Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS2648

Incident date

October 19, 2017

Location

الباغوز, Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.43221, 40.99226 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what some sources referred to as “a massacre”, more than 36 civilians were reportedly killed and dozens more injured when an airstrike struck a river crossing at Al-Baghouz. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes however some either did not attribute blame or blamed “unidentified warplanes”.

As many as six families were identified by local media. Including the Al Nimr family (four killed), the Al Khanafra family (ten killed), Mohsen Mohammed Al-Mahrath’s family (allegedly as many as nine killed), Osama Mohammed Al-Mahrath’s family (allegedly as many as nine killed), Fleih Raja Al Dahouk’s family (four killed) and an unknown family.

As well as this, seven other civilians were named by various local media.

Padlf News reported that “port of Albuqamal al-Baghouz River” was the “targeted” vicinity. It was left rendered out of use due to the amount of material destruction.

Two families were killed in the raid, according to Bukmalna. Additionally, some of the “the martyrs [were] of Iraqi nationality”.

As well as the named victims below, Syrian Press Center News reported that, ten civilians from the Al Nimr family were killed and four people from the Al Khanafra family were killed in the raids. Syrian PPC also reported one unidentified member of the Dawood family.

Fjr albokamal also reported that Mohsen Mohammed Al-Mahrath and his family and Osama Mohammed Al-Mahrath and his family were killed, however the numbers were unspecific. Another source later specified that there were nine victims from the Al-Mahrath family.

There are 23 named victims from this strike, however that does not include the unspecified number of families who were allegedly killed. It is therefore likely that this number was higher.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Fleih Raja Al Dahouk
Adult male killed
Wife of Fleih Raja Al Dahouk
Adult female killed
Child of Fleih Raja Al Dahouk 1
Child killed
Child of Fleih Raja Al Dahouk 2
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Fadel Mohsen Al - Mahouss
Age unknown from the village of Hawija Al Mushahde killed
Mohamed Assaad Al Mahzoum
Age unknown killed
Abdulkarim Aswad Hamod Al Fahed
Age unknown noted in the comments killed
Dawood
Age unknown killed
Bashir Mohammed Al-Hamid Al Ajaj
Age unknown killed
Fadel Mohsen Al-Mahous
Age unknown killed
Hossein Ali Mohsen Al Mahous
Age unknown killed
The wife of Idan Al Taha
Adult female killed
Wife of Mohammed Al Khalaf Al Mahath
Adult female killed
Mohsen Mohammed Al-Mahrath
Adult male "and his family" killed
Osama Mohammed Al-Mahrath
Age unknown male "and his family" killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 36
  • (2 children3 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A victim of the airstrikes on Al-Baghouz river crossing, 19th October 2017. (via Nabd Al Boukamal)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of the airstrikes on Al-Baghouz river crossing, 19th October 2017. (via Nabd Al Boukamal)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of the airstrikes on Al-Baghouz river crossing, 19th October 2017. (via Nabd Al Boukamal)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Baghouz river crossing, 19th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 36
  • (2 children3 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1647

Incident date

October 19, 2017

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.15618, 40.42716 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died in al Busayrah, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow.

Euphrates Post reported by name the death of one civilian male as a result of airstrikes targeted the al Busayrah.

RFS Media Office blamed Russia, reporting that raids affected the residential neighbourhoods, the obstetrics hospital and the water project in the city. Free Dier Ezzour Radio, Orient and Euphrates Post also pointed towards Russia.

However, according to Qasioun, regime forces were also reportedly shelling the area with heavy artillery.

Multiple sources named another male victim.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Abboud Al Kassar Abu Jamal
Child male via Euphrates Post killed
Abdo Hussein Al-Ali
Adult male via free Dierazour radio killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene of the reported strikes on Deir Ez-Zor, October 19, 2017 (via JISR tv)
  • A picture shows fire rising from the scene of reported strikes on Deir Ez-Zor, October 19, 2017 (via RFS media office)
  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene of reported strikes on Deir Ez-Zor, October 19, 2017 (via all 4 Syria)
  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene of reported strikes on Deir Ez-Zor, October 19, 2017 (via orient-news)

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 al Busayrah, Syria
    Nearest population center

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 October 18th-19th the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a weapons cache and two tactical vehicles.“

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1646

Incident date

October 18, 2017

Location

الشحيل, Al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0865, 40.45232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to four civilians were killed in an airstrike on Al Shaheel, according to local media, though sources were conflicted as to who was to blame.

Two men were killed identified by name by multiple sources.

Al Sharqiya Observatory said that the victims died from wounds sustained in a Coalition strike. Sharqiya Voice also named a victim but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for his death.

