Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

ISSY004

Incident date

November 12, 2019

Location

المزة, Al Mazza neighborhood, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.497253, 36.236975 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and ten others, including a child, were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on a family home in Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019, according to local sources. One source also reported that Syrian regime missiles reacting to an Israeli air attack also hit nearby homes.

The government’s Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the airstrike targeted the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, Akram Al Ajouri. His son Mu’az Al Ajouri was reportedly killed, along with another person named Abdullah Yousef Hassan. Mu’az Al Ajouri’s daughter Batoul was reported injured. And according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Mu’az Al Ajouri’s wife was also injured.

Times of Israel identified “Ajouri’s bodyguard was the other man killed, Hebrew media reported”.

Further sources said that Akram Al Ajouri and his wife were injured in the attack; while others said he was not present in the building at the time of the explosion that took place in the early hours of Tuesday November 12th. According to SANA, the incident occurred around 4:14am.

SANA reported that the explosion caused by the airstrike was strong and that “the building targeted was heavily damaged and windows of nearby buildings and a number of cars were shattered.”

Free Deir Ezzor Radio, however, reported that “in an attempt to respond to an Israeli raid, a rocket fired by the regime forces landed on one of the residential buildings in Al Mazza neighbourhood of western villas near the Lebanese embassy”, reporting a number of killed and wounded people. No other source made this claim.

Step News Agency reported that the strikes targeted Iranian militias: “Israeli shelling targeted several missiles in a residential building where Iranian militias are stationed in Mazza area in Damascus. The initial toll is about 10 dead and several wounded.” It is unclear if these reported fatalities are civilians or belligerents.

Israel Hayom identified the location of the building struck as being near the Lebanese embassy in the western Al-Mazza area of Damascus, adding that “it is not known if it has any connection to the embassy to which it is adjacent”.

The combatant status of both Mu’az Al Ajouri and Abdullah Yousef Hassan was somewhat unclear – with both pictured in uniform prior to their deaths, and Mr al Ajouri given military honours at his funeral (though this may instead have reflected his father’s own status within Islamic Jihad.) However, no other sources identify either men as being a member of a militant organization.

The incident occured at approximately 4:14 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mu'az Al Ajouri
Adult male killed
Batoul Al Ajoura
Child female injured
Wife of Mu'az Al Ajouri
Adult female injured
Wife of Akram Al Ajouri
Adult female injured

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Yousef Hassan عبد الله يوسف حسن
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–10
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–2

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • Images for an unknown explosion in Mazzeh - West Villas (EuphratesPost)
  • Aftermath of the attack
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neigbourhood in Damascus, November 12th, 2019 (via SANA).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Free Deir Ezzor Radio).
  • Building on fire after alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Free Deir Ezzor Radio).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Free Deir Ezzor Radio).
  • Rubble after alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Free Deir Ezzor Radio).
  • Edited photo of Abdullah Yousef Hassan, who was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Khan Danoun Refugee Camp).
  • Edited photo of Abdullah Yousef Hassan, who was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Khan Danoun Refugee Camp).
  • Abdullah Yousef Hassan was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Khan Danoun Refugee Camp).
  • The funeral of Moaz Akram Al Ajouri, who was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via Sleman Al Ajouri).
  • The body of Moaz Akram Al Ajouri at his funeral, who was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via Sleman Al Ajouri).
  • Moaz Akram Al Ajouri was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via Sleman Al Ajouri).
  • Translation: “The first scenes after the attack on the house of the leader of the "Islamic Jihad" group called "Akram Al Ajouri" in the Mazza area of Damascus” (via Zaman Al Wasl).
  • Translation: “Official source: The explosion at dawn today, Tuesday, in the Al Mazza area, west of Damascus, was caused by an Israeli bombardment of the house of the Palestinian leader in the Jihad Movement, Akram Al-Ajouri, killing his son Moaz and another person, wounding civilians and extensive material damage (# SANA)” (via @Maher_mon).
  • The damaged residential house after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via @Maher_mon).
  • The day after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via @Maher_mon).
  • Image of the building destroyed in alleged Israeli strikes on Damascus on November 12, 2019. (Image posted by Ynet)
  • Exact location of alleged Israeli strikes on Damascus on November 12, 2019. (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the western area of Al Mazzeh (المزة) neighbourhood. Reviewing audio-visual material we have narrowed down the location of this strike, west of Rahman mosque (جامع الرحمن) to the following coordinates: 33.497253, 36.236975.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the western area of Al Mezzah (المزة) neighbourhood.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Reviewing audio-visual material we have narrowed down the location of this strike, west of Rahman mosque (جامع الرحمن).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged satellite imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material.

