Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS4407

Incident date

February 4–5, 2020

Location

عنجارة, Ainjara, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One man his wife were killed and four children injured in an alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery strikes on the night of February 4th to February 5th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Civil Defence reported that “Mr. Ahmad Rostom was killed and his family – his wife and four children were injured – due to artillery shelling by the regime forces, which targeted their house in the town of Ainjara in Aleppo countryside, at midnight on Tuesday”.

However, Step News Agency later reported that one of the injured women died on February 5th as the result of her wounds. @Step_Agency said: “A woman was killed in a missile attack by the Syrian regime forces yesterday night in the town of Ainjara”.

Several sources reported the strike took place at midnight.

@Shahbapress said Syrian regime forces used artillery and rocket launchers  to shell the town.

Activists from Aleppo told Khobar 24 that a gunman from a Turkish-backed faction was also killed in the strike. Activists reportedly told the source that Russian and Syrian warplanes carried out more than 60 airstrikes on the southern and western countryside of Aleppo.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said Syrian regime forces’ fired artillery that struck Talhah Bin Obiadallah Mosque in the west of Einjara village partially destroying the building and damaging furniture.

Whereas some sources stated the artillery strikes were carried out by the Syrian regime, other sources did not specify a belligerent. Shaam News Network blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia. Due to Russia being an active belligerent in the area, Airwars has graded this incident as contested.

 

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Rostom أحمد رستم
Adult male killed
Wife of Ahmad Rostom
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmad Rostom was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air- or artillery strikes on the town of Ainjara, Aleppo governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via SCD).

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM275

Incident date

February 4, 2020

Location

Vicinity of Beer Xani, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.218985, 42.177213 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US Africa Command reported an airstrike in the vicinity of Beer Xaani on February 4th which it said had killed one terrorist. The attack came a day after Somali troops in the town had come under attack from al Shabaab.

According to AFRICOM’s release: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab terrorist in the vicinity of Beer Xaani, Somalia, Feb. 4… Initial assessment concluded the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.”

A day earlier, local Somali sources had reported that Jubbaland security forces had been ambushed and killed by al Shabaab near Beer Xaani.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • '#Kismayo: Operation #Jubbaland security forces in the western part of Kismayo, especially Beerxaani, have been killed by an Al-Shabaab militant group, also known as Mukhtar, and captured Qori Ak-47 & a military parade. #Somalia'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes in the vicinity of Beer Xaani village, for which the coordinates are: 0.218985, 42.177213

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab terrorist in the vicinity of Beer Xaani, Somalia, Feb. 4.
"The U.S. provides unrivaled and highly desired security force assistance options to our partners in Somalia," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Miguel Castellanos, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command. "Armed over-watch and precision engagement capabilities will continue to create big-time challenges for al-Shabaab."
Initial assessment concluded the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist.
We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.
Somalia remains key to the security environment of East Africa, and its long-term stability is important to advancing U.S. interests in the region. We will continue to work together on our support of the Federal Government of Somalia in its effort to bring improved governance, development and stability to the Somali people.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4410

Incident date

February 4, 2020

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A young man was killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Sarmin, Idlib governorate, on February 4th, 2020, according to SMART News Agency.

SMART reported that “local sources and military observatories said that a civilian was killed and others were wounded as a result of missile strikes by Russian warplanes on the town of Sarmin, east of Idlib.” None of the other sources that reported on strikes on Sarmin mentioned civilian casualties.

A image posted by @ala_hacioglu shows a clinic in the town of Sarmin that was destroyed by Russian strikes.

All of the sources that reported on strikes on Sarmin attributed them to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Before and after images of a clinic in Sarmin destroyed by alleged Russian strikes on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Before and after images of a clinic in Sarmin destroyed by alleged Russian strikes on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS087

Incident date

February 4, 2020

Location

المحسنلي, Al Mihsinli, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.647024, 37.881714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were allegedly injured by YPG shelling on the village of Al Mihsinli near Jarabulus on February 4th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a child was seriously injured, as a result of artillery shelling carried out by the Kurdish forces on the village of Al Muhsinli in the Jarabulus region of the northern countryside of Aleppo.”

ShahbaPress wrote: “Civilians, including a child, were wounded by mortar bombardment of the YPG on the village of Al Mihsinli, near the city of Jarablus, east of Aleppo.” @moetaz89 also reported mortar shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged YPG artillery shelling on the village of Al Mihsinli on February 4th, 2020 (via @moetaz89).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Mihsinli (المحسنلي), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.647024, 37.881714. 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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS088

Incident date

February 5, 2020

Location

اعزاز, A'zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, three children and a woman, were allegedly injured by YPG or Syrian regime shelling on A’zaz in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020.

The correspondent of Halab Today TV said that ” a woman and three children were lightly injured and were taken by rescue teams to the A’zaz National Hospital for treatment.”

Shahba Press said: “Three children were injured and widespread destruction due to shelling of the PYD militia on the city of A’zaz in the northern countryside of Aleppo.”

Syria Civil Defense posted: “A woman and 3 children were injured as a result of an artillery attack in the midnight city of A’zaz.”

Bawaba Aleppo also said that children were injured and that A’zaz was targeted with rocket launchers.

