Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS334

Incident date

October 9, 2016

Location

بادية هجين, Hajin Desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.68544, 40.83942 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 3 and 4 civilian drivers were reported killed in Coalition raids in the desert outside Deir ez-Zor, accoring to multiple local sources.

The Coalition reported that it attacked multiple “supply routes” in the area during this period. In November 2017 it confirmed responsibility for the event.

However, the Coalition admitted to having killed only one civilian: “Oct. 9, 2016, near Deir ez-Zoor, Syria, via web report. During a Coalition strike that engaged a Daesh tactical unit and destroyed Daesh fuel trucks, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

Deir Ezzor Free Broadcast reported that three truck drivers transporting fuel in the desert of Hajin were killed “following international coalition raids.”

A report from Qasioun stated that international coalition planes launched at dawn today Monday air raids targeting fuel transport trucks in the Hajin desert in Deir Ezzor countryside which led to the death of 4 people and injury of 3 others.” A number of other outlets placed the death toll at three.

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 it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.7187577, 40.9177208

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: three people fuel truck drivers in the desert of Hajin in the eastern countryside killed following international coalition raids.
  • Translation: Deir Ezzor countryside - al Natek correspondent: warplane raid on Hajin desert [in al Jazira area in the Bukamal countryside] and news of the death of one person.
  • Translation: a warplane raid on Hajin desert.
  • Translation: News just in - Deir Ezzor: 3 people killed, fuel truck drivers, in Hajin desert in the eastern countryside as a result of raids by the international coalition.

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Deir ez-Zoor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU685397
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017
  • Oct. 9, 2016, near Deir ez-Zoor, Syria, via web report. During a Coalition strike that engaged a Daesh tactical unit and destroyed Daesh fuel trucks, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike damaged three ISIL supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]