Incident Codes

RS1478 CS343a

Location

Al Basira town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.15618, 40.42716
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Codes: R1346aS304a)

Local media reported that between one and two civilians died and up to five more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Basira bridge in Al Basira town. The majority of sources blamed the US-led Coalition for the strike, though there was also an allegation against Russia and Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime without mentioning casualties. A number of other reports didn’t identify the culprit.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “three missiles targeted al-Basira bridge, which is considered a main bridge to carry the oil towards the eastern countryside”.

@soundandpic, @RevolutoinSyria Furat.alwehda and Qasioun blamed the Coalition for the bombing. They made no mention of civilian harm, though Qasioun said that the bridge was now “completely out of service”.

However, 7al, also pointing to the Coalition, reported an unspecified number of civilian casualties. It said that “the International Coalition aircraft targeted Al-Basira Bridge yesterday evening [Oct 18th], which resulted in it being put out of service. Additionally, houses close by were damaged and there were civilian casualties.”

But Al Jazeera attributed the strike to Russia, reporting that “10 people were killed and dozens injured today [Oct 18th] following Russian raids on the town of Al-Basira and the villages of Al-Sabha and Abreha in Deir Al-Zour countryside in eastern Syria. The Russian raids also targeted a vital bridge in the city of Tire and another in Basra, resulting in their destruction and departure from service.”

@RadioAlkul said that two civilians had died in the attack with five more wounded – though it didn’t apportion blame.

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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

Victims

Invidivuals

Hussam Jassem al Kandah
Age unknown named by Euphrates Post killed

Key Information

Country
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–5

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Basira town, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.15618, 40.42716. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.
U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SFU299912
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For October 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: "Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed six oil well heads, two oil tanker trucks, and an oil pump jack." For October 18th-19th: "Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two oil tanker trucks and an oil pump jack." And: " Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed eight oil tanker trailers and an oil well head."
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-06-24
Original Source
Oct. 18, 2016, in Al Basira, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3070/CS343a 37SFU299912
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (7)