    Imagery:
    Euphrates Post

  • Tagged panoramic stitch of audio-visual material.

    Imagery:
    SANA

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–10
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–2

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM413

Incident date

January 24, 2024

Location

the town of Gal Hareri, Galgaduud, central Somalia, Somalia

Airwars assessment

On the 25th of January, 2024, an alleged Somali or US drone or air strike was conducted against the Al-Shabaab militant group in the town of Gal Hereri, in the Galgaduud region of Central Somalia, killing at least 20 militants, according to Somali regional and military officials. One woman, Maido Yusuf Abdulle, was reported to have been fatally injured in the drone strike, and was one of ten civilians killed or injured, according to Mogadishu News.

On the 25th of January, VOA News (Voice of America) quoted the Galmudug Regional Security Minister, Mohamed Aden Gaboobe who announced that “Somali military forces, supported by international partners, conducted the strike in the town of Gal Hareri, targeting sites used by militants to manufacture improvised firearms, bombs and other explosives”. According to Uzalendo News, a Kenyan online newspaper, Mohamed Aden Gaboobe had also stated that the strike had additionally “targeted Radio Andalus, Al-Shabaab’s mouthpiece in Somalia.”

VOA News noted that no details were provided regarding which international partners’ “drones were involved in the strike”. VOA News further emphasized that U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) had “often conducted such strikes in Somalia at the request of Somalia’s federal government”. However, one Somali security official, who had requested anonymity, told VOA News that Turkish drones “were also providing air support to Somali forces”.

M.M. Dhoore, a former BBC journalist and current managing editor of SNTV London stated that the number of militants killed in the strike was higher, quoting Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) which claimed that 30 militants had been killed, including 11 “top commanders”. The released list of the 11 commanders killed included Abdi Jarin Shan-Bogolle and Abdullahi Maalim Bashir. Haberler.com reported that Abdi Jarin Shan-Bogolle was known as one of the ‘Khawrij’ founders in the Galgaduud region. ‘Khawrij’ is the preferred term recently used by the Somali government to refer to the Al-Shabaab militant group.

On the 27th of January, Mogadishu News posted a tweet on X/Twitter regarding the attack, stating that 10 civilians had been killed or injured, including women and children. Mogadishu News also referred to unnamed pro-Al-Shabaab media sources who, they said, had “released photos of the victims of the airstrike”.

The Mogadishu News X/Twitter post also referred to reporting that Maido Yusuf Abdulle, a mother of two children, had “succumbed to her injuries” on the 27th of January, following the strike, which they attributed to the US. The claim that 10 civilians were killed or injured by the strike was repeated by independent Somali journalist Huda Farhan, who tweeted a statement which was identical to that of Mogadishu News.

On the 26th of January, one user of the social media platform Telegram, Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada, posted a series of very graphic photos showing the dead bodies of individuals allegedly killed or injured in the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Maido Yusuf Abdulle
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • 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
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    20–30

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @dhoorebbc

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @dhoorebbc

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Mogadishu_News
  • Source: @dhoorebbc

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @UzalendoNews_KE

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram
  • Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Somali Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Media
from belligerent (2) [ collapse]

  • Source: @dhoorebbc
  • Source: @dhoorebbc

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • 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
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    20–30

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS666

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Location

near al Hassakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.

Incident Code

RS4184

Incident date

November 20, 2019

Location

بابيلا,, Babila, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two men were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Babila in the southern countryside of Idlib on November 20, 2019.

HalabTodayTv stated that the two civilians were injured and that material was damaged, due to the alleged airstrike in Babila by the Russian Armed forces. Several local sources reported that civilian homes were damaged as a result of the attack.

