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
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

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:

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

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

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]

Incident Code

RS3143

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

دير العصافير, Dear Al Asafir, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.465316, 36.418111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported to have been killed in airstrikes by both the Syrian regime and Russia. Syrian Network for Human Rights was the only source to report on this raid.

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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ 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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ 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

TS237

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

مابيتة, Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.514444, 36.704444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians died and five more were wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Kahre, according to local media. Reports said that shelling occurred at 2.00 am, with a shell landing in the main square.

According to Rok news, “the village of Khera, in the area of ​​Maabtli, came under artillery fire after midnight on Thursday, killing the young man, and wounding five others.”

Sources published images of the victims being treated in a medical facility.

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Joan Sadiq Rachid
35 years old male killed
Giwan Sadk Rashed
35 years old male killed
Riber Hanan Imo
47 years old injured
Mahmoud Abdo Emo
51 years old male injured
Jamil Mohammed Waqas
47 years old male injured
Ahmed Jamil Qassem
38 years old male injured
Ahmed Suleiman Mohammed
55 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Hawar)
  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Hawar)
  • The aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Hawar)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Bas)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Brexwadanakurd)
  • A civilian who was either killed or wounded in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Brexwadanakurd)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Brexwadanakurd)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Brexwadanakurd)
  • Giwan Sadk Rashed, killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via SheroAlo1)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Arin Cheikhmous)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Arin Cheikhmous)
  • Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via Arin Cheikhmous)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin, 2nd March 2018. (via IC Afrin)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kahre, Mabeta, Afrin (مابيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.514444, 36.704444. 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
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3146

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3747033, 36.5923691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded due to airstrikes in Kafar Zita. Sources did not attribute blame, however this raid occurred at the same time as the allegedly join Russian and Syrian regime raid on “village of Hawija, west of Hama, Latmeen Village north of Hama, and the cities of Al Latamna and Kafarzita”.

Hama Now reported that “Bombing of an explosive barrel targeting the town of Kafr Zeita, north of Hama”.

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
    0
  • 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 (2) [ 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
    0
  • 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 (2) [ 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 thatthe 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]