Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1746

Incident date

April 19, 2018

Location

سوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

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 as Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger and Alia Mohammed Hilal 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”. The SDF had no 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”.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger
Adult male killed
Alia Mohammed Hilal
Adult female Wife of Mohammed Khashan Al Naiem’s brother killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Soussa (سوسة), of which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 34.528889, 40.9675

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'The killing of both: _ Mohammed Khashan Al Najem Al Dagger _ Alya Mohammed Alhilal, wife of Hassan Khashan Al Najem After the rocket attack that targeted the town of # Sousse last night, the source of which was the oil field controlled by the coalition forces and SDF forces.'

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

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.
Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed five Daesh-held buildings.”

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For April 18th-24th the Netherlands reports that its F-16s flew 9 missions to support ground troops, including in the Iraqi province of Al Hasakeh. Weapons were deployed during one mission when F-16s attacked ISIS fighters in support of ground troops in the area of Abu Kamal in Deir Ezzor, Syria.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 25-04-2018 | 12:00 De Explosieven Opruimingsdienst Defensie (EOD) maakte meer dan 60 explosieven onschadelijk. Veel meldingen waren afkomstig van boeren die hun akkers omploegden en daarbij op oude explosieven stuitten. Ook maakte de EOD handgranaten in Nieuwegein onschadelijk. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 18 tot en met 24 april 2018. EOD-militairen bereiden het springen van gevonden munitie voor (april 2014). Met hulp van de explosievenopruimingsdienst maakte duikvaartuig Hydra een zeemijn (MK17) en een bom onschadelijk voor de Zeeuwse kust. De maritieme tak van de EOD rukte 9 keer uit in Noord-Nederland. Midden-Oosten Nederlandse F-16’s vielen ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen ISIS-strijders aan. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. De jachtvliegtuigen ondersteunden grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies, waaronder in de provincie Al Hasakeh in Irak. In 1 geval werden wapens ingezet. Nederlandse instructeurs gaven cursussen aan militairen in Irak. Zij leren onder meer grote gebieden te beveiligen en krijgen bataljonsstaf- en infanterietrainingen. De trainingen zijn bijna afgerond. Aansluitend ontvangen de cursisten hun certificaat. De instructeurs verzorgen de opleidingen met collega’s van partnerlanden. Een Nederlands chirurgisch team opereert in een Amerikaans role 2-hospitaal in westelijk Irak. Het team werkt nauw samen met Britse medici.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]