Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS339

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Location

بادية الباغوز, al Baghouz Desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.47446, 41.01115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes hit oil installation workers and fuel truck drivers, killing at least ten according to local reports.

Sound and Picture reported that in the “a number of oil workers working at refineries and fuel truck drivers killed in al Baghouz desert in the eastern countryside following raids by the international coalition.”

In February 2018, the Coalition conceded civilian harm in this incident. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “During a coalition attack that destroyed Daesh controlled trucks and fuel tankers it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Al Hall subsequently offered more detail, reporting that ten civilian workers working on an Islamic State oil refinery (# Daesh) were killed yesterday evening, as a result of international coalition raid on an oil refinery.” A local resident named Salim Omar told them the target was an “electric oil refinery” belonging to ISIL and the strikes led “to its destruction and the killing of a dozen civilian workers, including drivers of large fuel trucks that were completely burned.” Al Hall reported that another refinery in the area was targeted, but no one was injured.

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 34.4748637, 41.0112762

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A burning oil facility in the al Baghouz dsert after being hit in a Coalition strike October 16th 2016. At least 10 civilian workers reportedly died (via Sound and Vision)
  • Translation: a coalition plane targets with an air raid the village of al Baghouz in al Boukamal countryside and the columns of smoke are rising from the area that was targeted.
  • Translation: Deir Ezzor: a raid by a warplane on the town of al Baghouz in the countryside of the city of al Boukamal.

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
    5
  • Stated location
    near Al Baghouz desert, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU847166
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • Oct. 16, 2016 near Al Baghouz desert, Syria via Airwars report. During a coalition attack that destroyed Daesh controlled trucks and fuel tankers it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 15th-16th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIL supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]