Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1654

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

road near Al Hiri village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.39841, 40.97452 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians and the injuries of three others in an event in northeast Mosul.

Their May 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “near Al Hiri village, Deir Ezzour, Syria via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-travelled roadway two civilians were unintentionally wounded and three civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the impact area.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. This places the event right at the border of Syria and Iraq. It is five kilometres away from the al Harri village where local sources had reported civilian casualties from artillery fire on the same day – see S1456.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    3
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Al Hiri village, Deir Ezzour, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU815081
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • November 1, 2017, near Al Hiri village, Deir Ezzour, Syria via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-travelled roadway two civilians were unintentionally wounded and three civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the impact area.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 1st-2nd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle. Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroying a fighting position and damaging a line of communication.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]