Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4257

Incident date

December 17, 2019

Location

معصران, Ma’saran, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four to seven people, including a woman, were reportedly killed and between ten and seventeen civilians, including two children, injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the village of Ma’saran in the afternoon of December 17th, 2019, according to local sources. The day was referred to as “Black Tuesday” by the local media due to the severity of the major military escalation in Idlib on that day.

Most sources claimed seven civilians died, identifying the names as Abdul-Fattah Ibrahim Al-Abbas and his wife, Sobhia Al-Abdullah, Alaa Abdulsalam Al-Saghir, Abd al-Hakim al-Musa, Jalal Hassani and Duraid Al-Wali. Abdul Fattah Al-Abbas’ wife allegedly passed away hours after the attack due to a stroke. @zamanalwsl reported instead that the attack only caused three casualties. According to Smart News Agency, seventeen civilians were wounded, at least including two children, while @Shahbapress reported merely “about ten wounded civilians”.

While a majority of sources blame the Syrian regime for the attack, a number of sources attribute the strikes to both Russian and Syrian regime forces. Shaam News Network blamed Russian forces for the airstrike.

The attack consisted of three vacuum missiles fired by Syrian regime warplanes according to Orient News. According to @khaleedalkhteb, the belligerents attacked with both areal and ground bombardment.

A reporter of Idlib Media Center said that “the Syrian warplanes type ‘SU22’ targeted the town of Ma’saran, east of Idlib, and the target was direct to the popular market for the town, and the regime forces again targeted the town with heavy artillery that killed civilians”.

Usama Abo Ahmad mourned the death of his cousin posting on Facebook: “The martyr, God willing, my cousin, Jalal Khaled Hassani”.

Video footage shows the immediate aftermath of the incident, documenting several corpses being removed by civilians and White Helmets and the destruction of residential houses.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Fattah Al-Abbas عبدالفتاح ابراهيم العباس
Age unknown male killed
Sobhia Al-Abdullah, Abdul Fattah Al-Abbas' wife صبحية العبدالله , زوجة عبدالفتاح ابراهيم العباس
Age unknown female Died of a stroke several hours after the attack

The victims were named as:

Nour Nazzal نور نزال
Adult male killed
Alaa Abdulsalam Al-Saghir علاء عبدالسلام الصغير
Age unknown male killed
Duraid Al-Wali دريد الوالي
Age unknown male killed
Jalal Hassani جلال حساني
Age unknown male killed
Abd al-Hakim al-Musa بدالحكيم الموسى
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (1 woman2–6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (43) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Edlib Media Center on Facebook).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Edlib Media Center on Facebook).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Edlib Media Center on Facebook).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Edlib Media Center on Facebook).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Edlib Media Center on Facebook).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Edlib Media Center on Facebook).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Macro Media Center on Facebook).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Macro Media Center on Facebook).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Macro Media Center on Facebook).
  • A destroyed motorcycle after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Shaam News).
  • Destruction after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Shaam News).
  • A destroyed vegetable shop after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Shaam News).
  • A destroyed building after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Shaam News).
  • Destruction after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via @zamanalwsl).
  • Civilians inspecting the damage after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via @zamanalwsl).
  • Destruction after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via @zamanalwsl).
  • A destroyed house after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via @zamanalwsl).
  • Two injured children rescued by White Helmets after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Desertion and blood stains after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency)
  • Destruction and rubble after an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in Ma’saran on December 17th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian 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
    4 – 7
  • (1 woman2–6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (43) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4191

Incident date

November 23, 2019

Location

قرية الصافي, al-Safi village, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three women from the same family and a child were reported killed, and a man and his son injured when their vehicle was hit by a Russian armored military vehicle in Al Safi village in Manbej, Aleppo governorate in Syria, on November 23rd 2019 according to local sources.

Local sources stated that the accident occured near the Al Safi junction, where the armored military vehicle collided with a Hyundai Pickup. Sources also reported that the Russian vehicle did not stop and continued after the collision.

According to the Step News Agency, “A Russian armoured military vehicle collided with a civilian car near the city of Manbij, east of Aleppo, killing 3 women and a girl and seriously injuring another civilian.”

Local sources said the women are from ‘Alkolal’ family, originally from Al Hodhod village north of Manbej, and that they were going to pay condolences in a neighboring village when the incident happened. Local sources said that the Russian vehicle continued and didn’t stop after the incident what caused outrage among civilians.

Jorf said that the driver of the civilian vehicle was injured, along with his son.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The remains of a civilian car following an alleged collision with a Russian military vehicle in al-Safi village, Manbij, Nov 23rd (via Step)
  • The remains of a civilian car following an alleged collision with a Russian military vehicle in al-Safi village, Manbij, Nov 23rd (via Step)
  • The civilian vehicle after collision with the Russian armored vehicle (via Shaam)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS371

Incident date

October 26, 2019

Location

مقطرة, Meqtera, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.607122, 38.738136 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, Semîra Ana, suffered a heart attack due to fear brought on by Turkish attacks in Meqtera, Tal Abyad.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Semîra Ana
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Meqtara (مقطرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.607122, 38.738136. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3703

Incident date

May 21–22, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان , Ma'arat al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty incident, between nine and 12 civilians including a child died and up to 50 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on a popular market in Maarat al Numan, according to sources on the ground. Eight of those killed were identified, and the ninth one was identified as a ‘young man from Hama.’

Orient News said the raids targeted Al Korniche street in Ma’arat Al Nu’man.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was among a number of sources blaming Russia. It put the death toll at 12 with 18 more wounded, adding that the death count was likely to rise due to the severity of injuries.

