Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS1906

Incident date

March 10, 2019

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.447579, 40.953426 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a massacre, between 50 and 70 civilians were reportedly killed – mostly women and children according to local media – by US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Baghouz camp. In addition to this, “dozens” were reportedly wounded.

Sources described “devastating bombs of enormous proportions” which bombarded the vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

Arabic RT News reported that coalition spokesman Sean Ryan, told the Russian news agency that “We do not see any evidence of casualties among civilians, and we take very seriously all the news about the civilian deaths”… “We are taking very serious measures to avoid civilian casualties,” he added.

The Coalition denied allegations, despite all sources attributing blame to them.

The civilians were allegedly trapped in the last enclave under the control of the Daesh.

According to Sana News, “the aggression targeted dozens of families while trying to escape from the areas where Daesh terrorists are positioned”, and that “according to the sources, the death toll is likely to rise as most of the wounded sustained serious injuries.”

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 70
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment that alleged Coalition aircraft struck Al Baghouz camp with heavy shelling in the early hours of the morning on the 10th-11th March 2019. (via @DeirEzzor24)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of alleged Coalition aircraft which struck Al Baghouz camp with heavy shelling in the early hours of the morning on the 10th-11th March 2019. (via @as_saabireen)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition aircraft which struck Al Baghouz camp with heavy shelling in the early hours of the morning on the 10th-11th March 2019. (via @as_saabireen)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

"Between March 10 - 23 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 250 strikes consisting of 398 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 193 strikes consisting of 338 engagements, engaged 346 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 104 vehicles, 63 supply routes, 39 fighting positions, 31 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, nine tactical vehicles, six fuel tankers, four weapons caches, two command and control nodes, one tunnel, one tanker for petroleum oil and lubricants, one mortar system, and one checkpoint."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 70
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2402

Incident date

August 22, 2017

Location

رويضة, Ruweida, Akeirabat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described by local media as a “massacre”, 50 – 70 civilians were killed, following airstrikes which reportedly struck an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ruweida, Akeirabat in Hama. Sources were conflicted as to whom was to blame. Some sourced blamed the Syrian regime for the raids, while most blamed Russian warplanes.

The number of wounded was not specified, but was reportedly “dozens”. Women and children were included in both the dead and the wounded tolls.

Cluster bombs were reportedly used in the raid.

Additionally, according to Shaam News Network, while civilians were burying their dead, another airstrike hit the vicinity, causing more deaths.

According to the Step News Agency, victims were “buried in a mass grave in the village of Abu Kahf in the Akirbat district in the eastern Hama countryside.”

There are no more specific details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 70
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin reporting on the massacre on Ruweida, Akeirabat, August 22nd 2017. (via Zakaria Nassani)

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 specific strikes between July 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 70
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS272

Incident date

December 13, 2015

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

Between 42 and 70 civilians, including five women nine to 20 children were killed and between 24 and 250 others wounded in aerial and missile bombardments of Douma and nearby locations in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that shelling by the regime killed 38, including five women and nine children.

The White Helmets produced a summary of airstrikes in Hamouriya, Sakba, Kafrbatna and Jissrain but did not specify who the warplanes belonged to. It referred to a “deranged aerial and missile bombardment on residential neighbourhoods…in conjunction with the flight of military aircraft“. According to the summary, Hamouriya suffered both an air raid and a missile attack causing fires and destruction to civilian buildings. In total the White Helmets put the death toll at 41, including nine children killed “as a result of the bombing and military aviation, heavy artillery, rockets and cluster bombs and mortar shells at residential neighborhoods in the city.”

All4Syria said that Russia carried out the raids, killing and and wounding civilians. Local activists told the organisation that Russian warplanes dropped four missiles targeting  neighbourhoods in the town of Hamouriya, killing three civilians and wounding others. They also said that Douma was bombarded with rockets and cluster bombs, killing a girl named as Dala’a Kassem Al Bisoani and wounding others. Ten children in total were injured – some critically – in a raid targeting a school in Kafr Batna. They also reported the fire at the warehouse in Sakba, which they said was targeted by regime forces with heavy artillery, reporting the injury of some civilians.

