Incident Code

CS1903

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.447579, 40.953426
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1779)

Local sources reported that the Coalition had renewed shelling on Al Baghouz after midnight on March 3rd 2019. One of the shells allegedly struck an ammunition depot that caused a large explosion in the camp. According to one local source, Hamah.Now, up to 250 civilians were killed and wounded in the event.

In a tweet, @Sakeraldeen reported that the only field hospital tent was set on fire, with dozens of wounded women and children inside. The source included a video that shows several burned bodies. He added that the Coalition used white phosphorus in the attack.

According to the Step News Agency on March 4th, “Coalition forces renewed shelling on the Al-Bagouz camp in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Zour after midnight last night, targeting an ammunition depot which caused a large explosion in the camp, resulting in casualties among women and children amid the absence of any medical staff”.

sakeraldeen reported that “International Alliance aircraft targeted the only field hospital tent in the Al Baghouz camp with white phosphorus, which led to the burning of many tents  and burning of dozens of children and women”.

In a civilian casualty assessment released July 10th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
12–250
2–25 Children, 2–25 Women
Civilians reported injured
2–250

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SFU794135
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
Between Feb. 24 - March 9, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 99 strikes consisting of 139 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 97 strikes consisting of 137 engagements, engaged 228 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 71 tactical vehicles, 35 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 17 supply routes, 11 fighting positions, 10 weapons caches, eight staging areas, four command and control nodes, two tunnels, two heavy machine guns, one anti-aircraft gun, one fuel tanker, and one boat.
French Military Strike Report
For February 27th to March 5th, French MoD report 4 firing missions from the Iraqi territory by Task Force Wagram. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties. There was one strike.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2021-07-10
Original Source
Mar. 3, 2019, near al Baghouz, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3274/CS1903 37SFU794135

Media From Sources (6)