Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

YS118

Incident date

October 11, 2021

Location

الدايس, Al Dabes, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.703611, 37.956944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians, including up to two women, were killed and between two and nine others, including two women and a child, were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces shelling or missile strikes on the village of Al Dabes on October 11, 2021.

The Aleppo correspondent for @HalabTodayTV reported that a civilian was killed and two others were injured when Syrian Democratic Forces launched vacuum missiles at the village of Al Dabes. This was the lowest toll provided by local sources.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense (SCD), a man and a woman were killed and six civilians, including a child and two women, were injured from an explosion in their house. SCD later reported that the death roll rose to three after the volunteer teams pulled out the body of a woman.

One of the civilians injured in the explosion was Nayef, who is under a year old and whose father was killed in the same incident. White Helmet volunteers pulled him out from under the rubble of his home, which was destroyed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified similar casualty numbers from an explosion in a house, adding that they think the explosion was due to an IED.

A tweet from @khalediskef, a journalist for Almayadeen News, reported that nine people, including women and children, were injured in the incident, according to the “armed coordination”. Zaman Al Wasl added that some of the civilians injured were in critical condition.

Sources were conflicted as to the origin of the strikes, with the Syrian Civil Defense referring to “an explosion of an unknown source” in regards to this incident while Orient News attributed the civilian casualties to “vacuum missile sourced from the SDF militia near the Sajur River”. Local sources also told Zaman Al Wasl that the explosion could’ve been caused by heavy artillery shelling launched by the “Syrian Democratic Forces” (SDF) and that it was possible that the shell that targeted the house was a Russian-made “Krasnopol” due to the extent of the damage.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Under 1 year old years old injured
male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • White Helmet volunteers search for injured civilians following an explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmet volunteers search for injured civilians following an explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Rubble from the explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Rubble from the explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Rubble from the explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by @NowLebanon2)
  • White Helmet volunteers rescue a civilian injured in an explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by @alkhattabirw)
  • Destruction to a civilian home caused by an explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Firat Haber Ajansi)
  • Destruction to a civilian home caused by an explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Firat Haber Ajansi)
  • Destruction to a civilian home and their possessions caused by an explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Firat Haber Ajansi)
  • Destruction to a civilian home and their possessions caused by an explosion in Al Dabes village on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Firat Haber Ajansi)
  • Nayef, a child under a year old who was injured in the explosion and pulled out of the rubble on October 11, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Dabes (الدايس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.703611, 37.956944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1965

Incident date

October 2, 2021

Location

مزرعة تشرين, Mazra'a Tishreen, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.132398, 38.869372 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a “young” man, Abboud Al-Akeeb, was allegedly killed by US-led Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces’ raid on Tishreen Farm, north of Raqqa in Syria on 2nd October 2021, according to multiple sources. The attack was reported to have happened at dawn.

Athar Press reported that “American forces and “SDF” carried out raids in the Tishreen farm in the north of Raqqa governate, where the sounds of clashes and strong explosions were heard in the vicinity of the farm.”

Dostor, Al Araby News, and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the campaign was “to search for ISIS cells.”  According to the the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the US-led Coalition “carried out an airdrop operation” which resulted in the “arrest of two of ISIS leaders and several women, where a civilian was killed near the site coinciding with the airdrop operation.”  Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that after raiding Mr. Al-Akeeb’s house, the military forces had “his parents tied up, and then the body was transferred to an unknown location. It later became clear that the operation was carried out by mistake and that the targeted persons are a family from the town of Sfira who lives next to the house of the slain “Abboud Al-Akeeb.”” RBSS also put the date of the strike on 1st October, although all other sources indicate this happened on 2nd October.

Local sources indicated that this operation coincided with another operation in Shanina. Watan reported that this raid shows an example of how the “US army and its affiliated militias have significantly increased the pace of raids and incursions into eastern Syria, targeting a large number of Syrian Arab tribesmen.”

