Incident Codes

RS631 CS176a

Location

تل الجاير, Al Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.033926, 41.0987592
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Codes: R557S165)

An airstrike targeted a local taxi bus killing between ten and 15 civilians including up to seven children according to sources – although there was disagreement over whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible.

According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “the Hyundai belongs to Hussein Morei Al Atiya [who died in the attack]. Mr Atiya transports villagers to Al Hassaka on a daily basis to the goat market in the city.” It added that five of those who died were from the Al Addad family – who had recently been detained by Daesh and were only released that day.

The Syrian Network, the VDC and All4Syria blamed Russia.

In a detailed later report, the Damascus Center later noted: “At approximately 9:35am on Wednesday February 17 2016, the skies of  South Hasaka witnessed a squadron of fighter jets, the colours of which were white and dark white – thought by activists in the field and observers to be Russian aircraft.

Orient News said 10 were killed, while Sinna put the death toll at 12, including “two children who came out of an IS prison in exchange for a fine and were on their way to the city of Hasaka“. The media activist “yaman Al_huskkawi” said that the strike was on a public bus. Both sources said that Russia was responsible.

However other sources alleged that the Coalition may have been responsible.

Shaam News noted: “Activists said an anonymous aircraft believed to belong to the international alliance targeted a civilian car in a village in the area of Abd al Aziz mountain on its way to the city of Hasaka. This resulted in the deaths of ten civilian passengers and the injuring of others.”

Al-arabeya reported: “Warplanes thought to be from the coalition lead by the United States ( though not sure) targeted a civilian car in Jayer town, Hasaka near Mountain Abdulaziz which killed 10 people and wounded others. The car owner is a civilian and used to pick up passenger daily to the sheep market.”

Alhayat also blamed the Coalition, putting the death toll at 15 including three children, as well as nine members of ISIS.

Six victims including two children were named.

Plus four unnamed civilians. According to Sinna there were four unidentified children.

In their February 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.

Victims

Invidivuals

60 years old male Listed by VDC killed
35 years old male Listed by VDC killed
19 years old male Listed by VDC killed
16 years old male Listed by VDC killed
14 years old male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC, Driver killed

Key Information

Country
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilians reported killed
10–15
2–7 Children, 4 Men
Civilians reported injured
5

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Jayer (تل الجاير), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.033926, 41.0987592. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Unknown Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Unknown position on incident
Not yet assessed
Unknown Strike Report
Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.
U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SFV890897
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For February 16th-17th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, four ISIL buildings, and an ISIL fighting position.” And for February 17th-18th it reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-02-02
Original Source
Feb. 17, 2016, in Tal Al Jayer, 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. 2907/CS176a 37SFV890897

Media From Sources (2)