Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

SDF00020

Incident date

September 2, 2023

Location

مدينة هجين, city of Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On September 2nd 2023, several sources reported that the Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) had carried out an alleged ‘bombardment’ of the city of Hajin, east of Deir Ezzor in Syria. At least two civilians, a woman and her child were killed during the incident, and up to 14 civilians were injured. All sources agree that the injured civilians were mostly or all women and children.

Nahr Media reported that the SDF carried out the alleged bombardment whilst stationed in the Al-Majanda area, on the bank of the Euphrates River. Most sources do not specify the type of weapon that was used during the incident, describing the alleged attack as a ‘bombardment’ and/or ‘bombing’. However, @DeirEzzor24, @DeryNews and @Dadyodelal allege that the SDF used a missile/missiles to attack the city of Hajin on September 2nd 2023.

Most sources agree that a woman and her child were killed during the alleged ‘bombardment’ of the Al-Islah area in the city of Hajin. @ralshhwan9 provided the names of the two civilians killed during the incident: Salma Ismail Al-Lahna, twenty-six years old, killed, female; Fatima Al-Saleh Al-Munif, five years old, killed, female.

@DeirEzzore and @monayadskaif have also reported that another child of the Abab Al-Munif family, who is not named but identified as the brother of Fatima Al-Munif (9 years old), was injured during the incident and had his leg amputated. @DeirEzzore added that two other relatives were also injured.

Most sources agree that fourteen civilians were injured during the incident. @DeirEzzore, @NorsForStudies and @moayadskaif report that of those injured, seven were children and five were women. However, some local sources provided injury numbers as low as four, but it is unclear whether these are referring to a specific incident within the escalation in Hajin or are early casualty numbers.

Following the incident, an unspecified number of the injured civilians have received medical treatment at the Hajin General Hospital, with @syrrev1 reporting that the hospital has announced a need for O+ and A+ blood groups to come forward and give blood donations.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Salma Ismail Al-Lahna
26 years old female killed
Fatima Al-Saleh Al-Munif
5 years old female killed
brother of Fatima Al-Munif
9 years old male injured
Relative of Al-Munif family
injured
Relative of Al-Munif family
injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–14
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured following a bombardment carried out by the Syrian Defence Force in the city of Hajin, Syria (Image posted by @Derynews via Twitter, on September 2nd, 2023)
  • Alleged SDF bombardment of the city of Haji on September 2, 2023. (Image posted by Furat News via Facebook)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    #Deer Al Zour Scenes documenting the wounded who were injured in the bombing of the SDF militia on the town of #Hajin, east of Deir ez-Zor, in addition to the death of a mother and her daughter in the bombing of the town.

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–14
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (32) [ collapse]