Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

ISSY013

Incident date

June 24, 2020

Location

معمل تجفيف البصل, Onion Drying Factory, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.013944, 37.065056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were injured in alleged Israeli strikes on an onion factory, reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon and ammunitions depot, in Al Salamiya on June 24th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Times of Israel identified the strike location as being “an onion-processing plant and a cattle feed factory converted by Iranian forces into ammunition warehouses”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Israeli strikes targeted an onion factory, which was partially turned into a weapon and ammunitions depot by Iranian forces. According to the SOHR, “their destruction led to huge explosions that lasted for several hours, which caused panic and terror to the people and the flying shrapnel injured civilians.”

Nziv.net also reported that after the attack, “the sounds of ambulances rushing to the attacked site were heard. Confirmed reports confirm that there were casualties at the sites attacked.” In this specific strike, the cultural center was the alleged location of the strikes.

Based on what they identified as reliable sources, the SOHR wrote that the Russian forces had informed the director of the onion factory so that it could be evacuated before the Israeli strikes. According to the SOHR, “the Israeli airstrikes destroyed two of the hangars that were weapons depots, while the third remained, which was rented by a person to manufacture ‘chips’.”

@jamlyyyyy reported that three injured people that were hit by shrapnel were brought to the National Hospital in Salamiya, but the source did not specify whether the victims were civilians. Baladi News also reported three injured but stated that the victims were not identified.

According to Ynet News, an eyewitness told RT: “Everything happened very quickly, it was a matter of seconds. From the moment we heard the sound of the planes until the explosion, seconds, even moments passed. The blow knocked us down as we tried to go up to the second floor to check on the children.”

The regime-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency stated that, according to a military source, Israel targeted several locations in Salamiya and Saboura in Hama governorate at exactly 00:45 AM. The source stated: “As soon as the enemy missiles were discovered, our air defences dealt with them and worked to pursue them and targeted them and shot down a large number of them before [they could] reach their targets, damages were limited to materials.”

@thawraa_syrv posted photos of the cultural centre in the city of Salamiya, writing that it “was which was used by the Iranian militias as their headquarters, the images show its complete destruction as a result of the Israeli raids last night.”

Orient News reported that “activists from Al Salamiya stated that the aerial bombardment of the city was the first of its kind, and affected both the onion factory in the city, a military centre run by Iranian militias in Al Saboura (east of the city), and a military site on an archaeological road, indicating that these places may [have] contained large quantities of arms and ammunition, due to the massive explosions caused by the bombing.”

Orient added: “Although Assad’s media did not report any casualties in the Salamiyah area, activists confirmed that the Salamiyah hospital contained an unknown number of casualties due to the bombing.”

Baladi News wrote that a field source had told Russian press agency Sputnik that it was likely that the shelling came from the Al Tanf area, which is controlled by American forces. Earlier reports indicated that Israeli forces had started to use to base for strikes on the Syrian regime and Iranian militias.

In a special interview with News 13, the commander of the Ramat David base, Colonel III, did not confirm the attack, but agreed to say that “the goal is to reduce the Iranian military presence in Syria and all its elements that threaten the State of Israel.” They added they seven people were killed but did not specify if they were civilians or militants. A tweet from @yonibmen specified that of the seven killed were “5 Iranians and 2 Syrians killed in an Israeli attack in Syria, targets were attacked in the Hamat, a-Sahna and Swida areas in the south”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “Pictures of the cultural center in the city of Salamiyah, east of Hama, which was used by the Iranian militias as their headquarters, the images show its complete destruction as a result of the Israeli raids last night” (via @thawraa_syrv).
  • Damaged cultural centre in Al Salamiya, which was reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon depot, after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @thawraa_syrv).
  • Damaged cultural centre in Al Salamiya, which was reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon depot, after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @thawraa_syrv).
  • Translation: “This is what Israeli planes did to the "onion factory" camp of the Iranian militia in the city of Salamiyah, Hama” (via @baladinetwork).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on Al Salamiya on June 24, 2020 (via @thawraa_syrv).
  • Translation: “The effects of the Israeli aggression on the city of Salamiyah in the countryside of Hama” (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya, which was reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon depot, after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya, which was reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon depot, after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Rubble in Al Salamiya after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Salamiya on June 24, 2020 (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Translation: “Targeting a factory where Iranian forces are present, peaceful Syria tonight” (via @doghlas_m).
  • Translation: “Hama – pictures of the destruction due to the Israeli air strikes that targeted Iranian militia sites in the onion plant in the city of Al Salamiyah in the eastern countryside of Hama yesterday” (via @Ahmad_1alshble).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24th, 2020 (via @Ahmad_1alshble).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24th, 2020 (via @Ahmad_1alshble).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Salamiya, June 24th, 2020 (via @Ahmad_1alshble).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24th, 2020 (via @Ahmad_1alshble).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Onion Drying Factory (معمل تجفيف البصل) being struck in the city of Al Salamiyah (سلمية‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.013944, 37.065056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1948

