Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

YS107

Incident date

July 15, 2021

Location

عفرين, 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

Between one and two civilians, including a child, were killed and between eight and 12 others, including three women and two children, were injured in alleged YPG or regime missile and artillery strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021.

According to Syrian Civil Defense, two civilians were killed, including a child and a man, and 12 civilians were injured, including three women and two children, “as a preliminary outcome”. The Civil Defense teams “rescued the injured To the hospitals, the bodies of the dead were recovered to be handed over to their families”.

Media activist Rohat Muhammad told BasNews that “two people were killed, including a child, and 8 others were wounded when 6 missiles fell on Al-Zabadiyah neighborhood in the city of Afrin, the source of which is the towns of Nubl and Al-Zahra, which are under the control of the regime’s Shiite militias (Popular Defense) and Kurdish units.” He added that “a missile fell on the electricity tank, which caused the entire city to be cut off.”

Zaman Al Wasl reported that “the neighborhoods of “Al-Mahmoudiya” and “Al-Zaydiyah” in the center of “Afrin” were bombarded in the strikes. Afrin Media Center told 7al News that “the bombing was carried out in two waves, the first batch of missiles fell on the “Al-Zaydiyah neighborhood” and the street of Jindires Road, killing two people and wounding 11 others, then the shelling was renewed on the arc of the city and the village of “Jomke”.

@ShahbaPress and @mohmad_rasheed both identified one person as being killed in the strikes.

A post from Mustafa Sheikhou named some of the victims of the strikes that were injured: Masoud Rashid Hussein – 40 years old – Afrin; Mustafa Juma Samer Zainab – Afrin – 9 years old; Muhammad Ali Wamuna Wamouna, 60 years old, from Afrin; Salwa Haider Wamouna, 30 years old, from Afrin; Yassin Omar Khaled Intisar, 30 years old, Hama; Sally Sheikh Naasan, 18 years old, from Afrin; Emad Othman Mustafa, 40 years old, from Afrin; Muhammad Yusuf Taha – 35 years old – Idlib; Ziad Al-Omar Hussein, 35 years old, Idlib. At least one of the children injured, whose name was not identified, was in intensive care.

Afrin Media Center identified Kurdish civilian Radwan Jamil Hamid, from the village of Suya, as being a “victim” of the strike but does not specify whether he was killed or injured.

Shaam News reported that “activists stated that the bombing caused at least 15 wounded, including women and children, who were transferred to Afrin hospitals, including serious cases” and that “residential neighborhoods” were struck in the shelling.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes but the majority of sources attributed the strikes to the SDF/YPG. The Syrian Civil Defense identified the shells as “originating from the areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces north of Aleppo” but did not assign blame. However, @ShahbaPress attributed the missiles to “the YPG militia” and @mohmad_rasheed tweeted about the casualties from “the bombing of SDF with vacuum missiles”. Anadolu Agency referred to both “the terrorist YPG/PKK organization” and “ISIS elements stationed in the city of Tal Rifaat” as carrying out the strikes while 7al News identified “government forces and the Iranian militia loyal to them” as responsible.

Rocket launchers and artillery shelling was reportedly used against Afrin according to various sources.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Muhammad Ali Wamuna Wamouna
60 years old injured
Salwa Haider Wamouna
30 years old injured

The victims were named as:

Masoud Rashid Hussein
40 years old injured
Mustafa Juma Samer and Zainab
9 years old injured
Yassin Omar Khaled Intisar
30 years old injured
Sally Sheikh Naasan
18 years old injured
Emad Othman Mustafa
40 years old injured
Muhammad Yusuf Taha
35 years old injured
Ziad Al-Omar Hussein
35 years old injured
Radwan Jamil Hamid
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense team members search through the rubble for casualties following strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Civil Defense team members search through the rubble for casualties following strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Civil Defense team members search through the rubble for casualties following strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Civil Defense team members search through the rubble for casualties following strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Statistics of the victims of the bombing of the city of #Afrin in the northern countryside of #Aleppo, Thursday, July 15th: death of 2, one of them a child, and 12 injured, including 2 children and 3 women. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of an older man injured in strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @khalidaboalmjed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a young man injured in strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @khalidaboalmjed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a young child injured in strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @khalidaboalmjed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a young child injured in strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @khalidaboalmjed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a young man injured in strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
    Damage to a building caused by strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by BasNews)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of the young child killed in strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @Yusuf1975hamoud)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the strikes on Afrin on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Shaam News)
  • Ambulances arrive at the scene of strikes on Afrin to rescue injured civilians on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by BasNews)
  • Ambulances arrive at the scene of strikes on Afrin to rescue injured civilians on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Afrin Media Center)
  • "Among the victims of the missile strikes on the city of Afrin yesterday evening, Thursday 15.07.2021, was the Kurdish civilian, Radwan Jamil Hamid, from the village of Suya." (Image posted by Afrin Media Center)

