Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

SDF00034

Incident date

September 9, 2023

Location

بالقرب من ذيبان, Euphrates River crossing in the outskirts of Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 12-year-old boy was killed and at least three other civilians were injured while trying to cross the Euphrates river near the town of Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, Syria, short before 5:55 PM on Saturday, September 9, 2023. They were allegedly struck by bullets from the SDF and/or PKK militia members stationed near the Al-Hafel water station in the town of Dhiban.

Naher Media was first to report about the incident, indicating that the civilians received injuries of varying severity. Bullets struck and killed 12-year-old Ahmed Ismail Al Khater Al-Khafaji and injured three others as they were attempting to return to Dhiban from Al-Mayadeen through the Euphrates River crossing, according to Shaam News, with Al Khater struck fatally.

According to Orient News and the report by Zaman al-Wasl referring to the local sources from the countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, the group had reportedly been displaced from the town a few days before due to fighting between members of the Arab tribes and the SDF forces happening in Dhiban.

A video posted by @Omar_Madaniah on Twitter/X social media platform showed Al Kater’s father stroking his son’s head as he lay on a bed after the attack and was being washed before the funeral. In other images, including one posted by @IdlibCallingSy, Al Khater lay on the floor in a soaked and torn shirt, his eyes nearly closed.

Where sources identified the belligerent, most local outlets, including Shaam News, attributed the attack to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). However, some other local sources, including Twitter/X user @alkhabour21, said the PKK was responsible, but both belligerents are a part of Kurdish militia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Ismail Al-Khater Al-Khafaji أحمد إسماعيل الخاطر الخفاجي
12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlfratNda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @IdlibCallingSy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ayn Al Aljazeera

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: D.Z.alaassd

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00029

Incident date

September 6, 2023

Location

قرب الصرف الصحي الفاصل بين الطيانة وذيبان, near the sewer pipe between Al Thayana and Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, a child was injured by the bullets allegedly coming from an SDF checkpoint near the sewer pipe separating the towns of Al-Tayana and Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor. The incident was reported by multiple local sources indicating that the child was from the town of Al-Tayana.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the shooting to Syrian Democratic Forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (7) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS627

Incident date

September 5, 2023

Location

قرية الحويجة, Al-Hawija village, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

A male civilian was injured in a bombing suspected to have been carried out by the Turkish military during the night of September 5, 2023 in Al-Hawija village in Ain Issa district. A Hawar News correspondent named the injured civilian as 23 year old Khalil Ibrahim Al-Hamad who was taken to the National Hospital in Raqqa for treatment; it is unclear what injuries he sustained in the attack.

Several homes were damaged in the attack. Images shared by Hogir Necar were taken during the night with reduced visibility but show the resulting damage in three different locations, including a hole in an external residential building the size of a doorway, and rubble scattered on the street from another location damaged by the bombing. Hawar News discussed this bombing attack alongside a further context of recent use of “machine guns and heavy weapons” in the area by the Turkish Army.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Ibrahim Al-Hamad
23 years old male injured

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling in Ain Issa district on September 5, 2023. (Image posted by Hogir necar via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling in Ain Issa district on September 5, 2023. (Image posted by Hogir necar via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling in Ain Issa district on September 5, 2023. (Image posted by Hogir necar via Facebook)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00028

Incident date

September 5, 2023

Location

العزبة, Al Azzba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one person, a young male civilian who had been riding a motorcycle, was injured in the area of Al Izbah, north-east of Deir Ezzor when he was allegedly struck by a Syrian Democratic Forces sniper on Tuesday, September 5th 2023. According to a number of sources, when local residents tried to help him, they were also reportedly attacked by the sniper.

Naher Media reported that the man had been out after the SDF imposed curfew buying food for his children when the incident happened.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian injured by alleged SDF sniper fire in Al Azzba on September 5, 2023. (Image posted by @ralshhwan9)

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00016

Incident date

September 2, 2023

Location

مدينة البصيرة, city of Al-Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Ongoing clashes between the SDF and the Arab clans led to between four and six civilians, including a woman, being injured on September 2, 2023. These civilian injuries have been attributed to snipers of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) operating in Al-Basira, by local sources.

Nahr Media reported that six civilians were injured (one woman and five men) by SDF snipers but within the same article quoted a correspondent who said that snipers injured five civilians, including a woman, making it unclear which of the casualty tolls is accurate. Other sources on Twitter such as @ralshhwan9 and @Sharqya_reporte placed the number of civilians injured by SDF snipers in Al-Basira at four. One of these civilians, injured on the shoulder was identified as Khalil al-Deitri and another who sustained a head injury was identified as Taha al-Mallouh. An Ain Al-Furat Network correspondent quoted by Eye of Euphrates added that Taha was taken to the hospital and was in serious condition due to his injury.

