Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
11048 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS4522

Incident date

September 20, 2020

Location

محيط ادلب, The vicinity of Idlib City, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured by multiple alleged airstrikes from Russian warplanes on the outskirts of the city of Idlib on September 20th 2020.

The identities of those injured were not reported. Images show the raids took place in the day time.

@HalabTodayTV reported that “The Syrian Civil Defense announces the injury of two people as a result of the air strikes on the outskirts of the villages of Sijar and Kafr Jalis, west of Idlib, Civil Defense: Russian raids led to fires in the forests surrounding the city of Idlib, and civil defense teams are working to put them out.” A facebook post from Thwra Qatna was the only source that specifically mentioned casualties in Idlib city, referencing one civilian injured.

@zelal_katee added that as many as 28 airstrikes were carried out.

Step news added that vacuum missiles were used by the alleged Russian belligerents.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • "Two people were wounded, as a result of Russian air strikes targeting the western outskirts of the city of Idlib and the outskirts of the villages of Sejer and Kafr Jals" (Image via @syria55s / Twitter)
  • "Two people were injured as a result of 28 air strikes by Russian warplanes on the western outskirts of Idlib city and the outskirts of Sejer and Kafr Jals this afternoon, Sunday, September 20.As the raids resulted in fires in the bushes surrounding the city, the civil defense teams are still working to put out those fires." (Image via @ibraheem890 / Twitter)
  • "The Russian occupation warplanes bombed the vicinity of the city of Idlib with several air raids." (Image via @hayanhababa / Twitter)
  • "The Russian occupation warplanes bombed the vicinity of the city of Idlib with several air raids." (Image via @hayanhababa / Twitter)
  • "The Russian occupation warplanes bombed the vicinity of the city of Idlib with several air raids." (Image via @hayanhababa / Twitter)
  • Russian planes reportedly targeted the vicinity of Idlib city on September 20th 2020 (Image via MMC)
  • Russian planes reportedly targeted the vicinity of Idlib city on September 20th 2020 (Image via MMC)
  • Russian planes reportedly targeted the vicinity of Idlib city on September 20th 2020 (Image via MMC)
  • Russian planes reportedly targeted the vicinity of Idlib city on September 20th 2020 (Image via MMC)

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4523

Incident date

September 20, 2020

Location

عرب سعيد, Arab Saeed, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly injured as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on the vicinity of Arab Sa’id village, west of Idlib on September 20th, 2020 at noon according to local sources and news agencies.

Edlib Media center said that according to the civil defense one civilian was injured after “eight Russian su34 and su35 aircrafts “ bombed the area of Arab Sa’id, west of Idlib city, with high-explosive missiles. The same source claimed that activists shared pictures on social media that showed a shrapnel penetrating one of the tents of the displaced near the location of the attack. All other sources that reported on the incident including Halab Today TV and Step News agency did not mention anything about claimed civilian harm (number of injured or killed).

According to Halab Today TV the attack on the vicinity of Arab Sa’id village was specifically on the area of Al-Ahrash. Other Local sources including the Syrian journalist Mohamad Rasheed (@mohmad_rasheed) said that more than 23 air raids were launched on both villages of Arab Sa’id and Batenta that noon . On the other hand, one source named  (@SyriawatanNews) claimed that the alleged Russian warplanes attacked, with missiles, takfiri groups in the area.

All of the sources that reported on the incident claimed that Russian forces were behind the attack.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • "Intense Russian bombing targets the vicinity of the city of Idlib" (Image via Edilbemc / Facebook)
  • "Intense Russian bombing targets the vicinity of the city of Idlib" (Image via Edilbemc / Facebook)
  • "Intense Russian bombing targets the vicinity of the city of Idlib" (Image via Edilbemc / Facebook)
  • "Intense Russian bombing targets the vicinity of the city of Idlib" (Image via Edilbemc / Facebook)
  • "A squadron of warplanes belonging to the Russian occupation takes turns targeting the vicinity of Arab Saeed and the forest areas west of Maarrat Misrin and west of Idlib, with more than 18 raids so far" (Image via @Support_023 / Twitter)
  • "A squadron of warplanes belonging to the Russian occupation takes turns targeting the vicinity of Arab Saeed and the forest areas west of Maarrat Misrin and west of Idlib, with more than 18 raids so far" (Image via @Support_023 / Twitter)
  • "A squadron of warplanes belonging to the Russian occupation takes turns targeting the vicinity of Arab Saeed and the forest areas west of Maarrat Misrin and west of Idlib, with more than 18 raids so far" (Image via @Support_023 / Twitter)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • Russian warplanes target the western outskirts of Idlib, with more than 25 air strikes (Image by Muhammed Said / Mohamad.saeed.75098 / Facebook)
  • "Russian warplanes target takfiri groups with missiles in the Arab Saeed area, west of the city of Idlib" (SyrianwatanNews / Twitter)

