Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS1826

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8141415, 36.6017972 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 12 civilians died – including four children and three women – following an airstrike which struck a five story building in Ariha, Idlib. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the raid, with some blaming Russia and others blaming the Syrian regime. 

No specific numbers of civilians were reported wounded.

Zaitonmag reported that “a five-story building collapsed in the city of Areeha in the village of Idlib, over the head of its residents, as a result of Russian air strikes targeting the city”.

According to sources, many civilians, including children, remained trapped under the rubble for a long period of time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 12
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Members of the civil defence dig through the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, Idlib, 12th January 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Members of the civil defence dig through the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, Idlib, 12th January 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Members of the civil defence dig through the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, Idlib, 12th January 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 12
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3930

Incident date

July 21, 2019

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least 10 civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 21st, 2019, according to local sources. One of the victims died on September 23rd due to his injuries sustained in the strikes. One source reported eight fatalities.

A SY-24 correspondent stated: “The correspondent indicated that the city of Saraqib in the Idlib countryside was also subjected to airstrikes this afternoon by the warplanes, which led to civilian casualties.”

@binnish_revolu initially tweeted that “a child and a man were wounded as a preliminary result, following a missile strike on the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib.”

Geiroon reported that “in the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib, 10 civilians, including children and women, were injured in very serious cases, in shelling by the regime’s warplanes targeting the city center.”

Safaa Al Khalaf posted the names of 10 injured civilians, including one woman and a child. On September 23rd, Justice Organisation reported that “Bara Jamal Najjar, a young man, was killed in Saraqeb city of eastern Idlib countryside due to his injuries about two months ago when he was bombed by warplanes of the Assad regime on Saraqeb city.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was the only source reporting multiple fatalities: “Eight citizens, including a woman and a child at least, were killed in a massacre carried out by regime’s warplanes which targeted Saraqib town in the eastern countryside of Idlib.”

According to Smart News Agency, the attack was carried out on a residential area and injured a total of nine civilians, including women and children. In a separate post, the source reported on ten wounded civilians.

“Two women were wounded and civilian homes were severely destroyed, as a result of warplanes targeting residential neighbourhoods in the city of Saraqib with two vacuum missiles”, wrote @IdlibPlus.

Some sources, such as the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, blamed Russia for the strikes, while others, including Smart News Agency, pointed to the Syrian regime.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Laith Al Judy ليث الجودي
Age unknown male knee injury injured
Baraa Jamal Najjar براء جمال نجار
Adult male died of head injury killed
Hassan Masfara الشاب
Age unknown male injured
Adel Al Qassem عادل القاسم
Adult male shoulder injury injured
Nada Al Mohammed ندى المحم
Adult female hand injury injured
Ahmed Shirtah احمد شرتح
Adult male injured
Ammar Talawi عمار تلاوي
Adult male injured
Ahmed Marawan Hallaq احمد مروان حلاق
Age unknown male back injury injured
Tala Ammar Talawi تالا عمار تلاوي
Child female head injury injured
Saad Al Mushrif سعد المشرف
Adult male external injury to the abdomen and back injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 8
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “A child and a man were wounded as a preliminary result, following a missile strike on the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib” (via @binnish_revolu).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on July 21st, 2019 (via @binnish_revolu).
  • Translation: “Two women were wounded and civilian homes were severely destroyed, as a result of warplanes targeting residential neighborhoods in the city of Saraqib with two vacuum missiles” (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers clearing the rubble at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, July 21st, 2019 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Translation: “Syrian regime warplanes target the city of Saraqib with an airstrike” (via @fawaz_jwaid).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, July 21st, 2019 (via @fawaz_jwaid).
  • A report from the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, July 21st, 2019 (via @mahmoudalbakor1).
  • Bara Jamal Najjar died on July 23rd due to his head injuries sustained in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, July 21st, 2019 (via Justice Organisation).
  • Bara Jamal Najjar died due to his head injuries sustained in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, July 21st, 2019 (via Mohamad Al Najjar).
  • An injured child receiving medical help after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Saraqib on July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 8
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1409

Incident date

August 23, 2017

Location

Mulla Zaid near Tal Jayer, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.033926, 41.0987592

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians were reported killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike near the village of Mulla Zaid, close to Tal Jayer town.

The dozen people who died were travelling in a vehicle, described as a “closed car” or “van”, when they were hit.