The Shaam News Network said Russian and regime warplanes were responsible, and that there had been more than 70 raids targeting civilians’ homes and schools. It put the death toll at 70 including more than 20 children, with 250 wounded – 30 of whom had lost limbs. A video posted by SNN was entitled “The Russian enemy turns schools into slaughterhouses of children“.

Douma, Samba, Jissrain, Ain Tarma, Zamalka, Jobar and Hamouriya were “all areas under risk of full annihilation,” SNN concluded, but the harshest massacres were in the city of Douma it said, which was targeted by the Russian aviation in a barrage of missiles and cluster bombs which hit a primary school and adjacent residential buildings.

Other sources also said that both Russia and the regime were responsible: the Douma Coordinating Committee put the death toll at more than 40, with dozens wounded. The Syrian Press Center said 46 died and more than 200 were wounded; Eldorar reported that 45 died, including children, dozens were injured and medical facilities were put out of service, blaming “warplanes” and the Assad regime; Madardaily quoted information supplied by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: at least 28 civilians killed, including two children and dozens wounded – in bombing by regime rockets cities in Douma and Sakba, adding that in the west of Damascus regime helicopters dropped 34 explosive barrels on the city of Darya, killing at five people, while at least eight, including a child died and 35 were injured when about 50 shells fell on areas of Damascus and its suburbs.

But Ennabbaldi stated that only the regime was responsible for the attacks, putting the total killed at 40.

White Helmets reported seven unidentified victims.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Tasnim Alsa’our
Child named by White Helmets killed
Rahaf Abdul Aziz
Child named by White Helmets killed
Marwa Saeed Ghazi
Child named by White Helmets killed
Ghaida al Salahi
Child named by White Helmets killed
Hadeel Hayrab
Child named by White Helmets killed
Noor Al Msalmanah
Child named by White Helmets killed
Maysa Al Madder
Child named by White Helmets killed
Rayyan Al Shawa
Child named by White Helmets killed
Fariss Al Hammouri
Child named by White Helmets killed
Ahmed Al Tabbakh
Age unknown male named by White Helmets killed
Mohammed Albawabiji
Age unknown male named by White Helmets killed
Mohammed Al Haffar
Age unknown male named by White Helmets killed
Mazen al Saleh
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Rateb Awad
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Yassin Awad
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Khadija Haroun
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Maher Kashoot
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Fariss Alaarot
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Ahmed Hanafi
Age unknown male named by White Helmets killed
Mohamed Ali Satoott
Age unknown male named by White Helmets killed
Khitam Hamid
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Ihsan al Mardini
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Iman Abdul Nafi’
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Zakaria Humaid
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Faress Blalah
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Subhi Abboud
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Adnan Al Duj
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Alaa Hamad
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Fayez Ghazzawi
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Fayez Ghazzawi
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Mohammed Al Sheikh Bakri
Age unknown male named by White Helmets killed
Noor Al Huda Kaloot
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Mostafa Shishakli
Age unknown male named by White Helmets killed
Mohammed Khatib
Age unknown male named by White Helmets killed
Subhi Alsa’our
Age unknown named by White Helmets killed
Radwan Mohammad
Age unknown the media activist, named by SNN killed
Dala’a  Kassem Al Bison
Child named by All4Syria killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 70
  • (9–20 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–250
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (44) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic video of a man screaming in distress, amidst the rubble in the aftermath of the airstrike. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Disturbing footage of the airstrike as it fell and the aftermath. Wounded being carried from the scene. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Extremely disturbing footage of civilian casualties including men, women and children before their bodies have been removed from the scene. (via, SNN)
  • Child named, Tanssim Al Sa’our, killed on December 13th 2015. According to the source, the other child (below) in the photograph was her sister who was also seriously injured. (via, Douma Coordinating Committee)
  • A view of the neighbourhood as the airstrike fell. (via, SNN)
  • Locals trying to rescue injured civilians from the rubble. not long after the airstrike. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    White Helmets carry an injured civilian to a medical facility. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a seriously injured man receiving treatment in a medical facility. (via, SNN)
  • Damage to the local infrastructure. (via, SNN)
  • Chaotic scenes not long after Douma was hit with airstrikes. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in a medical facility. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured woman in a medical facility. (via, SNN)
  • Civilians stand in disbelief. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child receives medical treatment on the floor as there are not enough beds for all the injured civilians. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man grieves for the loss of family or friends. (via, SNN)
  • Clouds of ash fill the sky in Douma. (via, SNN)
  • Another image of the sky not long after the airstrike fell. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a man receiving medical treatment. (via, SNN)
  • Streets deserted in the aftermath. (via, SNN)
  • Media activist Radwan Mohammad, killed in the airstrikes. (via, SNN)
  • Another photograph of Radwan Mohammad. (via, SNN)
  • Moments after the contested airstrike fell on Douma. (via, SNN)
  • A view of the neighbourhood moments after the airstrike fell. (via, SNN)
  • Clouds of dust engulf the area. (via, SNN)
  • The skies filled with dust in Douma. (via, SNN)
  • A different view of the area. (via, SNN)
  • A photograph of the one the youngest victims (not even a year old) from the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrikes. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A distressing image of a deceased baby. Same baby pictured above. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Blood on the floor following an airstrike in Douma. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of the bodies of deceased children in Douma. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a deceased person still on the ground following an airstrike. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)
  • Smoke pollution in Douma following an airstrike on a residential neighbourhood. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Blood and books scattered on the floor outside a school which was targeted in an airstrike. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

