Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS311

Incident date

September 14, 2016

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya [exact location], Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.7251951, 40.7404912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Heavy airstrikes were reported, with Step News noting that “Coalition planes bombed al Salhiya near al Bukamal, targeting a bridge that links the area of al Duweir with other areas of Deir Ezzor. They also targeted al Ashayer village east of Deir Ezzor.” No mention was made of casualties.

Beloved Al Salhiya also posted a video showing damage to the bridge – while reporting “no casualties.” A description accompanying a second video said “One of the places hit by the planes under the mountain on the road leading to al Shaeb left a crater 7 meters wide and 4 meters deep.

However Step News, Ara News and others insisted that four civilians died, noting: “The international coalition aircraft bombed the village of al Salhiya targeting a bridge in al Dweir which links it with all areas in all of Deir al-Zour area, killing four civilians.”

In a report published the following month, the Syrian Network noted: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired missiles that targeted the international road in Al Salihiya village, located in the eastern suburbs of Deir Ez-Zour and is under the control of ISIS. The road connects between Deir Ez-Zour and Homs governorate through Al Bokamal city. The bombardment resulted in the killing of two children.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

A child from Al-Alwan
Child killed
Saleh Al Alwan
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage from a Coalition airstrike at Salhiye on September 14th 2016. Reports were conflicted on whether four civilians died (via Deir Ezzor 24)

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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU593439
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • Sept. 14, 2016, in Al Salhiya, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 3043/CS311 37SFU593439

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed five ISIL supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]