Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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]

Incident Code

TI066 YI001

Incident date

August 20, 2021

Location

بنكي, Banke village, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.207778, 42.968611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two Iraqi tourists were killed in an alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) IED or Turkish air or artillery strike near the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021, according to local sources. Their bodies were missing until Kurdish and Iraqi security forces found them on August 22nd.

The security source told Shafaq News Agency, “Two tourists from Mosul entered, two days ago, the prohibited area in the village of Banka in Bativa district, affiliated to Zakho district, north of Dohuk,” noting that “a Turkish artillery shell fell near their car, leaving them dead.” The source added, “The two tourists are Ahmed Shukr, born in 1981, and Youssef Omar, born in 1995,” explaining that “the security forces in Zakho are trying to enter the prohibited area to evacuate the bodies of the tourists.”

Kurdistan 24 correspondent Islam Yousef said: “The bodies of the two men, who had been visiting from Iraq’s nearby province of Nineveh, were discovered still inside a car that sustained damage by the impact of what appears to be a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) in the village of Banke, located in the Batifa subdistrict outside Zakho.” The source quoted local authorities who said the men had been killed by a roadside bomb. The source also quoted anonymous local sources as saying the bomb had been planted by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Bas News reported: “Head of Batifa administration, Farhad Mahmoud, told BasNews that the two men visited Zakho countryside from Mosul on Friday when they were caught in the middle of a fierce conflict between the Turkish Army and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). He said the two men were hit in their personal vehicle in the vicinity of Banke village. “Investigations show that they were hit by a Turkish artillery fire,” he added. “We are now awaiting their conclusion of the forensic report before handing the bodies over to the families.”

The director of Batova district told Rudaw Media Network that “the Turkish bombing of the areas where PKK fighters are located, in the village of Bandro, of Batufa district, led to the killing of Iraqi tourists.” Rudaw reported: “The bodies of two tourists killed on Friday in Turkish artillery fire in northern Duhok province were retrieved by Iraqi border guards on Sunday afternoon and returned to their families. The two, Ahmed Shukir, 40, and Yousif Ammar, 26, are from Mosul had seemingly unknowingly entered a conflict zone when they visited the village of Bankie, in the Batifa sub-district where Turkish forces have clashed with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).” Rudaw quoted an unarmed eyewitness as saying the men had “died after an artillery shell hit their car”.

@BarzanSadiq posted a video alleging to show the moment the car was targeted and said “an IED blast planted by PKK killed the two Iraqi tourists”.

Medyanews quoted the Mesopotamia News Agency as saying “the two lost their lives when their vehicle was bombarded by a drone belonging to the TAF”.

The majority of the sources said the men had been killed by a Turkish artillery strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Shukr
40 years old male killed
Youssef Omar
26 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, YPG
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • An image of Yousif Omar, who was killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike on the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20 th, 2021. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • An image of Ahmed Shukr Mahmoud, who was killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike close to the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021 (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • An image of Yousif Omar, who was killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike on the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by Kurdistan revolution in Arabic)
  • An image of the vehicle Ahmed Shukr Mahmoud and Yousif Omar were traveling in when they were killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike while visiting Banke village, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @BarzanSadiq)
  • An image of the vehicle Ahmed Shukr Mahmoud and Yousif Omar were traveling in when they were killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike while visiting Banke village, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @BarzanSadiq)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the interior of the car the men were traveling in following the alleged Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike or Turkish air or artillery stike which killed them on August 20th, 2021. (Uploaded by Shafaq)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the interior of the car the men were traveling in following the alleged Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike or Turkish air or artillery stike which killed them on August 20th, 2021. (Uploaded by Shafaq)
  • An image of the vehicle Ahmed Shukr Mahmoud and Yousif Omar were traveling in when they were killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike while visiting Banke village, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @BarzanSadiq)
  • The funeral for Yousif Omar, who was killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike on the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by Naynawa Alghad)
  • Caption: “Emergency services are seen in the Zakho area of northern Dohuk, near to where two tourists from Mosul were killed in a Turkish bombardment on August 22, 2021.” (Uploaded by Rudaw)
  • An ambulance is seen waiting to collect the bodies of two men who were killed during an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike near the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Uploaded by Kurdistan 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Banke (بنكي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.207778, 42.968611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, YPG
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS114

Incident date

August 18–19, 2021

Location

الكريدية, Al Karidiya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.427060, 37.671859 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians, including a girl and a woman, were killed and up to seven members of their family, including two women and a child, were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or regime strikes on Al Karidiya on August 18/19, 2021.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported about “the killing of a woman, and the injury of 5 civilians, including two women and a child, by a missile attack in the middle of the night, originating from the areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the regime forces”.

