Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1663

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Location

باغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.41036, 40.96066 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or more civilians died in an airstrike on al Baghouz, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, one said that it was unclear whether Russia had been responsible. The US-led alliance later admitted killing five civilians in the event.

According to Al Hal, “Coalition forces also raided al-Bagouz village in the same countryside, killing four civilians and injuring more than 20 others, mostly women and children”.

Euphrates Post also blamed the Coalition, reporting that “there were four deaths and a number of wounded, with a whole family are still under the rubble, following a terrible massacre as a result of air strikes believed to be by the International coalition”. The source named victims.

It was reported that “a number of charred bodies and a whole family who are still under the rubble at the home of Eid al-Daham.”

Al Bukamal is Being Slaughtered reported a bombing on “the house of Riad Mohammed al-Daham al-Rahbi.” It proceeded to say: “We received news that they had in their house a guest Saleh Obeid al Khalaf al Marsoumi and he died under the rubble with the family.”

However, according to Al Bukamal news, it was “unknown whether the bombing was by Russia or the Coalition.”

It should also be noted that on November 3rd and 4th, locals reported that they had come under attack from “Iraqi shelling.”

In its November 2018 casualty report the Coalition admitted responsibility for five deaths, noting that ” Coalition aircraft conducted multiple airstrikes targeting identified ISIS personnel and equipment. Unfortunately, during one of the strikes, five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sulaiman Saleh al Obeid al Khalaf
Adult male killed
The child Hassan Ali al-Aboud
Child male killed
Ali Saleh al-Obeid
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Suleiman Al - Saleh Al - Obeid, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghous, November 2nd 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.4111111, 40.9611111

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Al-Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU802094
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018
  • On Nov. 2, 2017, near Al-Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars report Coalition aircraft conducted multiple airstrikes targeting identified ISIS personnel and equipment. Unfortunately, during one of the strikes, five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 2nd-3rd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS line of communication. Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS line of communication, a VBIED factory and an ISIS headquarters.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]