, which we believe to be a recent construction.

    Imagery:
    Global News

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident.

    Imagery:
    Global News

  • Satellite imagery showing the distribution of buildings tagged in the panoramic stitches.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite imagery showing the distribution of buildings tagged in the panoramic stitches.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGB022015
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 10, 2021

  • Feb. 12, 2020, in al Qamishli, Syria, via Airwars report. 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. 3286/CS1943 37SGB022015

Summary

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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1942

Incident date

December 25, 2019

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.45151, 40.918193 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around ten people were killed and an unknown number wounded in alleged Coalition artillery strikes that reportedly targeted Iranian and Lebanese militias in the city of Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, on December 25th, 2019, according to local sources. It is unclear if those killed were civilians or belligerents.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored several explosions in areas where Iranian militias are active, but stated that information is conflicted “about whether it was caused by drones or if it was the result of long-range missiles. The shelling targeted an Iranian militia headquarters in Al Jam’eyyat neighborhood of Al Bukamal city, also other explosions took place in Al Jala’a Des.”

Step News Agency reported on three attacks, stating that American forces stationed in an oil field in Al Shuaitat area were responsible. The first attack allegedly targeted the headquarters of the 47th Brigade of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Militia in the city center with five missiles. Seven people were killed and others wounded.

The second raid targeted the headquarters of the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, which had recently established itself in the outskirts of the city, killing three people and wounding others.

The third raid targeted two headquarters of Iranian militia on the outskirts of the town of Al Galaa in the countryside of Al Bukamal. The death toll is not yet known.

It is unclear if those killed or injured were civilians or members of armed militias.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    7–10
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes in the city of Abu Kamal (البوكمال) at: 34.45151, 40.918193, and the city of Al Jalaa (الجلاء) at: 34.632043, 40.830081. Some sources mention the neighbourhood of Al Jam’eyyat also being struck, however, due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Abu Kamal \n البو كمال","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[40.915489,34.452813]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Al Jalaa \n الجلاء","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[40.832325,34.626023]}}]}

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
    37SFU762138/37SFU677337
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Dec. 25, 2019, in Abu Kamal, 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. 3135/CS1942 37SFU762138

  • Dec. 25, 2019, in Al Jalaa, 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. 3136/CS1942 37SFU677337

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    7–10
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1941

Incident date

December 21, 2019

Location

دوار قرموطي, Qarmouti Roundabout, Hassaka, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

The victims were named as:

Manar Saqer منار صكر
27 years old female killed

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFB960026
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020

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

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1940

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the alleged Coalition drone strike in Afrin - Azaz road on Dec 7, 2019 (via Jesr Press).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the alleged Coalition drone strike in Afrin - Azaz road on Dec 7, 2019 (via Jesr Press) - GRAPHIC.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the alleged Coalition drone strike in Afrin - Azaz road on Dec 7, 2019 (via Jesr Press) - GRAPHIC.
  • Aftermath of the alleged Coalition drone strike in Afrin - Azaz road on Dec 7, 2019 (via Jesr Press) - GRAPHIC.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

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

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  • Matching features between footage of incident and Google Earth visualisations

    Imagery:
    Nedaa

  • Matching features between footage of incident and Google Earth visualisations

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020

  • Dec. 7, 2019, Aleppo, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3215/CS1940 37SCA122456

Summary

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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1939

Incident date

December 3, 2019

Location

أطمة, Atma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020

  • Dec. 3, 2019, in Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3213/CS1939 37SBA925205

Summary

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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1939a

Incident date

November 27, 2019

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

No further details are currently available.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

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

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020

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

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]