Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS212

Incident date

May 16, 2016

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that Coalition aircraft were responsible for the deaths of up to seven members of two families following a dawn airstrike near the post office building in Al Bukamal. The target appears to have been a key Islamic State figure, whose family members died in the attack.

According to Shaam News, “Activists said planes believed to be with the international coalition launched several raids with rockets on the post office zone in Abu Kamal, hitting the houses of civilians from the family of Hajj Fawaz [or Fawzi] and his brothers killing more than seven people from the same family and there are still people trapped under the rubble and the residents are working to lift them out, including children.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered later named the following as having been killed by the Coalition: “The child Msa’ab [or Musab] Katiba al Rawi [or al Raqi], The child Maria Katiba al Rawi, the child Ali Katiba al Rawi and their aunt Hana’a Fawaz al Rawi.” Ms al Rawi’s brother Katiba was also reported injured in the attack.

According to a case study later issued by Amnesty International, the likely target was a prominent Daesh figure, Fawaz al Rawi: “On the basis of the available information, Coalition forces were most likely responsible for this attack in which only civilians were killed, according to multiple sources. Since all indications are that at least four civilians were killed, and the apparent intended target was not present, the attack raises concerns regarding whether adequate precautions were taken. It is also unclear whether Fawaz al-Rawi’s activities amounted to direct participation in hostilities.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Maria Katiba al Rawi
Child female killed
Msa’ab Katiba al Rawi
Child male killed
Ali Katiba al Rawi
Child male killed
Hana’a Fawaz al Rawi.
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of reported Coalition strike at Abu Kamal May 16th, which killed multiple civilians (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Photo of the place that was bombed by planes (via Deir ezzor is being slaughtered silently)
  • Aftermath of reported Coalition strike at Abu Kamal May 16th, which killed multiple civilians (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Translation: Our sources: civilian casualties including 3 children and a woman in coalition bombing on al Bukamal east of Deir Ezzor.
  • Translation: Al Bukamal: the location of the raids that targeted civilians in the town as it targeted the home of Katiba al Raqi. He was injured and his sister was martyred.
  • Translation: The number of those killed in the coalition raids on the town of al Bukamal in the countryside of Deir Ezzor has risen to 4 civilians including three children.
  • Translation: The air raids that targeted al Bukamal at dawn today killed Hana’a Fawaz al Rawi and the children Musa’ab, Maria and Ali Katiba al Rawi.
  • Children Ali and Musab Qutayba Al Rawi (via SNHR)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition confirms carrying out an airstrike in the vicinity on May 15th-16th 2016: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike struck an ISIL financial headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]