Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS469

Incident date

January 31, 2017

Location

دير الزور, near Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.690288, 40.560812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an incident near Deir Ezzor.

Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on ISIS construction equipment, after reviewing the post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The provided location – 37SFU 42967 39806 – lies equidistant between al Qata and Sbeikhan.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (1) [ 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 Dayr Az Zayr, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU4296739806
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • Jan. 31, 2017, near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS construction equipment, after reviewing the post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 30th-31st the Coalition stated: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed 10 oil drums, two oil storage tanks and an oil wellhead.“

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 (1) [ collapse]