A tweet from @MasarPressNet, in addition to the majority of other sources, identified that the civilian that was killed was a girl rather than a woman and that the civilians that were injured were all from one family and sustained their injuries in their home, which was struck in the shelling. However, a post from Mohammad Ward reported that both a woman and a girl were killed, “the death of a woman succumbed to her injuries and a girl of no more than ten years of age”.

Saleh Al Asmar posted the name of the girl killed: Aya Adnan Al-Hamidi. Syrian Network for Human Rights identified Aya as being 13 years old.

@baznewz put the number of civilians injured in the bombing at seven and @YusufAd76532779 identified most of those injured as being children. An image posted by Saleh Al Asmar shows a man who sustained injuries in the shelling.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the SDF or the regime were responsible for the strikes, with some sources identified the area that the strikes originated from as being controlled by both the SDF and the regime.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Aya Adnan Al-Hamidi اية عدنان الحميدي
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man injured in the shelling of Al Karidiya on August 18/19. 2021. (Image posted by Saleh Al Asmar via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Karidiya (الكريدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.427060, 37.671859. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime 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
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS113 R4374

Incident date

August 18, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, including one to two women and a child, were killed and three to four others were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or Russian or regime strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “three civilians, including a child and a woman, were killed on August 18 when Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) used a missile launcher to shell al Mazout Street in west Afrin city”. Radio Al Kul specified that two women and a man made up the three civilians that were killed in the strikes.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified three civilians as being killed and added that others were also injured in the strikes but did not provide a number. However, Syrian Civil Defense put the injury toll at four but referred to this as being the “preliminary toll”.

@EdlibEmc1 did not provide a specific number of how many people were injured but reported that “dozens” were injured.

The strikes reportedly caused a nearby fuel station selling diesel to catch fire. Shaam News added that “activists broadcast scenes of the bombing and the rise of smoke columns resulting from the bombing and fires, while the civil defense teams worked to secure the place and put out the fires.”

According to Baladi News’ correspondent, the bombing “was concentrated near one of the camps in the city, which resulted in massive destruction of public and private properties” and @Almohrar1 pinpointed the location as “near Al-Shifa Hospital and Dersim in the city of Afrin”. @SyrianCoalition identified 13 shells as being used in the bombing.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the SDF, with Zaman Al Wasl referring to the source of the strikes as an area controlled by the SDF called the “Tal Rifaat pocket” and Radio Al Kul sourcing the strikes from “the village of Al-Alqamiya and the town of Deir Jamal”. However, the Syrian Civil Defense identified the strikes as originating from an area controlled by the SDF and regime while the North Press Agency attributed the strikes to Russian planes. Enab Baladi added that the SDF did not claim responsibility for the strikes.

The incident occured at approximately 2:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (39) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets with one of the victims of the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Fires caused by the bombing of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Fires caused by the bombing of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets bring an injured civilian to an ambulance following strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • The first moments of our teams' response to a missile bombardment on residential neighborhoods in the city of #Afrin, coming from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces north of #Aleppo, which led to the killing of 3 civilians and the injury of 4 others
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Missile strikes and shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Missile strikes and shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Centerl)
  • Rocket shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Step_Agency)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Smoke from the shelling and the fires it caused in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Alassaf1977)
  • Smoke from the shelling and the fires it caused in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Alassaf1977)
  • Destruction and fires caused by the shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @SyrianCoalition)
  • Fires broke out from strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • Fires broke out from strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @maamo_walid)
  • Fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS111

Incident date

August 5, 2021

Location

حزوانحزوان, Hazwan near Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.408648, 37.404864

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and a further two injured after missiles reportedly struck vehicles in the village of Hazwan, east of Aleppo on August 5th, 2021. While most sources claimed the Syrian Democratic Forces were responsible, the Syrian Civil Defence said the missiles originated from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and regime forces.

The Syrian Civil Defence confirmed that one of their volunteers was among the injured. In a post, it wrote that one missile had targeted a crane car used in maintenance and the second hit an ambulance of the Syrian Civil Defense that had arrived on the scene. They noted that it originated from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and regime forces and Zaman Al Wasl added that the missiles originated from the members of the “SDF” militia stationed in the “Radar Shaala” area.

