Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

YS143

Incident date

July 25, 2022

Location

اعزاز, A'zaaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.573739, 37.021200

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a woman, was killed and two others were injured in alleged SDF or Syrian regime artillery and missile shelling of A’zaaz on July 25, 2022

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a displaced woman was killed by missile shelling in the vicinity of a Turkish base in the A’zaaz countryside. @Sharqya_reporte identified the shelling as also occurring near the National Hospital.

@Sharqya_reporte tweeted that Azaz Health Directorate provided details that Mrs. Aziza Al-Mohammed, displaced from the town of Tal Al-Dhaman, is the civilian killed.

Shaam News report that in addition to the woman killed, “a number” of civilians were wounded while Euphrates Post pointed out that “others” were wounded. Baladi News  provided the injury toll of two civilians injured.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the Syrian regime or the SDF were responsible for the incident, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights attributing the missile shelling to regime forces while Shaam News blamed the SDF. @SyriaCivilDefe reported that the missiles came from “areas controlled by the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces” and the Syrian Network for Human Rights specified that the missiles came from Minnegh Military Airbase in Aleppo governorate.

@Sharqya_reporte identified “rocket-propelled grenades” as being used in the attack, while Radio Al Kul reported that the bombing involved artillery and missiles.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Aziza Al-Mohammed عزيزة المحمد
Age unknown female displaced from the town of Tal Al-Dhaman killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    YPG

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • One of the victims of alleged Syrian regime or SDF shelling of A'zaaz being carried by Syrian Civil Defense volunteers on July 25, 2022. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers inspect shells following alleged Syrian regime or SDF shelling of A'zaaz on July 25, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers inspect shells following alleged Syrian regime or SDF shelling of A'zaaz on July 25, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers load a victim of alleged Syrian regime or SDF shelling of A'zaaz into an ambulance July 25, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Smoke from alleged Syrian regime or SDF shelling of A'zaaz on July 25, 2022. (Image posted by @humam_isa)
  • Our correspondent in the northern countryside of Aleppo: SDF terrorist militias renewed their bombardment with rocket-propelled grenades on the outskirts of the city of Azaz in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the National Hospital (المشفى الوطني في اعزاز) being struck, within the city of Azaz (اعزاز) Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the National Hospital are: 36.573739, 37.021200.

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    YPG

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0009

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

عطالة, Attale, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilian men, Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, were killed when their car was reportedly struck with gunfire allegedly from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the village of Attale, in the southern countryside of al-Hasakah, at dawn on Wednesday August 30th 2023.

Ninesixthree reported the incident took place at the al-Arisha SDF checkpoint.

A Facebook post from a family member, Bashar al-Suliman, referred to the men as their cousins and said that Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan is known as Abu Thamer and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla as Abu Mustafa (fathers of Thamer and Mustafa).

According to a tweet from @alsharqia24news, these civilians were returning from Deir Ezzor and heading to the village of al-Haddadiya when they were killed. In the same tweet, @alsharqia24news reported that Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla were both members of the al-Hazeem clan.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan أحمد فتحي الروضان
Adult male killed
Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla أحمد ابراهيم العكلة
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @nahermedia)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @alsharqia24news)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @alsharqia24news)
  • Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by Bashar Alsuliman via Facebook)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by Bashar Alsuliman via Facebook)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00043

Incident date

September 25, 2023

Location

الحوايج, Al Hawayj, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed by a bullet wound allegedly fired by the Syrian Democratic Forces on the 25th of September, 2023, in the town of Al Hawayj, in the eastern Dier Ezzor region.

Shaam News, who reported the incident, stated she was the wife of Hamoud Al-Hussein Al-Mulhim. Naher Media, who corroborated this, reported that she had been shot in the chest by a stray bullet.

This incident is a potential duplicate of incident SDF00043a, or has a potential link to it. At the time of reporting, there was not enough information to clarify whether these casualties occurred together.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Wife of Hamoud al-Hussein al-Mulhim
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS056

Incident date

October 17, 2019

Location

Al Rihanyia, Ras Al Ain, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.249474, 37.946333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three women were wounded in alleged YPG mortar fire in Al Rihanyia, Ras Al Ain, lcoal media reported.

According to Suriye.u.a.d, “Three women injured by mortar shells fired by gangs #PYD_YPG_PKK on Rihaniya village south of # Ras_alain”.

Shaam News Network reported: “SDF militias bombed civilians in the liberated village of Rihaniya, south of Ras Al-Ain, leaving a number of wounded, including women.”

