Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2684 CS1666a

Incident date

November 5, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abo Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes according to local media, as well as a report by the Russian Ministry of Defence. However, one source reported “We do not know whether the bombing is Russian or Coalition”. Many other sources blamed the International Coalition for the strikes.

Some sources blamed Iraqi airstrikes, however Airwars understands this was most likely the International Coalition.

As many as 20 were reportedly wounded.

The Russian MOD reported that “Russia says it is for the third time in a row that the 6-millimeter Tulipov 6m22 launchers are still bombing the al-Bu Kamal “ ‘for the third day in a row its 6 launchers type Tulipov 6m22 are carrying out strikes on al Boukamal”.

Another source backed up this claim.

The houses of Saleh Obeid al Khalaf al Marsoumi and Riad Mohammed al-Daham al-Rahbi, were struck, and victims of the family were trapped under the rubble.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

22 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A victim of the airstrikes, 4th November 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU752154
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Nov. 5, 2017, in Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3165/CS1666a 37SFU752154

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 5th-6th: “Near Abu Kamal, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS missiles. Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed an ISIS line of communication and a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]