Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS559

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children, displaced from Anadan, were killed in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. All reports but one blamed Russia. However the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the regime (see also event below.)

An eyewitness told Shahed Ayyan Halab: “A family from Anadan decided to flee to the town of Kafr Hamra to escape the intense shelling in the Anadan City, the Russian Aviation targeted Kafr Hamra. There were two  martyrs – children from the families from Kafr Hamra. The family returned to Anadan to bury their children and were targeted again by Russian airstrikes. The rest of the family were among the dead and wounded.”

Alethiad Press reported the same, explaining that Russian warplanes struck Kafr Hamra with two vacuum missiles, killing two children displaced from Anadan. Shahba Press also said that Russia was responsible.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes” (it did not say who they belonged to) killed two children when they targeted Kafr Hamra.

Two victims (both male children) were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdul Rahman Koraj
Child male killed
Mustafa Rifaat Koraj
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A report on the strike on Anadan Feb 7th

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the alleged victims (Aletihad Press)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS556

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.840505, 36.72922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One male child, Yahya Mohammad Qaddour, aged three, was killed in an airstrike on Talbiseh according to local sources.

The Violations Documentation Center – which blamed Russian shelling for the death – linked to an extremely graphic video posted by Talbissa, which shows the dead body of the child.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights – which also named the child – he was killed by regime warplanes.

Syrian Revolution Talbissa News reported that four Russian airstrikes had led to “a huge number of injuries” and also killed the child Yahya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yahya Mohammad Qaddour
Child male killed
Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “During air duty mission, Su-25 attack aircraft detected 3 hardware columns transporting militants, armament and munitions along the highway Al-Qaryatayn – Homs. The strike resulted in elimination of 9 heavy trucks with munitions and more than 40 militants.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS554

Incident date

February 6, 2016

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan, according to local sources.

Shaam News Network, reported the death of one civilian and the injury of one woman in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan, while Shahed Ayyan Halab tweeted that one child died and other civilians were injured in Russian airstrikes.

Shahba Press also said Russia had carried out strikes on the city but didn’t provide casualties numbers. It published images showing the aftermath.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of the aftermath of the attack

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS555

Incident date

February 6, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One girl, Aziza Al Bab, aged 10, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mashad according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aziza Al Bab
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS552

Incident date

February 5, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that a woman and her child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Takaya street.

In a second report, it added: “The fires are still raging since this morning until now [9:25pm] in Al Takaya street after Russian planes targeted Al Khair Mall and Takiyat al Sheikh Weiss which was completely destroyed. There is one martyr and her child.”

A news roundup by the Shaam News Network reported that “Russian planes carried out raids on Sheikh Yassin neighbourhood, Al Hamidiya and the villages of Al Jneina, Al Baghiliya, Hatla, Mrat, Mazloum and Boukros in addition to Al Omar oil field causing the fall of several martyrs in Sheikh Yassin neighbourhood.”

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies listed an unidentified woman and an unidentified child as killed in an alleged Russian strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS553

Incident date

February 5, 2016

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2179122, 37.1892357 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and ten civilians including four children and two women were killed – and up to 18 others injured –  in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sakhour according to local sources.

Shaam News Network said eight civilians were killed “as a result of Russian aggression targeting the mosque in the neighborhood after Alsakhur as worshipers were leaving Friday prayer.”

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, five non-combatants died including two children – and “many others” were injured – in a bombardment by Russian warplanes.

In an initial report, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed regime warplanes, putting the death toll at six. However, in a later report it alleged that “Russian warplanes launched  missiles next to Al Khayrat mosque in Al Sakhour neighborhood that is under the control of armed opposition“, putting the number killed at eight including two children and 18 others wounded.

Shaam News Network published a video showing the aftermath of what it said was a strike with a vacuum missile, though they did not say who was responsible. It put the death toll at 10 including four children and two women.

Other sources also said ten were killed and blamed Russia, while Halab Today said eight civilians were killed and injured while leaving a mosque, but did not name the culprit.