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
    3
  • 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
    YPG

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Rihanyia (الريحانية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.249474, 37.946333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    3
  • 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
    YPG

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS086

Incident date

February 4, 2020

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.510833, 36.861944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and twelve others, among which five children, were reportedly injured in alleged YPG artillery strikes on two schools in Afrin city on February 4th, 2020, according to local sources.

Shabha Press reported that “wounded and material damages were caused by the PYD militia targeting Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, with rocket launchers.” Shaam News Network reported that two civilians were killed. While most sources reported that eight civilians were injured, the Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo published the names of one killed victim and thirteen injured victims, among which at least five children.

The Syrian Civil Defence reported that Abd Al-Sami’ Khallas had died in the airstrikes. Whereas SCD initially reported that 19-year-old Yassin Al Hamrawi had been injured, Sami Al Boush and Osama Al Masri later wrote on Facebook that the young man had died from his injuries.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the SDF for shelling “Al Ittehad al Arabi School – while an educational course took place inside the school – in the middle of Afrin city in the northern suburbs of Aleppo governorate, injuring eight students, partially destroying its building and damaging its furniture, on February 4.”

Mf-Sy’s News correspondent stated that “the SDF militia targeted the city of Afrin with a number of rocket-propelled grenades”, leading to one killed civilian and 12 wounded.

It should be noted that sources posted photos of a classroom stating it was Al Shari’ah school, whereas SN4HR posted a photo of the same classroom, stating that it was Al Ittehad school. It is possible that Al Shari’ah and Al Ittehad are referring to the same school, or that both schools were targeted, as several sources, such as @aa_arabic, reported that two schools and a mosque had been targeted.

However, a third school name was mentioned by @AdelPerwin, who tweeted that “several shells landed on Amir Al Ghbari School for Girls”, adding the same photo. This seems unlikely, as a video posted by @ZahedaRashkilo2 showed more of the evacuation of the site. Mainly young men can be seen leaving the classroom.

The Turkish Ministry of Defence (@tcsavunma) tweeted that “the bloody PKK / YPG terrorist organization targeting innocent civilians in the northern part of Syria, especially with bomb vehicle attacks, now fired four Grad missiles in two schools and one mosque in the centre of Afrin. One student died and seven students were injured in the terrorist organization’s low attack.

Sy-24 reported that “military sources confirmed that the shells were fired from the areas where the SDF militias are deployed at the Meng military airport and the vicinity of the city of Tal Rifaat.”

While sources blamed YPG-related militias, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “the Turkish forces stationed in the northern countryside of Aleppo fired several rockets targeting Al Ittihad School, Al Sharia School and some residential neighbourhoods in the Turkish-controlled city of Afrin, north-west of Aleppo”.

@NewrozJamo21 blamed Syrian regime forces stationed in the city of Nubl, adding that the strike was reportedly a response to an earlier Turkish bombing near a Russian base near the village of Keshtar. Hence, Airwars has rated this incident as contested.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ryan Pasha ريان باشا
14 years old injured
Yassine Hamrawi ياسين حمراوي
19 years old male from the Jobar neighborhood in Damascus killed
Mervan Ali ميرفان علي
8 years old male injured
Qutaiba al-Quwatli قتيبة القوتلي
5 years old male injured
Khalil Khalil خليل خليل
56 years old male injured
Aboud Al Midani عبود الميداني
Age unknown male injured
Abd al-Sami’ Khallas عبد السميع خلاص
Age unknown male killed
Dalal Omar Ahmed دلال عمر أحمد
46 years old female injured
Hassan Nabka حسان نبكة
20 years old male injured
Muhammad Salih Al-Muhammad محمد صالح المحمد
15 years old male injured
Obada Al Maydani عبادة الميداني
19 years old male injured
Ali Arour علي عرعور
2 years old male injured
Khadija Mustafa Al-Ali خديجة مصطفى العلي
31 years old female injured
Muhammad Bassam محمد بسام
19 years old male injured
Muhammad Hamam محمد حمام
18 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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
    YPG, Turkish Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Damage after alleged YPG artillery strikes on Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Presumably students in the aftermath of alleged YPG artillery strikes on Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020. However, other sources posted the same photo, claiming it was taken in Al Ittehad school (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Damaged classroom after alleged YPG artillery strikes on Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Damaged classroom after alleged YPG artillery strikes on Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Injured boy in an ambulance after alleged YPG artillery strikes on Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Injured boy and man in an ambulance after alleged YPG artillery strikes on Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Injured man in an ambulance after alleged YPG artillery strikes on Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Injured boy in an ambulance after alleged YPG artillery strikes on Al Shari’a school in the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish shelling on residential neighborhoods in the Turkish-controlled city of Afrin, north west of Aleppo on February 4th 2020 (via SCD).
  • Reportedly the bombed school after artillery strikes. Whereas all sources blamed the YPG, the source who posted this photo stated that the Syrian regime was the belligerent (via @NewrozJamo21 ).
  • Wounded young man after alleged YPG artillery strikes on a school in Afrin on February 4th, 2020 (via @NewrozJamo21).
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG artillery strikes on Afrin, February 4th, 2020 (via @afrinactivists).
  • Presumably blood in a car after alleged YPG artillery strikes on the city of Afrin on February 4th, 2020 (via @AdelPerwin).
  • Presumably a hole in the roof of Amir Al Ghbari School for Girls after alleged YPG artillery strikes on the city of Afrin on February 4th, 2020. Other sources claimed that the attack targeted Al Ittihad School and/or Al Sharia School (via @AdelPerwin).
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG artillery strikes on Afrin, February 4th, 2020 (via Anadolu Agency).
  • Tweet by the Turkish Ministry of Defence, blaming the YPG for artillery strikes on the city of Afrin on February 4th, 2020 (via tcsvavunma).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Yassin Al Hamrawi, reportedly a student of one of the targeted schools, was killed in alleged YPG airstrikes on February 4th, 2020 (via Sami Al Boush on Facebook).
  • Students being evacuated after alleged YPG artillery strikes in the city of Afrin, February 4th 2020 (via ZahedaRashkilo2).

