Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1953

Incident date

November 7, 2020

Location

غريبة الشرقية, Ghariba al-Sharqiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.622001, 40.770607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was reported killed in an alleged US-led Coalition and QSD/SDF joint security operation/landing in Ghariba al-Sharqiya in Deir Ezzor, Syria on November 7th, 2020.

Some of the local sources which reported the incident said the person killed was an internally displaced person (IDP), and others described him as an ISIS member.

For example, a source told Euphrates Post that “a person was found killed by several bullets near the Khabur River after the SDF withdrew from the village after conducting of the operation. The sources said the person is called Abu Fatima, a displaced from the city of Albu Kamal, east of Deir Ezzor, who has been living with his family in the aforementioned town for four years.”

Euphrates Post later followed up, saying that the man, Mohia Abdullah Al-Dibs, aka Abu Fatima, “is one of ISIS security people and an assistant of Saddam Al-Jamal in what was called the Islamic State.”

The Khabour Facebook page instead identified the slain man as an IDP.

In a civilian casualty assessment released April 2021, the US-led Coalition declared this event to be ‘non credible’, noting: “Nov. 7, 2020, in Ghariba al-Sharqiya, 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.”

However this did not explain several local reports that SDF forces (and possibly Coalition special forces) had been dropped into the village by Coalition helicopters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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, Unknown, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One person was killed in a joint SDF/US led coalition security operation in Ghariba al-Sharqiya in Deir Ezzor on November 7th, 2020. (via EuphratesPost0.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the banks of the River Khabour (نهر الخابور), located west of the village of Ghariba Al Sharqiya ( غريبة الشرقية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ghariba Al Sharqiya are: 35.622001, 40.770607.

  • Reports of the incident mention the banks of the River Khabour (نهر الخابور), here marked in red, located west of the village of Ghariba Al Sharqiya ( غريبة الشرقية).

    Imagery:
    Google Image

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
    37SFU603434
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 16, 2021

  • Nov. 7, 2020, in Ghariba al-Sharqiya, 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. 3291/CS1953 37SFU603434

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Nov. 7, 2020, in Ghariba al-Sharqiya, 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. 3291/CS1953 37SFU603434

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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 Ghariba al-Sharqiya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU603434
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

Unknown
  • Apr 16, 2021

  • Nov. 7, 2020, in Ghariba al-Sharqiya, 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. 3291/CS1953 37SFU603434

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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, Unknown, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1951

Incident date

October 16, 2020

Location

المجيد أو المجبل, Al Majid or Al Majbal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.504595, 40.656100 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A possible civilian male was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airdrop operation in the village of Al Majbal or Al Majid, Deir Ezzor governorate, on October 16th, 2020. While some local sources reported that the man was a civilian, others wrote the man was suspected of being affiliated with ISIS or a previous member of pro-Turkish factions. Two other civilians, including a woman, were reportedly injured.

Al Khabour reported that the Coalition operation targeted the house of Al Hawash Al Trifin in Al Majbal village, around 2 AM on October 16th. An hour later, Al Hawash, reportedly a civilian, was arrested.

According to Al Khabour, the civilian Asad Suleiman Al Sawadi was killed “with a direct bullet wounding him in the neck, killing him immediately, as he stood in front of his window.” The operation reportedly lasted until 5 AM.

According to a DeirEzzor24 correspondent, “the operation resulted in one death, two injuries, including a woman, and one arrest, in addition to the bombing of an abandoned house in the village”.

The DeirEzzor24 report also stated that four Coalition helicopters carried out the operation with a joint Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ground force. The Coalition “called on the people through loudspeakers to stay at their homes and not to leave them, and to separate women and children from youths and men”.

JisrTV wrote that the operation targeted people suspected to be affiliated with ISIS, “while one of the wanted persons was killed while trying to arrest him”, adding that “SDF forces carried out raids in a number of houses, combing them, and blew up a house”.

The official spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve (@OIRSpox) tweeted on October 16th: “This week Iraqi and Syrian partners did 32 #defeatDash operations, saving local communities from 41 #Daesh terrorists”.

Zengin wrote that the operation “led to the death of a person and the injury of his wife, who was a former member of the ranks of the pro-Turkish factions.”

In its January 2021 monthly civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition determined this event to be ‘non credible’, asserting: “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 incident occured between 2:00 am and 5:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Assad Yassin Al Sawadi أسد ياسين السوادي
Adult male killed
Wife of Assad Yassin Al Sawadi
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Assad Yassin Al Sawadi was killed in an alleged joint US-led Coalition and SDF airdrop operation in Al Majid or Al Majbal on October 16th, 2020 (via Euphrates Eye).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck within the village of Al Majbal (المجبل) or Al Maijd (المجيد), allegedly within the Suwar (صور‎) subdistrict. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Suwar are: 35.504595, 40.656100.

