Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1797

Incident date

September 13, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported a “massacre against civilians” after air and artillery strikes in the area of Sheikh Hamad in the town of Al Bagouz Fawqani. A hospital was also reported damaged or destroyed in the action.

Orient News reported “a large number of dead and wounded […] as a result of artillery and rocket fire and Coalition warplanes, especially on the Sheikh Hamad area in the town of Al-Baguz”. Halab Today said that “dozens of civilians” were killed and injured as a result of Coalition airstrikes.

Jisr TV reportedintensive artillery from the French and American international coalition.” Smart New Agency claimed that the shelling had struck a hospital, leading to the death of one civilian.

According to the media outlet, Al Bagouz was “subjected to dozens of raids and artillery shells and missiles, resulting in large-scale destruction”. The media outlet went on to say that the SDF was responsible for the attack, though it is Airwars’ understanding that only the Coalition had access to artillery at Deir Ezzor.

Additionally, Step News Agency stated in a tweet that six ISIS members were killed by air raids by the Coalition as they tried to advance to points controlled by the SDF near the Sheikh Hamad School in al Bagouz.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.46417, 40.94528

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al Baghouz Fawqani, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU7867215341
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Sept. 13, 2018, near al Baghouz Fawqani, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3187/SCS1797 37SFU7867215341

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported the following: “On September 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal, 12 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, and destroyed nine ISIS supply routes, four ISIS fighting positions, one ISIS compound, one ISIS sentry location, one ISIS staging area and one ISIS counter battery fire and damaged one ISIS compound and suppressed two ISIS mortar firing points."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For the third consecutive week Dutch jets deployed weapons. Aircraft targeted ISIS storage units during 2 missions in Deir Ezzor governorate and near Abu Kamal. Between September 13th-18th, F-16s supported ground troops during 9 missions in DE and Iraq.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 19-09-2018 | 12:00 In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour en Irak. Er zijn 2 keer wapens ingezet in de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal. Logistieke opslagplaatsen van ISIS waren het doelwit. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 13 tot 18 september 2018. Afgelopen week maakte het kabinet bekend dat Nederland de bijdrage van F-16’s in de strijd tegen ISIS na 31 december niet verlengt.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Sept 12th-17th, France report that Task Force Wagram has carried out 22 artillery ‘firefights’ from Iraq this week. Aircraft conducted 19 sorties but there were no airstrikes.

‘CHAMMAL Cette semaine est marquée par le 4ème anniversaire de l’opération Chammal qui a débuté le 19 septembre 2014 et constitue la contribution française à l’opération Inherent Resolve regroupant 74 pays et 5 organisations internationales dans la lutte contre Daech. SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation n’a pas évolué de manière significative. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français n’a connu qu’une seule évolution, avec la relève du Chevalier Paul par la FREMM Auvergne en Méditerranée orientale. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate En appui de l’offensive lancée le lundi 10 septembre par les forces au sol dans la région de Hajine, la TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 22 missions de tirs cette semaine (bilan du 12 au 17 septembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1911 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Emirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech au sein de la coalition. La semaine dernière, ils ont réalisé 19 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 12 au 17 septembre inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8477 sorties / 1457 frappes / 2249 objectifs neutralisés. TF Monsabert et Narvik La Task Force Monsabert et la Task Force Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation au profit des forces irakiennes.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]