Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4182

Incident date

November 19, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilian casualties were recorded by a single source, as a result of airstrikes on multiple villages in Idlib province on November 19th 2019. Airwars is presently unable to provide more specific detail.

Airstrikes by “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships” were reported by local news source Shaam News to have hit eight towns in Idlib (Kfarouma, Hass, Hazarine, Kafarsijnah, Musharrafa, Balaysa and Maarat Harmah), which it said had resulted in unspecified civilian harm. The source additionally claimed that there were initial reports of phosphorus having been used in one of the villages (Musharrafa).

An additional five towns were said to have come under artillery fire (Arinba, Sheikh Mustafa, Jabala, Najia and Kinda).

No further reports relating to the incident are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1844

Incident date

November 20, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Coalition was said to have fired white phosphorus munitions on Hajin, according to sources on the ground.

Free Deir Ezzor Radio claimed that it was the sixth time Coalition forces used white phosphorus during the month.

Amongst others, Sound and Picture and Sana News claimed that civilians were killed and injured, but exact numbers were not stated.

Marsad al Hasakah reported that the town had come under fierce artillery bombardment: “The heavy artillery of Syrian Democratic Forces [in fact likely the Coalition] did not stop targeting the market behind the General Hospital and the neighbourhoods near the Khalid ibn al-Walid mosque and near the  Al-Tawheed mosque amid intermittent clashes between SDF and ISIS on the outskirts of Hajin  on the side of the Badia [the desert] and near al Jaabi area. The suffering of thousands of civilians trapped in the areas under the control of ISIS in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour areas, continue after they have become a direct target of the bombing of the international coalition forces and the SDF.”

In its December 2020 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that it had conducted no strikes in the geographical area which corresponded with civilian harm claims.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • White phosphorus bomb according to Deir Ezzor Radio Facebook post on November 20th, 2018.
  • White phosphorus bomb according to Deir Ezzor Radio Facebook post on November 20th, 2018.
  • White phosphorus bomb according to Deir Ezzor Radio Facebook post on November 20th, 2018.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Hajin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU676401
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 15, 2020

  • Nov. 20, 2018, in Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3235/CS1844 37SFU676401

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 20th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 20 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, six strikes destroyed six supply routes.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France report that from Nov 14th – 20th, Task Force Wagram conducted 64 firing missions – 47 ‘lighting’, 17 ‘destruction’. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties but there were no strikes.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, marque actuellement un temps d’arrêt. Appuyées par la coalition, les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions avant de relancer leur offensive. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. Evitant le contact, Daech tente d’alimenter un sentiment d’insécurité par des actions clandestines ciblant indistinctement les FSI ou la population irakienne. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Elle a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 64 missions de tir (47 éclairement, 17 destruction – bilan du 14 au 20 novembre inclus).’ Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2165 missions de tirs.'

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For November 14th-20th 2018, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16’s supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 10 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting IS warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 14 t/m 20 November laat MinDef weten F-16’s te hebben ingezet tijdens 10 missies ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Bij 3 werden wapens ingezet, boven Deir al Zour in Syrie. Opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities van IS zijn vernietigd.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3282

Incident date

March 16, 2018

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.511853, 36.372857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 61 and 80 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Kafr Batna, Damascus governorate. Estimates of injured civilians range from 100 up to 200.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria documented 61 civilian fatalities. @SiegeWatch put the death toll between 61 and 70, whereas other media such as Shaam News Agency reported more than 80 civilians killed. Multiple sources said that the fatalities were mostly women and children, but the exact numbers remain unclear.

@aboalhodaalhoms tweeted that 77 people were killed, stating most of them were civilians. Several sources, such as DoumaTV, reported that the bodies of victims had been charred. According to Shaam News Agency, “pillars of smoke and flames were rising from [civilian] houses, where many civilians were burned alive.”

The Syrian Civil Defence reported more than a 100 wounded. @SiegeWatch reported more than 200 injured in the attack “with four missiles from a Russian jet containing incendiary material (suspected napalm).” @RaedAlSaleh3 reported “hundreds of injured”.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee wrote that the incident occured in the morning.

According to Shaam News Agency, Syrian Civil Defence teams tried to recover the bodies of killed civilians and to evacuate the wounded to medical points, but there was “great difficulty in transporting the injured to the field hospitals due to continued heavy shelling.”

Several sources reported that residential areas, civilian homes and the popular market place of the city were targeted and suggested that napalm was used. Shaam News Agency mentioned the use of “cluster bombs, phosphorus, napalm, as well as poisonous gases”.

