Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

SDF00012

Incident date

August 31–September 1, 2023

Location

ذيبان, Thiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

A young child was seriously wounded when alleged-SDF mortar shells struck the town of Thiban, in the countryside of Deir Ezzor on August 31st or September 1st, 2023.

Euphrates Post, who described the child as an infant, claimed the injury occurred when shells hit the child’s home. Multiple sources corroborate the SDF as the perpetrators, with Kabeltalbker Post and local reporters (@syrdrr1, @OmarAbdulaziz82) stating the shelling was “indiscriminate.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of a young child injured by alleged SDF shelling of Thiban on August 31/September 1, 2023. (Image posted by @nahermedia)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0010

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

الشحيل, al-Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 30, 2023, two civilians were allegedly killed by members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) operating in al-Shahil, a town in eastern Syria. The two civilian deaths occurred while the SDF was clashing with tribal fighters in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.

One of the two civilians killed was Awad Al-Habil al-Jakhani, per reporting by al-Sharquia 24 News, DeirEzzor24 News, Sharquia Voice, and multiple independent journalists. According to a report by Nashit News, al-Jakhani was unarmed.

The other civilian who was killed has not been identified.

According to the Euphrates Post, the Syrian Democratic Forces offered an official statement, in which they acknowledged the civilian casualties and expressed regret for the incident. The SDF statement included a pledge for the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of all responsible parties. However, Airwars has been unable to find the official statement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Awad Al-Habil al-Jakhani عواد الهبيل الجخاني
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Armed clashes between tribesmen and #SDF militias in the town of Al-Shuhail in the countryside of #Deir_ez-Zor. The clashes led to the killing of a civilian by SDF bullets and the wounding of others.

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0008

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

ضمان, Daman, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, including a child, were killed during a raid by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the village of Daman on August 30, 2023.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four people were killed during a pre-dawn raid of their homes when the civilians refused to follow the SDF’s orders to leave their homes. Zaman Al Wasl identified two of those killed as a child named Hakam Nawaf al-Sarhan (between 9 to 12 years old) and his father, killed by firing squad. Shaam News reported that three civilians, including a child, were killed. The Syrian News Agency provided the name of the father killed as Nawaf Rashu Al-Sarhan and another civilian killed in the raid as Abdul Razzaq Bashi Al-Sarhan, emphasizing that all of the victims were civilians who did not participate in the clashes in Deir Ezzor.

Euphrates Post added that Hani Saleh Al-Medad (28 years old), an employee in Al-Omar field, was also killed during the SDF raid, and that Abdul was killed while sleeping on his roof by a sniper bullet. @DeirEzzore and @AljazeeraSouria tweeted that Hani was initially arrested and that his body was subjected to severe torture.

According to Naher Media, gunmen riding motorcycles killed and injured a number of SDF members when they targeted an SDF checkpoint in the communications department of Daman. In retaliation, SDF forces with 10 camels stormed the village of Daman, firing indiscriminately and executing four civilians in their homes.

All of the sources attributed the raid and civilian casualties to the SDF, while @DeirEzzore specified that the HAT militia was responsible.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hakam Nawaf al-Sarhan
10 years old male killed
Nawaf Rashu Al-Sarhan
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq Bashi Al-Sarhan
Age unknown killed
Hani Saleh Al-Medad
28 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The child named Hakam Nawaf al-Sarhan (between 9 to 12 years old), killed along with his father in clashes in Deir Ezzor on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by Euphrates Post via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the child named Hakam Nawaf al-Sarhan (between 9 to 12 years old), killed along with his father in clashes in Deir Ezzor on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)
  • Hani Al-Saleh, 28 years old, from the village of Daman, killed in clashes in Deir Ezzor on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of Hani Al-Saleh, 28 years old, from the village of Daman, killed in clashes in Deir Ezzor on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00011

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

الصنور, Al Sanour, Abo Hama, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 30th, 2023, during clashes in Abo Hama between SDF forces and tribal fighters, Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah, 15 years old, and young man Bashar Al-Abd Al-Ali, were killed and 10 other civilians were injured, according to reports from multiple news agencies and the boy’s family.

