Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS299

Incident date

August 23, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The United States self-reported that one of its airstrikes in the vicinity of Raqqa may have killed civilians.

The incident appears to correlate with a number of reported attacks on the city that day.

In a press release issued August 24th, CENTCOM noted: “A strike yesterday on an ISIL weapons facility near Ar Raqqah, Syria, may have resulted in civilian casualties, according to U.S. Central Command’s own post-strike assessment.

CENTCOM’s internal assessment of possible civilian casualties in this incident has been deemed credible. The incident will be reviewed, next, at the joint task force level at which point officials will decide whether an investigation is needed.

Reports indicate that what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft. The vehicle’s occupants may have perished as a result of the strike.

CENTCOM has extensive processes and techniques in place to avoid or minimize civilian casualties. Every report of civilian casualties, from either internal or external sources, is scrutinized regarding possible casualties and collateral damage. Assessments that are determined to be credible are reviewed as to whether the actions comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict.”

Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered reported five airstrikes on the city on the night of August 23rd, including Fayez Mansour Street in downtown; a water reservoir in the south of the city; and a school.

At around midnight the Coalition reportedly hit Ramilyeh. According to the Syrian Network, “International Coalition warplanes fired missiles on Munir Habib High School in Al Ramliyeh neighborhood in Raqqa city, destroying it almost completely and rendering it inoperable.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on August 23rd which may be linked to civilian casualties (Via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on August 23rd which may be linked to civilian casualties (Via Qadimon Ila Al-Raqqa)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa (Via Mohammed Abbosh)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa (Via Mohammed Abbosh)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL improvised weapons assembly area.“

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1186

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1658391, 36.9767189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children died and up to nine other civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible.

Halab Today reported that “at least two children were wounded in cluster bomb raids”. However, Smo-sy, @HalabTodayTV and @VMb468yf3kz2F6p said that the two children were killed in the attack. Reports either blamed Russia or didn’t identify the culprit.

The Smart News Agency was among several sources reporting that nine people were wounded – some seriously – in alleged Russian strikes.

But Shahba Press, Madar Daily and LCCSY attributed the event to the regime. The report by LCCSY said that “Assad’s helicopters dropped several explosive barrels on the town of Kafr Hamra”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1187

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.17594, 37.14111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 14 civilians including women and children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Sukkari, according to local media. Multiple sources reported that residential homes were struck and that fires broke out causing significant material damage. One source added that “the main market” was hit.

The lowest death count was given as five by AMC. However, the majority of sources said that 13 people were killed. The Smart News Agency and RFS Media Office put the figure at 14.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, four children were among the fatalities. Smart put the figure at two with three women also killed – and dozens more wounded.

Insaan Rights Watch published footage depicting the aftermath of what it referred to as a “horrific massacre by Russian aviation, which targeted or struck the main market in Al Sukkari”.

In an initial report, LCCSY blamed the regime, but then went on to attribute the event to Russia – as did all other reports, though some didn’t identify the culprit.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “a woman and her uncle, two women and two children from two families died in an explosion on a shell factory in a building Sukkari neighborhood in Aleppo.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 14
  • (2–4 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–24
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, SN4HR)
  • Fires are extinguished by the civil defense in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, AMC)
  • An injured man in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, Step)
  • Fires still alight in Sukkari following an alleged Russian raid. (via, Smart)
  • Fires still alight in Sukkari following an alleged Russian raid. (via, Shahed-ayan)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Sukkari. (via, Shahba Press)
  • Huge fires inside residential buildings and shops. (via, aleppopress)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 14
  • (2–4 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–24
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI280

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.7977836, 43.2935143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to various reports, 10 people were killed and 20 injured following an alleged Coalition strike at Qayyarah targeting by mistake civilians houses.

Al Qayyarah Now – which described the strike as accidental – said children were among the dead. The Arabi Asad blog said two families died. Other local reports described heavy shelling of the town, which was reportedly captured from ISIL two days later.

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE457628
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • Aug. 22, 2016, in Qayyarah, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2994/CI280 38SLE457628

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 21st-22nd 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed a mortar system, a vehicle, five assembly areas, a supply cache, a front-end loader and denied access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1180

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians including women and children died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Douma, local media reported – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The majority of sources, however, accused the regime.

According to Syria News Desk, “about 20 vacuum missiles, cluster bombs and other surface-to-surface regime rockets were fired on the popular market and residential neighborhoods in Douma”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and SRG Syria also blamed the regime. Smart News reported the use of “land to land missiles”.