Though most of sources blamed YPG for the attack, Our Syria page blamed the Syrian regime saying “Al-Assad militia targeted at night the city of A’zaz, north of Aleppo, with several rocket-propelled grenades and caused material damage. “

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ali Maher Al-Raz علي ماهر الرز
8 years old male From Saraqeb injured
Ibrahim Maher Al-Raz إبراهيم ماهر الرز
11 years old male From Saraqeb injured

The victims were named as:

Bayan Barish بيان باريش
22 years old female From Saraqeb injured
Sidra Ayman Haj Hamdan سيدرا أيمن حج حمدان
7 years old female From A'zaz injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Damage after alleged YPG on Azaz on Feburary 5th, 2020 (via Bawaba Aleppo)
  • Damaged house after alleged YPG on Azaz on Feburary 5th, 2020 (via Bawaba Aleppo)
  • Damaged house after alleged YPG shelling on Azaz on February 5th, 2020 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG or Syrian regime shelling of A'zaz in Aleppo on February 6th, 2020 (Our Syria)
  • Damage to a civilian's house after alleged YPG or Syrian regime shelling of A'zaz in Aleppo on February 6th, 2020 (Our Syria)
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG or Syrian regime shelling of A'zaz in Aleppo on February 6th, 2020 (Our Syria)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the city of A’zaz (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.

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4414

Incident date

February 5, 2020

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians, including a child, were reported killed and four civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured as a result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz in the northeastern countryside of Idlib on February 5, 2020. The majority of sources reported that during the attack barrel bombs were dropped out of helicopters.

Regarding civilian harm, Ayham Steif and thawrat111 tweeted that the attack on Taftanaz resulted in multiple deaths. However, most sources reported only one civilian casualty, a girl, that the Syrian Network for Human Rights identified as Aalaa Alaa Rahhal.

Reporting on wounded civilians varied. A number of sources, including Al Jisr TV, said that several civilians sustained injuries, most of them children. According to Smart News, three children and a woman got wounded, while @FdzPWRe6ruGFPd tweeted that four children were injured. Three sources reported that the attack on Taftanaz resulted in four civilian injuries without any further specifications.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the airstrikes on Taftanaz. @EyadHoms20 attributed the attack to the Syrian Armed Forces stating that “[h]elicopters of the regime [targeted] with barrel bombs the city of Taftanaz in the northern Idlib countryside”, while others referred to Russia as having carried out the strikes. According to Nafeza Media, both Russia and the Regime were involved.  It stated that “Russian occupation aircraft and helicopters of the Assad militia launched dozens of missiles and barrel bombs on the town.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aalaa Alaa Rahhal
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of children injured and killed after Syrian and/or Russian armed forces allegedly bombed the city of Taftanaz with barrel bombs. (Posted by ala_hacioglu via Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of children injured and killed after Syrian and/or Russian armed forces allegedly bombed the city of Taftanaz with barrel bombs. (Posted by ala_hacioglu via Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of children injured and killed after Syrian and/or Russian armed forces allegedly bombed the city of Taftanaz with barrel bombs. (Posted by ala_hacioglu via Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of children injured and killed after Syrian and/or Russian armed forces allegedly bombed the city of Taftanaz with barrel bombs. (Posted by ala_hacioglu via Twitter)
  • A man carrying a child stands in line to receive first aid after alleged airstrikes of Syrian and/or Russian forces on the town of Taftanaz on February 5, 2020 resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. (Image posted by Ahmad Ghazal on Facebook)
  • Ahmad Ghazal uploaded photographs of the destruction that resulted from alleged Syrian and.or Russian airstrikes on the city of Taftanaz on February 5, 2020. (Image via Facebook)
  • Ahmad Ghazal uploaded photographs of the destruction that resulted from alleged Syrian and.or Russian airstrikes on the city of Taftanaz on February 5, 2020. (Image via Facebook)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4411

Incident date

February 5, 2020

Location

أطراف مدينة إدلب قرب قرية قميناس, outskirts of Idlib near Qminas village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported to be killed by an air raid upon the village of Quminas on the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th.

Ahmed Sheikho, media director for the Syrian Civil Defense, told Smart News that “a Russian plane targeted two cow farms near the village of Quminas, killing three people”. A tweet from Syrian Civil Defense noted that three medical facilities were targeted in the Idlib countryside. Jisr News, in conjunction with Syrian Civil Defense, later clarified that the farms were poultry farms that were hit by alleged Russian air strikes, and two men and a child were killed. @MoamenRawy tweeted that Syrian Civil Defense volunteers were unable to remove the bodies from the rubble of the bombing. The Syrian Network for Human Rights tweeted hours later that the bodies were successfully excavated from the areas struck by alleged Russian warplanes.

The air strike specifically strucktargeted poultry farms without military importance and killed three civilians.

Tweets and reports from various news agencies in the area attributed the air strike to Russian warplanes.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Men sitting next to the body of one of the victims who were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib near Qminas village on February 5th, 2020 (via SN4HR).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians carrying away a body from the site after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians carrying a body away from the site after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians recovering a body after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians rescuing an injured cow from the site after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC289

Incident date

February 5, 2020

Location

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688716, 13.173889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly killed by artillery shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Tarhuna 24 said: “Indiscriminate shelling of Qasr Bin Gashir area resulted in the death of two members of the Al-Futouri family and the daughter of Al-Hadi Kabar.”

There is currently no other information available.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Daughter of Al-Hadi Kabar
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.688716, 13.173889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]