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

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1960

Incident date

July 15, 2021

Location

القائم, Al Qa’em, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was reportedly shot dead during a raid on the outskirts of Al-Zar village carried out by the US-led Coalition alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces, according to multiple sources, at dawn on July 15, 2021. A single source – Furat News – also reported that a girl was injured in the incident.

The dead civilian was identified by multiple sources as Riad Ali Al-Khuzam. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that he was shot by personnel from the Syrian Democratic Forces during the raid. Al-Khuzam was allegedly from the village of Al-Maray’iyah but lived in Al-Busaira while working on the oil fields. Euphrates Post reported he was a displaced person.

Sputnik reported that the operation “resulted in the killing of civilians and the kidnapping of dozens of others” but did not provide any other details of how many or who civilians were involved.

According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Amjad Al-Sari from the Ain Al-Furat satellite television network said the raid involved “26 military vehicles, 5 helicopters, a number of drones and laser-correction aircraft” which arrived in the village at around 2am.

Eye of Euphrates gave the following account from a civil source: “The international coalition carried out an airdrop operation on a house in the village of Al-Zar, east of Deir Ezzor, in which four military helicopters and two drones participated.” It added, “The targeted person resisted the international coalition forces and fled within the agricultural lands, after which the planes bombed the area with several missiles, which led to his arrest and detention, and the injury of a girl with several shrapnel.”

Deir Ezzor 24 said the operation targeted a house near the “Abu Saad” mosque, arresting a man named Saleh Abu Sumaya and his wife. It reported that Abu Samaya had been arming Islamic State and organising assassinations for the group.
It continued, “During the operation, clashes took place between the SDF and persons from Azzir village for about half an hour as they refused to surrender, but helicopters targeted their place with a guided missile and sound bombs forcing them to surrender.”

Euphrates News added that two houses were targeted in the raid, “the house of Khader Rajab Al-Sabti near the Abu Saad Mosque and another house belonging to a member of the “Al-Munkar” family, inhabited by displaced people from the village of Al-Hari in the city of Al-Bukamal.” In addition to arresting “Saleh Abu Sumaya and his wife”, six others were arrested on charges of belonging to ISIS.

The incident occured at 03:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Riad Ali Al-Khuzam
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of Riad Ali Al-Khuzam, from the village of Al-Maray’iyah, who was killed in a raid near the Al Qa’em Syrian-Iraqi border on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • Image of Riad Ali Al-Khuzam, from the village of Al-Maray’iyah, who was killed in a raid near the Al Qa’em Syrian-Iraqi border on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mentiont the city of Al Qaem (القائم), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1961

Incident date

July 16, 2021

Location

ذيبان, Thiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0162094, 40.5101418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man and his son were reportedly killed in a raid in Deir Ezzor’s Thiban town carried out by Syrian Democratic Forces with support of the US-led coalition at dawn on July 16, 2021.

The dead were identified as Miteb Sherida Al-Ghadir and his son Ahmed.

@Sada_AlSharqieh said they had been grazing their sheep at the time of the incident and “had no links with the terrorist organization ISIS or any other party”. NPA Syria meanwhile reported that two members of Islamic State had been killed, quoting a military source in the Syrian Democratic Forces. However, the ISIS members they were referring to were not named.

The Syrian Democratic Forces shot the two men dead, according to Jesr Press, when “a number of people fled for fear of arbitrary arrests” and “the patrol members opened fire directly on these people”. NPA Syria reported that a military source told them that the forces, “with the support of the International Coalition, carried out a landing operation on the Al-Latwa neighborhood in the town of Thiban, where clashes took place with ISIS members.”