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    Another image of blood on the steps of a school. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

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    A child's schoolbag left on the steps of a school targeted by an airstrike. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

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    A drawing done by a child, left outside a school following an airstrike. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

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    The doors of a school which was targeted by airstrikes. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

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    Blood on the floor inside a school room. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

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    Another image of blood on the floor inside a school room. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

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    Blood smeared on the floor. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

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    Blood on the floor beneath a chalk board inside a school room. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another image of blood on the floor. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    School books and bags left on the floor in a desperate attempt to escape. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Blood on the steps of a school in the aftermath of an airstrike. (via, Coordinating Committee for Douma)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 70
  • (9–20 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–250
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS090

Incident date

October 29, 2015

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

At least 70 people died and as many as 550 were injured in what was initially reported as a Russian airstrike on the marketplace in Douma. However subsequent reports indicated the specific attack was most likely the work of Assad regime aircraft. Part of the confusion lay in the fact that Russian Air Force aircraft had also reportedly carried out strikes on the city that day.

As AP noted: “There were conflicting reports about the attack in Douma. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordination Committees said government forces fired more than 11 missiles at a market. The Observatory said the attack killed 57 people, while the LCC said at least 40 died… The Syrian National Council, the main Western-backed opposition group in exile, blamed Russian air strikes for the “massacre” in Douma, saying 55 civilians were killed. It said it was the second deadly attack in the past 24 hours after Russian air strikes hit the main Douma hospital.“

According to Medecins Sans Frontiers, “At least 70 people have been killed and 550 injured in an air strike on a marketplace in the Douma neighbourhood near Damascus, Syria. As the nearest makeshift hospital had been bombed the previous day, medical workers struggled to cope with the influx of injured people. MSF fears the intensification of bombing that has been seen in northern and central Syria over the course of October could become even more horrific if it spreads to besieged areas around Damascus, where almost a million people are trapped with no way to escape, few medical facilities, and no options for medical evacuations of seriously wounded. The devastation caused by the initial air strike on the market was exacerbated by further shelling on the rescue teams who were attending to the wounded. Two hundred and fifty patients required surgery, and a further 300 patients have been treated for non-surgical wounds. The multi-trauma wounds are described by medics as being worse than anything they have seen before.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    70
  • Civilians reported injured
    550
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Russia also carried out airstrikes at Douma on October 28th, leading to initial confusion on who was respobnisble for the reported deaths of 70 civilians {Shaam News Network)
  • Photos showing Russian warplanes that are still roaming the skies of the besieged Eastern Ghouta and carrying out raids on its cities and towns. (via SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    70
  • Civilians reported injured
    550
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI200