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM319a

Incident date

September 21, 2020

Location

Jana Cabdalle, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.02819, 42.287022 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US airstrike targeted a vehicle in Jana Cabdalle, AFRICOM confirmed to Airwars via email.

The Africa Command stated: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one airstrike in Jana Cabdalle, Somalia on Sept. 21 to prevent a military vehicle from being commandeered by al-Shabaab terrorists.

The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike destroyed one already damaged military vehicle that was being scavenged by al-Shabaab members.

U.S. Africa Command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.”

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jana Cabdalle, for which the generic coordinates are: 0.02819, 42.287022. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one airstrike in Jana Cabdalle, Somalia on Sept. 21 to prevent a military vehicle from being commandeered by al-Shabaab terrorists.
The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike destroyed one already damaged military vehicle that was being scavenged by al-Shabaab members.
U.S. Africa Command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.

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

Incident Code

CS1949

Incident date

September 29, 2020

Location

جديد عكيدات , Jadid Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.257075, 40.357393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and two others were wounded when the US-led Coalition forces and SDF undertook a landing in Jadid Uqaydat in Deir Ezzor on September 29th, 2020. Two other people, described as oil merchants, were reported arrested as a result of the operation.

The killed person was named by local sources as Faisal Al-Khalfu, nicknamed Dakar. Another version of the name and the nickname was also circulated as Faisal Al-Hussein, nickname Abu Marar. The two arrested people were named as Ghannam Al-Mahmoud Al-Haloush, and his nephew Kamel Hisham Al-Haloush.

Local sources said the operation aimed at looting civilians’ money under the accusation that they were affiliated with ISIS.

Furat Syria reported that “During the last hours of the dawn today, Tuesday, intense gunfire took place in the neighborhoods of the town following a landing by helicopters that were flying over civilian homes. The shooting during a raid on some houses killed one person and wounded two others, in addition to the arrest of two people from the town. Faisal al-Khalafu, Abu Marar, aged 50, was killed during the raid, and two others were wounded during the clash. US forces also arrested Ghannam Mahmoud Al-Haloush and Kamel Hisham Al-Haloush on charges of belonging to ISIS.”

@OIRSpox tweeted saying that this operation is part of keeping up the pressure on ISIS and that the US-led Coalition removed what it described as three terrorists from Jadid Uqaidat. However, Euphrates eyes said that the killed person, Faisal Al-Hussein, was a civilian and didn’t affiliate with any party.

In a civilian casualty assessment released July 10th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “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.”

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Faisal Al-Khalfu -Al Hussein فيصل الخلفو- الحسين
50 years old male Nicknames: Dakar and Abu Marar killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Post Translation: SDF militia kills the civilian Faisal Al Hussein from the Jadid Akidat, aka Abu Marar, and steals the money of civilians under the pretext that they belong to ISIS.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jadida Akidat (جديد عكيدات), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.257075, 40.357393. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known 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
    37SFV234023
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 10, 2021

  • Sep. 29, 2020, in Jadid Akidat, 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. 3287/CS1949 37SFV234023

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto
@OIRSpox
@CMOC_SDF and @CJTFOIR are keeping up the pressure on Daesh. Early this morning we removed three terrorist fighters from Jadid Uqaydat, Syria. Together, we’ll keep fighting to keep Syria safe from Daesh. #defeatdaesh

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4524

Incident date

October 4, 2020

Location

الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two children were reportedly injured as a result of an alleged explosion of a cluster bomb left over from Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Tayba, east of Deir Ezzor, on the dawn of October 4th, 2020 according to two local sources.

