Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1490 RS2438

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

الزباري, Al Zabari, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.1292971, 40.3955095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two woman died and eight other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a school which was housing displaced people in Al Zabari, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia carried out the strike.

According to Syrian Press Center, “an air strike targeted a girls’ school housing a number of displaced people in the town of Zubari on Thursday evening”. Other sources also reported that the school was struck but didn’t identify the culprit.

Step News Agency said that the Coalition carried out a raid on Al Zubari, while Sharqiya Voice blamed Russia, reporting that “a woman was killed and others were injured in a raid by the same planes [Russian] on a refugee school in the town of al Zubari. This resulted in the death of two women and injury of 8 others in addition to material damage”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the airstrike targeted a girl’s school housing displaced people in the village of Al Zabari (الزباري), the coordinates of this village are: 35.1292971, 40.3955095. There was a Russian cruise missile attack that day which hit a school in Al Zabari, as seen in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFkGYmed6A&feature=youtu.be&t=14s. The coordinates for this school are: 35.11430, 40.393429

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Zabari, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1488

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

العشارة, Al A'shara, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.92, 40.56 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that members of ISIS families died in airstrikes which hit homes in al A’shara/Al Hawa – though none of the reports said who was responsible for the incident. Moreover, there was some dispute over the location of the strike, and whether the homes struck belonged to civilians.

According to Euphrates Post, “Two foreign families belonging to IS were killed as a result of the targeting of two houses by warplanes in Al-Hawi neighborhoods in the city of Al-A’shara.”

However, in the comments section underneath the post, a comment by Amin al Huweish reads: “By God, I don’t know where you get your information from. First of all the strike was not on al Hawi Road. Secondly the raids were on civilian homes and until now no one is reported killed. I am from al A’shara and I know it inch by inch and neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Have some fear of God when spreading news.”

7al also said the strike was on the Al Hawi neighbourhood, resulting in the death of “two European families belonging to the organization [ISIS]”

Two children were named as injured in an airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rahaf Hussein Ali Al-Ma’and
Child injured
Wissam Hussein Ali Al Hassan
Child injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The girl Rahaf Hussein Ali Al-Ma'and was injured following suspected airstrikes on Al-Azhar, Deir Ezzor, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The child Wissam Hussein Ali Al Hassan was injured in suspected airstrikes on Al-Azhar, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The impact on the streets of Al-Ashra following alleged Coalition airstrikes, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Material destruction in Al-Ashra following suspected Coalition airstrikes, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • A street in Al-Ashra following suspected Coalition airstrikes, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention multiple neighbourhoods (Al Jaber, Al Ahmadali, Al Hawi and Al Hikma street (الحكمة)) in the town of Al Asharah (العشارة), for which the coordinates are: 34.92, 40.56

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al A’shara, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU424528
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1486 RS2445

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

البصيرة, Al Basira, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.15618, 40.42716 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died in an airstrike on al Basira, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the regime were to blame. Reports said that the strikes hit to post office building.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Moen_dndil attributed the event to the Coalition. However, Micro Syria blamed Russia, reporting that “A child was also killed in an air strike on the town of Khasham and another civilian in an air strike on the town of al-Basira in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour. Activists accused Russian aircraft of carrying out the raids.” The Euphrates Post also pointed towards Russia.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Qasioun, the regime was to blame.

Some other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Awwad Hasan al Saroot
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on l-Basira, Sept 14th 2017. (via Ahmed Ramadan)
  • wad Hassan Al-Sarout from the town of Al-Shuhail, killed in a strike on Al-Basira, Sept 14th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the airstrike targeted the Ka’a al-Attal/Koo Attal area (outskirts) and the Al Barid (post office building) in the village of Busayrah (البصیرة). The coordinates for this village are: 35.15618, 40.42716. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify these locations further

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Basira, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU299912
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1485 RS2443

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

بقرص تحتاني, Bokros Tahtani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.057081, 40.411497 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and nine civilians died including three children and one woman and up to 17 others were wounded in airstrikes on the al Qasr area of Bokros Tahtani, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

The Step News Agency and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights pointed towards Coalition airstrikes. However most other sources including Al Araby, Orient and Sharqiya Voice, blamed Russia.