Whereas some sources blamed the Russian forces for the airstrikes, others blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    61 – 80
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100–200
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • 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 (48) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Casualties in the aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018. (via Shaam News Network)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Shaam News Network).
  • Footage showing the aftermath of airstrikes, 16th March 2018. (via Doma RV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dozens of casualties after airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Al Jazeera).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dozens of casualties after airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Marsad Al Hasaka).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dozens of casualties after airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Marsad Al Hasaka).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dozens of casualties after airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Marsad Al Hasaka).
  • Dozens of casualties after airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Marsad Al Hasaka).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dozens of casualties after airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Marsad Al Hasaka).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dozens of casualties in the aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Marsad Al Hasaka).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via @SiegeWatch).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via @bin_kfit).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via @OrientNews).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via @aboalhodaalhoms).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via @RaedAlSaleh3).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via @RaedAlSaleh3).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Baladi News).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Kafr Batna, March 16th 2018 (via Baladi News).

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    61 – 80
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100–200
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • 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 (48) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3279

Incident date

March 15, 2018

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55869, 36.36515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians (adult males) died and several more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Harasta, according to local media.

The Step News Agency reported that “Russian air strikes with rockets loaded with napalm, incendiary, cluster bombs, and explosive barrels [were dropped] on Harasrta”, among other locations.

But according to @Mustafa_ElHidir, the regime “targeted residential neighborhoods in the city of Harasta with several barrel bombs from helicopters”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali al-Azn, known as Abu al-Rawd
Adult male killed
Al-Hajj Abdul Kafi Qadado
Age unknown male

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3276

Incident date

March 15, 2018

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian harm incident, up to 21 civilians died and as many as 70 more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Zamalka. Many sources said that this was a chemical attack by the regime, though there were also multiple allegations against Russia.

The Violations Documentation Centre named “18 victims killed in warplane shelling by Syrian government and affiliated militias”.

@Mo7ameDAl_shami and other sources noted reports of “toxic gases”.

According to Micro Syria, the town was bombarded with barrel bombs dropped by the regime and warplane raids by Russa, along with artillery fire. The source said the bombardment had “hysterically targeted places crowded with civilians. It recorded:

30 Russian warplanes

24 barrel bombs

25 heavy artillery shells”

The White Helmets reported  “Twenty-one martyrs, including three women and two children, with more than 70 others injured”. It added that residential neighbourhoods had been targeted with “16 air strikes, 18 barrel bombs, more than 60 rockets, rocket launchers and heavy artillery, along with incendiary Napalm bombs”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Fahed Zain al-Deen
Adult male killed
Hasan Zain al-Deen
Adult male killed
Yazan Zain al-Dee
Adult male killed
Haneen Zain al-Deen
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Ragad al-Malla
Child female killed
Qamar al-Malla
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Yasin Diae al-Shaikh
Adult male killed
Mahmoud al-Helo
Adult male killed
Iman al-Dabbas
Adult female killed
Salwa al-Dahla
Adult female killed
Abo Ali Shaikho
Adult male killed
Haytham Shaebia
Adult male killed
Khaled Wakkaf
Adult male killed
Husam Karkour
Adult male killed
Abdo Saedoun
Adult male killed
Mahmoud Laila
Adult male killed
Waleed al-Sadat
Adult male killed
Alae Faeour
Adult male killed
Zia Sheikh
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 21
  • (2 children2–3 women12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–70
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded child following a strike on Zamalka, March 15th 2018.

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
    18 – 21
  • (2 children2–3 women12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–70
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr083

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Location

صحن الجن, Sahn Al Jin, Marib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.505900, 45.326273 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local language sources reported that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants with “phosphorous bombs” near Sahn Al Jin, in Marib governorate, on May 8th 2017.

Though most sources assigned responsibility to the US, two social media sources instead asserted that Saudi Arabian forces were responsible, leading Airwars to assess this event as Contested. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Sources indicated that “dozens” were killed and injured in the strikes, reportedly targeted alleged militants training on a farm near the Sahn Al Jin “Tadawin” camp. As such, Airwars has set the minimum number of deaths at twelve, with a maximum of 24, to reflect the description of “dozens”. Numbers of injured belligerents have been set similarly.

According to some sources, three phosphorous bombs were dropped in the area. Most suggested that the strikes were carried out by a drone, though some instead mentioned ballistic missiles.

Though no sources explicitly mentioned the timing of the reported strikes, alleged images of the strikes indicated that they took place during the night.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Saudi-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    12–24
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Multiple local language reported that phosphorous bombs targeted alleged AQAP militants in or near Sahn al-Jin on May 8th 2017. Alleged photographs of the strikes indicated that they took place during the night. (@Net333Raed, May 8th 2017).
  • Multiple local language reported that phosphorous bombs targeted alleged AQAP militants in or near Sahn al-Jin on May 8th 2017. Alleged photographs of the strikes indicated that they took place during the night. (@Net333Raed, May 8th 2017).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a farm being struck in the vicinity of Sahn Al Jin (صحن الجن) military camp. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Sahn Al Jin are: 15.505900, 45.326273.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Saudi-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Saudi-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    12–24
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (26) [ collapse]