Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

SDF00034

Incident date

September 9, 2023

Location

بالقرب من ذيبان, Euphrates River crossing in the outskirts of Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 12-year-old boy was killed and at least three other civilians were injured while trying to cross the Euphrates river near the town of Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, Syria, short before 5:55 PM on Saturday, September 9, 2023. They were allegedly struck by bullets from the SDF and/or PKK militia members stationed near the Al-Hafel water station in the town of Dhiban.

Naher Media was first to report about the incident, indicating that the civilians received injuries of varying severity. Bullets struck and killed 12-year-old Ahmed Ismail Al Khater Al-Khafaji and injured three others as they were attempting to return to Dhiban from Al-Mayadeen through the Euphrates River crossing, according to Shaam News, with Al Khater struck fatally.

According to Orient News and the report by Zaman al-Wasl referring to the local sources from the countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, the group had reportedly been displaced from the town a few days before due to fighting between members of the Arab tribes and the SDF forces happening in Dhiban.

A video posted by @Omar_Madaniah on Twitter/X social media platform showed Al Kater’s father stroking his son’s head as he lay on a bed after the attack and was being washed before the funeral. In other images, including one posted by @IdlibCallingSy, Al Khater lay on the floor in a soaked and torn shirt, his eyes nearly closed.

Where sources identified the belligerent, most local outlets, including Shaam News, attributed the attack to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). However, some other local sources, including Twitter/X user @alkhabour21, said the PKK was responsible, but both belligerents are a part of Kurdish militia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Ismail Al-Khater Al-Khafaji أحمد إسماعيل الخاطر الخفاجي
12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlfratNda
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @IdlibCallingSy
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ayn Al Aljazeera
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: D.Z.alaassd
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]