Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS1487

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6155094, 36.5471898 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian males died and at least two more were wounded – including members of the White Helmets – in an airstrike on Kafr Nabil, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

@syriapost1 was among several sources pointing to Russia and putting the death toll at two “with several more wounded.”

However, Qasioun, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Enabbaladi blamed the regime. The latter reported that “in the morning [Oct 20th], two members of the civil defense in the city of Kafr Nabl were injured by heavy machine guns targeting the city from warplanes”. They also mention that there was damage to a fire engine.

Rfsmediaoffice joined other sources in reporting that members of the White Helmets were wounded. The figures was put at either two or three.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Najib Zator
Adult male named by @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH killed
Ammar Ayman Altaob
Adult male named by @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A damaged vehicle in the aftermath of the alleged raid, on Kafr Nabil, Oct 20th (via ShahbaPress)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man is treated in an ambulance by a member of the White Helmets following the strike on on Kafr Nabil, Oct 20th (via ShahbaPress)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1486

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

معرشمارين, Ma'ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.615999, 36.720922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven people from the same family including between two and five children and up to two died and more were wounded in an airstrike on Ma’ar Shmareen village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The lowest death count was given as two by @spm_syria, who blamed the regime.

Halab Today attributed the event to Russia, reporting that seven people from one family including two children and a woman died. @RevolutionSyria also pointed to Russia.

But a number of other sources attributed the event to the Syrian regime.

According to Syria News Desk, “a man and his wife and five of their children were killed and two other children were injured, overnight, as a result of regime warplanes carrying out two raids with heavy machine guns the village of Maar Shmareen, south east of Maarat al Numan”.

@Hasan_Jneed tweeted images showing “the work of civil defence teams during the rescue operation of a strike which killed seven people from one family, including five children”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights joined a number of reports in not identifying the culprit; it put the death toll at five from one family including two women.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2–5 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • This little girl was the only survivor of the airstrike which struck her home and allegedly killed 7 members of her family. This is the aftermath of her being pulled from the rubble. (via RevolutionSyria)
  • The civil defence work to pull bodies from the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ma'ar Shmareen, Oct 20th (via Hasan_Jneed)
  • The civil defence work to pull bodies from the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ma'ar Shmareen, Oct 20th (via Hasan_Jneed)
  • The civil defence work to pull bodies from the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ma'ar Shmareen, Oct 20th (via Hasan_Jneed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of deceased children are pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Ma'ar Shmareen, Oct 20th (via JisirTV)
  • Footage showing damage to the local infrastructure in the aftermath of the raid. (via Qasioun News Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Firstly the survivor is pulled from the rubble, then her family, who were all killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ma'ar Shmareen, 20th October 2016. (via White Helmets)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ma’ar Shmareen (معرشمارين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.615999, 36.720922. 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

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2–5 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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

RS1484

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

‏التمانعه‬, al Tama, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.458501, 36.747808 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children died when a cluster bomb exploded in Al Tama village, Idlib, local sources reported – though it was unclear which belligerent had dropped the bomb.

According to LCCSY, two children, both aged 13, “were martyred and three other civilians wounded were reported when remnants of a cluster bomb dropped by Russian warplanes exploded in Tama”.

Russia; @RadioAlKul also blamed Russia.

Many sources didn’t identify who had dropped the cluster bombs. According to Halab Today on October 21st, “regime and Russian planes have intensified their raids on the cities and towns of Idlib province during the last 24 hours”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Adnan Suleiman
13 years old male named by LCCSY killed
Amjad Ali
13 years old named by LCCSY killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1485

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

Abou Soussa village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died and up to seven others were wounded in an airstrike on Abou Soussa village, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Multiple sources reported that the area was under ISIS control.

The Smart News Agency blamed Russia and put the death toll at four.

But according to Syria News Desk, “four civilians were killed and seven others injured today [Oct 20th] after regime warplanes targeted residential locations in the village of abou Soussa north of the town of Deir Hafer with three raids. The raids destroyed two houses and caused other material damage.”

The majority of sources didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1483

Incident date

October 20, 2016

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

Two children, a brother and a sister, died and up to dozens more civilians were injured in airstrikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources reported that this was the work of the Syrian regime. One source, LCCSY, blamed Russian, reporting that the children died when cluster bombs were dropped on the city.

Other sources pointed towards the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government forces shelling” and later “government rocket launchers”.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “regime forces launched several missiles believed to be ground-to-ground on areas in the city of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta, which killed a boy child and a girl child from the same family and wounded seven other people”.

Syria News Desk reported that the regime struck “civilian neighborhoods and markets in Douma with five cluster bombs” – killing the two children and wounding “dozens” more civilians.

Micro Syria, Syrian Press Center, Radio Alkul and Jidrtv also attributed the event to the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mustafa Khalil Salik
male brother and sister killed
Aysha Khalil Salik
Child female brother and sister killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aisha and Mustafa Al Saleik, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Douma, 20th October 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • A news bulletin documenting the alleged raid on Douma, 20rh October 2016. (via Coordination of Douma)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid which struck Douma. (via sohaib_sszz)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1482

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A member of the White Helmets died and five of his colleagues were wounded, along with “dozens more civilians” in a strike on the Civil Defence center in the city of Maarat al Numan, according to local media. Sources noted that the Civil Defence Center – “the most important center in the southern Idlib countryside” – was almost completely destroyed by the strike. While most sources blamed Russia, two others pointed to the Syrian regime. Several reports said that “rocket-propelled grenades” had been used in the attack.

