Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of SDF shelling on the town of Al Soussa at night.
A number of sources identified the two casualties who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the Omar oil field”. A tweet by Deir Ezzor Now specified that the woman was the wife of Mohammed Khashan Al Naiem’s brother.
All sources identify the SDF as the culprit. However, some sources make mention of SDF “artillery” and “shelling”. At present, it is unclear whether or not SDF has access to artillery, indicating a possible Coalition action. Other reports from the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Baladi specified that the SDF fired projectiles via a missile launcher on Al Soussa. Deir Ezzor Now instead reported that the damage was the result of “rocket-propelled grenades”.
In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time. This event was previously erroneously dated to October 2017.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Summary
Sources (18) [ collapse]
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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Apr. 19, 2018, in Al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3161/CS1644 37SFU797230
Original strike reports
For April 19th, the Coalition reported that “On April 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against Daesh targets.