Sada Al Sharqieh was the sole report found within the sources to report that Bahar Al-Abd Al- Ali had been killed and Shaam News was the sole report found within the sources to allege that 10 civilians had been injured.

According to reports from @freesyriachann, @Rian_almasri, @EuphratesPost, and others, Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah was killed by a stray bullet, and they did not allege any specific belligerent was responsible, while Shaam News, Alaraby News, @SyriaFreew, and others allege that SDF fighters were responsible for his death. Further details about Bashar Al-Abd Al-Ali or injured civilians were not available within the sources, except that they had been victims of the violent clashes in Abo Hama, east of Deir Ezzor. Shaam News reported that Abo Hama was hit by “indiscriminate shelling by the SDF with heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades” and @yasersoufi alleged SDF forces hit civilian homes with mortar shells and heavy artillery.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah
15 years old male killed
Bashar Al-Abd Al-Ali
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah, 15 years old, killed during clashes between the SDF and tribal fighters in Abo Hama on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)
  • Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah, 15 years old, killed during clashes between the SDF and tribal fighters in Abo Hama on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by Khaled via Facebook)
  • #SDF militias target civilian homes in the town of #Abu_Hamam, east of #Deir_ez-Zor, with mortar shells and heavy artillery

YPG Assessment:

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

Tribal Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Tribal Forces
  • Tribal Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0007

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

الجرذي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 30th 2023, an alleged shooting by SDF military patrols hit civilians leaving a mosque in the town of Al-Jarthi al-Sharqi in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, Syria, killing between one and three civilians and injuring between eight and 12 civilians, including two children.

Sources report different accounts of the toll on civilians. Naher media, Zamanalwasl, and Shaam reported one civilian, a young man and teacher named Mohammed Hassan Al-Qataf, being killed by gunfire. Alaraby, Syriatv and the Facebook account of Alsaatizat also report on the death of a professor named Mr. Ayed Al-Obaid Al-Khaleej, reported as injured by Zamanalwasl and @kareemtebii twitter account. @avocat_ali twitter account is the only source reporting on three civilians being killed and eight others being wounded without identifying them.

Shaam and the Twitter accounts @DeirEzzore, @OrientNews, and @Mohab_Nasser2 report 11 civilians being injured, including two children. Alaraby, Syriatv, and Syriahr are the only sources reporting 12 civilians being injured. Nashitnews Facebook account identified five of the injured civilians as Younis Al-Ayed, Moaz Al-Ayed, Majeed Al-Ali Al-Dabish, Hamza Al-Nazim, and Hammam Abdul Karim Al-Akkash; while @kareemtebii twitter account identified Muhannad Khalaf Al-Murshid.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Twitter accounts @kareemtebii and @AljazeeraSouria reported that the attack took place in the town of Al-Jarthi al-Sharqi in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor as a result of gunfire against a group of worshipers as they were leaving the noon prayer from the Abu Ubaida Mosque. A tweet from @DeirEzzore specified that the shooting was occurring on the Main Street on the town.

The suspected attackers are alleged to be SDF military patrol, as reported by most of the sources including Alaraby, Zamanalwasl, and Syriatv, although responsibility has not been accepted explicitly.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hassan Al-Qataf محمد الكطاف
Age unknown Teacher killed
Ayed Al-Obaid Al-Khaleej عايد العبيد الثليج
Age unknown male Professor, some sources reported he was injured instead killed
Muhannad Khalaf Al-Murshi
Age unknown injured
Younis Al-Ayed
Age unknown injured
Moaz Al-Ayed
Age unknown injured
Majeed Al-Ali Al-Dabish
Age unknown injured
Hamza Al-Nazim
Age unknown injured
Hammam Abdul Karim Al-Akkash
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Location of confrontations between civilians and SDF forces in the town of Al Jarthi on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @nahermedia)
  • Location of confrontations between civilians and SDF forces in the town of Al Jarthi on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)
  • Mohammad Hassan Al-Qattaf, killed by alleged SDF gunfire on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @Rian_almasri)
  • "#SDF forces opened fire on children and civilians in Al-Jardhi in the #Deir ez-Zor countryside, killing three and wounding eight. This picture is taken from a video documenting the incident by a local source while people were leaving noon prayers today." (Image posted by
  • Al-Jardhi, east of Deir Ezzor | Two martyrs and (11) wounded, including a child and a girl, by SDF bullets, according to preliminary toll.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SDF opens fire on children in the town of #Al-Jardhi and commits a massacre in the town in front of the mosque. SDF follows in the footsteps of ISIS
  • #Urgent | Two dead and 11 injured, including children, by #SDF militia bullets in Al-Jardhi, east of #Deir_ez-Zor

