Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1687 RS2771

Incident date

November 30, 2017

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.91443, 40.5851 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died, and 14 were wounded in an airstrike on Daranj, local media said, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia.

In January 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing at Coalition partner forces. Regrettably, while the ISIS mortar team was destroyed, one of the munitions struck near a residential area injuring 14 civilians and five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Al Sharq News reported the death of five civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Daranj. The victims were identified by name.

Syria News Desk noted clashes in the area, reporting that SDF militias announced their control over the town of Daranj in the eastern suburb of Deir ez Zawr after heavy fighting with Daesh.

Asharq Al Souri network, Step News Agency Al Jisr TV all blamed the Coalition.

However, according to Al Haal, this was the work of Russia. It said that four civilians including one woman died and that 14 others – mostly women and children – were wounded.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The incident was first reported on November 30, 2017 at 9:30 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Child male via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Daranj (درنج), for which the coordinates are: 34.918333, 40.581389 Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.57888, 40.93441

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows the moment of the airstrike by alleged coalition on Daranj, Deir Ez-Zor on November 30, 2017 (via Salamah AL hussein tweet)

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    14
  • Stated location
    near Darnaj, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU448647
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019
  • Nov. 30, 2017 near Darnaj, Syria via self-report. Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing at Coalition partner forces. Regrettably, while the ISIS mortar team was destroyed, one of the munitions struck near a residential area injuring 14 civilians and five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a tactical vehicle, two ISIS watercraft, a heavy weapon, five ISIS vehicles and four supply routes.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]