It has been more than two years since Airwars has documented any alleged civilian casualties in Raqqa attributed to US-led Coalition and the SDF.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Abboud Al-Akeeb
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abboud Al-Akeeb, allegedly killed by US-led Coalition and SDF raid on Tishreen Farm, Raqqa on 26th September 2021. (Image via @SOHEB2019 / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mazra’a Tishreen (مزرعة تشرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.132398, 38.869372. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1964

Incident date

September 26, 2021

Location

الزر, Al Zir, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.125270, 40.428640 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one young man, a civilian, was killed and two to three other civilians were injured in alleged Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces raids on the village of Al Zir on September 26, 2021. Two to three others were arrested in the raids but it is unclear if they were civilians or members of ISIS.

Euphrates Post reported that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Coalition forces “raided Mishaal al-Qubba’s house in al-Mankar neighborhood in the center of al-Zar village and arrested Malik Khalil al-Munkar and Anas Hamidi al-Munkar, in addition to injuring two other civilians who were near the place”. The home of the al-Qubba family was burned down before the forces withdrew.

Deir Ezzor 24 added that the attacking forces first called through the loudspeaker for the targets in the house to surrender themselves but when they refused, clashes broke out. The wanted persons were allegedly members of ISIS.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the house targeted as “hosting ISIS affiliated members” and added that “three people in the house were wounded” but did not specify if those wounded were members of ISIS.

According to Euphrates Eye, Muhammad Abadi Al-Saleh Al-Mankar, “a civilian who does not belong to any military faction,” died from his injuries sustained during the operation and the SDF handed over his body to his family.

A “Jisr” correspondent also identified Ali Basil Abadi Al-Saleh (likely the same man as mentioned above) as being shot and then arrested by the SDF, and he later died. The family of the young man reported that he was only 18 years old, worked with his brothers raising livestock and had no connections with ISIS.

Euphrates Eye published the identities of men arrested in the raid, referring to them as the “village’s civilians”: Mazen Jassim Al-Mankar (a civilian with a neurological disease) ), Faris Al-Huwaili (a civilian driver of a private car) and Ibn Hijab.

The Coalition spokesperson Col. Wayne Marotto tweeted that “.@Coalition successfully conducted another raid in the vicinity of Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria today resulting in the death of 3 Daesh terrorists, & the detention of 2 associates.” It is possible that the “detention of 2 associates” refers to this incident.

A correspondent for Furat Network pointed out that the operation “involved several helicopters and a warplane that opened the sound barrier, causing panic and fear among the people, while targeting the landing area with heavy machine guns” and Euphrates Eye put the specific count at five coalition helicopters, accompanied by drones. All of the sources attributed the strikes to the Coalition and/or SDF.

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

18 years old male Also referred to as Ali Basil Abadi Al-Saleh killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The young man, Muhammad Abadi Al-Saleh Al-Munkar, allegedly killed by SDF and Coalition forces in a raid on Al Zir on September 26, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zir (الزر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.125270, 40.428640. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

@Coalition successfully conducted another raid in the vicinity of Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria today resulting in the death of 3 Daesh terrorists, & the detention of 2 associates. We will continue to hunt them down, prevent acts of violence & derail their efforts to regroup.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1963

Incident date

September 26, 2021

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.096944, 40.456111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three men were killed and civilians were injured in a Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces operation in the city of Al Shahil on September 26, 2021. Sources were conflicted as to whether those killed were civilians or members or ISIS, with one source reporting on civilian injuries.

According to Euphrates Post, Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition forces carried out a ground raid of a house in the city of Al Shahil. The operation lasted for two hours and resulted in the death of three unidentified people who were killed on the outskirts of the Shabakah neighborhood. The three people killed allegedly “resisted the patrol with machine guns”, North Press Agency reported.

Euphrates Eye identified those killed as being “suspected of affiliation with ISIS” but added that other civilians were injured in the operation. Deir Ezzor 24 added that the three person who were believed to be members of ISIS were killed during the confrontation and were known to be internally displaced persons from Suweidan Jazeera town.

Sputnik News and Juhayna News were the only sources to refer to those killed as “civilians” and Sputnik also reported that “the American occupation forces and the gunmen loyal to them also arrested a number of Arab tribesmen in the town and took them to an unknown destination without knowing the reasons for the arrest.”

Following the operation, the Coalition spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto tweeted that “.@Coalition successfully conducted another raid in the vicinity of Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria today resulting in the death of 3 Daesh terrorists, & the detention of 2 associates.” The “3 Daesh terrorists” seems to refer to this incident.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the location of the operation as being near a checkpoint for the “Special Forces” in Shabakah neighborhood.

