Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS596

Incident date

May 18, 2023

Location

قرية الخاروفية, Al-Kharofiya village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

An elderly man was killed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on Al-Kharofiya village on May 18, 2023.

A local source told a North Press Agency correspondent that a civilian was killed when a vehicle close to him on the road was struck by a drone. The source also provided the name of the civilian killed: Abd al-Wahhab al-Muhammad al-Haj Hamidi (70 years old) from Al-Kharofiya village.

The Syrian Democratic Forces Press Center published a statement with similar details, adding that the drone strike on a civilian car occurred at exactly 6:30pm and despite medical intervention, Abd died from his injuries. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the Turkish drone executed two strikes on a military car of the woman’s protection units, and the civilian was injured (and later died of his injuries) by shrapnel when he was trying to help those injured in the vehicle. The earlier strike left two military members injured, according to SOHR.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the drone strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured at 18:30:00 local time.

  • Abd al-Wahhab al-Muhammad al-Haj Hamidi 70 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Car struck by alleged Turkish drones on May 18, 2023. (Image posted by North Press Agency)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS594

Incident date

May 17, 2023

Location

قرية جديدة, Jadeda village, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including at least one child, were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Jadeda village on May 17, 2023.

Rohani TV reported that Turkish forces bombarded Jadeda village, resulting in the injury of three civilians: Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa, his brother Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa, and Muhammad Salem Kamal. The director of the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa, Ibrahim al-Omar, told Rohani TV that their condition is stable.

North Press Agency also reported 3 civilians injured, and provided the age of two of the  victims : 17 year old Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa and 32 year old Kamal Mahmoud al-Wagaa (unclear if this is Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa or Muhammad Salem Kamal listed above). According to a medical source at the Emergency Department at the Raqqa National Hospital, both Mahmoud and Kamal were immediately admitted into the operating room and were in critical condition. A cousin of the third victim told North Press that he and his cousin were grazing their sheep when they were struck by Turkish artillery.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred to those injured in Jadeda village as two “tunnel workers” and a 13 year old boy.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Muhammad Salem Kamal Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS595

Incident date

May 17, 2023

Location

Ain Issa camp, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023.

Hawar News reported that during the second incident in Ain Issa district on May 17th, two civilians were injured when Turkish forces bombarded Ain Issa camp. Correspondents for Hawar added that the shelling caused an outbreak of fire in the camp, and firefighting teams could not reach the scene to put out the fire due to continuous shelling. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that both civilians injured were taken to the hospital to receive treatment, and an image posted by Hawar News shows two men being treated for injuries.

Ronahi TV provided the names of the injured: Muhammad Al-Balikh and Mahmoud Al-Jassem.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Muhammad Al-Balikh Age unknown male injured
  • Mahmoud Al-Jassem Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4513

Incident date

May 15, 2023

Location

كفرعويد, Kafr Aweed, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One man, identified by sources as Suleiman Muhammad al-Saleem, was killed on May 15th 2023 after artillery shelling attributed to both the Syrian regime and Russian forces hit the village of Kafr Aweed in the southern countryside of Idlib according to local media outlets and the Syrian Civil Defence.

Initial reports from the Syrian Civil Defence said that a victim was taken to hospital to be treated for an abdominal injury, and later updated their reporting to state that the injured civilian died from his wounds.Twitter user @Nadjat567 claimed the shelling resulted in multiple casualties, with no further information on these.

Multiple sources reported that the area was subjected to ‘intense’ artillery shelling. Syria TV alleged that the shelling came from forces stationed in the Zaytoun camp near Kafranbel.

Macro Media Centre, local TV channel HalabToday, IQA News Agency, Baladi Network and Al Tareek attributed the shelling to the Syrian regime.

The Syria Civil Defence, Shaam, Zaiton and Syria TV attributed the artillery shelling to both Russian and Syrian forces. Local news source Zaiton Mag reported that “The towns of Al-Bara, Deir Sunbul and Benin, south of Idlib, Maarat Al-Naasan, northeast of Idlib, the vicinity of Al-Atarib, Al-Qasr, Al-Wasata, Kafarama and Kafr Taal, west of Aleppo, and Al-Sarmaniyeh and Dweir Al-Akrad, west of Hama, were also subjected to similar shelling, without causing casualties.”  Multiple media reports claimed that the shelling was deliberate in order to prevent civilians from returning to villages near contact lines.