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 Majid, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV501302
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 6, 2021

  • Oct. 16, 2020, in Al Majid, 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. 3289/CS1951 37SFV501302

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1950

Incident date

October 15, 2020

Location

عرب سعيد, Arab Saeed, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.960982, 36.529044 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child and a humanitarian worker were reported killed, in addition to two leaders from Al Qaeda affiliated Hurras Addin group, and other civilians reported injured after a US drone allegedly struck two cars simultaneously in Arab Sa’eed town, west of Idlib in Syria on October 15th, 2020. On October 29th, the organisation Bonyan announced that one of their volunteers died of her injuries sustained in the attack.

Amnesty International senior crises advisor Donatella Rovera (@DRovera) tweeted a statement by the UN that two humanitarian workers and their driver were injured by shrapnel caused by the attack.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition deemed this incident credible and assessed that “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a vehicle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.”

Euphrates Post named the two Jihadi leaders killed as Abu Tharr Al Masri – possibly the main target of the attack – and Abu Yousuf Al Maghribi. The child has not been identified. A local source said the two men, and their companions, were killed in the attack but it is unclear if that refers to the child or to other people.

Shaam News Network said that the car was struck with a guided missile which completely burned the car.

Local sources blamed the Coalition for the incident. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said: “Two Arab jihadists and a child were killed this evening, after their car, Santa Fe, was targeted by a drone believed to be affiliated to the International Coalition on the road to Arab Said [Saeed], west of Idlib city. The fatalities’ bodies have been burned almost completely.”

However, Fox News reported from Maj. Beth Riordan, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command in a statement to that “U.S. forces conducted a strike against Al Qaeda in Syria in the vicinity of Idlib, Syria, Oct. 15. AQ-S continues to present a threat to America and our allies”, which means the attack was a unilateral US action.

On October 29th, Bonyan organisation announced in a Facebook post that one of their volunteers Dima Abdan died of her injuries sustained in the strike: “It’s with deep sadness we share that this morning our colleague, Dima, has passed of her injuries at a hospital in Turkey. Dima was seriously injured while she, and her colleagues, were on their way back from her humanitarian project location in Salqin city on 15th of Oct. The car was hit by shrapnel in Arab Saeed area.”

Shaam News Network also reported the death of the woman, writing that “she was seriously injured while returning and her colleagues from their work site in the city of Salqin to their homes in the city of Idlib on Wednesday morning. Thursday 10/15/2020 at 4:45 pm, as the vehicle of the organization that was carrying them in the Arab Saeed area was hit by many shrapnel.”

Also the Syrian Network for Human Rights said on October 19th that “Deema Mohammad Najdat Abdan, aged 25, and a member of the awareness team in Bunyan Organization, from Idlib City, died in a Turkish hospital due to severe wounds sustained on October 15th, 2020, when what we believe is a US-led Coalition drone fired a missile on a army vehicle transporting leaders of Huras al Din on Arab Saeed Road West of Idlib city,  as the van transporting the employees of Bunyan Organization passed by the vehicle, causing various levels of wounds for 5 members of the organization.”

The incident occured at approximately 4:45 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Dima Abdan ديمة عبدان
25 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
  • Known targets
    Al Qaeda/HTS, ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Caption: A Coalition's drone strike kills two leaders of Hurras Addin group.
  • Caption: Three unidentified persons were killed and some civilians were wounded as a result of the an international coalition drone strike on a car near the town of Arab Saeed, west of Idlib."
  • The car allegedly targeted by a US-led coalition drone in Arab Saeed in Idlib on October 15th, 2020 was totally burned and all those on board killed. (via EMC)
  • The car allegedly targeted by a US-led coalition drone in Arab Saeed in Idlib on October 15th, 2020 was totally burned and all those on board killed. (via EMC)
  • A SCD member seen trying to extinguish fire that broke out after an alleged US-led coalition drone strike in Arab Saeed in Idlib on October 15th, 2020. (via EMC)
  • Three people were killed as a result of the US-led coalition drone strike on a car near the town of Arab Saeed, west of Idlib on October 15th. (Via MMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption: "The death of the leaders of Hurras Addin Organization Abu Dhar al-Masri, Abu Yusuf al-Maghribi and their companions as a result of the targeting of their car by the coalition drone in Arab Said area a short while ago."
  • UN statement

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck at an intersection in the vicinity of Arab Saeed (عرب سعيد) town. According to one source, @obretix, the exact coordinates for this incident are: 35.960982, 36.529044. Reviewing audio-visual material from the case we can confirm this location to be accurate.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
  • Known targets
    Al Qaeda/HTS, ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1949

Incident date

September 29, 2020

Location

جديد عكيدات , Jadid Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.257075, 40.357393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and two others were wounded when the US-led Coalition forces and SDF undertook a landing in Jadid Uqaydat in Deir Ezzor on September 29th, 2020. Two other people, described as oil merchants, were reported arrested as a result of the operation.

