Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1693

Incident date

December 9, 2017

Location

سويدان جزيرة, Suwaydan Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.898278, 40.593731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Euphrates Post reported the death of “Haj Hamad Taha al-Salem from the town of Suwaydan Jazira, who was killed as a result of air strikes targeting the perimeter of Al-Huda mosque (also known as al-Sayyid mosque)”. The victim was also named by Asharq al Arabi.

According to Al Araby al Jadid, “a civilian was killed and another was wounded as a result of aerial bombardment by the International Alliance on the village of Suweidan Jazira”.

Euphrates Post also reported that for the fifth day there had been “violent clashes” between the SDF and ISIS. It added that the Coalition had been carrying out airstrikes.

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Dec. 9, 2017, near Suwaidin Jazeera, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haj Hamad Taha al-Salem
Age unknown male killed

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Suwaydan Jazeera (سويدان جزيرة), for which the coordinates are: 34.9013889,40.5897222. The alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the area around the mosque known as Al Huda or Al Sayyid (الهدى/السيد), for which the coordinates are: 34.898278,40.593731  

  • Location of the Al-Huda or Al-Sayyid (الهدى/السيد) mosque in the village of Suwaydan Jazeera (سويدان جزيرة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Haj Hamad Taha al-Salem from the town of Suwaydan Jazira, reportedly killed in an airstrike on Suweidan Jazira, Deir Ezzor, Dec 9th (via Euphrates Post)

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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Suwaidin Jazeera, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU456629
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018
  • Dec. 9, 2017, near Suwaidin Jazeera, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle and a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]