According to Sharqiya, “a Russian warplane targeted the village of Bokros Tahtani, and in particular civilian homes on al Qasr Road in the centre of the village, killing nine civilians and wounding more than 17 others, in addition to the destruction of houses.”

Deir Ezzor24 reported that warplanes “bombed a group of civilians near a car who were distributing bread in the village.” Other sources said that the strikes occurred near al Qasr school.

Orient News reported “a total of 14 martyrs, mostly women and children, killed and a number of others injured as a result of Russian air strikes targeting the towns of Baqrass Tahtani and Khasham in the village of Deir al-Zour with rockets and cluster bombs.”

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, reporting: “6 civilians, including 3 children and a woman, killed in Syrian regime warplanes missiles fired on Buqrus Tahtani village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs, September 14, 2017.”

Euphrates Post also said that Khader Sa’id al-Nizhan died as a result of injuries sustained in an attack by warplanes on September 14th – though the source later told Airwars that the event occurred in Al Mayadin.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhannad al Hamid al Akoo
Age unknown killed
The daughter of Hamad al-Hussein
Age unknown female
Hussein Al-Hamad Al-Hussein Al-Hamada
Age unknown male killed
The daughter of Nizar al-Nizhan
Age unknown female killed
The daughter of Ahmad Al-Khalifa Badawi
Age unknown female killed
Wife of Nizar al-Nizhan
Age unknown female killed
Yousef Al-Hussein
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'Pictures showing the destruction caused by the air raid on the town of Baqras Tahtani near the palace school from the road Badia noon today.'

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Qasr (القصر) area in the village of Bokros Tahtani (بقرص تحتاني). One source describes the place as near Al Qasr school, from the road of Badia. Airwars geolocated photos of a destroyed building to this location: 35.057081, 40.411497. Satellite imagery available to Airwars suggests that the building was destroyed between 12 and 22 September, 2017

  • Structural damage seen to the building on October 1st, 2017

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Based on this panorama composed of available media, Airwars was able to geolocate the destroyed building

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU287802
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1484 RS2442

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

جديد بكارة, Jadid Bakara, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.243656, 40.366945 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major civilian casualty incident took place on the village of Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Reporting remains contested and various local sources have blamed Russia, the Regime and the US-led Coalition. Between 11 and 15 civilians died, “dozens” were reportedly wounded, and the death toll included at least one women and five children.

The Euphrates Post reported “Russian warplanes” targeted “the village of Jadid Bakara with three air raids targeting the perimeter of the telephone exchange in the village and another raid targeting al Jaraf [the valley]”. Multiple sources said the raid hit close to a car where people were distributing bread.

The Euphrates Post later published a list of suspected victims.

Smart reported the Russian Ministry of Defence announcement, “the Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino submarines in the eastern part of the Mediterranean had targeted “locations” of the “Islamic State” in the south-eastern Deir es-Zour countryside (without specifying the location)”. Though it unclear if this statement relates to the incident at Jadid Bakara village.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged Moscow responsible, and referred to “shelling” by their forces, however in an earlier report they attributed blame to a “Syrian-Russian alliance”.

Two sources, Baladi and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, blamed the Coalition, SOHR noted that buildings and civilian homes were destroyed in the offensive.

A majority of sources blamed the Russians, however many of the reports are unclear on the specificities of the incident, and many suspected Russia, the Regime and the US-led Coalition to be operating in the area of Deir Ezzor at the time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdul Qadir Mohammed Al-Bakar
Age unknown male killed
Ali Hussein Al-Bakar
Age unknown male killed
Muhannad Al – Hussein Al – Bakar
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Farhan Ahmad al A’bd
Age unknown male killed
Fadila Ahmed Al – Abd
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Nisrin al Farhan
Age unknown female killed
Farhan Abdul Farhan
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Najia Al-Othman Al-Issa
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (5 children1 woman5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a post building, the perimeter of the telephone exchange and Al Jaraf ((الجرف) or the valley area) in the village of Jadid Bakara (جدید بكارة), for which the coordinates are: 35.243656,40.366945. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify these locations further

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Jadid Bakara, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (5 children1 woman5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1482 RS2440

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

طابية شامية, Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2508364, 40.2988037 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that five people were killed following airstrikes on Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Three of those who died were named in two separate reports from Euphrates Post.

