Airwars assessment
Up to 22 civilians including as many as 11 children died in airstrikes on Zor Shamer, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame.
There were no reports of injured civilians.
@eldorar, Syrian free army, Ahmad Shibli and the Smart News Agency pointed towards the Coalition – as did the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at eight.
@ShahbaPress reported that of ten civilians killed seven were from the same family.
Other deaths counts varied between 10 and 15.
According to Baladi, “Coalition aircraft killed 12 civilians, mostly children and women, in a bombing onthe village of Zour Shamr. Civilians were leaving the village in response to a coalition request to do so. The Coalition had dropped leaflets asking civilians to evacuate. They were therefore surprised by the bombing.”
However, other sources – including Sawarim and Shaam and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) – blamed Russia. RBSS put the death toll at more than 22 including 11 children, reporting that the victims included seven people from the family of Haj Hassan al-Hammadi and the wife of Walid al-Taka in addition to two of her daughters.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at 15 including three children and four women.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Family members (5)
- Zuhur, wife of Walid Hassan Al – Assaf Adult female named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
- Iman al-Ali al-Assaf 18 years old male named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
- Ihsan al-Ali al-Assaf 15 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
- Khalil Al Ali Al Assaf 8 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
- Said Ali Al Assaf 5 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Family members (1)
- People from the family of Abdullah Hassan al-Hammadi, nicknamed Haj Hassan Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Family members (1)
- Family of Shawah Al – Hassan Al – Hammadi Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Family members (1)
- Family of Ahmed Hassan Al – Hammadi Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Family members (1)
- Shuwaq Hassan Al-Hammadi family Age unknown named by Ar Raqqa Al Mydanya killed
Family members (1)
- Obaid family Age unknown named by Ar Raqqa Al Mydanya, missing killed
Family members (3)
- Wife of Walid al-Taka Adult female killed
- Daughter of Walid al-Taka 1 Child female killed
- Daughter of Walid al-Taka 2 Child female killed
Summary
Sources (27) [ collapse]
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Original strike reports
For July 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, a supply cache, and a tunnel; and suppressed a mortar team.” It additionally reported that “On July 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 19 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units; destroyed 34 fighting positions, two IEDs, and a VBIED; and damaged four fighting positions and a mortar position.” And also that “On July 19, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two ISIS fighting positions and a storage facility and suppressed a mortar system.”
‘ Wednesday 19 July – Tornados destroyed an explosives warehouse in northern Iraq, whilst Typhoons and Tornados struck a command post and defensive position in Raqqa…Update: air strikes against Daesh – GOV.UK In northern Iraq, intelligence had identified a warehouse near Hawijah in which large quantities of homemade explosives were being stored by Daesh. A flight of RAF Tornados attacked the building with two Paveway IV guided bombs, and demolished it on Wednesday 19 July. A mixed pair of one Tornado and one Typhoon meanwhile provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting to clear the terrorists from Raqqa. A coalition surveillance aircraft identified a Daesh defensive position, and our aircraft conducted a successful attack with a Brimstone missile. A terrorist command post was also identified within the city, and this was struck with two Paveway IVs.’