Zaman Al Wasl named the two civilians killed in the crane car as Mahmoud and Hassan Al Badi. Mohammed Al-Badi, who was reportedly accompanying them, was also injured, it said. Meanwhile @abualisar18 named Shihab Mahmoud Al Badi as one of the fatalities and not Mahmoud Al Badi. A social media user indicated that they knew both the deceased, noting that Hassan Al Badi and Mahmoud Al Badi were brothers.

Most sources said the deaths were caused by guided missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hassan Al Badi حسن البادي
Adult male One source who notes they knew the deceased reported that the two men killed in this incident were brothers killed
Mahmoud Al Badi محمود البادي
Adult male One source who notes they knew the deceased reported that the two men killed in this incident were brothers killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Image showing vehicle damaged. Missiles reportedly targeted a crane car and then an ambulance that arrived on the scene (image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • While Helmets carrying a body from the scene of a August 5th, 2021 attack on an ambulance and crane car (image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • A crane car sustained significant damage following after a missile. It was unclear who was responsible. (Image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • Translated image caption: The corpse of a civilian killed by the missiles of crime, a charred ambulance and a tired volunteer. The picture summarizes the story of a grieving homeland, the missiles of death do not stop, and civilians and rescuers are the target and the victim. (Via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • Damage to a vehicle sustained on August 5th, 2021. (Image posted by MMC)
  • Caption indicates that this is a photo of Hassan Al Badi, one of the men killed on August 5th, 2021. (Image shared by Narhal)
  • Caption indicates that this is a photo of Mahmoud Al Badi, one of the men killed on August 5th, 2021. (Image shared by Narhal)
  • Video caption: Crane burning with militia fire #قسد It contains two people in the eastern town of Hazwan (via @OrientNews)
  • Video from the scene of the August 5th, 2021 incident. (Video via @SyrianCivilDefence)
  • Video from the scene with White Helmet member commentary. (Video posted by @SyriaCivilDefence)
  • Video of scene of the August 5th, 2021 which sources said killed two men and injured another two (Video via @Gurbtawtan)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hazwan (حزوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.408648, 37.404864. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime 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
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS112

Incident date

August 5–6, 2021

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between 17 and 27 civilians, including four children and three women, were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or regime strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021.

Macro Media Center reported that “civilians were wounded and civilian homes were destroyed as a result of the targeting of SDF forces with rocket launchers, the city of al-Bab, east of Aleppo”.

A tweet from @Almohrar1 put the number of injuries at 17 and listed the names: Khaled Al-Saour (M), Kassem Dandab (M), Safwan Tarrad (M), Abdullah Dandel (M), Donia Dandel (F), Talal Dandel (M), Hamid Al-Jahmali (M), Wadah Amroush (M), Falak Al Ragheb (M), Zolfa Amroush (F), Abdul-Razzaq Al-Sayed (M), Aisha El Sayed (F), Ahmed El-Sayed (M), Duha Zarzour (F), Mohamed Sabbagh (M), Mohamed Nidal Manla (M), Nasser Hanash (M)

Zaman Al Wasl reported that 23 civilians including women and children were injured and quoted the White Helmets as saying that “the bombing targeted the city of Al-Bab in the middle of the night, noting that during the response of his teams to aid civilians, they were double-targeted without causing any injuries, and the bombing left large fires in civilian properties”.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights provided the toll as 18 injuries, “including 4 children and 3 female citizens”.

Orient’s correspondent in the countryside of Aleppo said that “the city of Al-Bab, which is under the control of the opposition factions, was subjected to a shelling with rocket launchers that reached residential neighborhoods in the city, which resulted in the injury of 27 people, including children and women, in addition to setting fires in a number of areas that were bombed.”

A video posted by @Sharif199629 shows a baby being treated by medical personnel after being injured by the rocket fire and an image from @K_ALED_ASLAM shows two children being treated for injuries.

@shoaoonthorea2 reported that in addition to the 23 injuries, the strikes resulted in “the outbreak of fires in shops and causing great material damage to private and public properties” and Al-Modon’s correspondent, Muhammad Ayool, stated that the area that was bombed is a densely populated area, while no party has claimed responsibility for the bombing.

JisrTV identified the specific locations that were struck as “Al-Rai Street – Al-Nofita Street – Al-Waki neighborhood – Al-Ajl neighborhood – next to Qasour Al-Sham restaurant – “Al-Balah” market – next to Al-Kitab roundabout”.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Radio Al Kul identified ” the Syrian Democratic Forces stationed in the Shaala Radar front” as being responsible. However, a tweet from @waledALedlbe blamed both the regime and the SDF and Al Modon’s assessment of responsibility was that “there are conflicting accounts about the source of the shells being fired. The first refers to the areas under the control of the Syrian regime, and the second says that they were launched from the areas under the control of the SDF. Al-Modon learned from a military source that the shells were fired from the Shaala radar area, west of al-Bab, an area divided in influence between the regime forces and the SDF.”