Incident date

March 9, 2016

Location

العصرية, Asriya, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.46345, 43.07301 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major mass casualty incident, 69 civilians were reported killed and 100 injured after alleged Coalition or possibly Iraq government aircraft allegedly struck the village of Asriyah. All of the victims were said to be from the Al Bojaber tribe.

According to al Rafidain and other sources, fifteen of those killed were said to be from the Al Jabri family, including the head of the household Matar Dayih Kattah Al Jabri. Only one member of the family reportedly survived, a baby named as Malak Juma Al Jabri.

Sheikh Zeidan Al Jabri, the chief sheikh of the Al Bijaber tribe, told Al Jazeera that his tribe members had stayed at their homes in Asriyah village during a nearby government offensive against Daesh. He claimed international Coalition and Iraqi forces had targeted them with airstrikes and killed dozens, mostly children and women.

There were claims that the Iraq Army initially prevented medical personnel from entering the town because it had been classed as a military operations area.

News of Iraq said the attack was the work of both the Coalition and the Iraq military.

The event inflamed local opinion, including the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq which blamed the US-led Coalition: “The United States is responsible for everything that happens in Iraq for crimes against humanity and violations of terrible human rights, which was and still is responsible for every drop of blood being shed on the land of Iraq.”

And local Sunni political leader Mahmoud al Daham called for legal action against the Coalition: “I ask for the formation of a team of volunteer lawyers to work in international courts to condemn this action, and to hold those responsible negligent according to international law and to demand compensation for the victims and the injured in this heinous crime.“

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes in the Euphrates Valley that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event at Asiriya.

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Matar Dayih Kattah Al Jabri
Adult male (via AlAnbar Motny) killed
Malak Juma Al Jabri
Child female (via AlAnbar Motny) injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    69
  • (10 children10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A video contains an interview with the tribal leader of Abu-Jaber as he talks concerning dozens of civilians casualties occurred after an alleged coalition/Iraqi Gov airstrike on Asriya village north Anbar (via Al-Jazeera TV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the child (Malak Juma Al Jabri) who survived after an alleged airstrike by coalition/Iraq government aircraft in the village of Asriyah (via Fallujah Modal facebook account)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows dead bodies on the floor after the alleged airstrike by coalition/Iraqi government.

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLC209043
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • March 9, 2016, in Asriya, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2913/CI200 38SLC209043

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 9th-10th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ramadi, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL supply caches, 11 ISIL improvised explosive devices (IED), three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL VBIED, and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    69
  • (10 children10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI222

Incident date

April 9, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35311, 43.15221 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Coalition conducted several night raids on telephone exchanges and reportedly the Babylon Bank in Mosul, which resulted in the deaths of at least six and as many as 67 civilians.

In November 2016 the US initially admitted to killing one civilian in the attack, noting that “during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon”.

The Coalition appear to have reassessed this incident and in May 2019 additionally confirmed the deaths of five civilians and the injuriing of nine others in an attack on a Daesh communications centre.

Their monthly civilian casualty report noted “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike on a Daesh communication center in Mosul, Iraq. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed and nine others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. (Not previously reported)”

Other casualty counts varied wildly. According to NINA “children, women and the elderly” were among many civilian fatalities after five telephone exchanges were hit: “The bombing also caused the martyrdom of 67 civilians, mostly women and children and wounded 38 other civilians, as well as causing significant damage to homes near the PBX exchange sites and shops. Our sources said that ambulances were operating from last night until today, transporting bombing victims.”

Yaqen put the death toll at six and said phone exchanges on both sides of the city were hit in what appeared to be a coordinated effort to cut internal Dash communications.

