Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS808

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians including three children died in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra according to local sources –  though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime.

According to Syrian Newsdesk more than fifteen Russian and regime warplane raids in the Kafr Hamra area resulted in the death of a family of four (the Al Ash family), including a pregnant woman and her foetus and a 7-year-old child. According to the newsdesk, the raids wounded five others, and “some of them are in a critical condition.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights, also blaming Russia, equally put the death toll at four.

The White Helmets didn’t identify the warplanes responsible but said that one woman died and seven other people were wounded, included children, after five strikes in the morning.

Tweets and other social media posts suggested the death toll was even higher.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mohammed Al Ash
male killed
Wife of Khadija Al Hussein
Adult female killed
unborn child, Khadija Al Hussein, of 9 months
killed
Son of Hamza Mohammed Al Ash
4 years years old killed

The victims were named as:

Ali Mohammed Harfoush
16 years old killed
Tasnim Shar’rak Al Zeit
Child

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • One of the victims of alleged Russian / regime shelling: 7-year-old child Tasnim Shar’rak Al Zeit (via SN4HR)
  • Footage showing the aftermath of an airstrike on on Kafr Hamra, May 27th.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS807

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Location

أورم الكبرى, Orm al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1475457, 36.9448239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians, including an elderly man, two children and three women, died in an alleged Russian strike on the town on Orm al Kubra, according to multiple local sources.

The White Helmets reported five raids in which “warplanes” (they didn’t identify them) threw “parachutes carrying cluster bombs”, which killed “an old man” and three women, as well as injuring two children, “who were transported to Bab al Hawa hospital for treatment.”

However, there were five separate raids in the Aleppo region as part of this offensive according to multiple sources, which has led to some confusion.  For instance, Alaraby News cited an activist, Muhannad-old, who said that an airstrike was conducted by the Syrian regime on a residential building that resulted in the deaths of two children and three more wounded from one family. The majority of other sources however, including Syria News and Nabd Syria News have cited Russian warplanes as the perpetrators.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed Russia and put the death toll at three civilians including two girls.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes and/or regime shelling in Urma Al Kubra May 27th 2016 (via Nabd Syria News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children are treated by members of the White Helmets following raids on Orm al Kubra, May 27th (via White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Warplanes throw parachutes carrying cluster bomb on the town of Orm al Kubra - the first seen of this kind - leading to the deaths of 3 women and the injury of a man. The bomb has been removed and the area secured. 27/5/2016
  • aftermath of the strike

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 May 1st – 31st

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI243

Incident date

May 26, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34968, 43.16343 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul.

Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “during a strike against ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.368483, 43.184281

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF352243
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • May 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 25th-26th it was reported that “Near Mosul, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units, five ISIL headquarters, an ISIL media center, and an ISIL communication headquarters and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL weapons cache, and an ISIL supply cache.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI242

Incident date

May 25, 2016

Location

الرشيدية, Mosul, Al-Rashidiyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.39371, 43.15459 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several local sources said 6 or more civilians were killed and 13 to 25 wounded, including children and women, after the Coalition struck a shopping mall in the Al Rashidiya region north of Mosul.

News of Iraq noted in its report that “Our source in Mosul pointed out that the bombardment was a very strong cause of inflicting serious damage to residential role and shops nearby, which explains why the fall of so many civilians.”

The US later admitted to causing casualties, noting: “near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.”

One child name has been published by Alwayat al-Tahrir page account on FB.

In what may be the second event that day (or possibly repeat reporting of the previous May 24th event in Mosul) a further three civilians were reported killed and 12 more injured after an alleged Coalition strike on the house in the July 17th neighbourhood.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. The location given placed the event near the shopping mall.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Kamal Hatem
Child male (via Alwyat al-Tehrir) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture of the child (Kamal Hatem) who was killed in an alleged coalition aircraft in the area of Rashidiya Mosul on May 25th, 2016 (via Alwyat al-Tehrir)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.4125106, 43.0977345

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF345292
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • May 25, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 24th-25th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL vehicle, three ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL bed down locations, and an ISIL tunnel and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI241

Incident date

May 24, 2016

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3667014, 43.0854607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured in two reported alleged Coalition raids.

