Airwars assessment
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.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Family members (3)
- Aida Al-Jassim al-Mahmud Adult female killed
- Child of Aida Al-Jassim al-Mahmud Child killed
- Child of Aida Al-Jassim al-Mahmud Child killed
Summary
Sources (12) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]
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.
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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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
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."
‘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.’