Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS342

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.91856, 36.63489 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During an airstrike on a vehicle in Idlib the Coalition killed one man and reportedly injured four more civilians. The Coalition later admitted responsibility for the one death.

According to Step News, “One person was dead and 4 civilians wounded in a car explosion in the city of Idlib after it was targeted by an international coalition drone.”

All4Syria identified the man killed as a “leading leader in Fateh al Sham Front” who was “assassinated” by a drone. They added that the strike led to “the killing and wounding of a number of civilians.” In other accounts Enabaladi similarly reported that an “unmanned” aircraft (which it said belonged to the United States) killed a leader in Fateh al Sham, who the outlet said was Turkish. Sky News Arabia said a “Coalition drone” strike killed the leader and everyone else in the car.

An account in Qasion cited “fighter jets belonging to the international coalition” for the strike, which it said killed the death of the leader and two additional members of the Front.

Videos posted by several outlets, including extremely graphic footage posted by Shaam News Network showed the aftermath of the attack.

In a December 1st 2016 press release, the Coalition reported that “During a strike on ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.93062, 36.63393

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Remains of a vehicle targeted by the Coalition in Idlib October 17th 2016. The attack also reportedly injured three civilians (via Step News)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the area (via SOHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of the aftermath of the area (via SOHR)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the area (via SOHR)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Idlib, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV866775
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016
  • Oct. 17, 2016, near Idlib, Syria: During a strike on ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 16th-17th the Coalition reported no strikes in the vicinity.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]