The Smart News Agency also attributed the deaths – which it put at eight – to Assad, reporting that “eight raids targeted Palestinian houses in the city”.

However, LCCSY said that Russia was responsible, putting the death toll at six including three women and a child – with 20 more injured.

A number of other reports didn’t identify the culprit.

The Violations Documentation – who blamed “Syrian government and affiliated militias” – named the following five civilians as killed as well as confirming one unidentified civilian.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Khaled Najjar
Adult male killed
Ahlam Jameel Marjanah
Child female killed
Eilaf Jameel Marjanah
Child female killed
Hayat Muhammad Ali Aeoon
Adult female killed
Menas Yousef Tookhe
Adult female killed
A martyr from Barghuth family
Age unknown killed
Jamil Mirjana
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (2 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • A survivor from an airstrike on Douma, on August 22nd, stands amidst the rubble of civilian homes (via Syrianpc)
  • Material damage to the town following an alleged raid. (via, LCCSY)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously wounded children are treated in a medical facility following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid on Douma. (via, DOUMA MEDICAL)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid on Douma. (via, Smart News)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid on Douma. (via, Halab TodayTV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (2 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1181

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One named child died and up many more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Rastan, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

LCCSY reported one “child martyr and the critical wounding of other civilians in airstrikes on residential houses in ‪‎Rastan‬ city”.

According to Qasioun, “Russian fighter jets used phosphorous bombs and napalm on residential neighborhoods, resulting in fires in civilian homes and commercial shops”.

However, other sources – Syria News Desk, Rozana, Radio Al Kul and Rasd-sy – blamed the Assad regime. Rasd-sy put the death toll at two, while Syria News Desk reported that one child died when regime jets carried out “eight vacuum missiles strikes in Rastan neighborhoods”.

Sln added that “dozens were wounded in the cities of Rastan and Brive in Homs.”

More than one source reported the use of “phosphorous bombs”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hossam Abdul Rahman Obaid
Child male named by Syrian Newsdesk killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1182

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan al Asal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.169667, 37.040255 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians – reportedly from the same family, according to some sources – died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes which hit the Zahret-Almadaan area near Khan Al-Sal, local media said.

While the majority of sources blamed Russia, the Shaam News Network attributed the event to warplanes belonging to the Assad regime, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “governments warplanes and its allies”.

Many other sources didn’t identify the culprit, referring only to “warplanes”.

According to LCCSY, “three women and a child were martyred and six more civilians wounded in Russian strike. All casualties were from the same family”. A later report by the outlet, however, put the death toll at six, adding that “dozens” more people were injured.

Among other sources pointing to Russia were Syria News Desk, Halab Today and the Smart News Agency.

Dw news added that two children and two women died, while @ALAMAWI – who put the death count at four – said that seven more non-combatants were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (1–2 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the strikes on the Zahret-Almadaan area near Khan Al-Sal.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby is dug from the rubble by the White Helmets after she was killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan al Asal. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby is dug from the rubble by the White Helmets after she was killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan al Asal. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby is dug from the rubble by the White Helmets after she was killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan al Asal. (via, The White Helmets)
  • A man is rescued from the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via, SOHR)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, AMC)
  • A residential building which has been destroyed. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets looking for trapped civilians and clearing the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Asal. (via, Syrian PC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (1–2 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1183

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Location

معارة النعسان, Maarat al Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.0351379, 36.8356507 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 19 civilians were killed, including two women and two to three children, and several others were injured from airstrikes that struck Maarat al-Naasan. Among those killed were seven members of the same family. Following the airstrikes, the civil defense teams were mobilized to rescue those trapped in the rubble and transport them to local hospitals.

@egyptiontodayreported up to 19 civilians were killed – however they were the only source to report this high.

Local sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the airstrikes, with @shababRevolution blaming Russian planes while @twittbooknews and Smart News identified regime planes as the culprit.

Images published by various local news sources show cars that were completely destroyed from the strikes and the blood of those that were victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 19
  • (2–3 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid on Maarat al Naasan. (via, SO4HR)
  • A car destroyed in an alleged raid. (via, SND)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Madar Daily)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Blood splattered inside a residential home. (via, Smart News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of a deceased child, buried alive in the rubble, following an alleged raid on Maarat al Naasan. (via, shababRevolution)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 19
  • (2–3 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]