Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

YS081

Incident date

December 9, 2019

Location

Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.517240, 36.847741 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

36.518456, 36.857943 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reportedly wounded in an alleged YPH artillery shelling of Afrin, according to multiple local sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the Al Mahmoudiya (المحمودية) and Al Zaydiyah (الزيدية) neighbourhoods of the city of Afrin (عفرين). The generic coordinates for Al Mahmoudiya are: 36.517240, 36.847741. The generic coordinates for Al Zaydiyah are: 36.518456, 36.857943. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS400

Incident date

December 9, 2019

Location

تل الورد غربي, Tal Al Ward, Hasaka, Syria

Geolocation

36.797222, 40.338611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, one civilian was reported killed when Turkish forces or Turkey-backed forces launched an artillery attack on Tal Al Ward in Tal Tamr town of Hasakah in Syria, on December 9th, 2019.

No further details are available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Free Syrian Army

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Liveaumap Middle East marking the location of the strike on Tal Al Ward (via @lummideast).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention bombing in the village of Tal Al Ward (تل الورد غربي) for which the coordinates are 36.797222, 40.338611 and the village of Al Rubaiat (ربيعات غربي ) for which the coordinates are: 36.820000, 40.333333. 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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Free Syrian Army

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM259

Incident date

December 9, 2019

Location

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

1.637795, 42.452829 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The US military reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike against al Shabaab in the vicinity of Saakow that killed one terrorist.

“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Dec. 9,” AFRICOM reported.

“Initial assessment concluded the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.”

Associated Press, citing Somali officials, provided more details of what it said was a drone strike: ” Intelligence officials in Somalia say an airstrike conducted by the U.S. military in the country’s south killed a senior extremist of the al-Shabab rebel group. The airstrike on Monday by an unmanned U.S. drone targeted a vehicle outside Sakow, a town in Somalia’s Middle Jubba region, killing the rebel and wounding another, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. The strike was conducted in coordination with Somali intelligence which assisted in tracking the slain militant before the U.S. airstrike.”

Goobjoog said that the attack was instead conducted by helicopter. Xaysimo said the attack took place at noon. And citing Somali intelligence officials, Ilwareed said that one militant was injured along with the slain leader.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted a vehicle outside of the town Saakow (سااكوو), for which the coordinates are: 1.637795, 42.452829. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Dec. 9.
“We continue to work closely with our Somali partners to take decisive action to weed out terrorists who wish to do harm to the Somali people,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Miguel A. Castellanos, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command.
Initial assessment concluded the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist.
We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States. In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people, including partnered military counterterrorism operations with the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali National Army forces.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC252

Incident date

December 12, 2019

Location

صلاح الدين, Salaheddin, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.846389, 13.161667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One elderly civilian named as Khalifa Al-Sibai Al-Hamdi was reportedly killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Salaheddin area of Tripoli.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “A member of the Al-Hamidi family dies as a result of the fall of a random shell on his house in Salaheddin.”

Tripoli 219 and Warfleh sons published similar reports.

Local reports of fighting point at the GNA or LNA as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalifa Al-Sibai Al-Hamdi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture of reported victim Khalifa Al-Sibai Al-Hamdi killed by shelling on Salaheddin on December 12th, 2019 (via Warfleh sons)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Salaheddin (صلاح الدين), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.846389, 13.161667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Salaheddin (صلاح الدين).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC253

Incident date

December 13, 2019

Location

مشروع الهضبة, Hadaba project, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.838333, 13.175278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by LNA artillery shelling on the Hadaba project area of Tripoli.

Tarhuna 24 said: “Artillery shelling targets Al-Wefaq [GNA] concentrations in Hadaba project.”

Tripoli 219 wrote: “Also today’s evening, in the [Hadaba] project, a random shell landed on a citizen who had been hospitalized. Unfortunately, he died in the hospital.”

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    GNA

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Hadaba Project (مشروع الهضبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.838333, 13.175278. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    GNA

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC253a

Incident date

December 13, 2019

Location

طريق المطار, Tripoli: Airport road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.806027, 13.139814 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was injured by shrapnel in the neck after a shell by an unknown belligerent was fired on the Airport Road area in Tripoli on December 13th, 2019, as reported by Libyan Crime Monitoring Organization.

Local reports of fighting point at the GNA or LNA as the culprit.

Currently, further details are unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the road leading to the airport in Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.806027, 13.139814. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the road leading to the airport in Tripoli (طرابلس‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM260

Incident date

December 16, 2019

Location

Dujuuma, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

1.252321, 42.575321 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Publicly declaring its 60th strike of the year, AFRICOM said that it had targeted and killed an alleged al Shabaab terrorist

According to a press release issued on the same date, “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab terrorist in the vicinity of Dujuuma, Somalia, Dec. 16… Initial assessment concluded the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.”

According to Air Force Times the strike marked the 60th air action by AFRICOM during 2019: “U.S. Africa Command has conducted 60 airstrikes in 2019 against ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabaab militants, leadership, infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment — eight against ISIS-Somalia and 52 against al-Shabaab, said Col. Christopher Karns, AFRICOM’s director of public affairs.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the vicinity of the town Dujuuma, for which the coordinates are: 1.252321, 42.575321. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4249

Incident date

December 16, 2019

Location

جزرايا, Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to two people were injured in up to four alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo Governorate, on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources.

SMART News reported that one person was injured by Russian aircraft. The Syrian White Helmets reported injuries following the strike. Shaam News said there had been no injuries.

Four of the sources said that a total of four strikes had taken place in the town.

@AramMedia_N and @NEDAAPOST reported that Russian aircraft had used vacuum munitions.

The Syrian White Helmets reported that the strikes caused damage to civilian property.

All of the sources but one, which did not name a belligerent, attributed the strikes to the Russian airforce.

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
    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
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Liveuamap).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo governorate, on December 16th, 2019 (via Liveuamap).
  • Destruction following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo Governorate, on December 16th, 2019. (Uploaded by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Destruction following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo Governorate, on December 16th, 2019. (Uploaded by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Destruction following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo Governorate, on December 16th, 2019. (Uploaded by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Destruction following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo Governorate, on December 16th, 2019. (Uploaded by @ala_hacioglu)

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
    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
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]