The incident occured at 23:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Al-Saour خالد الساعور
Age unknown male injured
Kassem Dandab كاسم دندب
Age unknown male injured
Safwan Tarrad صفوان طراد
Age unknown male injured
Abdullah Dandel عبدالله دندل
Age unknown male injured
Donia Dandel دنيا دندل
Age unknown female injured
Talal Dandel طلال دندل
Age unknown male injured
Hamid Al-Jahmali حامد الجهمالي
Age unknown male injured
Wadah Amroush وضاح عمروش
Age unknown male injured
Falak Al Ragheb فلك الراغب
Age unknown male injured
Zolfa Amroush زلفة عمروش
Age unknown female injured
Abdul-Razzaq Al-Sayed عبدالرزاق السيد
Age unknown male injured
Aisha El Sayed عائشة السيد
Age unknown female injured
Ahmed El-Sayed احمد السيد
Age unknown male injured
Duha Zarzour ضحى زرزور
Age unknown female injured
Mohamed Sabbagh محمد صباغ
Age unknown male injured
Mohamed Nidal Manla محمد نضال منلا
Age unknown male injured
Nasser Hanash ناصر حنش
Age unknown male injured

Summary

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

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (38) [ collapse]

  • Smoke from the strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Smoke from the strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • #Sham #Urgent: Violent missile shelling targeting the city of Al-Bab, east of Aleppo, is believed to have originated from the SDF militias, as it resulted in injuries to civilians, including children.
  • Fires broke out as a result of strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Fires broke out as a result of strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Fires broke out as a result of strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Fires broke out as a result of strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Fires broke out as a result of strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Urgent || Civilian wounded and fires as a result of renewed bombardment by SDF forces on residential neighborhoods in the city of Al-Bab, east of Aleppo
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @waledALedlbe)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @waledALedlbe)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @waledALedlbe)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @waledALedlbe)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Damage to buildings caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • Damage to buildings caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • Damage to a vehicle caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • Damage to buildings caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • Damage to buildings caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Damage to buildings caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @shoaoonthorea2)
  • Damage to buildings caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @shoaoonthorea2)
  • Damage to buildings caused by strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by @shoaoonthorea2)
  • Two children being treated for injuries after bring injured in strikes on Al Bab on August 5, 2021. (Image posted by @K_ALED_ASLAM)
  • White Helmets rescue people from the rubble following strikes on Al Bab on August 5/6, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS110

Incident date

July 26, 2021

Location

اعزاز, Azaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586111, 37.044722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces shelling on the city of Azaz on July 26, 2021.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense, “a civilian was injured, by missile shelling coming from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces, north of #Aleppo, targeting civilian homes in the city of #Azaz this evening, Monday, July 26th.”

The majority of other sources also identified one civilian as being injured in the strikes. However, a tweet from @dbOFRYEU7XqMrTc reported that there were “no casualties”.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to the SDF.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets help an injured civilian following strikes on Azaz on July 26, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Azaz (اعزاز), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.586111, 37.044722. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS108

Incident date

July 25, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.507348, 36.861660 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

36.516599, 36.857916 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map 36.509316, 36.860241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and eight civilians, including four children and two women, were injured in alleged SDF or regime strikes on Afrin on July 25, 2021.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Civilians injured and SCD center damaged in SDF shelling of Afrin city in Aleppo suburbs on July 25. Syrian Democratic Forces used a missile launcher to fire six missiles at Afrin city in the northern suburbs of Aleppo governorate on July 25, 2021, injuring seven civilians, with one of the missiles landing on the city’s Civil Defense center, partially damaging the center and three of its vehicles (one ambulance and two service cars).”

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported “several rockets hit residential neighbourhoods in Afrin city which is under the control of Turkish forces and their proxy factions, as the rocket fire targeted Ma’rata roundabout, Raju road and al-Villat street, amid reports of injury of civilians. However, it is not known if Kurdish or regime forces fired these rockets.”

Syrian Civil Defense added that “8 civilians were injured in an initial toll (4 children, two women, and two men, one of whom is in critical condition). The toll provided by @zenhom75 was that “6 civilians were injured in the initial outcome”.

