Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS3969

Incident date

July 28, 2019

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

At least four men were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. 18 others were reported injured.

Although Ariha Today initially cited three civilians killed, the same source later named four fatalities, all of whom were men. Smart News Agency reported that “the Syrian regime forces killed five civilians, and wounded 18 others, in addition to causing fire and destruction in cars and shops.”

The Syria Civil Defence documented “four martyrs and 18 others wounded as a result of warplanes directly targeting the most populated area in the city of Ariha in the countryside Idlib this morning. For the third day in a row, the city is bombed.”

Multiple sources, including the Syrian Human Rights Committee, identified the victims as Absi Hassan Al Bou, Mahmoud Hasan Al Bou, Muhammad Muwaffaq Hamami and Haitham Abdul Qadir Qazmouz.

Horrya News wrote that “that four civilians were killed as a result of the MiG-23 warplane targeting residential neighbourhoods in the city with high-explosive missiles.”

Zaman Al Wasl reported that five civilians were killed in the event’s final death toll. El Dorar also put the death toll at five civilians, writing that regime forces targeted the Al Uruba School area and the public square inside the city. According to the correspondent, “the bombing caused the outbreak of several huge fires inside the city, as civil defence teams worked to extinguish them, cool the targeted place, and transport the injured to nearby field hospitals.”

@HadiAlabdallah posted a video of the event, stating that the main market of the city had been targeted.

@aboalhodaalhoms also posted a video on Twitter and captioned it: “Watch the first moments of the Russian warplanes bombing the city of Ariha and residential neighbourhoods, which led to the death of four martyrs and many wounded, and civil defence teams are still searching for people stranded under the rubble.”

Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mahmoud Hassan Albou محمود البو
Adult male killed
Absi Hassan Albou عبسي البو
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Muwaffaq Hammami محمد موفق حمامي
Adult male killed
Haitham Abdul Qadir Qazmouz هيثم عبد القادر قزموز
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (29) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption Translation: " at least 5 civilians killed as fixed-wing Syrian regime warplanes fired several missiles on the municipality building in the middle of Ariha city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on July 28. We point out that the same forces committed a massacre in the city the previous day." (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Photos showing the location of military aircraft targeting residential neighborhoods in the southern city of Ariha Idlib." (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Photos showing the location of military aircraft targeting residential neighborhoods in the southern city of Ariha Idlib." (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Photos showing the location of military aircraft targeting residential neighborhoods in the southern city of Ariha Idlib." (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Photos showing the location of military aircraft targeting residential neighborhoods in the southern city of Ariha Idlib." (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Photos showing the location of military aircraft targeting residential neighborhoods in the southern city of Ariha Idlib." (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Four martyrs and wounding 18 others, as a result of the bombing of warplanes targeted directly the most populated area in the city of Jericho in the countryside Idlib this morning, and for the third day in a row the city is bombed by the criminal lion." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Four martyrs and wounding 18 others, as a result of the bombing of warplanes targeted directly the most populated area in the city of Jericho in the countryside Idlib this morning, and for the third day in a row the city is bombed by the criminal lion." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Four martyrs and wounding 18 others, as a result of the bombing of warplanes targeted directly the most populated area in the city of Jericho in the countryside Idlib this morning, and for the third day in a row the city is bombed by the criminal lion." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Four martyrs and wounding 18 others, as a result of the bombing of warplanes targeted directly the most populated area in the city of Jericho in the countryside Idlib this morning, and for the third day in a row the city is bombed by the criminal lion." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Four martyrs and wounding 18 others, as a result of the bombing of warplanes targeted directly the most populated area in the city of Jericho in the countryside Idlib this morning, and for the third day in a row the city is bombed by the criminal lion." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Video Caption Translation: "The first scenes of the air strikes on the city of Jericho, leaving dead and wounded civilians." (via Step News)
  • Destruction after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on July 28th, 2019 (via El Dorar).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on July 28th, 2019 (via El Dorar).
  • Civilians in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on July 28th, 2019 (via El Dorar).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on July 28th, 2019 (via El Dorar).
  • An ambulance in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on July 28th, 2019 (via El Dorar).
  • Translation: “Video: Assad warplanes bomb the main market and residential buildings in the city of Ariha in the Idlib countryside, expecting martyrs and wounded 7/28/2019. Five martyrs and dozens of wounded so far” (via @HadiAlabdallah).
  • Translation: “#Ariha today” (via @ala_hacioglu).
  • Translation: “For the third day in a row. Victims of airstrikes on the city of Ariha in Idlib countryside and the initial toll was one dead and a number of wounded. Photography: Bashar Al Sheikh” (via @Sy24ria).
  • A man carrying a killed or injured baby after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha, July 28th, 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Civilians in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha, July 28th, 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Civilians carrying a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha, July 28th, 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha, July 28th, 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Translation: “SY+ Muhammad al-Sheikh correspondent: For the third day, the city of Ariha in Idlib wakes up to a terrible massacre due to an airstrike by the warplanes” (via @SY_plus).
  • Translation: “Breathtaking moments from the Ariha massacre in Idlib... Four dead and a number of injured trapped under the rubble as a preliminary outcome” (via @SY_plus).
  • Translation: “Civilians were martyred and wounded as a result of airstrikes targeting the city of Ariha in Idlib countryside” (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Translation: “Watch the first moments of the Russian warplanes bombing the city of Ariha and residential neighborhoods, which led to the death of four martyrs and many wounded, and civil defense teams are still searching for people stranded under the rubble. #Idlib #Syria” (via @aboalhodaalhoms).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad Muwaffaq Hamami was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha, July 28th, 2019 (via Yousef Mohammed Hamami on Facebook).