Geolocation notes

“Reports of the incident mention the Al-Ittihad School (الإتحاد سكول), within the city of Afrin (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.510833, 36.861944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.”

YPG Assessment:

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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
    YPG, Turkish Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1970

Incident date

November 8, 2021

Location

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.896421, 39.904919 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man was killed in an alleged Coalition and Syrian Defense Forces airdrop operation in the town of Al-Sabha on November 8th, 2021. Sources were conflicted as to whether the man killed was a civilians or a militant.

According to Euphrates Post, the Coalition and the Syrian Defense Forces carried out an airdrop operation at dawn on November 8th, 2021, which resulted in the killing of one person and the arrest of two others.

Local sources told Euphrates that the SDF raided the house of Abdul Nahar al-Majwal (nickname Abu Jarrah), an alleged arms dealer who was shot dead while trying to escape, and arrested two of his brothers, Fahd and Suleiman. The correspondent of the Step News Agency added that Fahd’s wife was also arrested in the operation.

Eye of Euphrates reported that Abu Jarrah was smuggling weapons to the Syrian regime and that he was killed by a bullet in his chest while a tweet from @Sada_AlSharqieh mentioned that Abu Jarrah had been accused of belong to ISIS and North Press Agency referred to him as a leader of ISIS. However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified Abu Jarrah’s brother as being “a former weapons merchant arrested for dealing with ISIS” without mentioning that Abu Jarrah was associated with any militant activities.

@baznewz also referred to Abu Jarrah and his brother as formerly involved with ISIS and arms smuggling. Syrian Arab News Agency also reported that the two people killed in operations in al-Sabha and Fenijil (incident CS1970) were civilians and that the three people arrested in al-Sabha were civilians.

The operation lasted from 1:30am to around 2:30am.

In a civilian casualty assessment released November 3, 2023, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “After a thorough review of all CJTF-OIR’s strike and operation history, no strike or operation was identified +/-24 hours, in the vicinity of the allegation.”

The incident occured at 01:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Nahar al-Majwal (nickname Abu Jarrah), an alleged arms dealer who was shot dead in the town of Al-Sabha on November 8, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sabha (الصبحة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.896421, 39.904919. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 3, 2023

  • November 08, 2021, near Al Sabha, Syria, via Airwars report. After a thorough review of all CJTF-OIR’s strike and operation history, no strike or operation was identified +/-24 hours, in the vicinity of the allegation. 3315/CS1970 37SEV8166572838

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS155

Incident date

October 29, 2022

Location

مخيم كويت الرحمة, Kuwait Al Rahma camp, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.481828, 36.908128 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 29th, 2022, after midnight, one civilian, a woman, was reportedly killed, and two others injured, a man and a child, as a result of an alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strike on their house in Kuwait Al-Rahman IDP camp, in Afrin countryside, in Aleppo governorate.

Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) identified the woman killed as 30-years-old Samira Mohammad al-Hussein Kerzak. One local source added that she was displaced, and originally from Damascus. Sources described the victims as part of the same family, and the injured as Samira Mohammad al-Hussein Kerzak’s husband and her child. Syria Civil Defense (SCD) reported that two children from the same family also suffered from ‘psychological trauma’ as they saw their mother killed by the strike. Masar Press News indicated that the child injured was a young girl, while @77Mikiy claimed that it was a 6-months infant. The injured were reportedly transported by SCD workers to Afrin hospital to receive first aid. However, according to Abdul Hadi Abu Muhammad, director of Kuwait Al-Rahma camp, interviewed by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the infant was transfered to Turkey due to critical injuries.

