Geolocation
Airwars assessment
At least two children and one woman were reportedly killed and 13 civilians were injured in alleged Coalition strikes in Al Mayadeen city in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to local media.
Sharqiya Voice reported that the children were from the A’Llash family living in Al Arba’een Street (40th Street) and all nine sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible.
One of the children was reportedly a baby girl and was pictured by Deir Ezzor 24.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reportjued that three individual strikes took place, which took place at 2am and 5am.
According to Deir Ezzor 24, the first two strikes hit Al Hammad Hospital Street and the third hit Al Arba’een Street. It also reported that five civilians, including two women, were injured in the second strike and that eight civilians were injured in the third strike – making up the total of 13 wounded.
Euphrates Post and Sharqiya Voice reported that the third strike – where the two children were killed – targeted the house of ISIL leader Said al Ghannash, but instead hit a neighbouring house. The strike was also reportedly near Al Hassan school.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the death toll was likely to rise as a number of people wounded by airstrikes were in critical condition.
In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition referenced reports on social media of an attack on May 21st in Mayadeen, and said it was not responsible. The coalition reported: “May 21, 2017, near Mayadin, Syria, via social media: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” As the strikes reportedly took place in the early hours of May 22nd, these may reference the same incident — Airwars is attempting to verify.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Family members (2)
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Mayadin (ميادين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.016667, 40.444167. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Summary
Sources (18) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]
-
The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Al Mayadeen, May 22nd (via Deirezzor24)
-
One of the children killed in the alleged Coalition raid on Al Mayadeen, May 22nd (via Deirezzor24)
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
-
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 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS barges, two ISIS well heads, a vehicle, an ISIS oil storage tank, and an ISIS oil processing equipment item.” It later added that additionally on May 21st “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed seven ISIS oil barrels, two ISIS well heads, and one ISIS fuel truck.”
For May 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes destroyed four ISIS oil trucks, three ISIS pump jacks, and an ISIS well head."