Incident Codes

CS1497 RS2456

Location

مظلوم, Masloum Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3077313, 40.257403
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Codes: S1324R2310)

A civilian woman died with her two children in an aerial attack on the the village of Mazloum Tahtani (12km east of Deir Ezzor), close to the primary school and the mosque, according to local media. Step News however, out the death toll as high as five. Shabha also referred to civilians wounded in the event, though did not state how many. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some sources attributing blame to the Coalition, others to Russia and some the Syrian regime.

Masar reported that there was air and artillery shelling on the vicinity. 

Euphrates Post said the incident spread “panic” among people in the village, and noted the attacks caused the “destruction of a number of houses for civilians near the extension unit”.

Smart considered Moscow “likely” responsible for the strikes, Shahba blamed the US-led Coalition and the Syrian Network for Human Rights suspected the Syrian Regime. Alitah left the culprit unidentified. Shaam referred to the presence of both Russia and the Coalition in Deir Ezzor, though did not specify which faction responsible for the incident.

The US-led Coalition informed Airwars that as a result of their deconfliction agreements – they have ceased to conduct strikes entirely in Deir Ezzor city.

Victims

Family members (3)

Adult female killed

Key Information

Country
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilians reported killed
3–5
2 Children, 1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention that the airstrike targeted an area near a primary school and a mosque in the village of Mazloum Tahtani (مظلوم تحتاني), for which the coordinates are: 35.3077313, 40.257403. There is a mosque that is in the vicinity of a school building here: 35.308266, 40.262817, but no obvious destruction is visible in this area on satellite imagery of September 19, 2017. However, traces of structural damage can be seen on satellite imagery slightly later, on September 30, 2017, which indicates that the area was being targeted during this time.

Traces of airstrikes seen near and on the school and mosque in the village of Mazloum Tahtani (مظلوم تحتاني) (left: September 3, 2017; right: September 30, 2017)

Imagery: © 2018 Google

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
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 Mazloum Tahtani, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFV143078
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For September 15th – 16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS boat.” It additionally added that “On Sept. 15, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node.” For September 16th - 17th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS boat" and "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a VBIED and an ISIS headquarters."
UK Military Strike Report
‘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.’
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-06-28
Original Source
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.
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (1)