All of the sources attributed the civilian injuries to the SDF, specifically snipers. According to Naher Media, SDF forces were sending reinforcements to Al-Basira under cover of shelling and that the snipers were deployed on” Al-Basira Hill, on the reservoir, and on high-altitude civilian homes near the hill” after expelling the residents.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (12) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0010

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

الشحيل, al-Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 30, 2023, two civilians were allegedly killed by members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) operating in al-Shahil, a town in eastern Syria. The two civilian deaths occurred while the SDF was clashing with tribal fighters in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.

One of the two civilians killed was Awad Al-Habil al-Jakhani, per reporting by al-Sharquia 24 News, DeirEzzor24 News, Sharquia Voice, and multiple independent journalists. According to a report by Nashit News, al-Jakhani was unarmed.

The other civilian who was killed has not been identified.

According to the Euphrates Post, the Syrian Democratic Forces offered an official statement, in which they acknowledged the civilian casualties and expressed regret for the incident. The SDF statement included a pledge for the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of all responsible parties. However, Airwars has been unable to find the official statement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Awad Al-Habil al-Jakhani عواد الهبيل الجخاني
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Armed clashes between tribesmen and #SDF militias in the town of Al-Shuhail in the countryside of #Deir_ez-Zor. The clashes led to the killing of a civilian by SDF bullets and the wounding of others.

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0008

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

ضمان, Daman, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, including a child, were killed during a raid by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the village of Daman on August 30, 2023.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four people were killed during a pre-dawn raid of their homes when the civilians refused to follow the SDF’s orders to leave their homes. Zaman Al Wasl identified two of those killed as a child named Hakam Nawaf al-Sarhan (between 9 to 12 years old) and his father, killed by firing squad. Shaam News reported that three civilians, including a child, were killed. The Syrian News Agency provided the name of the father killed as Nawaf Rashu Al-Sarhan and another civilian killed in the raid as Abdul Razzaq Bashi Al-Sarhan, emphasizing that all of the victims were civilians who did not participate in the clashes in Deir Ezzor.

Euphrates Post added that Hani Saleh Al-Medad (28 years old), an employee in Al-Omar field, was also killed during the SDF raid, and that Abdul was killed while sleeping on his roof by a sniper bullet. @DeirEzzore and @AljazeeraSouria tweeted that Hani was initially arrested and that his body was subjected to severe torture.

According to Naher Media, gunmen riding motorcycles killed and injured a number of SDF members when they targeted an SDF checkpoint in the communications department of Daman. In retaliation, SDF forces with 10 camels stormed the village of Daman, firing indiscriminately and executing four civilians in their homes.

All of the sources attributed the raid and civilian casualties to the SDF, while @DeirEzzore specified that the HAT militia was responsible.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hakam Nawaf al-Sarhan
10 years old male killed
Nawaf Rashu Al-Sarhan
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq Bashi Al-Sarhan
Age unknown killed
Hani Saleh Al-Medad
28 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The child named Hakam Nawaf al-Sarhan (between 9 to 12 years old), killed along with his father in clashes in Deir Ezzor on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by Euphrates Post via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the child named Hakam Nawaf al-Sarhan (between 9 to 12 years old), killed along with his father in clashes in Deir Ezzor on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)
  • Hani Al-Saleh, 28 years old, from the village of Daman, killed in clashes in Deir Ezzor on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of Hani Al-Saleh, 28 years old, from the village of Daman, killed in clashes in Deir Ezzor on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00011

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

الصنور, Al Sanour, Abo Hama, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 30th, 2023, during clashes in Abo Hama between SDF forces and tribal fighters, Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah, 15 years old, and young man Bashar Al-Abd Al-Ali, were killed and 10 other civilians were injured, according to reports from multiple news agencies and the boy’s family.

Sada Al Sharqieh was the sole report found within the sources to report that Bahar Al-Abd Al- Ali had been killed and Shaam News was the sole report found within the sources to allege that 10 civilians had been injured.

According to reports from @freesyriachann, @Rian_almasri, @EuphratesPost, and others, Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah was killed by a stray bullet, and they did not allege any specific belligerent was responsible, while Shaam News, Alaraby News, @SyriaFreew, and others allege that SDF fighters were responsible for his death. Further details about Bashar Al-Abd Al-Ali or injured civilians were not available within the sources, except that they had been victims of the violent clashes in Abo Hama, east of Deir Ezzor. Shaam News reported that Abo Hama was hit by “indiscriminate shelling by the SDF with heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades” and @yasersoufi alleged SDF forces hit civilian homes with mortar shells and heavy artillery.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah
15 years old male killed
Bashar Al-Abd Al-Ali
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah, 15 years old, killed during clashes between the SDF and tribal fighters in Abo Hama on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)
  • Youssef Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah, 15 years old, killed during clashes between the SDF and tribal fighters in Abo Hama on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by Khaled via Facebook)
  • #SDF militias target civilian homes in the town of #Abu_Hamam, east of #Deir_ez-Zor, with mortar shells and heavy artillery

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Tribal Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]