Some sources claimed that the strike was conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) while others said Syrian regime forces were responsible for the bombing. SCD reported that the bombing came from areas under the control of both the Syrian regime, Russian forces and the SDF. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a rocket launcher was used in the attack. Abdul Hadi Abu Muhammad, director of Kuwait Al-Rahma” camp, interviewed by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed stated that “at two o’clock after midnight on Friday, two missiles landed inside the camp”.Afrin Post claimed that 6 rockets, fired from al-Shahba area, hit Al-Rahman camp.

Following the strike, SCD observed the displacement of a large number of families and described a ‘state of panic’ inside the camp.

The same source claimed that during the month of October, Kuwait Al-Rahman IDP camp and nearby Wadi Al-Hamam camp were bombed 5 times.

The incident occured at 02:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Samira Mohammad al-Hussein Kerzak سميرة محمد الحسين كزكاز
30 years old female killed
Samira Mohammad al-Hussein Kerzak's husband
Adult male injured
Samira Mohammad al-Hussein Kerzak's baby daughter
Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attackers
    YPG, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense workers examining two children following a strike in Kuwait Al Rahma camp, on October 29th 2022. Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • A Syrian Civil Defense worker following a strike in Kuwait Al Rahma camp on October 29th, 2022. Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • A Syrian Civil Defense worker inside a medical structure following a strike in Kuwait Al Rahman camp on October 29th, 2022. Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • The residential building after being hit by a strike in Kuwait Al Rahma IDP camp on October 29th, 2022. Source: SOHR

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Kuwait Al Rahma camp (مخيم كويت الرحمة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.481828, 36.908128. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

YPG Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attackers
    YPG, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00020

Incident date

September 2, 2023

Location

مدينة هجين, city of Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On September 2nd 2023, several sources reported that the Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) had carried out an alleged ‘bombardment’ of the city of Hajin, east of Deir Ezzor in Syria. At least two civilians, a woman and her child were killed during the incident, and up to 14 civilians were injured. All sources agree that the injured civilians were mostly or all women and children.

Nahr Media reported that the SDF carried out the alleged bombardment whilst stationed in the Al-Majanda area, on the bank of the Euphrates River. Most sources do not specify the type of weapon that was used during the incident, describing the alleged attack as a ‘bombardment’ and/or ‘bombing’. However, @DeirEzzor24, @DeryNews and @Dadyodelal allege that the SDF used a missile/missiles to attack the city of Hajin on September 2nd 2023.

Most sources agree that a woman and her child were killed during the alleged ‘bombardment’ of the Al-Islah area in the city of Hajin. @ralshhwan9 provided the names of the two civilians killed during the incident: Salma Ismail Al-Lahna, twenty-six years old, killed, female; Fatima Al-Saleh Al-Munif, five years old, killed, female.

@DeirEzzore and @monayadskaif have also reported that another child of the Abab Al-Munif family, who is not named but identified as the brother of Fatima Al-Munif (9 years old), was injured during the incident and had his leg amputated. @DeirEzzore added that two other relatives were also injured.

Most sources agree that fourteen civilians were injured during the incident. @DeirEzzore, @NorsForStudies and @moayadskaif report that of those injured, seven were children and five were women. However, some local sources provided injury numbers as low as four, but it is unclear whether these are referring to a specific incident within the escalation in Hajin or are early casualty numbers.

Following the incident, an unspecified number of the injured civilians have received medical treatment at the Hajin General Hospital, with @syrrev1 reporting that the hospital has announced a need for O+ and A+ blood groups to come forward and give blood donations.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Salma Ismail Al-Lahna
26 years old female killed
Fatima Al-Saleh Al-Munif
5 years old female killed
brother of Fatima Al-Munif
9 years old male injured
Relative of Al-Munif family
injured
Relative of Al-Munif family
injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–14
  • 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
    YPG

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured following a bombardment carried out by the Syrian Defence Force in the city of Hajin, Syria (Image posted by @Derynews via Twitter, on September 2nd, 2023)
  • Alleged SDF bombardment of the city of Haji on September 2, 2023. (Image posted by Furat News via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    #Deer Al Zour Scenes documenting the wounded who were injured in the bombing of the SDF militia on the town of #Hajin, east of Deir ez-Zor, in addition to the death of a mother and her daughter in the bombing of the town.

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
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–14
  • 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
    YPG

Sources (32) [ collapse]