The killed person was named by local sources as Faisal Al-Khalfu, nicknamed Dakar. Another version of the name and the nickname was also circulated as Faisal Al-Hussein, nickname Abu Marar. The two arrested people were named as Ghannam Al-Mahmoud Al-Haloush, and his nephew Kamel Hisham Al-Haloush.

Local sources said the operation aimed at looting civilians’ money under the accusation that they were affiliated with ISIS.

Furat Syria reported that “During the last hours of the dawn today, Tuesday, intense gunfire took place in the neighborhoods of the town following a landing by helicopters that were flying over civilian homes. The shooting during a raid on some houses killed one person and wounded two others, in addition to the arrest of two people from the town. Faisal al-Khalafu, Abu Marar, aged 50, was killed during the raid, and two others were wounded during the clash. US forces also arrested Ghannam Mahmoud Al-Haloush and Kamel Hisham Al-Haloush on charges of belonging to ISIS.”

@OIRSpox tweeted saying that this operation is part of keeping up the pressure on ISIS and that the US-led Coalition removed what it described as three terrorists from Jadid Uqaidat. However, Euphrates eyes said that the killed person, Faisal Al-Hussein, was a civilian and didn’t affiliate with any party.

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 assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Faisal Al-Khalfu -Al Hussein فيصل الخلفو- الحسين
50 years old male Nicknames: Dakar and Abu Marar killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Post Translation: SDF militia kills the civilian Faisal Al Hussein from the Jadid Akidat, aka Abu Marar, and steals the money of civilians under the pretext that they belong to ISIS.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jadida Akidat (جديد عكيدات), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.257075, 40.357393. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known 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
    37SFV234023
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 10, 2021

  • Sep. 29, 2020, in Jadid Akidat, 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. 3287/CS1949 37SFV234023

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto
@OIRSpox
@CMOC_SDF and @CJTFOIR are keeping up the pressure on Daesh. Early this morning we removed three terrorist fighters from Jadid Uqaydat, Syria. Together, we’ll keep fighting to keep Syria safe from Daesh. #defeatdaesh

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

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

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:

Abboud al-Fahad
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

CS1930

Incident date

September 4, 2019

Location

بين معيزيلة و مراط‎, Between Mu'ayzila and Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

The child Ali al-Ahmad was alleged killed at dawn during a landing operation carried out by the International Coalition.

According to Shaam News, “a coalition landing operation with the SDF [targeted] a civilian home between the towns of Mu’ayzila and the village of Marat on the old road between Deir al-Zour and al-Hasakeh governorates.”

Local sources reported that the operation was accompanied by a military convoy believed to be from the SDF. Three other civilians were reportedly arrested.

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: “September 4, 2019, in Maizeela, 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. 2778/CS1930 37SFV126086”.

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

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Ali al-Ahmad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a convoy moving between the two villages of Marat (مراط) at 35.31407, 40.23865 and Ma’izayla (معيزيلة) at 34.619365, 40.456123, on an unspecified road connecting Deir Ezzor to the Al-Hasaka governorate. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention a convoy moving between the two villages of Marat (مراط) and Ma'izayla (معيزيلة) on an unspecified road connecting Deir Ezzor to the Al-Hasaka governorate.

    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
  • Stated location
    in Maizeela, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV126086
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • September 4, 2019, in Maizeela, 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. 2778/CS1930 37SFV126086

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1929

Incident date

September 3, 2019

Location

العزبة, Al Ezba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.366944, 40.345556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 15-year old Alloush Suleiman Al-Subhi was killed during a raid on Al-Ezba in the evening on September 3rd. Several sources claimed that Coalition forces and Kurdish militias conducted an airdrop in the area.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) reported that Alloush was shot by SDF forces, with air support from the International Coalition. According to Jisr TV the Deir Al-Zour News however, the child was killed when Coalition forces and Kurdish militias opened fire during an airdrop operation that was meant to target a leader of ISIS.

SHRC added that Alloush was one of three people killed by the SDF, but did not clarify whether the other two victims were combatants.

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: “September 3, 2019, in Al-Ezba, 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. 2777/CS1929 37SBV866787”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review. However this showed only central Idlib, rather than the cited village.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, after reopening the case, the US-led Coalition again 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 in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Alloush Suleiman al-Subhi
15 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village or area of Al Ezba (العزبة). We have found an oil field of the same name towards the northeast of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.366944, 40.345556. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • The oil fields of Al Ezba, northeast of Deir Ezzor city

    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
  • Stated location
    in Al-Ezba, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV222145
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Sept. 3, 2019, near Al Ezba, 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. 2777/CS1929 37SFV222145

  • September 3, 2019, in Al-Ezba, 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. 2777/CS1929 37SBV866787

Summary

  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (11) [ collapse]