Zamanalwasl referred to the victims as displaced people though did not mention from where they had fled. The strike also reportedly hit an old mill. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

While the alliance itself did report striking three targets in the governorate on this date, in its assessment of this claim it asserted that “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

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 Tal al Jayer, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV890897
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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
Official source

For August 23rd-24th the Coalition reported “On Aug. 22, near Al Shadaddi, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS638

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

العرضي, Al A'ardi (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3352757, 40.1499438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians died, including seven from the same family, in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al A’ardi neighbourhood according to local sources.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported 12 deaths in two Russian raids, while Shaam News Network said Russian warplanes “targeted civilians’ homes directly“.

Both Al Jazeera and Alsory__Alhor also reported Russian strikes, but didn’t provide specific casualty numbers, while Euphrates Post noted there had been raids on Al A’ardi, but didn’t identify the “warplanes” responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1326

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and 12 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Bab city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. There were allegations against Russia, the Syrian regime and one against the US-led Coalition. A number of sources noted that they had been unable to identify the warplanes that carried out the strikes.

The lowest death count was give as six civilians by Enabbaladi, who, like many other sources, noted that “dozens more” civilians were wounded. This sources blamed the Syrian regime, as did Radio Alkul and Aletihad Press. @24Aleppo also attributed the event to Assad, reporting that warplanes fired four vacuum missiles on the city.

However, the Smart News Agency – who put the death toll at 11 – was among a number of sources attributing the incident to Moscow.

One source, Ara News, pointed towards the US-led Coalition, and gave the highest death count of 22 civilians. It said that “fighter jets belonging to the international coalition targeted a number of residential sites in the city and killed 22 people, injuring dozens more”.

@albab_city noted “the martyrdom of one of the heroes of the civil defense in the city Al Bab”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Khaled Ahmed Al Naama
Adult male Member of The White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Burnt out vehicles on a street in Al Bab, allegedly struck by Russian warplanes, Sept 23rd (via Aletihadpress)
  • Halab Today reports the death of 12 civilians following "air raids" on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Shahed Ayan reports that casualties resulting from the "air raids on al bab" had risen to 20. 23rd September 2016
  • Syrian Reporter reports 20 dead as a result of "air raids" on al Bab, including a member of the civil defence. 23rd September 2016
  • Aleppo 24 reports 12 dead and dozens under the rubble following alleged regime strikes on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Masar Press reports that 12 were killed and dozens injured as a result of warplane shelling on the city of al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • ElEtihad press reports raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Aleppo Media Centre reports ten killed including women and children in warplane shelling on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Step news reports 12 killed in air raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Radio Al Kul reports 12 killed 'most of them women and children' in alleged Regime raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported no strikes near Al Bab city for September 22nd, 23rd or 24th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS339

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Location

بادية الباغوز, al Baghouz Desert, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.47446, 41.01115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes hit oil installation workers and fuel truck drivers, killing at least ten according to local reports.

Sound and Picture reported that in the “a number of oil workers working at refineries and fuel truck drivers killed in al Baghouz desert in the eastern countryside following raids by the international coalition.”

In February 2018, the Coalition conceded civilian harm in this incident. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “During a coalition attack that destroyed Daesh controlled trucks and fuel tankers it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Al Hall subsequently offered more detail, reporting that “ten civilian workers working on an Islamic State oil refinery (# Daesh) were killed yesterday evening, as a result of international coalition raid on an oil refinery.” A local resident named Salim Omar told them the target was an “electric oil refinery” belonging to ISIL and the strikes led “to its destruction and the killing of a dozen civilian workers, including drivers of large fuel trucks that were completely burned.” Al Hall reported that another refinery in the area was targeted, but no one was injured.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A burning oil facility in the al Baghouz dsert after being hit in a Coalition strike October 16th 2016. At least 10 civilian workers reportedly died (via Sound and Vision)
  • Translation: a coalition plane targets with an air raid the village of al Baghouz in al Boukamal countryside and the columns of smoke are rising from the area that was targeted.
  • Translation: Deir Ezzor: a raid by a warplane on the town of al Baghouz in the countryside of the city of al Boukamal.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.4748637, 41.0112762

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
    5
  • Stated location
    near Al Baghouz desert, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU847166
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

  • Oct. 16, 2016 near Al Baghouz desert, Syria via Airwars report. During a coalition attack that destroyed Daesh controlled trucks and fuel tankers it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 15th-16th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIL supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI418

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

الفيصلية, Mosul, Al-Faisiliyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.348018, 43.154196 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said Coalition airstrikes bombed a school inhabited by displaced people in Faisaliyah neighborhood in East Mosul, leaving up to 12 civilians dead or wounded. The Coalition subsequently confirmed responsibility.