Eyewitnesses told Furat SY that a “force consisting of several cars raided civilian homes, without warning, accompanied by indiscriminate shooting between the houses with the aim of terrorizing the ‘wanted’”. The two men were shot in front of their house, according to its reporting. “This incident sparked a wave of panic among the civilians and generated a state of anger and frustration among the relatives of the victims, forcing the SDF to withdraw from the town,” it added.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Mutaib Sherida Al-Ghadeer, who was killed in a raid in the town of Thiban on July 16, 2021. (Image posted by @YusufAd76532779)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Ahmed Sherida Al-Ghadeer, who was killed in a raid in the town of Thiban on July 16, 2021. (Image posted by @YusufAd76532779)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike within the Latwa neighbourhood (حي اللطوة) in the village of Diban (ذيبان). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Dhiban are: 35.0162094, 40.5101418.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

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
    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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1962

Incident date

July 21, 2021

Location

خربة الجاموس, Kharbet Al Janous, Al Hassaka, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between one and three people, including a child, were killed and others were injured in Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) strikes on Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. Various sources report that a child was killed in the operation while other sources report that between one and three members of ISIS were killed.

The Syrian Arab News Agency reported that “Three persons were killed and many others were injured in an attack by US occupation warplanes in Jamous village, east Hasaka” and that the helicopters launched missiles at a house for several hours, killing and injuring all who were inside. Various other sources also referred to “three people” as being killed in the strikes.

Al Khabour posted on Facebook that three people, including a child, were killed “on the pretext of the presence of ISIS cells inside it”.

@modar28 tweeted that the SDF had raided a home and killed the child Osama Adnan Al-Hamid and “to hide the crime, they gave his coordinates to the American planes that the house contained ISIS cells, so the coalition aircraft destroyed the house in Karbet Al Jamous (Tal Hamis) village in Al Hassaka.” Haskaka News reported a similar story that ” the child “Osama Adnan Al-Hamid” was inside the house, and when he saw them, he fled outside the house, so [the Kurdish forces] shot him, killing him instantly.”

Jisr’s correspondent in Hasaka countryside reported that “two people were killed as a result of the attack, in addition to the death of a child who was close to the scene, after he was hit by a stray bullet”.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “the security operation targeted a house after the troops cordoned it off and calls the people inside the house to surrender, but the suspects resisted, as exchange of fire erupted between the two sides. Meanwhile, International Coalitions fighter jets intervened and bombarded the house, which caused the death of three suspects believed to be ISIS members who were inside the house.” Baladi News also quoted “sites close to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that the latter had raided a house containing three members of the “ISIS” organization.”

Tweets from @OIRSpox, the US Coalition spokesman, stated that “Today the Syrian Democratic Forces conducted a raid in the vicinity of Hasakah, Syria which resulted in the death of one Daesh terrorist. Coalition forces conducted two airstrikes on the building in support of our partner forces in contact and to ensure the terrorist threat was eliminated. The Coalition has the inherent right to defend our partner forces. No civilians were killed as a result of #SDF operations or  airstrikes. #Syria #Hasaka”

A day later, the @OIRSpox released a revised statement: ” Update: The SDF spokesman has provided an update to #SDF raid on a Daesh hideout on July 21, 2021. SDF reports that 2 Daesh gang members were KIA & 2 were arrested. The SDF requested air support after finding & removing a wounded child from the Daesh hideout. Believing that Daesh gang members were still hiding out in the house; an air strike was conducted. The child subsequently died from his wounds despite @Coalition medical efforts to save his life. The SDF is investigating the death of the child who was being held captive by Daesh during the attack. See below for more information or contact @Farhad_Shami SDF spokesman.”

However, the SDF statement recounts the events as “In order to support, coalition aircraft targeted the cell’s sites with two missiles eliminating two mercenaries while two other members were arrested. By searching the house, our special units discovered the body of a murdered child.” indicating that the child was killed in the strike.