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1758

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Location

حي قارلق, Karlak neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.205914, 37.174301 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were reportedly killed in airstrike on Karlak neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to local media source, HNN.

HNN reported that the five civilians died “following Russian enemy raids”.

There were no other known sources reporting on this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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 December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI511

Incident date

March 5, 2017

Location

Mosul, Hal al Abar, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In a previously unreported incident, Amnesty field researchers spoke with survivors of a March 5th incident which left five non-combatants dead and five more injured – all from one family.

The following unpublished report was shared with Airwars: “I survived an attack on 5 March. Our house was encircled by IS and ISF fighters, and we were under house arrest – we couldn’t leave the house at all. Our house is in Hai al-Abar neighbourhood, in the area bordering Yarmouk neighbourhood, near Mahatat al-Qafar.

I was in the sink, washing my hands, and suddenly I lost consciousness. I didn’t hear anything in the air, and I don’t remember anything before I fainted. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. We lost five members of my family in this attack:

XXXX, 62 years old – my father in law

XXXX, 26 years old – my husband

XXXX, 21 years old – my brother in law

XXXX, 18 years old – my brother in law

XXXX, 17 years old, my relative.

The rest of the family all had light injuries from the shrapnel. There were 10 of us total who were in the house. We found out later, from neighbours and relatives, that the house was completely collapsed from a mortar attack. My leg was shattered from something falling on it, and I have shrapnel in my face and my right hand. They took me to a hospital controlled by IS in my neighbourhood, and I stayed there for a few weeks, but then they sent me home because they said they didn’t have space for me. I went and stayed with my family in my uncle’s house, in the same neighbourhood, also near Mahatat al-Qafar. I was there with my father, mother, sister, my husband’s uncle, and his children. We were all staying in one room, because that was the safest place to be in the house.

After a few weeks, in the beginning of April, the ISF came to our neighbourhood, in the middle of the night. They were two houses away from our house, and we went out to them.

There were no stretchers, so my family had to put me on a vegetable cart. They sent us to the Mansour neighbourhood, where they had a military ambulance. From al-Mansour, they took me to Ghayara, and we had to cross over the river in a boat – that was the only way. It was the most difficult time, because I can’t swim, and I would have died if I had fallen in. The river was at least 50 meters wide.

They put me in a boat with three other people. They were in the centre of the boat, and they put me on the bow of the boat, on a piece of wood that they were holding in place with their hands. We made it, thank god. I was sure the boat would tip over. In the end we made it across the river, and then they took me here, to this hospital.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 4th-March 5th it said: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and a rocket-propelled grenade team; destroyed nine fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, an ISIS-held building, and a mortar system; damaged 26 supply routes; and suppressed 15 mortar teams.”

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
    5
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS595

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Multiple locations, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the third reported event at Tabaqa on March 20th, five civilians died and nine were injured in an airstrike in Tabaqa, though it was unclear from reports who was responsible.

According to the Smart news agency, “five civilians were killed and nine others were injured on Monday evening following raids targeting the market car park and al Manghiya neighbourhood and al Ayed farm and al Village area in al Tabaqa“. The source didn’t identify the warplanes.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also reported: “attacks on al Tabaqa, targeting the market car park”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Likely coordinates for the market car park (كراج السوق) are: 35.8495568, 38.5537612. The coordinates for Al Ayed farm area (مزرعة العاید) are: 35.8503786, 38.4772968. We are unable to geolocate Al Villat area ( منطقة الفیلات ) and Al Manghiya neighbourhood. Airwars assessment summary uses generic coordinates for the Tabaqa area.