News of Iraq reported that the raids on Friday evening had killed and wounded “12 people, mostly women and children.” All sources said the Coalition was responsible for the air strikes.

On March 4th the Coalition admitted responsibility for the event: “Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.” It also noted that it was assessing at least one other Mosul event for that day: “Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.”

A Coalition official subsequently confirmed to Airwars that this refered to the al Faisaliyah event, providing the grid reference 38SLF3436724131.

On March 18th Airwars spoke with a reported survivor of the incident, who provided photographs and biographical details for five victims – including two of his own children. According to the source the US strike hit the Al Marafa private school at 9am where IDPs were staying.

The incident occured at approximately 9:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdulrahman Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq
Child male killed
Aesha Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq
Child female killed
Sara Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed
Musab Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed
Affan Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq to Airwars researchers, showing the bodies of two of his children.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another photo provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.
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:

  • 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
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3436724131
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017

  • Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 12th-13th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed five vehicles, three mortar systems, two UAV launch sites, three fighting positions, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a VBIED manufacturing and armoring facility, a heavy machine gun, a supply cache, and an anti-air artillery system; damaged 18 supply routes; and two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1473

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Location

Al Shahabat village, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.375404, 40.184898 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a mass civilian casualty incident, two families of up to twelve people died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on al Shahabat village in the western Deir Ezzor countryside at “dawn” on September 12th, according to local media.

An initial report by Euphrates Post document “five martyrs from one family”, the figure rose to 11 in a subsequent report also by Euphrates Post. The names of those killed were documented.

The strikes reportedly targeted “the vicinity of the mill” according to Marsad al Hassaka, however in Jisir documented the location as “the vicinity of a sheep market” in a later report.

Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights made a statement in Arab48, “Twelve civilians from one family, including five children, were killed in an attack on the village of Shahbaat”.

According to a later report from SOHR, the Shahbaat area, is close to the village of Al-Salihiyagh, east of the euphrates river. The report alleged the strike to have taken place during the night, and the death toll likely to rise due to unknown numbers of civilians wounded.

The majority of sources blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack and resultant loss of civilian life.

The US-led Coalition informed Airwars that as a result of their deconfliction agreements they have ceased to conduct strikes entirely in Deir Ezzor city.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Zu’ayb Hajij al-Zu’ayb
Adult male killed
A wife of Zu’ayb Hajij al-Zu’ayb
Adult female killed
A second wife of Zu’ayb Hajij al-Zu’ayb
Adult female killed
Son of Zu’ayb Hajij al-Zu’ayb
Age unknown male killed
Daughter of Zu’ayb Hajij al-Zu’ayb
Age unknown female killed
Daughter of Zu’ayb Hajij al-Zu’ayb
Age unknown female killed
Daughter of Zu’ayb Hajij al-Zu’ayb
Age unknown female killed

Family members (4)

Widow of Khalaf Hajij al Zu’ayb
Adult female killed
Daughter of Khalaf Hajij al Zu’ayb
Age unknown female killed
Daughter of Khalaf Hajij al Zu’ayb
Age unknown female killed
Son of Khalaf Hajij al Zu’ayb
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • (5–7 children3 women1 man)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Shahabat (الشهابات), for which the coordinates are: 35.375404, 40.184898. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 11th – 12th the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED, and a fighting position.“ It later reported, "On Sept. 11, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed four ISIS fighting positions"
For September 12th-13th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a VBIED facility and a logistics node.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 11 September – Tornados destroyed two sniper positions in Raqqa, and attacked a Daesh-held compound and terrorists on a motorcycle near Dayr az Zawr…A flight of Royal Air Force Tornados supported the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting in Raqqa on Monday 11 September, when Paveway IV guided bombs were used to destroy two sniper positions. A second Tornado flight patrolled north-east of Dayr az Zawr, where they attacked a group of terrorists in a compound with a Paveway IV. Survivors of the attack then attempted to move to another position on a motorcycle, but were successfully engaged with a Brimstone missile.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Tuesday 12 September – a Reaper successfully guided a coalition airstrike onto a truck-bomb workshop near Dayr az Zawr…The following day [Sept 12th], a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft operated in the same area near Dayr az Zawr, and provided precision targeting that enabled a coalition air strike to destroy a truck-bomb workshop and a vehicle that was being prepared there.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • (5–7 children3 women1 man)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]