Zaman Al Wasl pointed out that this was an air landing operation in which warplanes and helicopters participated and all of the sources attributed the operation to the Syrian Democratic Forces and/or the Coalition.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of men killed in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition raid carried out in the city of Al Shahil on September 26, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of men killed in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition raid carried out in the city of Al Shahil on September 26, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of men killed in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition raid carried out in the city of Al Shahil on September 26, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Shabaka (الشحيل), allegedly in the centre of the village of Al Shuhail (الشبكة), for which, due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Shuhail are: 35.096944, 40.456111.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

.@Coalition successfully conducted another raid in the vicinity of Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria today resulting in the death of 3 Daesh terrorists, & the detention of 2 associates. We will continue to hunt them down, prevent acts of violence & derail their efforts to regroup.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS116

Incident date

September 7, 2021

Location

الشيخ ناصر, Al Sheikh Nasser, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52484, 37.68642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured and livestock were killed in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or regime artillery shelling of Al Sheikh Nasser village on September 7, 2021.

The Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) reported that a civilian was injured in Al Sheikh Nasser village by artillery shells coming from an area controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and regime forces. Zaman Al Wasl that the civilian’s injuries were to varying degrees.

Images posted by SCD show a cow that was killed in the strikes along with extensive property damage. @HalabTodayTV also reported that in addition to the civilian that was injured, a number of livestock were killed.

The Nedaa Post correspondent reported that “the Syrian Civil Defense teams in the Al-Bab area in the countryside of Aleppo provided first aid to the injured and secured the place after the shelling stopped.”

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes, with some sources only referring to the sources as originating from areas controlled by the SDF while others attributed the strikes directly to the SDF.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building caused by strikes on Sheikh Nasser village on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A cow killed by strikes on Sheikh Nasser village on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage to a building caused by strikes on Sheikh Nasser village on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sheikh Nasser (الشيخ ناصر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.52484,37.68642 . Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS117

Incident date

September 7, 2021

Location

العلوات, Al Alwat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.524689, 37.950569 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged shelling by the Syrian Democratic Forces on the village of “Al-Alwat” in the northern countryside of Manbij on September 7, 2021.

Baladi News was the only source to report on this incident. No other information is available at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Alwat (العلوات), allegedly located in the vicinity of the city of Manbij (مَنْبِج). The generic coordinates for Manbij are: 36.524689, 37.950569. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS115

Incident date

August 30, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and eight civilians, including four to five children, were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021.

Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians, including four children, were injured in missile shelling carried out by the alleged Syrian Democratic Forces. The “Zaman Al-Wasl” correspondent also put the toll at seven injuries, including four children, and added that eight rockets fell on Afrin.

However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights provided information that five civilians, including children, were injured in the strikes and a tweet from @jamlyyyyy_ identified six injuries “of varying degrees”.

Anadolu Agency reported that the Turkish province of Hatay announced that 8 civilians, including five children, were wounded, as a result of a six shell bombardments carried out by the YPG/PKK on Afrin at 17:50 local time.

A tweet from @rdwanalshhwan published the names of the civilians injured in the strikes: 1- Doaa Al-Ali, father Ahmed, mother, Joza, born in the southern countryside of Aleppo, Khanasser, age 11 years (F); 2 Abdel Moneim Mohamed Abdel Rahman, 8 years old, from Homs, living on Villa Street, a minor head injury (M); 3- Abd al-Rahman Ali, father Sobhi, mother Khadija, age 64, from Afrin, light in the head (M); 4- Asma al-Musa, father Musa, mother Nadia, 10 years old, from the southern countryside of Aleppo, lived in Afrin, lightly injured (F); 5- Othman Al-Mousa Al-Mousa, the mother, Nadia, 8 years old, from the southern countryside of Aleppo, the current residence is Afrin, a light injury (M); 6- Mahmoud Al-Mohammed, born in 1988, Homs, with a light injury (M).

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the location of the strikes was “al-Mazut road and Jendires junction in the city”. The correspondent for Zaman Al-Wasl added that “the bombing hit a school, and also caused significant material damage to some residential houses, amid a state of anxiety and fear among the city’s residents.” @YusufAd76532779 added that the shells struck “next to the headquarters of the National Army’s al-Sharqiya Army”.

