Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2597

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Baqras Fuqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0573579, 40.4155234 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of four people in the village of Baqras Fuqani, Deir Ezzor on October 5th 2017 – some killed by airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, and others seemingly from wounds they sustained in previous days’ airstrikes.

Sana News reported that “intensive strikes” were carried out by the Syrian regime, and several sources reported the death of as many as four civilians. However, the reason for their deaths and exact dates are associated with some level of unclarity.

One victim, Mohammed Khalif Almasi, was most likely killed in this strike, as reported by several sources.

Khalif Al Qata’a was reportedly also killed in this event, however, a victim with almost the same name reportedly died on October 5th due to wounds inflicted a few days earlier.

However, both the Syrian Human Rights Committee and Asharq al Arabi distinguish between these two victims in their reports, suggesting that a man called Khalif Al-Qata’a was killed on this day by airstrikes while a man called Khalef al Gata’a died from his wounds. 

According to numerous sources, another victim, Saher al-Hamid al-Qamar, also died on this day due to wounds he inflicted during airstrikes the previous day.

@sarya_ja6 reported “the martyrdom of Saher Al-Humaid Al-Qamar who was wounded by a bullet that targeted his house a few days ago and was buried in Al-Shuhail.” Additionally, the Violations Documentation Center Syria (VDC), who noted his death on October 5th, reporting that he was killed by Russian warplanes.

This could possibly relate to an incident on October 2nd, 2017 (RS2588), where contested airstrikes reportedly also struck Baqras Fuqani.

Moreover, the young man Mahran Shatti Abu Meshaa was reported killed in another incident (CS1563) on October 2nd, 2017. However, multiple sources reported about his death on October 5th.

According to the sources, who do not specify any number, “several” civilians are reportedly left wounded from today’s incident.

Most sources point to the Syrian regime as responsible. Yet it remains unclear as Alahad News attribute blame on the Syrian regime and “its allies”, suggesting Russia’s involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • 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 belligerents
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Khalif Almasi was reportedly killed by the contested airstrikes in Bokras Fuqani, Deir Ezzor, October 5th, 2017. This image was published along with the reports about his death, however, it is not known to Airwars if the victim is the adult or child depicted on the image (via Twsas.org)
  • Mahran Shatti Abu Meshaal was reportedly killed in the contested airstrikes in Bokras, Deir Ezzor, October 5th, 2017 (via Muad Al-Sarhan)
  • Video containing images of victim Mahran Shatti Abu Meshaal, who reportedly was killed in the contested airstrikes in Bokras, Deir Ezzor, October 5th, 2017 (via Mzmejrr Al Harb Video)
  • Image published along with reports about the death of Saher al-Hamid al-Qamar during the contested airstrikes in Borkras, Deir Ezzor, October 5th 2017. However, the source is not clear as to whether this is the named victim or not. (via Syria Press Center)

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 strikes between October 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • 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 belligerents
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (31) [ collapse]