Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1748

Incident date

May 10, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.43221, 40.99226 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, 12 civilians including 3 women were killed and either ‘several’ or ‘dozens’ wounded by an airstrike on the town of Baghouz. All reports identified the Coalition as the culprit.

A local source told Smart News that jets had targeted the village under the control of so-called Islamic State – but did not provide any more details.

Nedaa-Sy News stated that Coalition aircraft targeted the town “with many rockets”. Etilaf News mentioned that apart from killing and injuring civilians, these bombardments on “several areas east of Deir al-Zour” resulted in the displacement of 130 families in the “direction of the Badia Shami.”

In December 2018 the Coalition announced that it had classed this event as non credible, noting: “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 incident occured around dusk.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Baghouz (الباغوز), for which the coordinates are: 34.43221, 40.99226

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
  • Stated location
    near al Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU788146
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018
  • May 10, 2018, near al Baghouz, Syria, via social media 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 May 10th, the Coalition reported that: “On May 10 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of four engagements against Daesh targets. Three strikes took place near Abu Kamal. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed one Daesh artillery piece."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Thursday 10 May – Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building in the Syrian Euphrates valley…The following day [May 10th] , another Typhoon flight supported the Syrian Democratic Forces operating in the Euphrates valley. A large building, defended by Daesh extremists, had been identified to the north-north-west of Hajin. Having checked that there were no signs of any civilian presence in the vicinity, the Typhoons conducted an attack with two Paveway IVs which demolished the terrorist strongpoint.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]