Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1175

Incident date

July 8, 2017

Location

ميادين: حي الثورة, Al Mayadin, Al-Thawrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0225197, 40.4383135 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians but possibly as many as six, including three children, were killed and many others were injured in airstrikes on Al Mayadeen. However it is contested as to who was responsible.

Eight of the 16 sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Two sources blamed the Russian government, one source blamed the Syrian government and five sources did not identify responsibility.

Most sources reported that “a number of others” were injured, however 7al News claimed a figure of more than 20.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Zidane Khalaf al Ali
Adult male killed
Daughter of Zidane Khalaf al Ali
Child female killed
Son of Zidane Khalaf al Ali
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Muhanned Saleh al Hasan al Khalif
Adult male killed
Son of Muhanned Saleh al Hasan al Khalif
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Tweet showing a victim of the alleged airstrike and the exact moment it hit Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Muhannad Saleh al-Hasan al-Khalif, killed in an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via @DeirEzzor24)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via Euphrats Post)
  • An injured child in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via Euphrats Post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via Euphrats Post)
  • Zidane Khalaf al-Ali, killed in the alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via Euphrats Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via Euphrats Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via Euphrats Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Al Mayadin: Al-Thawrah, 8th July 2017. (via Euphrats Post)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    near al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 8th-9th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed 11 ISIS oil stills, three oil still tanks, three oil tankers, an oil separator tank, a well-head, and a pump jack.”

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]