Sources said the location of the incident was the “water crossing” at Tabiyeh Shamieh. According to the Syrian Observatory some civilians were “permanently disabled” following the strikes, “while others who were injured are still critical” with the death toll expected to rise. The Observatory referred to both Russian and Coalition planes at work in the vicinity, though did not specify who was to blame for the Tabiyeh Shamieh incident specifically.

There remains significant confusion in reporting. Euphrates Post and Sydusyria alleged Russian forces of being solely responsible; Step and Shaam News Network did not specify a culprit – Shaam claimed “all planes were bombing” whilst Step described a “bombardment of dozens of raids”.

Smart reported Russia had targeted the area in, conjunction with the Regime, The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged the US-led Coalition responsible for the attack and resultant loss of civilian life.

A Smart report quoted a statement from the Russians, “The ministry said in a statement that the Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino submarines in the eastern part of the Mediterranean had targeted “locations” of the Islamic State in the south-eastern Deir es-Zour countryside (without specifying the location)”. It is unclear whether this statement relates to the incident at Tabiyeh Shamieh water crossing.

Shaam said that none of the planes (Russia, Coalition or the Regime) “have taken any notice of the lives of children, women and the elderly” as they bomb areas besieged by so-called Islamic State in Deir al-Ghazal countryside.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalila Mohammed Al-Mutlaq
Age unknown female killed
Fatima Taha Aliawi al Obeid
Age unknown killed
Muhammad al-Mutlaq Abu Jassim
Adult male killed
Abdullah Taha al-Aleiwi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Muhammad al-Mutlaq Abu Jassim, killed in an airstrike onTabiyeh Shamieh, Sept 14th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a river crossing near the village of Tabiyeh Shamieh (طابیة شامیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.2508364, 40.2988037. A river crossing west of the village can be found here: 35.258551, 40.279398. One source also mentions a water well, which points to another possible location of a river crossing near a water pumping station: 35.259401, 40.290508

  • Two possible river crossings in the vicinity of the village of Tabiyeh Shamieh (طابیة شامیة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1480

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.254309, 40.355344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major civilian casualty incident allegedly took place at an IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside. Al Yaqeen reported about 100 displaced people were killed, mostly women and children, following an alleged aerial bombardment by the US-led Coalition at the camp (pictured). However this was contested – with Euphrates Post asserting that this news was in fact propaganda put out by the so-called Islamic State organization.

Activists quoted in the Syrian Mirror described a “massacre of about 120 civilians, including 100 children”, the death tolls were reiterated by Jisrtv – both blamed the US-led Coalition.

Activists shared concern “about the increase in the number due to the injuries of varying degrees of danger, in light of the weakness of medical services and the shortage of medicines and medical staff” with Shaam News, they also posted pictures which showed the wounded and “significant physical destruction in the targeted area’”. According to Shaam “Al-Assad and his Russian ally planes fly with the International Coalition aircraft to bomb areas under the control of the Islamic State in Deir al-Ghazal countryside, which are full of civilians. None of the planes have taken any notice of the lives of children, women and the elderly”.

Sadaalsham News did not identify a culprit, and referred only to “unknown military aircraft”, however it cited Step News Agency which quoted a source “close to Daesh”, which attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. @abazeid89 blamed both the US-led Coalition and Russia for the massacre, and posted a graphic photograph of a girl bloodied following the raid.

RFS Media Office said Moscow was responsible, asserting that “Russian warplanes” carried out the “horrific massacre” on the IDP camps in Deir Ezzor city’s countryside.

