Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS975

Incident date

June 13, 2017

Location

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0108763, 40.5045318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died and several more were injured when an alleged Coalition airstrike hit a water crossing in Ziban town, according to local media.

Sana reported that the crossing was “used by residents to reach their agricultural land on the banks of the river”. All sources blamed the Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ziban, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU377757
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • 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

US-led Coalition

For June 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes destroyed five ISIS oil tanks, three ISIS well heads, a tactical vehicle and an ISIS tank.“

For June 13th-14th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIS oil storage tanks, two ISIS well heads and a vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]