Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1914

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Location

الصور, As Suwar, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.5081949, 40.6549072 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 46 civilians were killed, and up to 50 were wounded, in an airstrike on As Suwar which struck a market and coach station. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, or did not attribute any blame at all, reporting that the planes were unidentifiable.

Sources reported that not only was a market struck, but also a coach station with buses carrying civilians. Another source reported that six cars carrying food, including vegetables, were destroyed in the raid – along with shops and residential homes.

Many sources reported that the wounded civilians were in a serious condition, therefore the number of deaths was likely to rise significantly. The wounded were transferred to a hospital in Abu Kamal. Syria News Desk added that many children were wounded in the airstrikes. 

More than one source reported that those killed in the shelling were mostly workers from the market, who were originally from Raqqa – likely displaced.

Additionally, many of the bodies were unidentifiable due to the casualties being burned and “charred” in the flames.

Sharqiya Voice gave the highest death toll, of 46.

One source reported that the vicinity had been under ISIS control.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yazan jaber Abu Awwad
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Ahmad Sa’id Al-Ali
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 46
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an alleged Russian raid targeted Sour, 21st February 2017. (via Jisirtv)
  • Ahmad Said al Ali, killed in an alleged Russian raid on Sour, 21st February 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 46
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (30) [ collapse]