Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS306

Incident date

September 7, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.18986, 40.62009 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM reported on 13 September 2016 that non-combatants may have been killed or injured after a non-ISIL vehicle strayed into a strike kill box. “In a strike on Sep. 7, near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, on an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft,” CENTCOM reported.

Two months later it confirmed one civilian death, noting that “near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL oil collection point, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

No civilian deaths were reported at the time, though fierce clashes were reported on the day in the vicinity of Shadadah, including strikes by unidentified aircraft. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered reported that “warplanes target al Sina’a and al Huweika neighbourhoods as well as the area surrounding the military airport and the southern entrance to the city.” Other strikes were reported at the al Hamidiya neighbourhood and at al Husseiniyah and the 7km area.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated this to the nearest city at 35.3353632, 40.1380348

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU475953
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016
  • September 7, 2016, near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL oil collection point, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 7th-8th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Dayz Az Zawr, one strike destroyed four ISIL oil tanker trucks.”

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]