Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS305

Incident date

December 23, 2015

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians – one woman and one female child – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two victims – a female child and a woman – died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Hayyan, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “Russian warplanes went in 6 airstrikes on Hreta, Hayan, al-Mallah, and Asia areas in the northern countryside what killed a woman and a child.

The Shaam News Network also reported death and wounded by as a result of attacks by Russian planes but did not state numbers killed and injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed
Child male killed

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hayyan (حيان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.32417, 37.05886. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

For December 18th-23rd 2016, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces… In Aleppo province, a Su-34 bomber made a strike on a command centre of one of the Ahrar ash-Sham illegal armed groups uncovered by UAVs. Direct hit on the building occupied by terrorists completely destroyed the facility.”

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS301

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

17 civilians including seven women and three children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Hamidiya neighbourhood, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently all named child victims (also named in the VDC list below).

Violations Documentation Center named 15 victims and also listed two unidentified victims:

Unidentified 1 – adult, male

Unidentified 2 – adult, male

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult female killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Adult female killed
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (3 children7 women7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Taybah Haydar al-Esheish, killed in an alleged Russian raid on Hamidiya, December 22nd 2015. (via SNN)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Hamidiya, December 22nd. (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Mohammad al-Fetouri killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, VDC)
  • Ziad al-Wees, a baby killed in the alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Zeid Mohammad al-Fetouri, a male child, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Zeid Mohammad al-Fetouri, a male child, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Iyman Ragheb al-Basheir, adult female, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Najah al-Elwan, adult female, killed in al alleged Russian airstrike 22nd December 2015. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (3 children7 women7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS298

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

كفر داعل, Kafr Da'el, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.216015, 37.021403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including two children were killed and several other children injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike which hit an elementary school in Kafr Da’el in the countryside west of Aleppo.

According to the Shaam News Network which blamed Russia, local activists said those killed were a teacher (or possibly school superintendent) and two students, while the injured were taken to medical points for treatment. The VDC, Baladi News, Halab News, Al Buraq and TurkArab also blamed Russia.

Smart News instead said the deaths occurred “after Regime warplanes threw explosive barrels on the town of Kafr Dael.” Jisr TV agreed that the regime was responsible.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Haso
Age unknown named by Al Buraq killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Al Jisir news bulletin reporting on the contested airstrikes. (via, Al Jisir)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of a deceased child, possibly one of the students, (via, Baladi News)
  • The aftermath of the event. (via, Baladi News)
  • Part of the inside of the school which was targeted during the attack on 22nd December 2015. (via, Al Burqa Media)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For December 18th-23rd 2016, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces… In Aleppo province, a Su-34 bomber made a strike on a command centre of one of the Ahrar ash-Sham illegal armed groups uncovered by UAVs. Direct hit on the building occupied by terrorists completely destroyed the facility.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS299

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and eight civilians including one to five women and four children were killed – and several other injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bdama, Jisr al Shughour, according to multiple sources.

Reports by the Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the town with two vacuum missiles, leading to the death of one woman, her three children and her fourth unborn child.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that five women were killed in the attack, three from the same family

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (4 children1–5 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Fires blaze as White Helmets rescue a man from site of alleged Russian strike on Bdama, Dec 22nd (via White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on December 22nd 2015. (via, SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another girl killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on 22nd December 2015. (via, SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    White Helmets carry the bodies of deceased children from the scene. (via, SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man carried from the scene by the White Helmets in Jisr al Shughour. (via, SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A girl's body being carried from the scene. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (4 children1–5 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI163

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

Keseir, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were reportedly killed and three injured – all children and women – after Coalition jets allegedly bombed their house in Keseir village east of Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alrafidain TV report on the incident

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that on December 21st-22nd 2015, “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL bunkers, and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI162

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

حي الوحدة, Mosul, Wahida, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3290942, 43.1870842 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the second of three claimed incidents in Mosul on this date, it was reported that 17 civilians – including four women and five children – were killed in an alleged Coalition strike in the Wehda and Methak neighbourhoods east of Mosul.

However, there was some doubt regarding the incident, with NRN News reportedly denying that civilians had died.

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (5 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF373220
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • December 21, 2015, in Wahida, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2873/CI162 38SLF373220

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that on December 21st-22nd 2015, “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL bunkers, and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (5 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI161

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th (Medical centre), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3667014, 43.0854607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reuters reported that About 20 people, including at least 12 civilians, were killed on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, in two air strikes that destroyed houses believed to be used by Islamic State militants, six eyewitnesses and a medical source said.” According to the international news agency, “The two strikes happened within a 10-minute gap at about 3 p.m. local time, targeting the houses of a local Islamic State commander and his son in the July 17 district of western Mosul.”

There were reports that 15 ISIL fighters were killed and as many as 50 civilians injured in the attack, which also damaged a local medical centre. Women and children were said to be among the dead and injured.

Iraq News, citing local sources, said “three women and a man from the same family were killed in the bombing, after the collapse of their house, along with the deaths of three other members of the same family, including a child aged ten.”

Among those named killed were Ryan Kavakçi; Abdul Khaliq Ghanem Sabawi, his wife, his aunt and daughter Zainab; and Hossam Hammad and his brothers. NRN also reported that “the sons of Engineer Hazem Al-Sayer, manager of the Irrigation Directorate in Mosul, were killed with their wives and children.”

Local community leader Ethel Nujaifi later criticised the Coalition for bombing Daesh in commercial and residential areas: “Targeting elements of Daash can not justify the bombing of innocent civilians in residential areas.”

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Khaliq Ghanem Sabawi
Adult male killed
Zainab
Age unknown female Daughter of Abdul Khaliq Ghanem Sabawi killed

The victims were named as:

Ryan Kavakçi
Age unknown male killed
Hossam Hammad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 20
  • (4 children2 women1–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Severe damage in Mosul following a reported Coalition strike December 21st which killed 10 or more civilians (via NRN News)
  • Abdul Khaliq Ghanem Sabawi, killed with his wife, daughter and aunt December 21st 2015 (NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A supposed victim of the attack (via NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another supposed victim of the attack (via NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another supposed victim of the attack (via NRN News)
  • The aftermath of the alleged attack (via NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another supposed victim of the attack (via NRN News)
  • A child supposedly injured in the strike (via NRN News)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF282263
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • December 21, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2872/CI161 38SLF282263

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that on December 21st-22nd 2015, “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL bunkers, and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 20
  • (4 children2 women1–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS293

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 11 civilians were reported killed including two children in three airstrikes on Al Bab, according to multiple reports. Shahba Press claimed that “Russian warplanes launched three air strikes on al Bab City, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including two children, in addition to a large number of injuries and widespread destruction in the public property and homes of citizens.”

The Daesh-linked agency Al A’maq later raised the civilian death toll to 11 citing a medical source, but did not say whether the Assad regime or Russia was responsible. Syria 2011 named four victims who it said were “killed by Russian air raids on the city of Al Bab today.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Ghani Ali Kirmani
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Ahmed Kirmani
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Zakaria Marwan Hamadeh
Age unknown killed
Mohamed Ahmed Sidamr
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the incident. (via, Al Jisr Satellite)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

No Russian reports were published for December 16th-18th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]