Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2285 CS1005

Incident date

June 15, 2017

Location

السيد عايد, Al-Sayed Alyed in Hatla village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and seven civilians were killed, and an unspecific number of others were wounded, following the bombing by military aircraft on Al-Sayed Alyed. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia. Many sources also reported on “military aircraft” thus, not attributing any blame.

Sources were also conflicted on how many civilians were killed in the strike. @DeirEzzor24 reported that two civilians – including a child – were killed. Step News however put the casualty range slightly higher at four. Free Deir Ezzor named four of the victims and Osamaalkowish named five. A few days later two local sources reported that “Zahra al-Zaghir and her daughter were killed, and the injury of her second daughter, were confirmed as a result of the bombing of their house in the village of Hatla”.

Smart News reported that four of the civilians killed were from one family. They also suggested that the number of people killed is likely to increase due to the large number of wounded and the seriousness of their conditions. Additionally, a number of homes were completely destroyed. 

Most sources reported that the strike occurred on the 15th of June, however on the 18th when two more casualties were reported, they posted the strike was the day before. This suggests the raid could have occurred during the evening of the 15th, or the 16th. Despite this, first reporting was on the 15th of June.

One source, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, reported that the airstrike took place in Raqqa and that the Coalition was responsible whereas other sources reported that the airstrike took place in Hatla and that the Russian government was responsible.

According to Mohammad Al Shbl Facebook page and some comments on the Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently page, this incident happened in Hatla, Deir Ezzor.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female reported on the 18th killed
Child female reported on the 18th killed
Child female reported on the 18th injured

Family members (5)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (4 children)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ayesh al Sayed Ayed, killed in an airstrike on Al-Sayed Alyed, 15th June 2017. (via Ramdan Sayd Ayid)

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 June 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (4 children)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]