Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1645a RS2643

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.537778, 40.9125 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes struck a residential neighbourhood and popular market in Al-Ghabra – according to local media. As many as four civilians were killed and others were injured.

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the airstrikes, some attributing blame to Russian warplanes while others blamed the Syrian regime.  Some sources attributed blame to “military aircraft” or “warplanes”, therefore not stating a belligerent.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – who blamed the Coalition – one person was killed and two people were wounded including a child with several injuries.

Smart News reported a higher death toll and specified that that the raids killed two women, one man and one child and wounded others. Four victims were identified.

The strikes reportedly occurred after afternoon prayers.

Boukamalna, reported that “Hawija al-Ghabra junction” was also struck in the raids and a car transporting two civilians was hit.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed
Adult female killed
14 years old male died from wounds killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Hashim Abdul Hakim Al Hamdawi from the city of Albukamal , killed in an airstrike on Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU755234
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Al-Ghabra, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3162/CS1645a 37SFU755234

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]