A later report from Euphrates Post revealed a significant discrepancy with reporting and said the incident did not happen. According to the Post the Al-A’amaq agency, the media wing of so-called Islamic State, “broadcast a video showing children victims’ bodies it claimed to have died as a result of the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on a camp near the village of Jadid Akeidat rural Deir Ezzor East”. However the Post “ found that the children martyrs were killed as a result of the bombing by Russian warplanes on the town of Khisham on Thursday morning and that the children’s pictures belong to the children of Fadil Mohammed Al Khamis, who are displaced from the village of Al Bou Amro and they are in the town of Khasham”. Euphrates Post claimed “There is also no camp in the village of Jadid Akidat or near it. There were no raids on the town of Jadid Akeidat yesterday. What Al A’amaq broadcast were the victims or the massacres in al mayadeen, Bokdors and Khisham”

Two named children were killed in the town of Khasham, according to Euphrates Post, and reported by al a’amaq as having been killed in the alleged Jadid Akeidate camp.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amal Fadel Mohammed al Khamis
Child reported killed by IS at the camp, however killed in Khasham according to Euphrates Post killed
Walaa Mohammed al Khamis
Child reported killed by IS at the camp, however killed in Khasham, Euphrates Post killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    100 – 120
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The camp near the village of "Jadid Akeidat" (via Al Yaqeen news agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic stills from a video post by A'amaq Agency, September 14th (via Shaam)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little girl covered in blood, likely killed following airstrikes. The source alleged she was killed in the camp near the village of Jadid Akidat however it is unclear whether the reports are so-called Islamic State propaganda, September 14th (via @abazeid89)
  • The children of Fadil Mohammed Al Khamis alleged killed by A'amaq Agency. According to Euphrates post they were killed in Khasham town, not the camp, the source reported the camp does not exist. September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • A row of children killed in alleged airstrikes on an IDP camp near Jadid Akeidad. The incident, initially reported by A'amaq was disounted by Euphrates Post as so-called Islamic State propaganda. September 14th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an IDP camp near the town of Jadid Akeidat (جدید عكیدات). Airwars was unable to locate an IDP camp or individual tents/structures of IDPs near this town on satellite image before or after the alleged incident. The coordinates for the town of Jadid Akeidat (جدید عكیدات) are: 35.254309, 40.355344

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Jadid Akeidat, al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position " and, “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.“

For September 14th-15th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles", and "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 13 September – a Reaper twice engaged terrorists on foot, as well as a truck-bomb, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck a Daesh building, all near Dayr az Zawr…On Wednesday 13 September, another Reaper continued patrolling near Dayr az Zawr. It used two Hellfire missiles to attack terrorists spotted on foot, then employed a third missile to destroy an armoured truck-bomb positioned next to a main road. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair meanwhile targeted a group of Daesh in a building nearby, scoring a direct hit with a Brimstone.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    100 – 120
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1479

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An adult civilian male (pictured) died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah, local sources said.

There is limited information, however all sources cited the Coalition as the culprit. Mr Hareth’s death was reported on October 7th, though it was stated he had died “nearly a month ago.” Airwars has tentatively placed the data range at September 10th to 15th, and will amend the entry when new information arises.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Hareth
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ibrahim Hareth (via raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 9th – 10th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 34 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 21 fighting positions, 16 vehicles, four heavy machine guns, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and engineering equipment; and suppressed six fighting positions.
Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two logistics nodes, and a vehicle; and suppressed two fighting positions."
For September 11th – 12th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 31 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, 17 vehicles, three logistics nodes, an ISIS headquarters, an IED, and a command and control node. For September 12th – 13th the Coalition reported.
Near Raqqah, 56 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 56 fighting positions, three logistics nodes, and two vehicles; and suppressed a fighting position."
For September 13th – 14th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 29 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 21 fighting positions, a VBIED, and an ISIS UAS; and suppressed four ISIS tactical units."
For September 14th – 15th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three vehicles, and a command and control node; and suppressed two fighting positions"
For September 15th-16th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine ISIS supply routes, eight fighting positions, a vehicle, a logistics node and suppressed two fighting positions.
On Sept. 14, near Raqqah, Syria, 31 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 25 fighting positions, 25 vehicles, three ISIS supply routes, two logistics nodes, ISIS engineering equipment, and an IED."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]