Incident date

June 24, 2020

Location

الطريق بين بنش ادلب, Road between Idlib and Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.948631, 36.672105 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was reportedly killed in alleged US-led Coalition or Turkish drone strikes on the road between Idlib city and Binnish, Idlib governorate, on June 24th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib told Smart New Agency that “an ammunition drone had targeted a Santa Fe car with missiles and destroyed it completely, indicating the death of an unidentified person inside.” The SCD added that another unidentified person, thought to be a civilian, was killed as he was riding his motorbike in the vicinity of the explosion. SCD teams worked to extinguish the fire and collected the human remains.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “a civilian on a motorcycle was killed near the site where a drone targeted a military vehicle driven by a commander in the Ethbatu operations room on the road between Idlib and Binish. The attack killed the commander instantly.”

While the SOHR initially reported that the US-Coalition had likely been responsible, it later wrote that “sources suggested that the drone that targeted the commander was Turkish, while a Coalition drone was flying over Idlib coinciding with the attack.”

Smart News Agency and @HoseenAdnan reported that the killed militant was Abu Adnan Al Homsi from the Al Qaida linked group Hurras Al Din.

In the third of their September 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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers putting out fire after alleged US-led Coalition or Turkish airstrikes on a vehicle in Idlib governorate on June 24th, 2020 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers extinguishing fire after alleged US-led Coalition or Turkish airstrikes in Idlib governorate on June 24th, 2020 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering human remains after alleged US-led Coalition or Turkish airstrikes in Idlib governorate on June 24th, 2020 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Translation: "A circular image of a car that was targeted by an airline belonging to the International Alliance on the road between Idlib and Binnish" (via @moha7_othman).
  • The destroyed vehicle after alleged US-led Coalition or Turkish drone strike on the road between Idlib city and Binnish on June 24th, 2020 (via @moha7_othman).
  • Militant Abu Adnan Al Homsi was reportedly killed in alleged US-led Coalition or Turkish drone strikes on the road between Idlib and Binnish on June 24th, 2020 (via @HoseenAdnan).
  • Translation: "We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return..! Bleed to the Muslim Ummah The news of the martyrdom of the administrative Mujahid brother in the organization of Guardians of religion Abu Adnan Al Homsi, after he was targeted by a raid from an American crusader plane on the road to the city of Bunche in Idlib countryside and God is the helper. Oh God, accept him in the martyrs and raise his rank in the Gardens of Mole" (via @HoseenAdnan).

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck on a road between Idlib (إدلب‎) and Binnish (بنش) to the east. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates between these two points are: 35.948631, 36.672105.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck on a road between Idlib (إدلب‎) and Binnish (بنش) to the east.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    37SBV900807
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020

  • Jun. 24, 2020, in Idlib, 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. 3202/CS1948 37SBV900807

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI041

Incident date

June 25, 2020

Location

كونه ماسي , Kunamasi, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Geolocation

35.796455, 45.415773 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

35.796413, 45.412799 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

§§Five or six civilians were allegedly injured by a Turkish airstrike on Kunamasi.

Rebaz Majeed tweeted: “The Turkish drones hit a vehicle half an hour ago, belonging to PKK members, in Slemani Province’s Kuna Masi. They also hit a mini market belonging to a local family. 2 are dead and more than 5 are injured and there are children among them.”

Adem Uzun wrote: “2 killed and 6 wounded (2 women, 2 children and 2 men, all members of the same family).”

One of the injured, Payman Thalib Thaher, a mother of two, had one leg amputated while the other was broken.

Rudaw also reported six injured and one man killed of which the outlet could not say if he was a civilian or combatant.

Hana Çômanî said: “People who have been killed ,injured today in #kunamasi they weren’t #PKK they were civilians(3children 8 their mother ,also a woman who was working on her farm)”

Yousif al-Hashimi described the man killed as “armed”. Barzan Saqiq said at least four PKK fighters were killed in the event.

KirkukNow and Hedwih Kuijpers said it was drone strike.

