Extensive coalition air raids on Islamic State-controlled oil fields reportedly killed four civilian oil workers, according to a number of sources. Local website Step Agency listed what it said were the targets struck: “The alliance planes at dawn today launched more than five raids targeting Islamic State near the town of Abu Kamal in the villages of Hassrat, Al Mujawira, Al Sayyal and Hajeen in the east of Deir Ez Zawr governorate. They continued their heavy bombardment of al Mayadeen in the evening , targeting the old electricity building and oil wells in the desert in both Mayadeen and Bokros. They also targeted Ain Ali near Al Kouria, and Abu Hamam in Shai’tat and Al Ward oil field.” Locals tweeted that “Dayr Ezzor is under fire” during the air raids.
Residents later described a ferocious US-led attack: “The attack was terrifying as it is the first time the bombing was that strong. I looked up and the sky was red like fire because of the missiles, and then I learned from a relative that the refinery was targeted.”
In a later email exchange with Airwars, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four civilians later died of injuries sustained during the bombing: “An engineer and three workers from the eastern countryside of Dayr Ez Zawr died on January 13th, following a bombing two days earlier by the allies on an oil refinery in Mayadeen.”
The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported 4 civilian deaths and named the victims.
Syrian Martyrs and Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies named a possible fifth victim of the event.
SNHR also insisted that only civilians were present at the time of the attack: “As the witness testaments show, there were no vehicles or members of ISIS near the refinery, as it is owned by the victims’ family. The closest ISIS base in the area is 8 km from the refinery.”
In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.
The incident occured at approximately 7:00 pm local time.
The victims were named as:
Adult
male
From al-Toub Village in Eastern Deir Ezzor
killed
Adult
male
From al-Toub Village in Eastern Deir Ezzor
killed
Adult
male
From al-Toub Village in Eastern Deir Ezzor
killed
24 years old
Petroleum engineer from al Mayadeen in eastern Deir Ezzor. He was married with a one year old daughter named Yara. He had graduated in 2011 and was working at the refinery.
killed
Adult
male
listed as killed on January 12th 2015 in al Mayadeen due to coalition raids, no further details.
killed
Geolocation notes
The Coalition aircraft was reported to have raided an oil refinery (petrol separator) located in the Shabli area, near Al Mayadeen, at approximately 19:00 local time. According to SNHR: “The refinery is 10 km from Al-Qala’a Station which is located on the main street – Mayadeen Road – Bukrus-Deir Ezzor.” The approximate location of this refinery is: 34.9855034, 40.4081155