Ahrar Al Mayadeen news agency and a tweet by (@DeirEzzor24) claimed that an alleged Russian cluster bomb explosion in Al Tayba town injured the child Luai Thamer Al-Sawma’i and Mahmoud Al-Thiab’s son.

None of the sources mentioned anything about claimed killed civilians, and both sources that reported on the incident mentioned that the cluster bomb was Russian.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Luai Tamer al-Sawma'i لؤي ثامر الصومعي
Child male injured
Son of Mahmoud al-Thiab ابن محمود الذياب
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • One of the two children injured in the explosion of an alleged Russian cluster bomb in the town of Al Tabya, Deir Ezzor governorate on October 4th, 2020 (via D@DeirEzzor24).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM320

Incident date

October 6, 2020

Location

Weelshit, Gedo, Somalia

Geolocation

3.11895, 46.39165 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unidentified airstrike allegedly killed ten or eleven Al Shabaab members in Weelshit.

Strategic Intelligence wrote: “Unidentified aerial strike at 1145pm on 06.10.2020 killed 10 Terrorist who are members of the Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia, Harakat Shabaab al Mujahideen alongside their operations commander.”

It added: “The blitz in Weelshit, Gedo targeted Shabaab al Mujahideen terrorists temporary surveillance and reconnaissance output approximately 10 km north of Daresalam village which lies 20 km South East of Konton where Kenya Army AMISOM contingent has an FOB. The terrorist organization had set up the outpost to mirror and subsequently threaten the Forward Operating Base.

Among those killed in the airstrike include Shabaab’s chief Zakat collector in Gedo Maalim Yussuf mohamud Digale.”

In the headline of the news piece it says that 11 people were killed.

The incident occured at 23:45:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10–11

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Weelshit, allegedly 10km north of Daresalam. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Daresalam are: 3.11895, 46.39165.

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Weelshit, allegedly 10km north of Daresalam.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10–11

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS449

Incident date

October 9, 2020

Location

قرية بوراز، كوباني, Al-Boraz village, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two brothers, both children, were injured as a result of a Turkish or Turkey supported militants mortar shell on Boraz village in Kobani, Aleppo on October 9th, 2020 according to local sources.

The two children were identified by local sources as Muhammad Kamel aged 12, and his brother Mahmoud Kamel aged 14.

Ronahi reported that the two children were seriously injured and moved to hospital.

No further information is available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Kamel
12 years old male injured
Mahmoud Kamel
14 years old male injured

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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Two children were injured as a result of a shell by Turkey or pro-Turkey militants in Boraz village in Kobani, on October 9th, 2020. (via ANHA)

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS450

Incident date

October 13, 2020

Location

غرب منبج, West of Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the villages of Umm Jalloud, Tal Sayada, Umm Adasat Al Farat, and Al Dundaniyya in Aleppo governorate on October 13th, 2020, according to Hawar News.

Hawar reported that: “The villages located on the front line west of Manbij city, including “Umm Jalloud, Tal Sayada, Umm Lens, and Al-Dundaniyya” are being bombed by the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries with heavy weapons and artillery, while the Manbij Military Council responds to the sources of bombing within the framework of the legitimate right to defence.”

The source added: “Clashes are still continuing until the moment this news is prepared, amid reports that civilians have been injured in the targeted villages.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes in the surrounding areas west of Manbij (منبج) city. These are the villages of Umm Jalloud (أم جلود), Umm Adasat Al Farat (أم عدسة الفارات, mistranslated as Umm Lens), Sayada (صيادة), and Al Dundaniyya (الدنينية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these locations are: 36.587966, 37.767906.

  • Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes in the surrounding areas west of Manbij (منبج) city. These are the villages of Umm Jalloud (أم جلود), Umm Adasat Al Farat (أم عدسة الفارات, mistranslated as Umm Lens), Sayada (صيادة), and Al Dundaniyya (الدنينية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]