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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tabqah Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 20th-21st the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed four petroleum oil lubricant equipment pieces, three barges, three fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, two VBIED facilities, two VBIEDs, a VBIED factory, a tunnel, a vehicle, a weapons storage facility, and a command and control node; and damaged two supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS613

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians died and ten more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a mosque in Tabaqa, according to local media.

Alfayha reported that “a Coalition warplane shelled near Fatima mosque in the Maghniya neighbourhood after Friday Prayers and killed five civilians and wounded 10 more. The death toll is likely to increase.” Smart News also pointed to the Coalition.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Tabaqa and Al-bo Asi were under aerial bombardment and heavy artillery shelling” – though the source didn’t say who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Ahmad Al-Salal
Age unknown male named by Sharqiya, from Buleil killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al-Thawrah, Tabaqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 24th-25th: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, and a weapons storage facility; and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2244

Incident date

May 17, 2017

Location

رسم الحمام , Rasim al Hamam, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.41304, 37.15712 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians were killed, including two children, and others were wounded in more than five alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the town of Rasim al Hamam in Eastern Aleppo, according to local sources.

The majority of sources, including Smart News and Syrianoor, reported that Russian planes were responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. However, @AJA_Syria published a contradictory report, identifying regime planes as to blame for the airstrikes.

According to Baladi News, the five civilians that were killed were members of the same family (Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh’s family).

Some of those that were injured were in critical condition at the time of reporting, which was expected to increase the death toll. In addition to the human cost, the airstrikes also caused considerable damage to houses and property.

Aljazeera reported that at the time, the area that was struck was under control of the Islamic State.

 

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
Child killed
One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
Child killed
One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
killed
One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
killed
One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS806

Incident date

May 12, 2017

Location

القورية, Quriya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.94995, 40.55731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Euphrates Post, five named civilians died in an airstrike when the car they were in was struck in Quriya. According to one source, Zaman Alwasl, the victims died as they were returning from a picnic in nearby Badia. The US-led alliance later accepted responsibility for injuring one person in the event.

All sources but one at the time attributed their deaths to the US-led Coalition – though Syria News Desk said that warplanes belonging to the Syrian regime were responsible.

The source didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for the deaths, though an earlier report said that Coalition aircraft had been seen over Deir Ezzor.

RFS also put the death toll at five, including two children, and blamed the Coalition.

However, one source, Syria News Desk, said that the regime was responsible, reporting that “four members of the organization [IS] and five civilians were killed yesterday night, following two raids by regime military aircraft on the city of Qouriya controlled by the organization [IS] in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour.

Al-Hamd pointed out that the warplanes targeted two vehicles, one carrying four members of the organization and the other five civilians at the entrance of the eastern city of Qureia as they entered the city. The shelling also completely burned the cars and damaged cars passing by.”

In December 2018 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event – though only for one person injured rather than the five reported fatalities: “On May 12, 2017, near Quriya, Syria, via Airwars report. The coalition aircraft engaged what was positively identified as an ISIS vehicle containing two known ISIS combatants. While ISIS combatants were killed in the attack, a civilian in the vicinity was unintentionally injured in the explosion.”

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.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Idris Abu Somar
Adult male killed
Sheikh Mahmoud Al Karad Abu Ahmed
Adult male killed
Muslim Aldrees
Adult male brother of Mohammed Aldrees killed
Mohammed al-Muslim
Adult male Mohammed Idris’s cousin killed
Abdul Salamah Abu Laith
Adult male Cousin of Mohammed Aldrees killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The funeral of five civilians, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on their vehicle in Quriya, May 12th (via Baladi)
  • Mohammed al-Adris "Abu Somer", killed in an airstrike on Quriya, May 11th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Abdul Salamah and Mahmoud Al-Karad two men killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Quriya, May 12th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The funeral of five men allegedly killed by Coalition airstrikes on their vehicle in Quriya, May 12th (via Zaman ALwasl)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 34.96, 40.55

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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Quriyah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU422686
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • On May 12, 2017, near Quriyah, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition aircraft engaged what was positively identified as an ISIS vehicle containing two known ISIS combatants. While the ISIS combatants were killed in the attack, a civilian in the vicinity was unintentionally injured in the explosion.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 11th - 12th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIS oil processing items and two ISIS well heads"

For May 12th - 13th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 16 ISIS oil tankers, two ISIS oil processing equipment, two fighting positions, and a vehicle"

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS034

Incident date

December 28, 2016

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and five civilians were reported killed in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling on Al Bab, Syria.

LCCSY reported: “By the end of the day, 16 people were killed in Aleppo, majority are by landmines by ISIS and Turkish artillery shelling in Al-Bab city.”

Smart News only mentioned Turkish airstrikes in the area in a report but no civilian casualties.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]