Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

USSOM335

Incident date

February 11, 2021

Location

Salagle, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

1.81004, 42.28991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several Al Shabaab militants were reported killed at Salagle in a military strike which two local sources claimed was a US drone action. However AFRICOM explicitly denied this in an email to Airwars, insisting that “U.S. Africa Command’s last airstrike in Somalia was conducted Jan. 19, 2021.”

Intelligence Briefs said: “A number of Al-Shabaab operatives including some mid-level commander are believed to have been killed and compounds destroyed after four drone missiles hit targets in Sakow and Salagle localities of Middle Jubba region of Somalia.

Open sources and local media reported that suspected US drone conducted the air raid on the two Al-Shabaab stronghold towns in Middle Jubba region.”

Somaliland wrote: “Dozens of al-Shabaab members including their commanders are feared dead after four missiles hit their stronghold towns in Sakow and Salagle localities.

local media reported that suspected US drones bombed the two al-Shabaab controled towns in Middle Jubba region. It is not clear the exact casualties of the attacks but officials who are privy to the missions, claimed one of the targets was a meeting point attended by a number of al-Shabaab commanders.”

 

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely 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 target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–12

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the district of Salagle, for which the generic coordinates are: 1.81004, 42.28991. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the district of Salagle.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

U.S. Africa Command's last airstrike in Somalia was conducted Jan. 19, 2021.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely 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 target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–12

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS099

Incident date

February 16, 2021

Location

أم عدسة, Um Adasa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.424722, 37.645556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that one civilian was killed and others injured in alleged YPG shelling on Um Adasa village in Al-Bab countryside in Aleppo, Syria.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights named the victim as Amer Mustafa aged 63.

Baladi News said that “one civilian was killed and four others were wounded by artillery shelling of the SDF forces on the villages of Um Adasa and Al-Sukkariyah in the countryside of Al-Bab city in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.”

ShahedAgency said “a civilian was killed and another was wounded, in the artillery shelling of the SDF militia on two villages around the city of Al-Bab, east of Aleppo.”

Shaam Network reported that on February 16th, “The villages of Umm Adasa and al-Sukkariyah in the countryside of al-Bab city in the eastern countryside and the village of Kafr Kalbin in the northern countryside were subjected to artillery and missile strikes by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which led to the fall of a martyr in Umm Adasa, and the Turkish army responded by targeting the Qasd strongholds in the villages of Meng and Maranaz with artillery shells.”

No further information is available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amer Mustafa عامر مصطفى
63 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: Qasd terrorist militia targets the villages of Um Adasa and Al-Ajami, east of the city of Al-Bab rom the Al-Urimah area. It led to a martyr and several casualties among the ranks of civilians.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Um Adasa (أم عدسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.424722, 37.645556. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC424

Incident date

February 16–17, 2021

Location

سوق النملة, Vicinity of Al Namla Market, Sabha , Libya

Geolocation

27.037854, 14.422075 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported killed and up to 30 others including children injured when a shell landed in a square in the Mansheya area of Sabha where a group of people were celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Libyan revolution on February 16th/17th. Some of those injured remain in a critical condition.

Sabha News reported that a mortar fell on the house of Mohammed Zaidan Al-Shayeb and caused injuries. