Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS295

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Location

غرة صغير, Ghirra Sgheer, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3700188, 38.0400753 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian brothers were killed in the village of Ghirra Sgheer south of Manbij. While most reports blamed a mine explosion, some sources claimed the deaths were caused by a Coalition strike.

Manbij Mother of All The World and Aleppo 24 both blamed a mine on the deaths. Retreating ISIL forces had littered villages and towns with ordnance, according to reports from the area. As Syrian News Desk noted, “a civilian source from inside the city of Manbej confirmed to Syria news desk that two civilians were killed and three others wounded from one family this afternoon, by the explosion of a land mine in front of their home in the district of Alhzwana south of the city under the control of SDF forces.”

However Halb News and Manbij Documentation Agency both insisted the brothers had died in a Coalition strike. ‘Violent’ fighting between SDF and ISIL was reported at the village that day, wih the possibilty of Coalition strikes in support. In one post, Manbij Mother noted: “SDF forces have demanded that the residents of the village of Gharah Kabir and Gharah Sgheer – which are south of Manbij – leave to al Shiyab village east of Manbij. It has given them until tomorrow.”

Given reported British incidents in the area that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said ” we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the event.

In the second of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Jumaa al Mishaab
45 years years old male killed
Mahmoud al Mishaab
40 years years old male killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ghirra Sgheer (غرة صغير), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3700188, 38.0400753. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 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 belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: the two brothers Mahmoud al Mishaab 40 years old and Jumaa al Mishaab 45 from Ghirra sgheer village south of manbij killed in a mine explosion.

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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA138254
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Aug. 16, 2016, in Ghirra Sgheer, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3031/CS295 37SDA138254

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 15th-16th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL mortar system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 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 belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]