The correspondent for Qasioun reported that “the civil defense teams rushed to the places where the missiles fell and worked to transport the wounded to medical points to receive the necessary treatment.”

Sources were in agreement that the Syrian Democratic Forces were responsible for the strikes, with Zaman Al-Wasl pinpointing the source of the strikes to the “Tal Rifaat pocket”, adjacent to the “Afrin” area in the southeastern side. Baladi News identified the bombing as being carried out with “rocket-propelled grenades”.

The incident occured at 17:50:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

10 years old female mother Nadia, 10 years old, from the southern countryside of Aleppo, lived in Afrin, lightly injured injured
8 years old male the mother, Nadia, 8 years old, from the southern countryside of Aleppo, the current residence is Afrin, a light injury injured

The victims were named as:

11 years old female father Ahmed, mother, Joza, born in the southern countryside of Aleppo, Khanasser injured
8 years old male 8 years old, from Homs, living on Villa Street, a minor head injury injured
64 years old male father Sobhi, mother Khadija, age 64, from Afrin, light in the head injured
33 years old male born in 1988, Homs, with a light injury injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • #Euphrates post #Aleppo northern countryside#urgent: Several wounded, including children, as a result of missile strikes on the city of Afrin.
  • Children injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • One of the injured civilians following strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets search through debris for injured civilians following strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets search through debris for injured civilians following strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets search through debris for injured civilians following strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • One of the children injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Rocket shelling of Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Rocket shelling of Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Smoke from rocket shelling of Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)
  • Smoke from rocket shelling of Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)
  • Shells from strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Shells from strikes on Afrin on August 30, 2021. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI067 YI002

Incident date

August 30, 2021

Location

مخيم قاديا, Qadia Camp, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.059570, 42.620141 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed and three to four others, including two children and an elderly man, were injured – all from the same family – when an alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or Turkish IED exploded in Qadiya refugee camp.

According to the Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union (KCK), “in the late evening hours of August 30, 2021, an explosion occurred in the Qadiya refugee camp in the Zaxo region of the Kurdistan Region Iraq, killing two children and injuring numerous people”. The statement added that those living in the camp are Yazidi people who fled when ISIS occupied their towns in the Sinjar region.

Bas News quoted the Yazidi activist and former deputy in the Iraqi parliament, Vian Dakhil, as saying that the bombing “resulted in the death of two innocent children and the injury of 5 others, including three critical injuries”. Bas News added that among the two children killed was a one year old and a nine year old from the same family, in addition to an officer with Asayish, the Kurdish security and intelligence organization.

Abdulstar Mustafa, deputy head of Zakho emergency hospital, told Rudaw’s Yousif Musa that “At 10:15 we were told that an explosion had occurred at Qadia camp and there were injuries. Our teams got there immediately. We received five of the injured. Of those five injured, two of them died before they arrived.”

Rudaw News added that two children, aged four and nine, were injured, as well as a 63-year-old man. Hassan Ibrahim, the grandfather of the deceased, told Rudaw an explosive device was put under their caravan. He was injured in the explosion and taken to hospital for treatment.

The director of the Asayish district of Zakho, Shavan Sindi, told BasNews, “The explosion was caused by an explosive device that was planted in front of the cabin of an officer with the rank of major in the Kurdistan Region’s Asayish forces, Sheikh Hassan Ibrahim Samuqi, who was wounded in the explosion.” He added that the officer had been subject to death threats from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Al Taakhi Press reported that the explosion was caused by an explosive device planted in front of a cabin belonging to Hassan Samouqi. Al Taakhi also reported that two children were killed but put the toll of injuries at three, all from the same family, including Samouqi.

The mayor of Simel District, Khalil Mahmoud, added that the explosion caused damage to four cabins and a car.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to the PKK. However, the KCK blamed Turkey for the attack and refuted claims by the Kurdistan Democratic Party that the PKK was responsible, stating that “All witness accounts and the manner of the explosion indicate that this was an attack by the Turkish state”.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Victims of the bombing of Qadia Camp on August 30th arrive at the hospital for treatment. (Image posted by Rudaw News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Qadia refugee camp (مخيم قاديا), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.059570, 42.620141. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

YPG Assessment:

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]