Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1647

Incident date

October 19, 2017

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.15618, 40.42716 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died in al Busayrah, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow.

Euphrates Post reported by name the death of one civilian male as a result of airstrikes targeted the al Busayrah.

RFS Media Office blamed Russia, reporting that raids affected the residential neighbourhoods, the obstetrics hospital and the water project in the city. Free Dier Ezzour Radio, Orient and Euphrates Post also pointed towards Russia.

However, according to Qasioun, regime forces were also reportedly shelling the area with heavy artillery.

Multiple sources named another male victim.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male via Euphrates Post killed
Adult male via free Dierazour radio killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene of the reported strikes on Deir Ez-Zor, October 19, 2017 (via JISR tv)
  • A picture shows fire rising from the scene of reported strikes on Deir Ez-Zor, October 19, 2017 (via RFS media office)
  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene of reported strikes on Deir Ez-Zor, October 19, 2017 (via all 4 Syria)
  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene of reported strikes on Deir Ez-Zor, October 19, 2017 (via orient-news)

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 al Busayrah, Syria
    Nearest population center

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 October 18th-19th the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a weapons cache and two tactical vehicles.“

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]