Watan Radio’s correspondent indicated that “the SDF moved the bodies to an unknown location, without revealing the identity of their owners, while the US helicopters hovered for more than half an hour at the site of the operation after it ended.” Syria TV sources added that “a member of the “SDF” was injured during the clashes that took place, after which he was transferred to the mobile medical center of the SDF, and then he was transferred to Al-Hasakah Military Hospital.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Osama Adnan Al-Hamid
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Image of alleged US coalition strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • #Khabour #Al-Hasakah Three people, including a child, were killed as international coalition aircraft targeted a house in the village of Khirbet al-Jamous in the Hasaka countryside on the pretext of the presence of ISIS cells inside it
  • Damage caused by alleged US coalition strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by RT Arabic)
  • Damage caused by alleged US coalition strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by RT Arabic)
  • Image of Osama Adnan Al-Hamid, who was killed in an alleged US Coalition-SDF raid on Karbet Al Jamous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by @modar28)
  • Image of the damage caused by Coalition and SDF strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by SDF)

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Democratic Forces
Official source

After a close monitoring and detecting process, the (SDF) counter-terrorism units dismantled, with a joint security operation on Wednesday, a dangerous terrorist cell affiliated with Daesh in Khirbet al-Jamous village, the eastern countryside of al-Hasakah.
The operation was supported by the coalition ISR and targeted a house that was used by the terrorists to hide. Among them are those responsible for committing assassinations against civilians and the security and military forces.
During the raid, one of our fighters was martyred due to clashes with the terrorists who opened fire on our forces in an attempt to escape. In order to support, coalition aircraft targeted the cell’s sites with two missiles eliminating two mercenaries while two other members were arrested.
By searching the house, our special units discovered the body of a murdered child, however; our forces will open an investigation into the detained mercenaries to find out why the child was there and the circumstances that led to his death.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of the damage caused by Coalition and SDF strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by SDF)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

"Today the Syrian Democratic Forces conducted a raid in the vicinity of Hasakah, Syria which resulted in the death of one Daesh terrorist. Coalition forces conducted two airstrikes on the building in support of our partner forces in contact and to ensure the terrorist threat was eliminated. The Coalition has the inherent right to defend our partner forces. No civilians were killed as a result of #SDF operations or  airstrikes. #Syria #Hasaka"

A day later, the @OIRSpox released a revised statement: " Update: The SDF spokesman has provided an update to #SDF raid on a Daesh hideout on July 21, 2021. SDF reports that 2 Daesh gang members were KIA & 2 were arrested. The SDF requested air support after finding & removing a wounded child from the Daesh hideout. Believing that Daesh gang members were still hiding out in the house; an air strike was conducted. The child subsequently died from his wounds despite @Coalition medical efforts to save his life. The SDF is investigating the death of the child who was being held captive by Daesh during the attack. See below for more information or contact @Farhad_Shami SDF spokesman."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS108

Incident date

July 25, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.507348, 36.861660 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

36.516599, 36.857916 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map 36.509316, 36.860241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and eight civilians, including four children and two women, were injured in alleged SDF or regime strikes on Afrin on July 25, 2021.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Civilians injured and SCD center damaged in SDF shelling of Afrin city in Aleppo suburbs on July 25. Syrian Democratic Forces used a missile launcher to fire six missiles at Afrin city in the northern suburbs of Aleppo governorate on July 25, 2021, injuring seven civilians, with one of the missiles landing on the city’s Civil Defense center, partially damaging the center and three of its vehicles (one ambulance and two service cars).”

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported “several rockets hit residential neighbourhoods in Afrin city which is under the control of Turkish forces and their proxy factions, as the rocket fire targeted Ma’rata roundabout, Raju road and al-Villat street, amid reports of injury of civilians. However, it is not known if Kurdish or regime forces fired these rockets.”

Syrian Civil Defense added that “8 civilians were injured in an initial toll (4 children, two women, and two men, one of whom is in critical condition). The toll provided by @zenhom75 was that “6 civilians were injured in the initial outcome”.

A post by @ammar_sakkar listed the names of those injured in the strikes: Nada Al-Zaher, 29 years old (F), child Muawiyah Akash (M), Child Fadi Tawil (M), Qadriya Sido 65 years old (F), child Khadija Ahmed Al-Taweel (F), Child Tamim Ahmed Al-Taweel (M), Hassan Allawi, 38 years old (M)

Volunteer Muhammad Ali Haj Ahmed talks about the moments of targeting the Syrian Civil Defense Center in the city of #Afrin, north of #Aleppo: “I didn’t expect the bombing to be on us, we immediately ran out to save people, but when they saw the bombing of our center, they ran to us to help us, thank God there were no injuries from the team, people’s eagerness for us could not be described, this thing makes us continue to help them and save them. Despite the great danger that we were exposed to, in the last period we lost colleagues with the bombing of the regime and Russia on our centers and teams during the response, and a while ago we were exposed to the city of Afrin by bombing that targeted us while we were treating the wounded to the hospital. Targeting humanitarian workers is a war crime, but unfortunately the criminals when they saw no punishment increased their crime, our message. Today, we have no goal, and the perpetrators of this crime and other crimes of targeting humanitarian workers and civilians must be held accountable, because leaving them is a green light to commit more crimes.”

