Incident Code

SDF00016

Location

مدينة البصيرة, city of Al-Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

Ongoing clashes between the SDF and the Arab clans led to between four and six civilians, including a woman, being injured on September 2, 2023. These civilian injuries have been attributed to snipers of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) operating in Al-Basira, by local sources.

Nahr Media reported that six civilians were injured (one woman and five men) by SDF snipers but within the same article quoted a correspondent who said that snipers injured five civilians, including a woman, making it unclear which of the casualty tolls is accurate. Other sources on Twitter such as @ralshhwan9 and @Sharqya_reporte placed the number of civilians injured by SDF snipers in Al-Basira at four. One of these civilians, injured on the shoulder was identified as Khalil al-Deitri and another who sustained a head injury was identified as Taha al-Mallouh. An Ain Al-Furat Network correspondent quoted by Eye of Euphrates added that Taha was taken to the hospital and was in serious condition due to his injury.

All of the sources attributed the civilian injuries to the SDF, specifically snipers. According to Naher Media, SDF forces were sending reinforcements to Al-Basira under cover of shelling and that the snipers were deployed on” Al-Basira Hill, on the reservoir, and on high-altitude civilian homes near the hill” after expelling the residents.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Ground operation
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Civilians reported injured
4–6
1 Woman, 3–5 Men

Military Statements

YPG Assessment
Suspected belligerent
YPG
YPG position on incident
Not yet assessed