The incident occured in the atternoon.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

  • Suleiman Muhammad al- Saleem Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers helping a civilian injured by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Aweed on May 15, 2023. (Image posted by @​​SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers helping a civilian injured by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Aweed on May 15, 2023. (Image posted by @​​SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers helping a civilian injured by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Aweed on May 15, 2023. (Image posted by @​​SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers helping a civilian injured by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Aweed on May 15, 2023. (Image posted by @​​SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Suleiman Muhammad al- Saleem, killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Aweed on May 15, 2023. (Image posted by @@MMCSYR)
  • alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Aweed on May 15, 2023. (Image posted by @Najdat567)
  • alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Aweed on May 15, 2023. (Image posted by @Najdat567)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS592

Incident date

May 3, 2023

Location

قرية بحيره, Bahira, Amuda district, Al Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 49 year old man was allegedly shot and injured by Turkish border guards in the village of Bahira on May 3, 2023.

Hawar News reported that a civilian was wounded by live bullets fired by the Turkish army. A relative of the injured civilian told a Hawar reporter that live bullets fired between 14:00 and 14:30 injured Abdelaziz Darbo, 49, in the village of Bahira. The bullet struck Abdelaziz in the back while he was watering his agricultural land, which was reported as not located along the Turkish border. He was taken to the People’s Hospital (Al-Shaab Hospital) in Amuda district. Hawar reported that at the time of publishing, Abdelaziz had been released from the hospital and was in stable condition. Xeber24 and ANF reported similar details.

The three sources that reported on the incident attributed the shooting to border guards.

The incident occured between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm local time.

  • Abdelaziz Darbo 49 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1992

Incident date

May 3, 2023

Location

قورقانيا, Qurqaniya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.133082, 36.623254 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 60 year old male civilian was killed by a declared US drone strike on the outskirts of Qurqaniya just before noon on May 3, 2023. US Central Command released a statement that they had targeted a senior Al Qaeda leader without any additional details.

The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) tweeted that a civilian named Lutfi Hassan Masto (Abu Hassan), age 60, was killed by an unidentified drone while grazing sheep on the outskirts of Qurqaniya. The drone strike also resulted in the death of sheep.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement on May 3rd that “at 1142am local Syrian time on 3 May, US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral strike in Northwest Syria targeting a senior Al Qaeda leader. We will provide more information as operation details become available.”

However, the information provided by CENTCOM has been disputed by local sources. A tweet from Syrian journalist @pressrahhal stated that while “US Central Command claimed targeting a leader it said was prominent in the “Al-Qaeda” organization…the target is the martyr uncle “Lutfi Hassan Masto” at the age of 60, and he is a civilian who has no connection with any organization, neither now nor previously.”

Xeber24 News was the only source that referred to “the leader of one of the terrorist organizations” as being killed in the drone strike but did not clarify if it was the same person as the elderly man killed. However, multiple terrorism experts that spoke with the Washington Post pointed out that “it would be very unusual for al-Qaeda — particularly a senior leader — to operate in any meaningful way near the area, which is controlled by a rival group (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) that split from the organization years ago and now considers al-Qaeda an adversary.” Other terrorist analysts pointed out that there were no announcements or celebrations of martyrdom among any terrorist organizations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a militant group that controls Idlib province, told The Post the victim was a civilian.

A Washington Post investigation into the victim identified him as “a father of 10 tending to his sheep when he was slain by an American missile” and “a former bricklayer who lived quietly in this town in northwest Syria” according to interviews with his brother, son and six others who knew him. Those that knew him described a kind, hard-working man whose “whole life was spent poor.”

Multiple local sources referred to the location of the strike as being on a poultry farm, specifically in the vicinity of “Abu Khalouf poultry farm.”

Aramme News attributed the strike to a MQ9 reconnaissance aircraft.

