Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1489 RS2448

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

الخريطة, Al Kharita, river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.479404, 40.021391 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources named one woman as killed and her husband and “some members of his family” wounded in an airstrike on a river crossing at al Kharita.

Most sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, according to Sadaa alsham, Russia was to blame for the death of one civilian in al Kharita. The regime captured the crossing on September 17th, meaning that this was highly unlikely to have been a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima al Muhammad al Muhaisin
Adult female killed

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the river crossing at the village of Al Kharita (الخریطة). A known river crossing is further downstream in Hawayij Abu Arab, for which the coordinates are: 35.469775, 40.050530. This crossing was hit by a Russian airstrike around the same time (as can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/o3AwJ15NdW0?t=1m20s​ @1:20). However, boats may have also crossed at this location: 35.479404, 40.021391

  • Two river crossings that could potentially have been targeted near the village of Al Kharita (الخریطة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]