Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS853

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Location

الدوير, Al Duweir, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

34.7787, 40.62184 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One 30-year-old civilian died after his motorbike was struck at Al Duweir checkpoint between al Salhiya and al Qouriya, according to local sources.

In February 2019, the Coalition conceded this death, noting: “Coalition forces had intelligence on an ISIS member traveling via motorcycle in Mayadin. Coalition aircraft struck the motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed during the strike. ”

Only one source – Euphrates Post – pointed directly at the Coalition, reporting that the victim died after “international coalition aircraft hit him with a small missile at Al Duweir checkpoint while he was on his motorcycle returning from the city of Salhiya in the countryside Boukmal.”

Sharqiya voice and 24 DeirEzzor didn’t identify the warplane responsible for his death.

The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ismail Khalifa Al-Aboud
Adult male killed

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest street at 34.740343, 40.714817

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ismail Khalifa al Abboud al Hadid, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Al Duweir, May 23rd (via Sharqiya Voice)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Duweir, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU484497
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • May 23, 2017, near Duweir, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition forces had intelligence on an ISIS member traveling via motorcycle in Mayadin. Coalition aircraft struck the motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed during the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

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.”
For May 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions and a mortar system." In addition it added for May 23rd that "Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed eight command and control nodes and destroyed a VBIED facility."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]