Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1329

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Location

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buweitiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9378146, 39.1255975 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources have reported that between three and six civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on al Buweitaya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor. At present sources have alleged that the US-led Coalition was responsible, however, some sources are attributing the attack to the regime, and some to Russia.

According to a Facebook post by Al Tabani another unidentified female was found, and Younis al-’Awad’s wife was also reported to have been seriously injured in the attack.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights have blamed ‘Syrian Regime planes’ for the attack, whilst in a news report by Smart the strikes are ‘thought to be Russian’.

Other sources referred to an “air bombardment” and to “warplanes” carrying out raids – but did not identify the culprit.

The incident was first reported on August 4, 2017 at 12:17 pm by EuphratesPost.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Younis al-’Awad
Adult male killed
Daughter of Younis al-’Awad
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al-Buweitiya (بلدة البويطية), western Deir Ezzor governorate, for which the coordinates are: 35.9378146, 39.1255975

  • The village of Al-Buweitiya (بلدة البويطية)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
  • Stated location
    near Hamra Buweitiya, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 4th-5th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed four ISIS oil stills.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 4 August – Typhoons struck an ammunition factory and three sniper positions in Raqqa…An improvised ammunition factory had been identified in a large single-storey building in Raqqa, and this was struck with two Paveway IVs from Typhoons on Friday 4 August. The Typhoons then conducted two further strikes with Paveways against sniper positions, while a second Typhoon flight dealt with a third sniper team.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]