The lowest death count was given at seven civilians with 40 more wounded by Orient News, who joined multiple other reports in attributing blame to the regime.  Later, @Halid_Kutayni65 Tweeted that 50 people were wounded.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, ” at least nine civilians, including a child, were killed as Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired two missiles on local market in the main square known as al Masqed al Kabir square in the middle of Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on May 22, 2019.” SN4HR added that two civilians were also killed “near al Kabir Mosque in the middle of Ma’aret al Numan.

Geiroon quoted Ghayath al-Daher, a media activist in Ma’arat al-Nu’man: “The L39 warplanes targeted the densely populated Corniche Street in the city of Ma’arat al-Nu’man with several air strikes with high-explosive rockets, killing 11 Civilians in an initial toll. Most bodies were turned to pieces – and 20 other were wounded, many extremely seriously. There was extensive destruction to residential buildings and shops.”

Ariha Today said that vacuum rockets were used in the attack.

Shahba Press noted that the raids happened “after midnight.”

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Hassan Haddad حسن حداد
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Hassan Haddad احمد حسن حداد
Age unknown male killed
Samer Ahmed Haddad سامر احمد حداد
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Shawwaf محمد الشواف
Child male killed
Hasan Khaled Al-Marie حسن خالد المارعي
Age unknown male killed
Adham Jamal Izmerly أدهم جمال ازمرلي
Age unknown male killed
Rami Hafsergawi رامي حفسرجاوي
Age unknown male killed
Qutaiba Al-Saraqabi قتيبة السراقبي
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (1 child8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (46) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (37) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Maarat al Numan, May 21st-22nd.
  • The aftermath of alleged regime airstrikes on Maarat al Numan, May 21st-22nd.
  • Footage of the aftermath of alleged regime airstrikes on Maarat al Numan, May 21st-22nd.
  • Translation: "#Russian air raids on #Marat_Numan city in the southern countryside of #Idlib There are 11 dead"
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene following strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22 (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene following strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22 (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene following strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22 (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction following the strikes on a popular market in Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22 2019.
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime strike on the market in Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21st (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (Mohammed Ghorab via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (Mohammed Ghorab via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (Mohammed Ghorab via MMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A body of a civilian killed in alleged airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man can be seen on the ground on May 21st, 2019. (SNHR via MMC)
  • Airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market on May 21st 2019 killed and injured civilians and led to huge destruction. (via Shaba press).
  • Airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market on May 21st 2019 killed and injured civilians and led to huge destruction. (via Shaba press).
  • Airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market on May 21st 2019 killed and injured civilians and led to huge destruction. (via Shaba press).
  • Airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market on May 21st 2019 killed and injured civilians and led to huge destruction. (via Shaba press).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic content on the alleged Russian airstrikes n Ma'arat Al Nu'man

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Alleged Russian airstrikes killed civilians and led to severe damage in Ma'arat Al Nu'amn on May 21st, 2019. (Almaaralover via MMC).

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian 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
    9 – 12
  • (1 child8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (46) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM135-C

Incident date

July 22–27, 2018

Location

Marka, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

1.716269, 44.769753 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A strike reportedly hit a village outside Marka, a city around 60 miles south of Mogadishu, according to a field investigation by a reporter for The Nation. There were no reports of immediate civilian harm, though a man reportedly died of a heart attack following the violence.

Airwars has placed this event in a date range from July 22nd-27th 2019, reflecting limits to current reporting.

Khadija Hassan Ali, a mother of three, spoke to the reporter Amanda Sperber: “Ali said that her husband, Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan, died in late July from what she believes was a heart attack after night-time strikes hit her village amid fighting between Al Shabab and government-led militias. She is certain of the timing because, in Somali culture, a wife formally mourns for four months and 10 days after the death of her husband, so she had the dates in mind when I talked with her in late November.”

The only strike that US Africa Command claim to have conducted in late July was around 50 kilometres north of Kismayo on July 23rd – which Airwars has recorded separately. However as Sperber notes, Kismayo is over 400km away from Marka.

According to the article, an international human rights organisation additionally leaked a document to the reporter that indicated a strike occurred on July 25th in Qalimow, but this is about 95 miles away from Ali’s home. This event also has its own entry.

The US was thought to be the only country conducting airstrikes in this region of Somalia at the time. Sperber suggests that the strike may not match AFRICOM’s records because it could potentially be a CIA strike.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan
Age unknown male Died of a heart attack following reported "night time strikes hit [the] village amid fighting between al Shabaab and government-led militias." killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in a strike outside of the city Marka. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to locate the precise location of the strike. The coordinates for the city of Marka are: 1.716269, 44.769753.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces 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)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3341

Incident date

March 26, 2018

Location

القادرية, Al Qadriya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.898908, 36.309807 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 12-year-old girl reportedly died due to a heart attack as she escaped her school in the village of Al Qadriya when the area was targeted by alleged Russian or Syrian regime warplanes.

@mohanadalshekh reported that Lujain Rashid (12) from Al Qadriya village in Jisr Al-Shughour countryside died “as a result of the stopping of the heart muscle as she escaped from school due to the attack of a warplane on the villages of Jisr Al Shughour.”

Smart News Agency reported that activists from the village of Al Qadriya stated that the “military aircraft, likely to be Russian, launched a raid on residential neighbourhoods in the city of Jisr Al Shughour”, and that fear made her heart stop as she fled the school. Human Voice reported the warplanes were Syrian regime aircraft.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Lujain Rasheed لجين رشيد
12 years old female from the village of Al Qadriya, died due to a heart attack when she heard the sound of warplanes killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Lujain Rashid (12) died of a heart attack when she heard the sound of warplanes near her village Al Qadriya on March 26th, 2018 (via @mnafsyria).

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian 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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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]