Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2754

Incident date

November 24, 2017

Location

مخيم سوق الرفاعي, Souh Al Rifa’i camp , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.461111, 40.396944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Subdistrict

Airwars assessment

In this incident, described by some as a “massacre”, up to 37 civilians, including children, women, and entire families were killed and dozens were wounded as Russia or the Assad regime carried out aerial shelling of Souh Al Rifa’i camp for displaced people in Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

The local reports differed to a great extent as the death toll spanned from three to as many as 36. However, as understanding of the events unfolded it became clear that the lower end of the death toll was closer to 21, yet 37 fatalities were named by sources.

According to the correspondent of DeirEzzor24; “the warplanes of the Assad forces targeted several missiles at the camp of Suh Rifai for displaced people (…), resulting in more than ten martyrs, including children and women.” Initially, DeirEzzor24 identified eight civilian fatalities by name, including women and children.

However, their correspondent added that the number of fatalities was expected to rise due to the “large number of injured, some of them in critical condition and due to the absence of medical services in the region.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at 21, said that 12 children and three women were among the fatalities.

Two days after the strikes, on November 26th, MadaSyriaMedia reported that the death toll had risen to 22, including 11 members of the Fahmi al-Kassar family and one Woman from al-Murabdeh.

36 civilians were later named by Euphrates Post, yet it remains unclear how many of these were children.

According to this source, “a large number” of civilians were left wounded while Thawra Suria referred to “dozens.”

Though the majority of reports identified Russia as responsible, the incident remains contested as DeirEzzor24 blamed the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

  • Daughter of Deeb Alwahsh Age unknown female killed
  • Child of the daughter of Deeb Alwahsh Age unknown female killed
  • Child of the daughter of Deeb Alwahsh Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

  • Daughter of Hamad Hamadah Age unknown female killed
  • Daughter of Hamad Hamadah Age unknown female killed

Family members (3)

Family members (3)

Family members (6)

Family members (12)

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 37
  • (2–12 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Armed Forces
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between November 4th - 20th 2017.

Syrian Regime Armed Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 37
  • (2–12 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (15) [ collapse]