Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM252

Incident date

October 25, 2019

Location

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.06978, 42.748066 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local reports claimed that a pair of airstrikes by unknown international powers – presumably either the United States or Kenya – had targeted al Shabaab fighters in the towns of Jamaame and Buaale.

According to Radio Kulmiye, “Another airstrikes were reported [on October 25th] from Middle Juba region, highly controlled by Al-Shabaab. Witnesses said that Jamame and Bu’ale districts were targeted by unspecified war planes. An official named Hussien is said to have [been] wounded the airstrike and other militants were killed. There is no government claimed responsibility, but US and Kenyan governments always conduct air strikes to eliminate Al-Shabaab. Somali government is also yet to comment these strikes.”

Somalia Online News reported al Shabaab casualties at Buaale though not at Jamaame: “Gunmen have attacked the villages of Jamame and Buale last night and reportedly killed al-Shabaab fighters and officials. Residents told the media that at Buale an al Shabaab officer called Hussein was wounded, with several members of al-Shabaab killed.”

Asked whether it had been responsible for this event, in February 2020 a senior AFRICOM official told Airwars that this was not the case. However, this may not preclude actions by the CIA which conducts its own undeclared strikes in Somalia.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the town Jamaame, for which the coordinates are: 0.06978, 42.748066. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kenyan Military Forces
  • Kenyan Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4116

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

الجانودية, Al Janoudia, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8839, 36.291466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven or eight civilians died and 15 to 18 others were wounded in alleged regime or Russian strikes on Al Janoudia the afternoon of October 24, 2019, local media reported.

Edlib Media Centre reported: “Artillery and rocket shelling by regime forces targeted the town of al-Janodiya in the Jisr al-Shughour area of ​​western Idlib countryside on Thursday October 24th, killing six people and wounding seventeen others.”

According to @ShahbaPress, there were “up to 7 martyrs and at least 15 wounded due to the targeting of al-Assad forces in al-Janoudia town west of Idlib with artillery and rockets.” However, @abuhuzaifa_ blamed “Russian militia shelling”.

@SyrianCoalition reported that “six civilians were martyred by rocket shelling of the Assad regime, on Thursday evening, on the vegetable market in the town of Al Janoudia in Idlib, which was packed with civilians and farmers”. Many sources identified the market that was struck as Al-Hal Market.

A tweet from @HadiAlabdallah reported “at least 7 civilian martyrs and dozens of wounded.”

A Facebook post by Marekoo.salh.9 put the number of civilians injured up to 18.

One of the victims, Ammar Alikou, died of his injuries on October 27th, 2019, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

@la1mea named five other civilians that were killed: Sherif Mohamed Sharif, Firas Yassin Boustany, Muhammad Anzawi, Muhammad Ayoub Giro, and Thaer Gharibi.

Abd al-Qadir Najib Razo was also identified as being killed and while the majority of sources identify them as a civilian, the Violations Documentation Center reported that they were a non-civilian member of Faylaq al-Sham.

A video posted by @W2VwmFMCVowAhEb shows the body of a victim being placed in a white van, where another body had already been placed. Another video posted by @aboalhodaalhoms shows three other bodies being removed from the market and placed in white vans.

Various sources identified artillery and missile strikes as being part of the attack and they were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Alikou عمار عليكو
Adult male died of his injuries on October 27th, 2019 killed
Thaer Omar Gharibi ثائر عمر الغريبي
Adult male killed
Sherif Mohamed Sharif شريف محمد شريف
Age unknown killed
Firas Yassin Boustany فراس ياسين بستاني
Age unknown male killed
Muhammad Anzawi محمد عنزاوي
Age unknown killed
Muhammad Ayoub Giro محمد ايوب جيرو
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–18
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al Janoudia, Oct 24th.
  • Photo of the alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime artillery and rocket strikes on the town of Al Janodia, Idlib province, on October 24th 2019 (via @SyrianCoalition).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Caption translation: Civilian homes and markets are still a target for the Assad regime and its allies, as artillery shelling hit the town of al-Janudiyah, killing 6 civilians and wounding 17 others. (Image posted by @RaedAlSaleh3)
  • Image of The martyr, God willing, Firas Yassin Boustani, from Jisr Al-Shughour, the village of Al-Janudiyah - killed in strikes on October 24, 2019 (Image posted by Shohada`a & Mafqudeen Jisr alshoghour via Facebook)

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
    7 – 8
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–18
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC227

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.709600, 13.382378 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A nurse was reportedly injured in an LNA airstrike on a field hospital in Wadi al Rabie.

Al Wasat reported: “The media office of Operation Volcano of Wrath announced that a nurse was injured in an aerial bombardment that targeted the field hospital in Wadi al Rabie axis south of the capital Tripoli.