A post by @ammar_sakkar listed the names of those injured in the strikes: Nada Al-Zaher, 29 years old (F), child Muawiyah Akash (M), Child Fadi Tawil (M), Qadriya Sido 65 years old (F), child Khadija Ahmed Al-Taweel (F), Child Tamim Ahmed Al-Taweel (M), Hassan Allawi, 38 years old (M)

Volunteer Muhammad Ali Haj Ahmed talks about the moments of targeting the Syrian Civil Defense Center in the city of #Afrin, north of #Aleppo: “I didn’t expect the bombing to be on us, we immediately ran out to save people, but when they saw the bombing of our center, they ran to us to help us, thank God there were no injuries from the team, people’s eagerness for us could not be described, this thing makes us continue to help them and save them. Despite the great danger that we were exposed to, in the last period we lost colleagues with the bombing of the regime and Russia on our centers and teams during the response, and a while ago we were exposed to the city of Afrin by bombing that targeted us while we were treating the wounded to the hospital. Targeting humanitarian workers is a war crime, but unfortunately the criminals when they saw no punishment increased their crime, our message. Today, we have no goal, and the perpetrators of this crime and other crimes of targeting humanitarian workers and civilians must be held accountable, because leaving them is a green light to commit more crimes.”

SN4HR also pointed out that “the targeted area is a civilian one and free of any military presence or equipment” and Shaam News Network referenced that the strikes “targeted indiscriminately the city of Afrin, targeting residential neighborhoods crowded with civilians, and the Civil Defense Center in the city center, leaving great material damage to the center’s mechanisms.”

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes. SN4HR attributed the strikes to the SDF while SOHR was uncertain whether the Kurdish or regime forces fired the rockets. The Syrian Civil Defense also pointed out that the strikes came “from areas controlled by the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces” and @MMCSYR referred to the strikes as a “joint bombardment by the regime forces and the “SDF” organization”. An image posted by @yahya_kadaa shows the location where the shells were launched from but doesn’t identify who was responsible.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Khadija Ahmed Al-Taweel خديجه احمد الطويل
Child female injured
Fadi Tawil فادي الطويل
Child male injured
Tamim Ahmed Al-Taweel تميم احمد الطويل
Child male injured

The victims were named as:

Nada Al-Zaher ندى الظاهر
29 years old female injured
Muawiyah Akash معاوية العكش
Child male injured
Qadriya Sido قدرية سيدو
65 years old female injured
Hassan Allawi
38 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (35) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Strikes damaged a Civil Defense building in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Damage to an emergency vehicle caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage to a building caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A Civil Defense member after strikes on their center in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Targeting humanitarian workers and Syrian Civil Defense centers is a war crime whose perpetrator must not escape justice.
  • Damage to an emergency vehicle caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @davut1374)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @davut1374)
  • One of the children injured in strikes on Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @zenhom75)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @zenhom75)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @zenhom75)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @zenhom75)
  • Remnants of the shell used in the strikes on Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @syr_television)
  • Smoke and destruction caused by shelling of Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @syr_television)
  • Smoke and destruction caused by shelling of Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @syr_television)
  • Smoke and destruction caused by shelling of Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @syr_television)
  • Smoke and destruction caused by shelling of Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @YusufAd76532779)
  • "The site of the launcher from which the missiles that targeted the Civil Defense Center in Afrin were launched." Image posted by @yahya_kadaa)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes in the vicinities of the Ma’arata roundabout (دوار المعرة), Rajo Road (طريق راجو), and Al Villat Street (شارع الفيلات) in the city of Afrin (دوار المعرة). The generic coordinates for the Ma’arata roundabout are: 36.507348, 36.861660. The generic coordinates for Rajo Road are: 36.516599, 36.857916. The generic coordinates for Al Villat Street are: 36.509316, 36.860241. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the locations further.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Ma'arata Roundabout \n دوار المعرة","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[36.861611,36.507149]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"label":"Rajo Road \n طريق راجو","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"LineString","coordinates":[[36.86705946922302,36.50919636395354],[36.86656594276428,36.509998338235235],[36.86378717422485,36.51278362522759],[36.8606436252594,36.515111806791865],[36.85880899429321,36.516413833350526],[36.85690999031067,36.51702603694196],[36.85539722442627,36.5170777722348],[36.849024295806885,36.517207110315525],[36.84667468070984,36.51741405079508],[36.846535205841064,36.51745716332531],[36.84611678123474,36.51765548065507],[36.8437135219574,36.51899195375359],[36.84005498886108,36.52146652364618]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Al Villat Street \n شارع الفيلات","label-type":"black-white","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1},"geometry":{"type":"LineString","coordinates":[[36.86033248901367,36.51508593849263],[36.86031103134155,36.50475517316974]]}}]}

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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]