Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1656 RS2666

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

السيال, Abu Kamal, Al Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.563232, 40.896998 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians died in an airstrike on the home of Mohammed al-Shabib Abu Jassim, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, the Iraqi air force, Syrian regime or Russia were to blame.

According to Eldorar, “The sources said that in conjunction with the artillery shelling there were airstrikes, though it is unknown whether the planes belonged to the international coalition or the Iraqi army. They carried out air raids targeting the area of Sayyal and killed five people”.

But according to 7al, Russian warplanes carried out the attack, conducting nine raids on civilian homes which killed six non-combatants and injured 18 others. Deir Ezzor24 also pointed towards Moscow, as did Baladi.

Al Bukamal’s dawn reported that shells were fired “from the Iraqi side on the agricultural lands in (Suwayeh – Harri)”. The raids struck state security building and the building of the party division. Additionally, “A Daesh car was targeted on the main al Sayyal road”.

Furthermore, they reported that “For the second day in a row, the town of Sayyal (east) was shelled [they] targeting the house of Muhammad al-Shabib – Abu Jassem. He was martyred along with two guests who have not yet been identified and others in the house were injured”

Euphrates Post didn’t identify the culprit of the airstrikes but listed the victims. 

The incident was first reported on November 1, 2017 at 1:00 pm by .

The victims were named as:

Adult male the owner of the house which was struck killed
Age unknown male from the city of Mohsin killed
Age unknown male from the town of Sayyal killed
Ahmed Naoum al-Nakheel
Child male killed
An unnamed child from Sayal town
Child killed
A displaced man from Nakhaylan family
Adult male from the town of Albuqmal in the town of Sayyall killed

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike in the village of Sayyal (السيال) for which the coordinates are: 34.5713889,40.9066667 Satellite imagery analysis geolocated the image of a destroyed house posted on Twitter by @EuphratesPost. Before (Jun. 23, 2017) and after (Nov. 13, 2017) images showed visible structural damage. Airwars does not have the rights to publish the images. The exact location for the destroyed building: 34.563232 40.896998 A YouTube video published on Nov. 1, 2017 shows Russian bombers releasing six bombs above Sayyal (السيال). However, further analysis of available satellite imagery indicated that this was most likely a different strike on the same village. Craters were visible in the vicinity of 34.562750, 40.914180 and to the West, in the direction of flight (00:36:00).

  • The location of the destroyed building in Sayyal (السيال) village, featured in the @EuphratesPost tweet. Airwars geolocated one of the two photographs to 34.563232, 40.896998 (camera facing South East).

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • In what we assessed to be a different strike, a Russian aircraft releases six bombs above Sayyal (السيال)

    Date taken:
    November 1, 2017

    Imagery:
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4oelAUyyH4&feature=youtu.be

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–2 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • 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, Syrian Regime, Iraq Irregular Forces

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Naoum al-Nakheel, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on residential homes in Abu Kamal, 1st November 2017. (via Euphrate)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on residential homes in Abu Kamal, 1st November 2017. (via Euphrate)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on residential homes in Abu Kamal, 1st November 2017. (via Euphrate)
  • Mohammed al-Shabib Abu Jassim, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on residential homes in Abu Kamal, 1st November 2017. (via Euphrate)
  • Mohammad al Shabib, Mohammad al Kamil and Abdallah al Hatroush, killed in airstrikes on Al-Sayyal, 1st November 2017. (via Sharqiya voice)

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 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 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.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Iraq Irregular Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Irregular Forces
  • Iraq Irregular Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–2 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • 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, Syrian Regime, Iraq Irregular Forces

Sources (20) [ collapse]