On May 9th, AP quoted Maj. John Moore, a CENTCOM spokesperson, who said Tuesday that U.S. forces “are in the process of confirming the identity of the individual killed in the strike….We are aware of the allegations of a civilian casualty and the outcome of the confirmation process will inform if further investigation is necessary and how it should proceed.” On May 18th, the Washington Post quoted two U.S. defense officials, one who said “We are no longer confident we killed a senior AQ official,” while the other official said  “though we believe the strike did not kill the original target, we believe the person to be al-Qaeda.”

The victim’s brother, Mohamed Masto, told AP that reports that his brother was involved in al-Qaida were “absolute lies” and that his killing was “an injustice and an aggression…He had nothing to do with the revolution. … He had nothing to do with the Al-Nusra Front or with the Islamic State” or any of the other armed groups involved in Syria’s 12-year-old uprising-turned-civil-war, Masto said.

A neighbor named Fayad Jamil Raji told AP he had known Lufti Masto — or “Abu Hassan,” a nickname meaning “father of Hassan” — for many years. “The man was a civilian. He had a farm with poultry, cows and sheep,” he said.

According to the Washington Post, on the day of the strike, his son Hassan said that Masto had gathered with his family about 7:30 a.m that morning. “We had breakfast that morning like there was nothing wrong. We had breakfast and everything was fine, and then he went to herd his sheep,” the son recalled. Masto then took a break after a few hours outside near his home to have tea with his brother, and they parted ways around 11:30 a.m., and he returned to his animals as they grazed. An MQ-9 Predator drone soared overhead and struck him close to where he had just had tea with his brother 20 minutes ago. Neighbors pointed out that aircraft had been surveilling the area for nearly two weeks.

The incident occured at 11:42:00 local time.

  • Lutfi Hassan Masto 60 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Remnants of the missile from a US drone that killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Sheep killed by a US drone that also killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Remnants of the missile from a US drone that killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Remnants of the missile from a US drone that killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • A raid by the armed coalition warplanes targeted a poultry farm near the town of Qorqanya, north of Idlib
  • White Helmet volunteers at the site of a declared US drone strike that killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The civilian "Lutfi Hassan Masto" (60 years old) was killed by a missile strike from a drone that targeted him while he was working in herding sheep on the outskirts of the town of "Qorqanya", north of Idlib.
  • Image of Lutfi Hassan Masto, age 60, killed by a declared US drone strike in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @khaleedalkhteb)
  • Mohammed Hassan Masto sits next to the grave of his brother Lutfi, who was killed on Wednesday, May 3, in a U.S. military strike, in the village of Qorqanya, a rural area in northern Idlib province, Syria, Sunday, May 7, 2023. Maj. John Moore, a CENTCOM spokesperson, said Tuesday, May 9, that U.S. forces are investigating reports that they killed a civilian in the recent strike in northwest Syria that meant to target a senior al-Qaida leader. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
  • An undated image of Lotfi Hassan Misto, who was killed on May 3 by a U.S. drone strike in Syria. (Courtesy of the Misto family)
  • Location of strike: Satellite image © 2023 Maxar Technologies via Google Earth

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Qurqaniya (قورقانيا). Reporting from the Washington Post places the strike at the following exact coordinates: 36.133082, 36.623254.

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US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces

At 1142am local Syrian time on 3 May, US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral strike in Northwest Syria targeting a senior Al Qaeda leader. We will provide more information as operation details become available.
"This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS and Al Qaeda," said General Michael "Erik" Krill, CENTCOM Commander.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY034

Incident date

May 1, 2023

Location

حلب, al-Nayrab, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On May 1st 2023, at around 11:35 pm, Israel allegedly conducted airstrikes southeast of Aleppo near al-Nayrab, reportedly injuring up to seven people, and killing between one to seven others. Two civilians were among those injured.

There were discrepancies amongst the casualty reports on how many of the affected were civilians as opposed to people actively involved in fighting. Syrian Arab News Agency, the Syrian-regime controlled news source, and military sources quoted in other media claim that two civilians and five military personnel were wounded in the incident and one soldier were killed. Multiple local sources posted a picture of an elderly civilian being treated for injuries. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that four regime forces and three fighters loyal to Iran were killed. Zaman al wasl also corroborated that Iranian militia were injured.