Syria Civil Defence identified that the two civilians injured were men.

All of the sources attributed the strikes to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets attend the scene of an alleged Russian airstrike on Babila, Nov 20th (via White Helmets)
  • Translation: "Civilians injured in Russian air raids on Babila town #إدلب "

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4195

Incident date

November 24, 2019

Location

معارة النعمان, Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 24th, 2019, in Maarat Numan, Idlib, local and social media reported that civilians were wounded as a result an alleged Russian airstrike. Four missiles were alleged to have been fired, and at least one man was reported injured.

According to the White Helmets, “a man was injured as a result of four airstrikes from Russian warplanes, targeting the outskirts of the city of Maarat Numan, this Sunday evening [Nov 24th].”

Various Twitter accounts reported the airstrikes, with @media_idlib reporting “A man was injured as a result of 4 air strikes by Russian warplanes targeting the outskirts of the city of Maarat al-Numan.”

All of the sources attributed the strikes to Russia, with a tweet from @wseemalkade identifying “high-explosive missiles” as being used in the attack. Between three and four airstrikes were reportedly carried out.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense forces respond to the site of air raids on city of Maarat al-Numan on November 24, 2019. (Image posted by @media_idlib)
  • Destruction caused by air raids on city of Maarat al-Numan on November 24, 2019. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI647

Incident date

April 17, 2017

Location

near Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “82. April 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

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
    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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 16th-17th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, three VBIEDs, three mortar systems, two ISIS vehicles, two heavy machine guns, and one front-end loader; damaged 16 ISIS supply routes and four fighting positions; and suppressed 10 mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1939

Incident date

December 3, 2019

Location

أطمة, Atma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.307309, 36.689379 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A militant leader, named as Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir, was killed when his vehicle was reportedly struck by the US-led Coalition, local sources said. Reports added that two of Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir’s “companions” also died in the strike, though their combat status was unclear.

A private source told Baladi News: “A reconnaissance plane ammunition by the coalition forces targeted a van in the town of Atma, adjacent to the borderline with Turkey with three missiles, believed to be American-made.

“A leader of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham was killed this evening, Tuesday, after targeting his car in the town of Atma, which borders the border with Turkey in the northern Idlib countryside, through a drone of the coalition forces.”

Ebaa and Xeber both reported “the killing of a prominent leader and two of his companions.”

According to The Step News Agency, “A aircraft believed to be belonging to the International Coalition targeting a van-type car in the city of Atma, North Idlib, which killed the driver of the car without information about his identity yet”.

Step added that the strike was reportedly by a drone, and it occurred in “Rawda Street”.

The combat status of the Tahrir al-Sham leader’s companions is currently unclear. For example, Orient reported: “The identity of the dead was not yet clear, and that preliminary information indicates that the bombing operation resulted in a major mutilation of the bodies of the two targeted individuals.”

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

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Image showing the targeted vehicle (via Baladi)
  • Paper showing the person killed in the attack is a military training with HTS (via Jesr Press)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a vehicle in the village of Atma (أطمة), for which the coordinates are: 36.307309, 36.689379

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
    37SBA925205
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020

  • Dec. 3, 2019, in Idlib, 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. 3213/CS1939 37SBA925205

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4244

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

بلشون, Balchoun, Mount Zawia, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between one and two men were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Balchoun, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

Edlib News Network said: “A man was wounded when Russian occupation warplanes bombed the outskirts of the town of Balshon in Idlib countryside.”

Idlib Plus and Mohamad Rasheed both published an identical report stating that two men had been injured in Balchoun by “Russian airstrikes and barrel bombs”.

@muhammad_salhab and Edlib Media Center both reported that Russian aircraft had carried out the strike.

Zaitun Media Agency said the strike had come as part of a wave of attacks by Russian warplanes and Syrian helicopters against towns including Kafr Sijnah, Hazarin, Trisha, Al Halba, Kafr Nabl, Hass, Hassem, Karsa, Kafruma, Balshon, Bazabour, and Urm Al Jouz in the southern and eastern Idlib countryside.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]