SN4HR also pointed out that “the targeted area is a civilian one and free of any military presence or equipment” and Shaam News Network referenced that the strikes “targeted indiscriminately the city of Afrin, targeting residential neighborhoods crowded with civilians, and the Civil Defense Center in the city center, leaving great material damage to the center’s mechanisms.”

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes. SN4HR attributed the strikes to the SDF while SOHR was uncertain whether the Kurdish or regime forces fired the rockets. The Syrian Civil Defense also pointed out that the strikes came “from areas controlled by the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces” and @MMCSYR referred to the strikes as a “joint bombardment by the regime forces and the “SDF” organization”. An image posted by @yahya_kadaa shows the location where the shells were launched from but doesn’t identify who was responsible.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Khadija Ahmed Al-Taweel خديجه احمد الطويل
Child female injured
Fadi Tawil فادي الطويل
Child male injured
Tamim Ahmed Al-Taweel تميم احمد الطويل
Child male injured

The victims were named as:

Nada Al-Zaher ندى الظاهر
29 years old female injured
Muawiyah Akash معاوية العكش
Child male injured
Qadriya Sido قدرية سيدو
65 years old female injured
Hassan Allawi
38 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (35) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Strikes damaged a Civil Defense building in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Damage to an emergency vehicle caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage to a building caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A Civil Defense member after strikes on their center in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Targeting humanitarian workers and Syrian Civil Defense centers is a war crime whose perpetrator must not escape justice.
  • Damage to an emergency vehicle caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage caused by strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @davut1374)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @davut1374)
  • One of the children injured in strikes on Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @zenhom75)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @zenhom75)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @zenhom75)
  • Strikes in Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @zenhom75)
  • Remnants of the shell used in the strikes on Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @syr_television)
  • Smoke and destruction caused by shelling of Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @syr_television)
  • Smoke and destruction caused by shelling of Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @syr_television)
  • Smoke and destruction caused by shelling of Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @syr_television)
  • Smoke and destruction caused by shelling of Afrin on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @YusufAd76532779)
  • "The site of the launcher from which the missiles that targeted the Civil Defense Center in Afrin were launched." Image posted by @yahya_kadaa)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes in the vicinities of the Ma’arata roundabout (دوار المعرة), Rajo Road (طريق راجو), and Al Villat Street (شارع الفيلات) in the city of Afrin (دوار المعرة). The generic coordinates for the Ma’arata roundabout are: 36.507348, 36.861660. The generic coordinates for Rajo Road are: 36.516599, 36.857916. The generic coordinates for Al Villat Street are: 36.509316, 36.860241. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the locations further.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Ma'arata Roundabout \n دوار المعرة","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[36.861611,36.507149]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"label":"Rajo Road \n طريق راجو","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"LineString","coordinates":[[36.86705946922302,36.50919636395354],[36.86656594276428,36.509998338235235],[36.86378717422485,36.51278362522759],[36.8606436252594,36.515111806791865],[36.85880899429321,36.516413833350526],[36.85690999031067,36.51702603694196],[36.85539722442627,36.5170777722348],[36.849024295806885,36.517207110315525],[36.84667468070984,36.51741405079508],[36.846535205841064,36.51745716332531],[36.84611678123474,36.51765548065507],[36.8437135219574,36.51899195375359],[36.84005498886108,36.52146652364618]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Al Villat Street \n شارع الفيلات","label-type":"black-white","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1},"geometry":{"type":"LineString","coordinates":[[36.86033248901367,36.51508593849263],[36.86031103134155,36.50475517316974]]}}]}

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS109

Incident date

July 25, 2021

Location

مارع, Mare’, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4797, 37.1955 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one woman was injured in alleged SDF shelling of the city of Mare’ on July 25, 2021.

Shahba Press reported that “a woman was also slightly injured as a result of the YPG targeting of Marea city”.

Baladi News correspondent in Aleppo said that “SDF” forces shelled with mortar shells residential houses in the city of “Marea”, which resulted in the injury of a woman. @Ahmad_1alshble also pointed out that the woman that was injured was a displaced person.

