Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1906

Incident date

March 10, 2019

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.447579, 40.953426 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a massacre, between 50 and 70 civilians were reportedly killed – mostly women and children according to local media – by US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Baghouz camp. In addition to this, “dozens” were reportedly wounded.

Sources described “devastating bombs of enormous proportions” which bombarded the vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

Arabic RT News reported that coalition spokesman Sean Ryan, told the Russian news agency that “We do not see any evidence of casualties among civilians, and we take very seriously all the news about the civilian deaths”… “We are taking very serious measures to avoid civilian casualties,” he added.

The Coalition denied allegations, despite all sources attributing blame to them.

The civilians were allegedly trapped in the last enclave under the control of the Daesh.

According to Sana News, “the aggression targeted dozens of families while trying to escape from the areas where Daesh terrorists are positioned”, and that “according to the sources, the death toll is likely to rise as most of the wounded sustained serious injuries.”

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 70
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment that alleged Coalition aircraft struck Al Baghouz camp with heavy shelling in the early hours of the morning on the 10th-11th March 2019. (via @DeirEzzor24)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of alleged Coalition aircraft which struck Al Baghouz camp with heavy shelling in the early hours of the morning on the 10th-11th March 2019. (via @as_saabireen)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition aircraft which struck Al Baghouz camp with heavy shelling in the early hours of the morning on the 10th-11th March 2019. (via @as_saabireen)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

"Between March 10 - 23 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 250 strikes consisting of 398 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 193 strikes consisting of 338 engagements, engaged 346 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 104 vehicles, 63 supply routes, 39 fighting positions, 31 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, nine tactical vehicles, six fuel tankers, four weapons caches, two command and control nodes, one tunnel, one tanker for petroleum oil and lubricants, one mortar system, and one checkpoint."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 70
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]