Five unidentified males (two of them children) were listed by the Violations Documentation Center:

Unidentified 1 – adult, male

Unidentified 2 – adult, male

Unidentified 3 – adult, male

Unidentified 4 – child, male

Unidentified 5 – child, male

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies named five victims as being killed by a Russian strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Mahmoud Najjar
Adult male Named by by citizen journalist Abu Muhamad El Najjar killed
Faisal Shalash
Adult male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Abdel-Qader Tijan
Adult male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Bakkor Tijan
Adult male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Abdullah Hijo
Child male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Mohammed Yahya Kablawi
Child male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (2–4 children2 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–18
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Sakhour, Feb 5th (via SO4HR)
  • Image of Hassan Mahmoud Najjar (Twitter account deleted)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of one of the supposed victims (via Damascus Center of Human Rights Studies)
  • Syrian Observatory for Human Rights shows the aftermath of the attack

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (2–4 children2 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–18
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS551

Incident date

February 5, 2016

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.840505, 36.72922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians included one child died in raids on Talbiseh, according to local sources. While the majority alleged that Russia was responsible, one source – Smart – says the deaths occurred as the result of shelling by Assad regime artillery.

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes have been carrying out nightly raids on Talbissa which has led to the fall of a number of martyrs and wounded among civilians.”

The Violations Documentation Center linked to a video published by Talbissa which showed a wrapped body. The voice in the footage repeats the title: “Talbissa 5/2/2016 the martyr Khattab Al Ghafri following Russian raids.”

Step News Agency reported: “Russian warplanes launched about 20 airstrikes targeting the neighborhood of Talbissah during the night from one o’clock until three in the morning.” They said that four civilians including a child died and more were injured.

Three victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

Damascus Human Rights Center named one additional victim of a Russian strike.

United Office of Rastan said that the child Malak Abudl Qadir (Taqtaq) was “found beside her house. She was killed as a result of Russian warplanes targeting her house, bringing the total number of martyrs to four as a result of intensive Russian raids.”

According to Syrian Press Center, Russia carried out more than 20 raids – including use of cluster bombs – targeting civilian homes – which killed three civilians and injured dozens more.

The voice over in a video published by the Shaam News Network says “cluster bombs are exploding in the Homs countryside from Russian airstrikes.”

However, one source, Smart blamed the regime, saying that they shelled Talbiseh “with artillery from their villages of Najmeh and Musharrafah.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khattab al-Gafri
Age unknown male Listed by Violations Documentation Center killed
Munther Abdulqader “Taqtaq”
Adult male Listed by Violations Documentation Center killed
Malak Abdulqader “Taqtaq”
Child female Listed by Violations Documentation Center killed
Abdullah Munir Alloush
Age unknown male Listed by Damascus Human Rights Center killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing strikes on Talbiseh, Feb 5th.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of one of the alleged victims (via Syrianpc)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “During air duty mission, Su-25 attack aircraft detected 3 hardware columns transporting militants, armament and munitions along the highway Al-Qaryatayn – Homs. The strike resulted in elimination of 9 heavy trucks with munitions and more than 40 militants.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS548

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Location

مرديخ, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81117, 36.79093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, Shaam News reported deaths in Mardikh, which it attributed to Russian warplanes: “Since early morning, the Russian enemy planes circled the skies of the province and launched air raids on civilian homes in the towns of Maaret al-Numan and Khan Sheikhun and Kafrtkharim and the outskirts of Sarakeb and the towns of Taftanaz, Mardikh and Kalalli, Al tama’na, Kafteen, Sarmada, Kafr Daryan, Al Habeet, Kafr Najad and Jade’een which led to the fall of martyrs and wounded in Maart al Nu’man, Kafrtkharim and Mardikh and wounded in the rest of the targeted towns.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported that a “Su-24 bomber destroyed the ISIS command center in the Idlib province.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]