The incident occured at approximately 5:40 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Payman Thalib Thaher
Adult female Her leg was amputated injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child allegedly injured by Turkish airstrike on Kunamasi on June 25th, 2020 (via Adem Uzun)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention strikes on a vehicle and a mini market in the village of Kunamasi (كونه ماسي). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we were able to narrow down the location to the following coordinates: 35.796455, 45.415773 (the mini market) and 35.796413, 45.412799 (the vehicle).

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Mini Market","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[45.413155,35.796455]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Vehicle","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[45.412799,35.796413]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[45.41337534785271,35.79674048848223],[45.41362076997757,35.79674048848223],[45.41362076997757,35.79697327005894],[45.41337534785271,35.79697327005894],[45.41337534785271,35.79674048848223]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[45.41288316249847,35.79648268752892],[45.412983745336525,35.79648268752892],[45.412983745336525,35.79687210805564],[45.41288316249847,35.79687210805564],[45.41288316249847,35.79648268752892]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[45.41390910744667,35.79681989535841],[45.414253771305084,35.79681989535841],[45.414253771305084,35.79699720083658],[45.41390910744667,35.79699720083658],[45.41390910744667,35.79681989535841]]]}}]}

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Kurdistan24

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Kurdistan24

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    @Arahemn1

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS095

Incident date

June 28, 2020

Location

مارع, Mare’a, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4828, 37.1964

Airwars assessment

A child was killed after an unexploded shell from earlier shelling by alleged Kurdish forces on the town of Mare’a exploded on June 28th, 2020. It is unclear when exactly the munition was fired.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it had “documented the death of a child under the age of 18, as a result of the explosion of a shell from the remnants of the previous bombing of the Kurdish forces on the town of Mare’a, which is under the control of the pro-Ankara factions in the northern countryside of Aleppo.”

Local activists told Bawabat Aleppo that the victim was the 14-year-old boy Hamza Ibrahim, who was displaced from the village of Khansasir, south of Aleppo. Bawabat Aleppo pointed to the Syrian Democratic Forces as responsible for the previously unexploded mortar shell.

Bawabat Aleppo added that Syrian Civil Defence teams “went to the location of the explosion to secure it and prevent civilians from approaching, fearing the presence of other bombing remnants.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamza Ibrahim حمزة ابراهيم
14 years old male displaced from village of Khanasir killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Mare’a (مارع), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.4828, 37.1964. 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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC421

Incident date

June 29, 2020

Location

وادي أزكير, Wadi Azkir, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.131944, 16.271944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was reportedly killed and another man was injured as the result of alleged LNA air or artillery strikes on Wadi Azkir, west of Sirte, on June 29th, 2020, according to local sources.

Burkan Al Ghadab Operation reported that civilian Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i was killed alongside some of his camels in bombings by LNA forces on Wadi Azkir. His cousin Omar Ammar Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i was injured.

Mansour Azker, a relative of the killed victim, reported that his cousin died when civilians were bombed in Azkir area.

Wadi Jaref reported the valley was targeted with airstrikes. Other sourced did not specify whether the attacks were air or artillery strikes. Bani Walid wrote on Facebook that Al Sabi’i died in a missile attack on the valley and that some houses in the area had been damaged.

Only Burkan Al Ghadab blamed the LNA for the strikes, other sources did not mention the belligerent.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i عبد النبي ميلاد اشتيوي السبيعي
Adult male killed
Omar Ammar Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i عمر عمار اشتيوي السبيعي
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i, here posing with a weapon, was killed in alleged LNA strikes on Wadi Azkir on June 29th, 2020 (via Mansour Azker).
  • Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i, here pictured with a camel, was killed in alleged LNA strikes on Wadi Azkir on June 29th, 2020 (via Wadi Jaref).
  • Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i, here posing on a vehicle, was killed in alleged LNA strikes on Wadi Azkir on June 29th, 2020 (via Mansour Azker).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the agricultural area of Wadi Azkir (وادي أزكير), allegedly west of Sirte (سرت) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Wadi Azkir are: 31.131944, 16.271944.

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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI881

Incident date

June 30, 2020

Location

بين أبو زوير وحدود حي الحديثة, Between Abu Zuwair and the Al Haditha district border, Saladin, Iraq

Geolocation

35.030418, 42.790203 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were reported killed in Abu Zuwair, Baiji in Iraq on June 30th, 2020 when a US-led coalition drone bombed them after they carried wreckage of a US-led coalition drone that had crashed earlier on that day. Local reports said that the raid resulted in killing up to four shepherds and the destruction of the drone wreckage that they carried and their vehicle.

@firas1alhashmy reported that the US drone (MQ-1C Gray Eagle) crashed and then a number of shepherds who gathered around were killed after they were attacked by another US drone.

