Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS595

Incident date

February 11, 2016

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians including up to two children were killed in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Violations Documentation Center said that two adult male non-combatants died as a result of Russia shelling. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported Russian raids on Palmyra, leading to the death of two civilians. Baladi News Network also put the death toll at two, while Halab Today said that two children died. Both sources blamed Russia.

According to the Palmyra Coordination Committee, “violent raids by Russian occupation planes” led to the death of “two young men in al A’bbara area“. It said they were “the sons of Hamdoush al Qassem [al Shabrak].”

Palmyra News Network published a video which it said showed  “the house of Akram al Shabrak, in the city of Palmyra, after it was bombed by Russian occupation planes” – though it is unclear if this was where the two men died.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the regime was responsible. In an initial report it said two children died – but this could be referring to a separate incident on the same day and location, given that the victims are children and the VDC names two adults.

Another SN4HR report named Mrs. Aisha Al Khaled as a victim and said that she died from injuries sustained in the attack.

Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult female Listed by SN4HR killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (0–2 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The house of Akram al Shabrak, city of Palmyra, after it was allegdly bombed by Russian planes.
  • Picture of one of the sons supposedly killed (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (0–2 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS594

Incident date

February 11, 2016

Location

حزوان, Hazwan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.40888, 37.40468 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians (possibly from the same family) including two children and one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hazwan, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

In a news roundup, Shaam news Network reported that “In the Eastern Aleppo countryside, Russian enemy planes carried out raids on the towns of al Bab, Tadef, Deir Hafer, Manbij, al Qabasseen, and the village of Hazwan near al Bab and the villages of Al Seen, Barlaheen, Al Tiba, Jab al Safa and Jab al Kalib leaving behind martyrs and a number of wounded among civilians.

According to Smart News, “Russian warplanes carried out a raid on Hazwan, which led to the death of four people from one family“. Both Syriapost1 and Shahedalep also blamed Russia.

Four victims (who appear to be from the same family given their surnames) were named by the VDC.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult female Listed by VDC killed
Child female Listed by VDC killed
Child female Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Tweet by Syriapsot1 saying that four civilians from one family were killed

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS593

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Location

كفر لاها, Kafr Laha, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.89469, 36.49582 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult female civilian, Amineh Mesheal, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Laha, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “During air duty mission, Su-25 attack aircraft detected 3 hardware columns transporting militants, armament and munitions along the highway Al-Qaryatayn – Homs. The strike resulted in elimination of 9 heavy trucks with munitions and more than 40 militants.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS592

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Location

Liramon, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2386486, 37.0941782 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians (two women and two children) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Liramon, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said Russia was responsible.

According to Halab News, Russian warplanes launched “several raids” on Liramon, resulting in the death of a woman and her daughter.

Four victims were named by the VDC.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female Listed by VDC killed
Adult female Listed by VDC killed
Child male Listed by VDC killed
Child male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS586

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Location

داعل, Dael, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.75466, 36.12958 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman, named as Sawsan Fakhri al Hariri, was killed in an airstrike on Dael, according to local sources – though reports are contested as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

The Violations Documentation and Syria2011 said the victim was killed in a Russian strike. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed regime warplanes. Daraa Martyrs also named the victim but did not say who carried out the attack, referring only to “warplanes“.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS588

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Location

الغارية, Al Gariya, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.6854754, 36.2402058 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including one woman and one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Gariya, according to local sources.

The VDC named one adult male victim of a Russian strike as  Khaled Ayed al Mefrej. All4Syria also attributed the incident to Russia, reporting that “Russian warplanes targeted the towns and cities (Naemeh – East Ghariyah – West Ghariyah – Alma – elSoura – elHerak) with more than 40 raid cluster bombs internationally forbidden, which led to the fall of a number of the victims were civilians, specifically in the east of Gharriyahl.

According to Daraa Martyrs, Khaled Ayed el Mffarej died in a strike by “warplanes”, though didn’t identify the planes. Syria 2011 named an additional two victims of a Russian raid.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yazan Ibrahim Harouni
Child male Named by Syria2011 killed
Fatima Mahmoud al-Ghazali
Adult female Named by Syria2011 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Near al-Ghariyah al-Gharbiyah (Daraa province), a Su-34 bomber made a strike on an ISIS strong point. The direct hit of a guided munition caused complete destruction of the terrorists’ fortifications. Objective monitoring data confirmed elimination of 2 pieces of militants’ armored hardware.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS589

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Location

تلمنس, Talmanas, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.63726, 36.73746 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including two children and three women died in airstrikes on Talmanas, according to local sources – though they are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime, and there is also some confusion on the date of the incident.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 17 civilians died as a result of “raids by warplanes believed to be Russian on Talmanas, al-Ftirah and Aafes“. It put the death toll in Talmanas at six, including one child and three women.

Three victims of a Russian strike were named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies.

Three further victims (from an alleged Russian strike) were named by Syrian Press Center.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights regime shelling killed at least three civilians – though they gave the date for this as a day earlier, February 9th, meaning that this could be a separate incident.

Al Souria also blamed the regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Safa Abdul Kafi A’awad
Age unknown female Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Iman Abdul Kafi A’awad
Age unknown female Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Maryam Abdul Kafi A’awad
Age unknown female Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Mustafa Nidal Al Shawirdi
Child male displaced from the city of Mork in Hama, named by Syrian Press Center killed
Abdalkarim Nidal Al Shawirdi
Age unknown male displaced from the city of Mork in Hama, named by Syrian Press Center killed
Malak Kafi el Awad
Age unknown male from Talmanas, named by Syrian Press Center killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children3 women2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Idlib for the period of February 10th – February 15th and published the following in response to civilian casualty allegations in the governorate during these dates:

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children3 women2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS583

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Location

جبل الزاوية (ابلين), Jabal al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.71345, 36.52933 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and nine civilians including one child died and at least 15 more were injured in an airstrike on Jabal al Zawiya, according to local sources. While most alleged this was the work of Russia, one said the regime was responsible.

Al Souria said that Russia was responsible, putting the death toll at six with at least 15 more injured. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime, putting the death toll at five.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that six civilians including a child were killed when “warplanes” launched a raid on areas of al-Ftirah village in Jabal al Zawiya. It did not specifically say that the warplanes were Russian.

Six victims of a Russian strike were named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies:

A further two victims and an unidentified were listed, again from a Russian strike..

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jamil Mukhtar Theljeh
Age unknown male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Mahmoud Khaled al-Hassan
Age unknown male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Wadah Abu ElKhaysh
Age unknown male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Bilal Abdullah Ibrahim
Child male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Mahmoud Khaled el Khalaf
Age unknown male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Shahid
Age unknown male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, Son of Hisham Hallak killed
Hisham Fitrawi
Age unknown male killed
Hisham Abdu Khallouf
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1 child1 woman0–7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported that a “Su-24 bomber destroyed the ISIS commabd center in the Idlib province.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1 child1 woman0–7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]