According to Syria News Desk, “a member of the civil defence was killed and five others wounded at noon today [Oct 20th], due to the Russian warplanes raid targeting the civil defence center in the town of Maaret al-Numan

“The media opposition activist Khaled AlIdlbi of Idlib countryside told Syria News Desk that the raid hit the center building directly, pointing out that the wounded were taken to the field hospital in Maaret al-Numan”.

Qasioun, who also blamed Russia, said that dozens of civilians were also wounded.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government warplanes ” for the death of “Bassam Ghassan Hadla, born in 1986, from Hama city”.

Bof-sy also pointed towards the regime, reporting that “sources in the Civil Defense of Anatolia, who did not wish to reveal their identity for security reasons, said that the Syrian regime’s aircraft bombed the Civil Defence Center in Ma’arat al-Nu’man, killing a volunteer and causing significant damage to the building, equipment and vehicles”.

A number of sources tweeted graphic images showing blood on the ground in the center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bassam Ghassan Hadla
Adult male member of the White Helmets killed
Ahmed Hablousi
Age unknown male member of the White Helmets injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–24
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (25) [ collapse]

  • Inside an ambulance in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Maarat al Numan, Oct 20th (via SN4HR)
  • A friend of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, carries his uniform away from the scene after he died in a field hospital. (via Baladi News Network)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The uniform of Bassam Ghassan Hadla on the floor where he was killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Sdusyria)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Sdusyria)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Sdusyria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, including graphic footage of pools of blood left where he fell. Cluster bomb shells are also seen in this footage. (via Rim turkmani)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The uniform of Bassam Ghassan Hadla on the floor where he was killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Enabbaladi)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn at the burial of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • A man holds a pair of glasses covered in blood. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmed Hablousi, wounded in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which targeted a field hospital. (via RevolutionSyria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmed Hablousi, wounded in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via omar_alwan1)
  • Field hospital struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids and rendered out of use. (via t3aawn)
  • An ambulance which was damaged in the raid. (via t3aawn)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The uniform of Bassam Ghassan Hadla on the floor where he was killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via t3aawn)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The uniform of Bassam Ghassan Hadla on the floor where he was killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via t3aawn)
  • Field hospital targeted by alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids and rendered out of use. (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–24
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI299

Incident date

October 19, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Muhammadiyah Mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3785536, 43.1696552 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians were killed in a Coalition strike on the Al Rawda Al Muhammadiyah Mosque in the al-Muthanna area of Mosul city, according to local MP Abd Al Raheem Al Shamery and other sources. According to some reports, a kindergarten at the mosque was also destroyed.

Given reported British actions 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.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Statement from the MP
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3594126888
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 18th-19th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, two strikes destroyed an ISIL-held building and a command and control node.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS343 TS005C

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Location

حساجك, Hassadjek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3960003, 37.2467422 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 6 people were killed by airstrikes in the vicinity of Hassadjek village in Aleppo, though the circumstances were unclear.

Initially, Voice of Kurdistan blamed the US-led Coalition for a strike occurring around 3am, which it said left six people dead and four wounded.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian and Syrian government aircraft were not operating in the vicinity, but in a statement claimed that “Aircraft of the international coalition were performing tasks near Hassajek village at night on October 18. Air situation control systems have detected two F-16 of the Air Force of the Kingdom of Belgium at the specified time and area.” This report was quickly picked up by the Russian press, including RT.

The accusation led to a spat with Belgian authorities, who denied that their planes were involved or were nearby. In a tweet, the country’s Minister of Defense called Moscow’s assertion “Russian disinformation.” The Minister also denied the Russian account to the Belgian parliament. A spokeswoman for the Belgian ministry additionally told Airwars that “we did not fly there yesterday, nor the days before.”

A spokesperson for the Coalition told Airwars that “Contrary to what Russian media reported, there is no evidence of this incident, nor were any Belgian aircraft conducing kinetic operations at the time.”

The incident became further confused after Turkey announced it had carried out strikes on Kurdish militants in numerous locations north of Aleppo on the night of October 19th-20th. As the Syrian Observatory noted regarding the Hassadjek strikes, at the time “factions supported by Turkish warplanes and tanks,” as well as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and ISIL were all present and engaged in the area. Other local outlets, including Smart News and Izaz Media Center reported that the Syrian Democratic Forces had gained control of Hassadjek.

Among the strikes carried out on the 19th-20th, Bellingcat was able to geolocate one “very close to the village of Hassadjek,” which it noted was “the location where Russia accused Belgium of killing six civilians” on the morning of the 18th.

On October 21st, Russia called for Belgium to set up an investigation into the incident.

In their May 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 incident occured at approximately 3:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Belgium is not involved in civilian deaths Aleppo. Russian disinformation. (via Steven Vandeput - Belgium Defence Minister)
  • Analysis by Bellingcat geolocated a number of Turkish airstrikes within the vicinity of Hassadjek for the date in question.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hassadjek (حساجك), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3960003, 37.2467422. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    37SCA427292
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Oct. 18, 2016, in Hassadjek, Syria 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. 3069/CS343 37SCA427292

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 17th-18th the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a vehicle.” For October 18th-19th the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.” In a statement to Airwars, the Coalition said that “there were no Belgian aircraft conducting strike operations at the time.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]