NRN News reported no civilian deaths from the telephone exchange strikes, saying Daesh had instructed locals to leave a week earlier because of the risk of possible strikes.

However NRN said two non-combatants did die when a branch of the bank of Babylon was bombed in eastern Mosul: “Our correspondent said that the bombing killed three gunmen organizing from Daash and two civilians guards of the Bank, as well as serious material damage to the building, which also includes the Office of the Chamber of Commerce.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 67
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–38
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo reveals a destroyed telephone exchange building that was hit in coordinated strikes on Mosul on April 9th (via NRN News)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.34585235, 43.09857692

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, Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    9
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF342247
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • April 9, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

  • Apr. 9, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike on a Daesh communication center in Mosul, Iraq. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed and nine others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. (Not previously reported)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports that for April 9th-10th 2016 “Near Mosul, eight strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and five ISIL communication facilities and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL boat.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 67
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–38
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2764

Incident date

November 26, 2017

Location

الشعغة, Al-Sha'fa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15 and 65 civilians were killed, in what has been described by local media as a massacre on the residential neighbourhood in Al-Sha’fa. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Sources were conflicted as to how many casualties there were. The highest toll being 65, however many sources also reported 15 – 18, 37 and 51, as some examples.Ten people from one family were included in the death toll, as well as 21 children and nine women.

Dozens of civilians were reportedly wounded, according to local media.

The extensive destruction of civilian homes and shops were reported, including the house of Antar Alsamal, the house of Zubair and the Al-Fandi Commercial Complex.

Thirteen refugees from the family of Aldbs and Bnt Khadir Al’antar  were amongst those killed.

BBC News published a report saying that Russia denied the raids.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Alaa Ahmed Al-Zubair
Age unknown killed
The daughter of Alaa Khalid Al - Zubair
Age unknown killed
The mother of Alaa Khalid Al Zubair
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Khaled Al-Zubair
Age unknown killed
daughter of Khader Al-A’ntar
Age unknown killed
Maouloud Abdul Razzaq al-Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Bashir Maouloud Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Bara’aa Nader al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Jarir Maouloud al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Nour Adel Al Sahab
Age unknown killed
Ismail Jareer Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Maouloud Jarir Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Ammar Maouloud Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Abdul Razzaq Maouloud Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Muntaha Maouloud al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
daughter of Nadir Nasser al-Jubeir
Age unknown killed
The second daughter of Nader Nasser Al-Jubeir
Age unknown killed
Nader Abdul Razzaq Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Nusra A’nan al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Mohamed Nader Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Kafaa Maouloud al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Anas Mohammed Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Nader Mohammed Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Yousef Nader Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Hana Rachid Aldibs
Age unknown killed
daughter of Joseph Nader Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Abdullah Nader Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
The wife of Abdullah Nader Shaaban
Age unknown killed
the son of Abdullah Nader Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Ibrahim Nader Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Hussein Nader Al Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Bashir Fakhri Al-Issa
Age unknown killed
Ammar Fakhri Bashir Al-Issa
Age unknown killed
Omar Fakhri Bashir Al-Issa
Age unknown killed
Bakr Fakhri Bashir Al-Issa
Age unknown killed
Osman Fakhri Bashir Al-Issa
Age unknown killed
Nader Nasser Al-Jubeir
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Nawar Marwah Al-Issa
Age unknown killed
Khaled Matloub Al-Zaher
Age unknown killed
Khaled Matloub al Zaher’s wife
Age unknown killed
Khaled Matloub al Zaher’s daughter
Age unknown killed
Khaled Matloub al Zaher’s son
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 65
  • (21 children9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Sha'fa, 26th November 2017. (via @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Sha'fa, 26th November 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Sha'fa, 26th November 2017. (via Ahemd Orabi)
  • Victims of the airstrikes on Al-Sha'fa, 26th November 2017. (via asharqasouri)
  • Victims of the airstrikes on Al-Sha'fa, 26th November 2017. (via asharqasouri)
  • Victims of the airstrikes on Al-Sha'fa, 26th November 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • Victims of the airstrikes on Al-Sha'fa, 26th November 2017. (via Euphrates)

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
    15 – 65
  • (21 children9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1246

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.933456, 36.633803 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 65 civilians (of which 52 were named) including at least 10 children and 11 women from multiple families died and as many as 100 more were injured in airstrikes on Idlib city, which reportedly centred on a popular vegetable market in the city. The majority of reports blamed Russia, though there were allegations against the Syrian regime – with other sources stating that it was unclear whether the Syrian regime or Moscow were responsible.