Baladi news identified three Syrian army forces killed, providing their names as Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Yunis Suleiman, Lieutenant Alaa Hussein Dayoub, and twenty five year old First Lieutenant Muhammad Fayez Melhem. Hassan Yunis Suleiman was a commander of an air defense system for the regime forces and hailed from the village of Sheikh Badr in Tartous governorate. Alaa Hussein came from the village of Bustan Al-Souj in the Tartous countryside, and Fayez Melhem came from the village of Sriji in the Sheikh Badr countryside.

According to Arabia News, the Israeli raids on Aleppo airport coincide with the imminent arrival of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi to Syria.

The strikes also shut down the Aleppo International Airport and according to Idleb on Twitter, hit a foodstuff warehouse and a factory for sifting bulger as well as damaging residential houses in al-Nayrab on Al-Baqar Market Street. Arabia News reported that air to surface missiles were used.

The incident occured at 23:35:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–7
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Fire caused by alleged Israeli strikes on Aleppo on May 1, 2023. (Image posted by @Step_Agency)
  • Images of a bulgar factory allegedly struck by Israeli airstrikes on May 1, 2023. (Image posted by @ShehabiFares)
  • Images of a bulgar factory allegedly struck by Israeli airstrikes on May 1, 2023. (Image posted by @ShehabiFares)
  • Images of a bulgar factory allegedly struck by Israeli airstrikes on May 1, 2023. (Image posted by @ShehabiFares)
  • Lt. Alaa Hussein Dayoub of the Air Defense Forces of the Syrian regime's army killed by alleged Israeli strikes in Aleppo on May 1, 2023. (Image posted by @mazen00711)
  • Graphic image of a civilian injured by alleged Israeli airstrikes in Aleppo on May 1, 2023. (Image posted by @19had93eel)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Yunis Suleiman, "commander" of one of the air defense systems killed by alleged Israeli strikes in Aleppo on May 1, 2023. (Image posted by @Omar_Madaniah)
  • One of the officers of the Syrian regime forces allegedly killed by Israeli strikes in Aleppo on May 1, 2023. (Image posted by Baladi News)

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–7
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY032

Incident date

April 4, 2023

Location

معمل الزجاج في الكسوة, Al Kisswa, Damascus, Syria

Airwars assessment

On April 4th, 2023 at 12:15am, an airstrike either launched by Israeli forces or an air defense missile launched by the Syrian regime hit a glass factory in Al-Kisswa, south of Damascus, in Rif Dimashq, resulting in the death of up to two civilians.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), a Syrian regime-controlled news source, reported that two civilians were killed and martial damage was caused by the airstrikes. According to Orient news, Amr Niam was one of the people killed and he was described by loyalist pages as someone who reportedly fought 12 years ago with the Assad militia and was killed by “friendly fire” after his demobilization.

Athar Press quoted the head of the municipality of Al-Kisswa, Muhammad Al-Hayek, who said that “the young man (Omar Naim) works as a watchman in the glass warehouse that was targeted at dawn today.” @Kenan80490227 on Twitter corroborated that he was a facility guard, writing about the attack “in which the facility guard spent his last night before he was killed”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights posted on Twitter that one of the dead was a member of “Hezbollah”.

The glass plant sustained infrastructure damage as well. Al-Hayek clarified that the 500 square meter factory was almost. completely damaged. He said, “The glass goods in it have become like sand, in addition to the roof of the warehouse falling to the ground along with the walls,” indicating that this warehouse is private and does not belong to any government agency.

A military source speaking to Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) claimed that the Syrian regime air defence system intercepted the missiles and shot them down. Radio Al Kul quoted Voice of Capital, which attributed the civilian casualties to a Syrian regime air defense missile and not an Israeli missile.

The incident occured at 00:15:00 local time.

  • Amr Naim Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Hezbollah
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes near Damascus on April 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Kenan80490227)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes near Damascus on April 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Kenan80490227)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes near Damascus on April 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Kenan80490227)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes near Damascus on April 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Kenan80490227)
  • An Israeli missile targeted a glass factory in the Al-Kiswah area in the countryside of Damascus, owned by craftsmen in Damascene glass. The scenes show the recovery of a number of civilian martyrs who were in their workplaces in the factory.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military 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
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Hezbollah
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1