In the first event Coalition aircraft reportedly struck a Daesh security headquarters in the July 17th neighbourhood of Mosul. Iraqi Revolution – which published an aftermath picture showing a massive plume of smoke (right) – said the area around the Almoghaith mosque had targeted. According to NRN, a number of Daesh fighters were killed, but civilians were also reported to have injured.

In a second incident, the Coalition reportedly targeted another HQ in the Rashidiya area in the west of the city. Here at least 15 civilians were killed and injured according to NRN. While 11 Daesh fighters reportedly died in the attack, the heavy strike caused major damage to nearby shops and homes.

In their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in these strikes as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical areas at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the aid team trying to remove the casualties from the incident location where seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured in two alleged Coalition raids on May 24th,2016.
  • A picture shows destroyed buildings including shops and vehicle following two alleged Coalition raids. The strikes reportedly led the killing of seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured (via NRN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a child, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a child, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)
  • A picture shows a destroyed site and vehicle following two alleged Coalition raids. The strikes reportedly led the killing of seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured (via NRN)
  • A picture of an injured child by in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of a child, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)
  • A picture shows an injured young man by in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF282263/38SLF292305
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • May 24, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2955/CI241 38SLF282263

  • May 24, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2956/CI241 38SLF292305

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 23rd-24th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes [1 British with others] destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL VBIED, an ISIL mortar system, and an ISIL fighting position and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS806

Incident date

May 24, 2016

Location

Afrin-Darat Azza road, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3402953, 36.8411064 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to reports by the Shaam News Network and multiple other sources, Russian airstrikes targeted the road between Afrin and Darat Azza destroying fuel transport trucks, and killing two drivers and injuring several other civilians in the vicinity. The reports noted that this road was considered to be a “humanitarian corridor” and “one of the most important lifelines in northern Syria“.

Most sources blamed Russia for the raids, or did not identify the warplanes. Syria Mirror said it was the work of the regime.

At present no names of victims have been confirmed. However photographs of a civilian that was killed were made available by @mazenaloush on Twitter and the Syria Mirror. Syria-news has also reported that ten civilians were wounded in the raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The truck driver was killed in the air strike
  • The road between Afreen and Darat Ezza, photo courtesy of Zaman Masdar news.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The truck driver who was killed in the air strike
  • An oil truck on fire

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 May 1st – 31st

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

CS216

Incident date

May 23, 2016

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News reported that an ‘entire family‘ was injured in an alleged Coalition evening airstrike on Al Mayadeen.

No additional details are presently known.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes in Deir Ezzor that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

In the first 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU317758
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • May 23, 2016, in Al Mayadin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2965/CS216 37SFU317758

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports that for May 23rd-24th 2016, “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike [British] struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Across the border, in eastern Syria, an RAF Reaper identified a terrorist checkpoint north-west of Dayr az Zawr and destroyed it with a Hellfire missile.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI240

Incident date

May 23, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition strike on the home of an ISIL fighter in Mosul also allegedly killed his wife and children, according to local reports.

NRN News, citing a source in the east of the occupied city, reported: “The Daesh fighter was standing at the door of his home when the first missile struck him and dismembered him. A second more powerful missile then fell on the house, killing all members of his family of five people, including women and children.“

News of Iraq published a photograph of what it said was the destroyed building (below).

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes near Mosul that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

In the first 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–4 children1 woman)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows a destroyed house following an alleged coalition strike targetting a Daesh fighter in Mosul May 23rd, and the strike also led the killing five members of the family including women and children (via News of Iraq)

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF371263
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • May 23, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2954/CI240 38SLF371263

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 22nd-23rd 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, five strikes struck an ISIL communications control center and destroyed two ISIL VBIEDs, two ISIL mortar systems, and two ISIL supply caches and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–4 children1 woman)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]