Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2254

Incident date

May 24, 2017

Location

محيميدة, Mheimediya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.44294, 40.08619 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians, including one to two children and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the village of Mheimidiya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor, according to local sources.

Three of the civilians killed were reportedly from the Mohammed al-Abar family and were killed when the airstrikes struck their two-story house. In a Euphrates Post report, their estimate of three killed was acknowledged to be an initial toll following the airstrikes.

The majority of sources, including Zaman al-Wasl and Syrian Network for Human Rights, identified regime planes as responsible for the casualties in Mheimidiya. However, another source, Ahmad al Shibli twitter (@7UFCmSxd0IUBffH), blamed Russia for carrying out the airstrikes.

Additional sources, including Shaam Network, did not specify whether Russia or the regime was responsibe and instead identified both regime and Russian planes as perpetrating bombings in the area. In addition to striking civilian homes, the airstrikes also destroyed a number of shops.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]