Israeli Military in Syria & the Gaza Strip

Israeli Military in Syria & the Gaza Strip

A child uses his mobile device in the ruins of a building in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip on May 26th 2021. © Mohamed Zaanoun

Belligerent
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Incident Code

RS3138

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this incident, as many as 14 civilians, including two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded, as airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime, or both, struck Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, reported local media.

Step News Agency reported that “in the morning hours, the military and helicopter gunships launched a number of air strikes targeting the city of Douma”.

The airstrikes, that hit residential neighbourhoods, killed at least two but as many as 14 civilians, local reports said.

Violations Documentation Center, for example, reported 13 fatalities, ten identified by name and counted two women. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who reported 14 fatalities, also mentioned the death of two women.

The number of wounded spanned from two to as many as “dozens” as reported by Douma revolution.  Al-Jazeera’s correspondent said that among the wounded was a number of civil defence members while other sources also mentioned that children were among the injured.

While most sources reported about aerial shelling, others mentioned artillery shelling as well. For example, Douma revolution reported that the assault had included  “17 air strikes, ten explosive barrels, three surface-to-surface missiles and a number of rocket-propelled grenades.”

Sources were, however, unclear in terms of culpability. While some, including @MasarPressNet and @alaraby_ar blamed the Syrian regime, others, such as Smart News Agency identified Russia as responsible.

Finally, a handful of reports, including Douma revolution and Syrian Network for Human Rights, blamed both belligerents.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Omer Mahmoud Ayoub
Adult male killed
Fahed Ayoub
Adult male killed
Abdo Ali Ayoub
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Hosain Masarweh
Adult male killed
Yasin Masarweh
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Ataya Abd al-Wahab
Adult male killed
Sobhi Abdullah Snair
Adult male killed
Ahmad Ezo Halaweh
Adult male killed
Hiyam Salim Hamada
Adult female killed
Azizeh Mahmoud Hatem
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 14
  • (2 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The Syrian Civil Defense team on the scene in the immediate aftermath of the contested airstrike in Douma, eastern Ghouta on March 2nd, 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Some of the victims of the contested strikes in Douma, Damascus, March 2nd, 2018 (via Douma Revolution)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 14
  • (2 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS238

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

هيلجار جنديرس, Hijlar, Jindires, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.385278, 36.717778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between eight and 10 civilians died and up to 16 more were wounded in alleged Turkish air and artillery strikes on Hijlar, Jindires.

According to Rok news, “Turkish forces carried out a massacre of civilians in the village of Hujailar in the countryside of northwestern Syria, field sources said. The sources confirmed Turkish artillery had targeted the houses of civilians and their vehicles, killing eight civilians and wounding 12 others.”

Rok and other sources claimed that Turkish forces had “kidnapped” the wounded and transported the dead bodies to Hattai in an attempt to “hide” the “massacre”.

The pro-Syrian regime source Syriaalasad put the death toll at 10 with 16 more injured.

Xeber 24 added that the YPG had attacked Turkish forces in the area, reporting that “the People’s and Women’s Protection Units carried out a qualitative operation in the village of Hjilar in the Jandrissa district. The sources confirmed that nine Turkish soldiers were killed and another eight wounded”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–16
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hijlar, Jindires, Afrin (هيلجار جنديرس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.385278, 36.717778. 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–16
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3141

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.537531, 36.399937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four civilians were reported as killed, and others injured, due to air and artillery strikes in Beit Sawa, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids.

The raids struck a residential area, and killed as many as three children.

The Syrian Civil Defence reported “three martyrs, including one child, as a result of aerial bombardments, artillery and cluster rockets on residential neighbourhoods in the town of Beat Sawa and Masraba in eastern Al Ghouta.”

The only other details given by local media are that members of the Civil Defence were at the scene digging victims from the rubble.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ibraheem Fares
Child male killed
Hamzeh Ibraheem al-Fares
Child male killed
Sobhia Omer
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ 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 type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3139

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

الحويجة, Al Hwaija, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.51887, 36.36666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three civilians were killed – including a pregnant woman – and three others were wounded, in airstrikes on Al Hwaija, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes.

A man and a pregnant woman were included in the death toll. However, the man named by the Violations Documentation Centre is listed as a non-civilian. It is unclear whether or not these are the same man. The combatant is named as “Ahmad Muhammad Daheinah”.

Some sources named “warplanes” only, however others blamed Russia and the regime as belligerents.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmad Muhammad Daheinah, named as a non civilian, killed in airstrikes, 2nd March 2018. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad Muhammad Daheinah, named as a non civilian, killed in airstrikes, 2nd March 2018. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad Muhammad Daheinah, named as a non civilian, killed in airstrikes, 2nd March 2018. (via North Syria latest 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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3145

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamna, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians was wounded and three were killed due to air and artillery strikes on Al Latamna, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

Although Smart News reported that the aftermath was limited to material damage, Step News reported that some civilians were wounded and three had been killed.

Rockets, artillery and explosive barrel bombs were reported to have been used, and a helicopter was sited by locals.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1734

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

قرية عفرة, Afra Al Barjari Village, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8183333, 41.0280556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to two civilians were killed and between one to four seriously injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Afra al Barjari, on the evening of March 2nd.

Multiple sources identified some of the adult male victims.

The civilians were said to have been in their car when they were hit by an airstrike and according to a local source quoted by Zaman Al Wasl, the passengers were on the road between Abu Hamda and Al Touymen.

The same report also stated that apart from the civilian victims, two members of so-called Islamic State were killed in the airstrike.

In its monthly civilian casualty assessment for September 2019 – published on November 15th – the alliance classed the event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.”

Coalition officials confirmed to Airwars that their review was a match for this event, and provided coordinates for the area assessed to within 100 metres.

The incident occured around dusk.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Jasser Al Shalabi
Adult male Also known as Jamil al-Ahmad al-Jasser killed
Attallah al-Hajij
Adult male killed
Ammar al-Fayyad al-Ali
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jamil al-Ahmad al-Jasser, who was killed when a missile hit the car he was travelling in (via Marsad al Hassakah)

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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Afra Al Bajari, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV832657
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 15, 2019

  • March 2, 2018, near Afra Al Bajari, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 2nd, the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in the vicinity of Afra Al Bajari, Al Dahra or the Hasakah governorate.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3140

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were killed and “others” were wounded, in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids.

The named civilian was reported to have been displaced.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jihad Jawish
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3142

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55027, 36.39659 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in napalm bomb strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Mesraba, local media reported.

Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes, however the majority of source attributed blame to the Syrian regime.

Huge fires were caused as a result of the napalm, which resulted in material damage.

Most sources reported that only one victim was killed, however the Violations Documentation Centre reported that there were two unidentified adult male bodies at the scene.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The affects of napalm bombs on Mesraba, 2nd March 2018. (via @BassamJaara)
  • The affects of napalm bombs on Mesraba, 2nd March 2018. (via Alaa Al Ahmad

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]