The office said that the nurse was taken to a hospital in the capital for treatment, noting that the bombing caused extensive damage to the hospital, and the destruction of a number of ambulances.”

Other sources published similar accounts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the field hospital allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • A car allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Picture of the field hospital allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Cars allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Building allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Building allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Impact of an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Ordnance allegedly used in an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Ordnance allegedly used in an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • A car allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • An ambulance allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • A car and an ambulance allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • A car and an ambulance allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • An ambulance allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.709600, 13.382378. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC226

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

صلاح الدين, Salaheddin, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.846389, 13.161667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One paramedic was allegedly killed in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on a field hospital in the Salaheddin neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Afrigate News said: “One of the members of the ambulance and emergency department centre was killed by aerial bombardment in the Salaheddin area south of Tripoli.

The centre said that one of the members of the ambulance and emergency department, Salem Anfis, was killed in an airstrike at dawn on Thursday, in Salaheddin field hospital, which was instrumental in serving and rescuing the wounded of the clashes from all sides.”

Al Wasat reported four injured medical workers in addition to the dead paramedic.

Libya Alahar TV and the GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation both accused the UAE of conducting the strike. The Libya Observer blamed “Haftar’s UAE-backed air force”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salem Anfis
Adult male Paramedic killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Picture of Salem Anfis, allegedly killed by an airstrike on Salaheddin on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Fire resulting from an airstrike on Salaheddin on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Another picture of Salem Anfis, allegedly killed by an airstrike on Salaheddin on October 24th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Salaheddin (صلاح الدين), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.846389, 13.161667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Salaheddin (صلاح الدين).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS365a

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.655309, 40.372388 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, one civilian aged 58 was injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Tal Tamr in Hasaka governorate – Syria on October 24th, 2019. No more details currently available.

@DrMWilk reported that “four seriously injured people” were brought to the hospital in Tal Tamr.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Tamr (تل تمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.655309, 40.372388. 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
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC227a

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

مطار الكفرة, Kufra Airport, Kufra, Libya

Geolocation

24.191796, 23.326588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and one or two reported injured by an explosive remnant of war in Kufra.

Al Wasat said: “Two youths were injured when a shell exploded in the airport neighborhood in the southeastern city of Kufra on Thursday evening, local sources said.

The sources said that the shell was a remnant of the war in the region during the past years, and the explosion wounded two young Omar Saad al-Shamekh and Marei Mohammed al-Sabbagh, who were immediately rescued to the city hospital for treatment.

The same sources pointed out that the two young men have been amputated in the limbs because of the force of the missile explosion, and need urgent surgical intervention.”

Libya’s Channel provided a different account of events: “One person was killed and another injured in the city of Kufra, as a shell exploded left over from the clashes that took place in the city during the past years.

According to the reporter from Libya’s Channel in the city that the two citizens were severely injured by the explosion, and severed limbs, and after being transferred to the hospital, one of them died and the other was given the necessary assistance, explaining that they were trying to remove the shell from its place so as not to harm others, and during the attempt to remove them exploded and transported And then to the city hospital.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Saad al-Shamekh
Adult male injured
Marei Mohammed al-Sabbagh
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Kufra Airport (مطار الكفرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 24.191796, 23.326588. 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4115

Incident date

October 23, 2019

Location

بلدات متعدده, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian warplanes launched air strikes amid artillery shelling by the Assad forces on the city of Kafrnabal and the towns of Maarat Harmah, Hazarin, Al-Rakaya, Kafarsijah, Al-Taht, Sheikh Mustafa, Babolin, Rakaya Sijnah, Al-Raffa, Umm Jalal and Tal al-Nar, which resulted in civilian casualties.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC225

Incident date

October 23, 2019

Location

مسجد المقداد بن عمرو, Miqdad bin Amr Mosque, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.793069, 13.208002 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One paramedic was reportedly killed by an LNA airstrike on the Khallet Al Furjan neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Hona Souq Al-Khmies initially reported an air raid in the area and later said that they “targeted a field hospital of Khallet Al Furjan and the killed of one of the paramedics.”

The Libya Observer later said: “The Director of the Ambulance Service Office of Tripoli International Airport, Abdul Majid Al-Ferjani, was killed by shrapnel in an attack on Khallet Al-Furjan area, by Haftar’s forces.”

Shaban Bin Nasser said the incident took place near the Miqdad bin Amr Mosque.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Majid Al-Ferjani
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Majid Al-Ferjani, allegedly killed by an LNA strike on Tripoli on October 23rd, 2019 (via Ambulance Services Libya)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Miqdad bin Amr Mosque (مسجد المقداد بن عمرو) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.793069, 13.208002. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]