SY24 added that “residential neighborhoods in the city of Marea in the Aleppo countryside were subjected to mortar shelling, which led to the injury of a woman, and severe material damage to civilian property. In turn, the Syrian Civil Defense went to the location of the shells and worked to provide first aid to the injured woman and to secure the place.”

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to the Syrian Democratic Forces or were ambiguous about who was responsible.

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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by shelling of Mare' on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by shelling of Mare' on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by shelling of Mare' on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by shelling of Mare' on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Smoke from shelling of Mare' on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)
  • Image of the impact of a shell launched at Mare' on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @abo_aljod84)
  • Smoke from shelling of Mare' on July 25, 2021. (Image posted by @Ahmad_1alshble)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Mare’ (مارع), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.4797, 37.1955. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS110

Incident date

July 26, 2021

Location

اعزاز, Azaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586111, 37.044722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces shelling on the city of Azaz on July 26, 2021.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense, “a civilian was injured, by missile shelling coming from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces, north of #Aleppo, targeting civilian homes in the city of #Azaz this evening, Monday, July 26th.”

The majority of other sources also identified one civilian as being injured in the strikes. However, a tweet from @dbOFRYEU7XqMrTc reported that there were “no casualties”.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to the SDF.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets help an injured civilian following strikes on Azaz on July 26, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Azaz (اعزاز), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.586111, 37.044722. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS111

Incident date

August 5, 2021

Location

حزوانحزوان, Hazwan near Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.408648, 37.404864

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and a further two injured after missiles reportedly struck vehicles in the village of Hazwan, east of Aleppo on August 5th, 2021. While most sources claimed the Syrian Democratic Forces were responsible, the Syrian Civil Defence said the missiles originated from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and regime forces.

The Syrian Civil Defence confirmed that one of their volunteers was among the injured. In a post, it wrote that one missile had targeted a crane car used in maintenance and the second hit an ambulance of the Syrian Civil Defense that had arrived on the scene. They noted that it originated from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and regime forces and Zaman Al Wasl added that the missiles originated from the members of the “SDF” militia stationed in the “Radar Shaala” area.

Zaman Al Wasl named the two civilians killed in the crane car as Mahmoud and Hassan Al Badi. Mohammed Al-Badi, who was reportedly accompanying them, was also injured, it said. Meanwhile @abualisar18 named Shihab Mahmoud Al Badi as one of the fatalities and not Mahmoud Al Badi. A social media user indicated that they knew both the deceased, noting that Hassan Al Badi and Mahmoud Al Badi were brothers.

Most sources said the deaths were caused by guided missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hassan Al Badi حسن البادي
Adult male One source who notes they knew the deceased reported that the two men killed in this incident were brothers killed
Mahmoud Al Badi محمود البادي
Adult male One source who notes they knew the deceased reported that the two men killed in this incident were brothers killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Image showing vehicle damaged. Missiles reportedly targeted a crane car and then an ambulance that arrived on the scene (image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • While Helmets carrying a body from the scene of a August 5th, 2021 attack on an ambulance and crane car (image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • A crane car sustained significant damage following after a missile. It was unclear who was responsible. (Image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • Translated image caption: The corpse of a civilian killed by the missiles of crime, a charred ambulance and a tired volunteer. The picture summarizes the story of a grieving homeland, the missiles of death do not stop, and civilians and rescuers are the target and the victim. (Via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • Damage to a vehicle sustained on August 5th, 2021. (Image posted by MMC)
  • Caption indicates that this is a photo of Hassan Al Badi, one of the men killed on August 5th, 2021. (Image shared by Narhal)
  • Caption indicates that this is a photo of Mahmoud Al Badi, one of the men killed on August 5th, 2021. (Image shared by Narhal)
  • Video caption: Crane burning with militia fire #قسد It contains two people in the eastern town of Hazwan (via @OrientNews)
  • Video from the scene of the August 5th, 2021 incident. (Video via @SyrianCivilDefence)
  • Video from the scene with White Helmet member commentary. (Video posted by @SyriaCivilDefence)
  • Video of scene of the August 5th, 2021 which sources said killed two men and injured another two (Video via @Gurbtawtan)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hazwan (حزوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.408648, 37.404864. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (26) [ collapse]