Sources published disturbing images of the aftermath of the attack, which led to widespread destruction. There were numerous reports of body parts having been dispersed in the location of the strike, along with references to multiple “body bags”.

The lowest death count was given at 48 civilians by Insaan Rights Watch. According to Sky News Arabic “Russian warplanes shelled in a market in Idlib killing dozens and wounding dozens more. Medical sources say they have counted 25 bodies including women and children ”

Enab Baladi at some more details, reporting that “nine teams of the civil defense were called to Idlib, in addition to the Red Cross. They were able to count 65 bodies along with12 bags of body parts. The teams continued to attempt to rescue people trapped under the rubble.”

Syrian Press Center was among sources that said people had limbs amputated and were “severely burned” in the fire caused by the warplanes.

Other sources blaming Russia included Orient, Jisrtv, Islam Memo and LCCSY.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes targeted the vegetable market during peak hours when hundreds of civilians had gathered to make their purchases ahead of Eid. Missiles targeted civilian homes and shops, resulting in massive destruction to buildings and shops and cars in the market.”

According to the source, the death toll from the massacre reached 63 martyrs, including 16 children and 14 women, plus 12 missing people, including eight children who are considered dead. Additionally, some 70 civilians were wounded, filling hospitals in the city and its countryside”.

However, the source KWdeirwaza – who put the death toll at 60 including 22 children – attributed the event to regime jets. A number of other sources didn’t apportion blame.

Omar_madaniah, citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “Rami Abdur-Rahman, the director of the Syrian observatory, says the warplanes could not be identified in order to keep Russia away from being accused.”

Jabal ALzaweya listed the following civilian fatalities and names of some of the missing. In addition the source reported six other unidentified bodies found, including three children, twelve body bags of body-parts and 100 wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Amer Naf’e Ghafir
Age unknown killed
Noor Aldeen Abdul-Kader Ghafir
Age unknown killed

Family members (2)

Hisham Ali Wahob
Age unknown killed
Adnan Mohammed Wahob
Age unknown killed

Family members (4)

Sidra A’afara
Child female killed
Abdulkarim A’afara
Child killed
Mohammed A’afara
Child male killed
Sahar Wahid A’afara
Adult female killed

Family members (4)

Hasan Mish’hel Hawwa
Age unknown male killed
Su’ad Hawwa (wife of Hasan Mish’hel Hawwa)
Age unknown female killed
Mish’hel Hawwa
Age unknown female killed
Musa Hawwa
Age unknown killed

Family members (2)

Samer Hamdoon
Age unknown From Binnish killed
Mother of Samer Hamdoon
Adult female From Binnish killed

Family members (2)

Ahmad Mahmood Aswad (Shikh Yousef)
Age unknown male killed
Hamdi Reyad Aswad
Age unknown killed

Family members (2)

Samer Subhi Hamdoun
Child killed
Sabhi Hamdoun
killed

Family members (2)

Khaled Bitar
Age unknown missing
Mahmood Bitar
Age unknown male missing

Family members (3)

Shaza Abid
Child female missing
Mohammed Kadro Abid
Child missing
Zizik Abid
Child missing

