Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS4189

Incident date

November 22, 2019

Location

Fatira village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Fatira village in Idlib, Syria, on November 22nd 2019 at approximately 7:45 local time, according to local sources.

The two deaths were identified as Abdullah Ibrahim Abu Alkhish and Kinan Abdeljoud Khalouf on multiple sources on Twitter and Facebook.

The Step News Agency reported that “two civilians were killed after Russian planes targeted Al-Fatira village south of Idlib with missiles”.

A tweet from @islamarmys also mentioned that “several” civilians were injured but did not specify how many.

The Smart News Agency reported: “A man mourned the destruction of his home as a result of the shelling.Russian warplanes launched two raids on the village of al-Fatira, near Kafranbel district near Idlib in the north of the country, on Friday, November 22, 2019, killing two men and destroying civilian houses and shops.”

Zaman Al Wasl also identified one of the men killed in the strikes as being “the imam of the village mosque” but didn’t specify which.

A source from Idlib told “Khobar24” reporter that five militants were killed, in addition to two civilians, as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the headquarters of the extremist factions loyal to Turkey in the village of Al-Fatirah in the Kafr Nabl district, in the south of the province.

The consensus among sources was that Russian forces were responsible for the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Kinan Abdeljoud Khalouf
Age unknown male killed
Abdullah Ibrahim Abu Alkhish
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Man crying after his house was demolished in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Fatira in Idlib (via SMART)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Fatira in Idlib.
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrike on Al Fatira village (via Shaam).
  • Video shows a walkthrough of rubble and destroyed houses in the area.

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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4214

Incident date

December 2, 2019

Location

الكنائس, Al Kana’es, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, Hussein Khreimi was reported killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrike in Al-Kanayes village, on the outskirts of the villages of Tal Kresyan and Al-Bara in the eastern Idlib countryside, Syria on December 2nd 2019.

According to @sraqeb123, this raid happened at 9.56am.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Khreimi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

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
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4238

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

بجغاص , Bajghas, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was killed and an unspecified number of civilians were injured in an alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrike on the village of Bajghas, Idlib governate on December 7 th 2019, local media reported.

Several sources said Youssef Hajj Jassem, 13, was killed in the strike.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: “The child Yousef Haj Jasem, age 13, was killed as Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes carried out a strike using machine guns and small missiles on Bejghas village in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on December 7, 2019.”

Most of the sources reported that the Syrian regime had carried out the strike. Local journalist, Hassan al-Muhammad, said Russian aircraft targeted several areas in Idlib countryside including Bajghas.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Haj Jasem يوسف حاج جاسم
13 years old male killed

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Youssef Hajj Jassem, 13, killed in an alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrike on the town of Bajghas, Idlib governate on December 7 th 2019. (Uploaded by Majed Al Mahamad)

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
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2340

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighborhood of downtown Hamidiya, local sources reported.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4246

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

عدة بلدات, Several towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Shaam News reported on December 7th, 2019 that “dozens of people were wounded in the cities and towns and villages of Kafr Nabl, Ahsam, Hazaran, Hass, Khirbet Bernan, Farwan, Al Halba, Halah, Barasah, Sheikh Idris, Abilene, Kafr Sijnah, Balshron, Kafrouma, لآarisa, Rayan, Maarizita and Al Bureij And Urma Al Jouz and Kafr Takharim , Al Sheikh Baher, Shannan and Bzabor and the sanctity of Maaret and Kafr Shalaya and Marchuren and Jrzinaz and Masran Tel Molasses and Al Ghadfa.”

No more details are available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4263

Incident date

December 18, 2019

Location

معرشمارين, Ma'ar Shimmareen, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was reportedly killed and others wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’ar Shimmareen, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources.

Shaam News Agency has put the death toll at six killed people, but it is unclear if the victims were civilians or belligerents. Step News Agency reported that “others were wounded”.

The majority of sources, including the Syrian Human Rights Committee, identified the victim as Ahmed Muhammad Al-Ismail. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) claimed instead that the young man Abdul Razzaq Nayef Qitaz had been killed in the attack. A large number of other sources, however, reported that Abdul Razzaq had died in an attack on Ma’aret Al Nu’man on the same day (see incident R4017)

SN4HR reported that “warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles in the vicinity of Ma’arshmarin in the eastern suburbs of Idlib”. Other sources, such as Step News Agency and Edlib Media Center, blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrike.

The journalist @mohmad_rasheed reported that both Russian warplanes and helicopters had been attacking the area since morning. According to @MMCSYR, the belligerent dropped barrel bombs on the town. Jisr TV reported instead that vacuum missiles had been fired. Shaam News furthermore detailed that the airstrikes “were accompanied by very violent artillery and missile strikes”.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Muhammad Al-Ismail أحمد محمد الإسماعيل
Age unknown male from Ma’aret al Numan killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS775

Incident date

May 6, 2017

Location

الشهداء, al Shuhada, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.964033, 39.005355

Airwars assessment

The Step News Agency reported that the Coalition “launched several air raids targeting al Shuhadaa [the Martyrs] district near E’nezan bakery in the city of Raqqa, which resulted in a number of wounded“.

Sour News also reported an “air raid” – but didn’t identify the culprit – in the area “between the Bakery of E’nezan and the Shuhada’a Mosque”. It added that there were no details on casualties.

No further information is currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
  • Stated location
    near Al Shuhada, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV004799
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 5th-6th: “Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed two front-end loaders and damaged a dam.”
For May 6th-7th: “Near Raqqah, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two vehicles, a front-end loader and a fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Saturday 6 May – Typhoons supported Syrian Democratic Forces at Tabqah, to the west of Raqqa…Typhoons supported the Syrian Democratic Forces to the west of Raqqa on Saturday 6 May, delivering a successful Paveway attack on a building defended by a number of Daesh fighters.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS142

Incident date

January 30, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67296, 36.666364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Kurish Red Crescent reported: “The savagery of the Turkish aggression in Afrin was not limited to civilians only, but also to the media. A bombardment targeted a car in Rajo today, carrying a team of four journalists, including correspondents of foreign media agencies and four other civilians. They are being treated by the Kurdish Red Crescent”.

There are no reports of civilian casualties and no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Injured civilians receive medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo, Afrin, 30th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Flag)
  • Injured civilians receive medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo, Afrin, 30th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Flag)
  • Injured civilians receive medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo, Afrin, 30th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Flag)
  • Injured civilians receive medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo, Afrin, 30th January 2018. (via Kurdish Red Flag)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rajo, Afrin (جنديرس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.67296, 36.666364. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]