@MaithamAlhmdy tweeted that ” A US plane crashed in Abu Zuwair, in the depth of Baiji Island. The plane was captured by shepherds near the demarcation border with the district. Another drone chased after the shepherds and bombed their vehicle. The shelling destroyed the vehicle, killing the citizens immediately.”

@Mustafa__Kurde said that the drone crashed after carrying out an airstrike on Jabal Makhoul. “An American drone crashed in Abu Zuair area between Baiji  and Haditha, northwest of Salah al-Din, after carrying out an air strike on Jabal Makhoul.”

Yesiraq.com said that Al-A’alam Iranian TV Channel said that US drone that crashed was targeted and downed by the Iraqi resistance. Al-A’alam said “A US plane was shot down by Iraqi resistance fires in the Abu Zuwair area in the depth of Baiji Island in Salah al-Din.”

@sumeri129 said that the American airstrike came as revenge for the downed drone. “An American drone crashed, west of Baiji, followed by an American retaliatory raid targeting shepherds , who were killed. ”

Sotaliraq said that after some local shepherds caught the drone, they were bombed. They were killed as a result and Pickup vehicle was destroyed.

While most sources said those killed were sheep herders, @DrJohnHanaDahle said that those killed were found to be members of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

In the third of their September 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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This image might not be linked to this incident.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck between Abu Zuwair (ابو زوير) and the Al Haditha (حديثة) district border.  to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Abu Zuwair are: 35.030418, 42.790203.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck between Abu Zuwair (ابو زوير) and the Al Haditha (حديثة) district border.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    38SKD986786
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020

  • Jun. 30, 2020, in Abu Zuwair, 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. 3201/CI881 38SKD986786

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr087

Incident date

June 30, 2020

Location

Southern Yemen, Yemen

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike killed two suspected AQAP militants in southern Yemen late on June 30th 2017, residents and local sources told Reuters. No other known sources reported a strike at that time, and there were no associated reports of civilian harm.

According to Reuters, “Another suspected U.S. drone strike killed two men believed to be al Qaeda militants in southern Yemen late on Friday, residents and local sources said.”

The Reuters report also detailed a later strike on July 1st, in Abyan governorate (USYEMTr087).

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr229

Incident date

July 3, 2020

Location

قصر محافظ محافظة شبوة, Palace of the Governor of Shabwa, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.536605, 46.830683 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to some local language social-media sources, a US drone strike targeted the home of Shabwa Governor Mohammed Salih Bin Adiyu in Ataq city, Shabwa, late on July 3rd 2020. Most sources, however, including local news outlets, instead reported that a fire had broken out in the building, leading to the explosion of a weapons store. No known sources gave information on casualties, and there were no known reports of civilian harm.

Social-media sources including @Mohamme19780462, @Shalal_Gaman, and @g3raan31 suggested the building was targeted as a meeting of alleged AQAP or ISIS “terrorists” took place.

News outlets, including Al-Masshad Al-Yemeni, Aden TM, and Yemen Press Agency, instead reported that a fire had broken out in the house. Local sources told Yemen Press Agency that a short-circuit had caused the fire, which had ignited ammunition and weapons stockpiles in the building, leading to “huge explosions”. These sources describe a state of panic in the local area due to these explosions.

Given disputed reporting on the origins of the fire and explosions, this event has been assessed by Airwars as “contested”.

US Central Command told Airwars that no US military strikes were conducted in Yemen during July 2020. It is, however, possible that an undeclared strike was conducted by the CIA, or as part of a clandestine US military operation.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), ISIS - Yemen

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Some social-media sources suggested that a US drone strike had targeted "terrorists" in the house of the Shabwa governor (@Mohamme19780462, July 3rd 2020)
  • News outlets, however, instead reported that a fire had broken out in the building due to an electrical fault (@Mohamme19780462, July 3rd 2020)
  • The fire reportedly led to explosions when an ammunition store was ignited (@Mohamme19780462, July 3rd 2020)
  • Explosions reportedly took place in the house of Shabwa governor, Mohammed bin Adiyu (@g3raan31, July 3rd 2020)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Palace of the Governor of Shabwa (قصر محافظ محافظة شبوة) being struck, within the city of Ataq (عــتق). Using visual footage from the incident we have identified the exact location of this strike, for which the coordinates are: 14.536605, 46.830683.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Palace of the Governor of Shabwa (قصر محافظ محافظة شبوة) being struck, within the city of Ataq (عــتق). Using visual footage from the incident we have identified the exact location of this strike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Mohamme19780462

  • Tagged satellite imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), ISIS - Yemen

Sources (10) [ collapse]