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Malnadi
Age unknown male killed
Raed Ahmad Ghassan Abed
Age unknown killed
Thuraya Ibrahim Aswad
Child female killed
Hussam Khaled Shikhouni
Age unknown killed
Kamal Mohammed Shameya
Age unknown male killed
Mustafa Abdul-Kader Hijazi
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Khaled Haser
Child male killed
Ali Mo’adal
Age unknown male killed
Mufid Sawwan
Age unknown killed
Abdul-Karim Zidani
Age unknown male killed
Sana’a Malani
Child female killed
Ahmad Ali Men
Age unknown male killed
Huda Salim
Child female killed
Mustafa Mukahal
Age unknown male killed
U’la Jbara
Age unknown female killed
Khulud Haj Sattuf
Age unknown female killed
Samar Al-Basha
Age unknown female killed
Ghalya Zidani
Age unknown killed
Alya’a Saleem
Age unknown female killed
Abdullah Shamiya
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Saleem
Age unknown male killed
Qamar Abdullah Hamrosh
Age unknown female killed
Bassam Ghumeid
Child killed
Hayfa’a Malandi
Age unknown female killed
Fatin Hallak
Age unknown female killed
Mayada Hallak
Age unknown killed
Hala Akdah, daughter of Fatin
Age unknown female killed
Ibrahim Khasara
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Raji Zidani
Age unknown male killed
Rajaa Najjar
Age unknown killed
Abdo Mukahal
Child missing
Noor Hajjar
Child missing
Wasim Ghafir
Child missing
Zahra Zahra
Child female missing
Mohammed Ayman Aswad
Age unknown male missing
Mohammed Fawzi Bzara
Age unknown male missing
Raghda Mohammed Salim
Child missing

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    52 – 65
  • (10–22 children11–14 women14–16 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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 (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • 'The children Seydra, Mohammad, & Abdul Karim Afara died in alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Vegetables market in Idlib city, September 10, 2016.' (via SN4HR)
  • A man runs down a street in Idlib with a civilian child in his arms - the aftermath of suspected Russian shelling on the city (via Enab Baladi)
  • Local people survey the scene whilst a digger works through the rubble in Idlib city - the impact of suspected warplane shelling (via KWdeirwaza)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little girl wounded in Idlib city following suspected Russian strikes (Tweet via @1963Mhmd) [Page no longer available accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A dismembered human hand is held up to signify the human cost of alleged Russian strikes on Idlib city (Tweet via @Gulfshield1)
  • Local people prepare for Eid al-Adha amongst the rubble in Idlib city (Tweet via @ AnmedAlrihawi)
  • Footage of Idlib city following the mass civilian casualty incident allegedly caused by Russian warplane shelling (Youtube via Jisirtv)
  • An elderly woman is carried down the street by a member of The White Helmets whilst a blaze rages behind - the aftermath of suspected Russian strikes on Idlib city (via Jisirtv news)
  • The White Helmets rescue civilians from the rubble in Idlib city following suspected Russian warplane shelling (via Islam Memo)
  • A close up of debris and destruction on the streets of Idlib city following suspected Russian warplane shelling (Tweet via @QabiQalel)
  • Local people stand around a burnt out vehicle in Idlib city - the results of alleged Russian warplane shelling (Tweet via @Almogaz)
  • The baby Samer Subhi Hamdoun allegedly died in Russian warplane shelling at the vegetable market in Idlib city (via SN4HR)
  • Body parts of the victims of suspected Russian warplane shelling on Idlib city (via SN4HR)
  • The vicitms of alleged Russian massacre line the streets of Idlib city (via SN4HR)
  • The impact of a mass civilian casualty event - body bags line the streets of Idlib, the source alleged Russia culprit (via SN4HR)
  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016

    SN4HR report entitled: ‘no less than 49 massacres in September 2016 including 46 at the hands of the russian and Syrian regimes’ - details the events in Idlib on Saturday September 10th (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016_en

    SN4HR report entitled: ‘no less than 49 massacres in September 2016 including 46 at the hands of the russian and Syrian regimes’ - details the events in Idlib on Saturday September 10th (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Idlib market (ادلب، سوق الخضار), within the city of Idlib (إدلب), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.933456, 36.633803. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    52 – 65
  • (10–22 children11–14 women14–16 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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 (39) [ collapse]