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0009

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

عطالة, Attale, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilian men, Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, were killed when their car was reportedly struck with gunfire allegedly from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the village of Attale, in the southern countryside of al-Hasakah, at dawn on Wednesday August 30th 2023.

Ninesixthree reported the incident took place at the al-Arisha SDF checkpoint.

A Facebook post from a family member, Bashar al-Suliman, referred to the men as their cousins and said that Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan is known as Abu Thamer and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla as Abu Mustafa (fathers of Thamer and Mustafa).

According to a tweet from @alsharqia24news, these civilians were returning from Deir Ezzor and heading to the village of al-Haddadiya when they were killed. In the same tweet, @alsharqia24news reported that Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla were both members of the al-Hazeem clan.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan أحمد فتحي الروضان
Adult male killed
Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla أحمد ابراهيم العكلة
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @nahermedia)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @alsharqia24news)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @alsharqia24news)
  • Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by Bashar Alsuliman via Facebook)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by Bashar Alsuliman via Facebook)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00006

Incident date

August 29, 2023

Location

العزبة, Al Ezba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 29, 2023, several sources reported that an SDF bombardment of the Syrian city of Al-Ezba killed a child and injured numerous civilians, with most putting the number of injured between two and three.

There are no sources that mention death of belligerents, and all accounts that offer specifics beyond “civilians killed and injured” put the civilian death count at one, with all sources in agreement that the person killed was a child. @Sohebbb1990 specified that the child kill, a girl, was 13 years old.

However, there is some variation regarding details of the number of people injured. The most common figure, cited by the twitter account for Halab Today TV, Twitter user Sohebbb199, the Jabour Post, and the Shahed Post report that one girl was killed and two injured. All of those sources, except Halab TV, also state that the two injured were the sisters of the girl killed in the strike. Halab TV says that the two injured were her brothers.

Twitter user @DeirEzzor says that a girl was killed, and two children and a women injured.

Several other sources offer less specific statements, such as Twitter user @Mohab_Nasser2 “civilians dead and wounded, including women and children” and Twitter user @idleb_online who said a child was killed and “others injured”.

All sources attribute the bombing to the forces of the SDF, which some sources refer to as the PYD/PKK.

Several sources, including Ayman Abdullah Post and Twitter user @HamamIssa7, say that the bombing took place in the context of fighting between the SDF and the Military Council of Deir Ezzor.

Finally, both Twitter user @Sohebbb199 and the Jabour Post state that the casualties were “displaced from the Al-Bukamal area”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0005

Incident date

August 29, 2023

Location

العزبة, Al Ezba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 29 August 2023, at least one civilian was reportedly killed by sniper fire from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Al Ezba, located in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor.

According to a tweet from an activist from the local area, Saleh Al-Muhya Al-Atiq was allegedly killed by SDF snipers stationed in Al Ezba. A tweet from @HamamIssa7 mentioned “civilian casualties” in Al Ezba from SDF heavy weapons but did not specify how many and whether they were killed or injured. The incident is amongst reports that the SDF fired heavy artillery on the village of Al Ezba.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh Al-Muhya Al-Atiq صالح المحيى العتيج
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Saleh Al-Muhya Al-Atiq, killed by alleged SDF sniper fire in Al Ezba on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (4) [ collapse]