Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1409

Incident date

August 23, 2017

Location

Mulla Zaid near Tal Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.033926, 41.0987592

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians were reported killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike near the village of Mulla Zaid, close to Tal Jayer town.

The dozen people who died were travelling in a vehicle, described as a “closed car” or “van”, when they were hit.

Zamanalwasl referred to the victims as displaced people though did not mention from where they had fled. The strike also reportedly hit an old mill. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

While the alliance itself did report striking three targets in the governorate on this date, in its assessment of this claim it asserted that “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

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 Tal al Jayer, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV890897
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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 23rd-24th the Coalition reported “On Aug. 22, near Al Shadaddi, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]