Incident Code

RS2754

Location

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

Geolocation

34.461111, 40.396944
Accuracy: Subdistrict

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: R2583a )

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.

Victims

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)

4 years old female killed
10 years old female killed
14 years old male killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (6)

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

Invidivuals

Hassan al-Wahish al-Hamad al-Juru)
Age unknown male killed
The child of Ibn Muhammad Al-Hamad
Child killed
Wife of Awad al-Ubaid al-Ali
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilians reported killed
21–37
2–12 Children, 2 Women
Civilians reported injured
10–24

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Souh Al Rifa’i camp (مخيم سوق الرفاعي), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.461111, 40.396944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has not reported any strikes between November 4th - 20th 2017.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed