Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Two adult male civilians died – as well as one additional child casualty – and up to a dozen or more were wounded in an airstrike on the village of Dibsi Afnan, according to local media. Most sources blame Russia, while some alleged that the regime was responsible – though more than three commentators also claimed that the Coalition carried out the attack.
@SourrNews reporred that one of the civilians killed was a displaced person.
The two men were named by Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently as victims of Russian raids. However, in the comment section of the post, people claim that Russia was not responsible and that the strike was by the international US led Coalition. The Shaam News Network, which put the death toll at two, also attributed the event to the Coalition.
Mohab Nasser mentioned that an eight year old child was also killed.
According to the Step News Agency, “three children and a woman were injured lightly in Russian raids using cluster bombs on the edges of Dibsi Faraj west of al Tabaqa in the Raqqa countryside.” Since this is a village nearby, it could indicate that Russia was operating in the area. Al Raqqa Truth blamed Russia for the Dibsi Afnan event.
However, Ahmad al Shibli and Mohab Nasser said that the regime was responsible for the two men’s deaths. Al A’maq also blamed the regime, while Mohab Nasser published graphic images from the A’maq video which he said depicted casualties and destruction caused by regime barrel bombs.
Sources described that cluster bombs, barrel bombs and vacuum missiles were used in the strikes.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the village of Dibsi Afnan (دبسي عفنان), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.8175348, 38.2162857. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Summary
Sources (31) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]
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Abdallah al Ibrahim al Jarrah, killed in an airstrike on Dibsi Afnan, May 9th (via Al Ragga truth, who blamed Russia)
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An explosion on the streets on Tabaqah following suspected Coalition or Russian attacks, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive]
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A burnt out vehicle in Tabaqah, the impact of alleged Coaltion or Russian strikes, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive
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A video still of injured civilians in Tabaqah reveals the human cost of alleged Coalition or Russian airstrikes, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive -
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A video still of injured civilians in Tabaqah reveals the human cost of alleged Coalition or Russian airstrikes, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive] -
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A civilian child is treated for injuries sustained in alleged Coalition or Russian attacks on Tabaqah, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive] -
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Local people tend to the injured in Tabaqah, the impact of alleged Russian or Coalition shelling, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive] -
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A civilian killed in alleged Coalition or Russian attacks on Tabaqah lies face down in the street, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive] -
A local man reports on the aftermath of alleged airstrikes on Tabaqah, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive]
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A civilian male lays eith injured or dead on the floor following alleged airstrikes on Tabaqah, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive] -
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A small child rests after sustaining injuries in alleged airstrikes on Tabaqah, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive] -
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A civilian is treated for injuries of the foot following suspecte Russian or Coalition airstrikes on Tabaqah, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive] -
A civilian laid in bed, wrapped in blankets, following the alleged Russian or Coalition airstrikes on Tabaqah, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive]
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Vehicles on the street in Tabaqah - the material impact of alleged Russian or Coalition strikes, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive]
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Further images of injuries in Tabaqah following the suspected Russian or Coalition airstrikes carried out May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive] -
A street full of rubble in Tabaqah shows the material cost of alleged airstrikes, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive]
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The photograph shows a helicopter in a cloudy sky above Tabaqah, May 8th (via Mohab Nasser) [Originally A'maq video - accessed via Airwars archive]
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Abu Zakaria Al-Issa, killed in an airstrike on Dibsi Afnan, May 9th 2017. (via Mohab Nasser)
Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.
The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.
Original strike reports
For May 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, 15 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed eight fighting positions and a vehicle.” It later added that “Additionally, two strikes were conducted in Syria on May 7th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.”
For May 8th-9th it stated: “Near Tabqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions.” It later added that “Additionally, four strikes were conducted in Syria on May 8 that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a fighting position and a mortar system; and damaged an ISIS supply route.”