The victim was also named by Euphrates Post, who said that he was killed in air strikes targeting the town of Al-Shuhail near Al-Hassan Mosque and Al-Khabassa Mosque.

Marsad al Hassaka and Euphrates Post reported that two displaced men from Deir Ezzor also died.

According to Deir Ezzor 24 and Sharqiya Voice, Russian warplanes carried out up to seven raids on Al Shaheel.

Smart News Agency said that four civilians died at the hands of unidentified fighter jets.

The incident was first reported on October 18, 2017 at 1:00 pm by .

The victims were named as:

Hassan Hammadi al-Murr
Adult male via Sharqiya voice killed
assim Al-Hawar
Adult male via Euphrats Post killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Hassan (الحسن) and Al Khabassa (الخباصة) mosques in the village of Al Saheel (الشحیل). Due to limited information available to Airwars, the exact locations of these mosques remain unknown, however, the generic coordinates for the village are: 35.0865, 40.45232.

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 al Shaheel, Syria
    Nearest population center

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 October 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two VBEID factories and an ISIS headquarters.“

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1641

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

الملعب الاسود, Ar Raqqah: Baladi stadium, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.956944, 39.005833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Raqqa RWB reported that three bodies were recovered near Al Mala’ab (the stadium) in Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred. According to the report the “initial response team” was unable to identify the names due to “SDF prohibiting filming and getting close to the area“.

In their August 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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV005791
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3157/CS1641 37SEV005791

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Date of event currently unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2644

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

البوليل, Al-Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.20253, 40.37126 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Bouleil, according to local media. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, or did not attribute blame to any belligerent.

According to local media, the bombardments were heavy and occurred during the night.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mr. Khalif al-Aqla Hashter
Adult killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khalif al-Aqla Hashter, killed in an airstrike on Al-Bouleil. 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1642

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that four bodies were recovered from various areas of Raqqa city, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3159/CS1642 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Date of event currently unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2646

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

الرويضة, Al-ruweida, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.428704, 36.993403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media “A number of civilians were injured as a result of the targeting of a number of air raids by the Russian airliner on the village of Ruwaydeh in the south-eastern Idlib countryside.”

Footage published by the White Helmets shows wounded civilians being treated in the aftermath of what they described was four raids. They did not attribute any blame.

There were no reported civilian deaths.

There are no more details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets tend to injured civilians in the aftermath of an airstrike on Al-ruweida, 18th October 2017. (via SDC Hama)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1643

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 500 bodies were reported found in two mass graves at Al Rasheed high school football stadium in the city center of Raqqa.

A report by M2 Akhbarak quoted Abdullah al-Erian, head of the Reconstruction Committee of the Raqqa Civil Council, stating that “so far about 50 bodies have been removed from the mass grave containing between 150 and 200 bodies belonging to civilians and militants.” According to al-Erian, the mass graves were found under the football field near a hospital. “Daesh was confined inside the national hospital and some civilians remained. This was the only place that appeared to be available for burial. They were buried in a hurry”, al-Erian stated.

Masrawy quoted a local from the city’s Naeem district, who mentioned that when the Coalition bombing intensified, the stadium was the only place where people could bury the dead, “I believe that the number of those buried on the playground is more than 500, and they are civilians”. Euphrates Post, Sound and Picture, RBSS and Smart News also reported that the mass grave contained “approximately 500 bodies”.

A report by Horrya stressed that it is not known “whether the bodies belonged to civilians who were killed in raids by the International Coalition during the June 2017 takeover of Rigga or to a massacre by Daesh.” Smart News quoted local activist Mohammed al-Othman, who mentioned that most of the bodies in the mass grave belonged to young men.

One local official told Agence France Presse that “Some of the bodies have the military name of the jihadis […]. The bodies of civilians carry only the first names.”

Raqqa RC interviewed Abu Ali, who buried his son and his sister at Al Rasheed. According to Abu Ali, people killed in strikes were taken to Al-Watani hospital and buried in the mass grave the next day.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Members of the "initial response team" carrying an exhumed body from the mass graves at Al Rasheed stadium, 17th October 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Members of the "initial response team" carrying an exhumed body from the mass graves at Al Rasheed stadium, 17th October 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Exhumed body bags from the mass graves at Al Rasheed stadium, 17th October 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Members of the "initial response team" carrying an exhumed body from the mass graves at Al Rasheed stadium, 17th October 2017. (via RBSS)
  • A member of the offical response unit continues to dig bodies out of the mass grave. (via Raqqa RC)
  • Footage of a man talking about how he buried his son and his sister here in the mass grave. (via Raqqa RC)

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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006786
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3160/CS1643 37SEV006786

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Date of event currently unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (26) [ collapse]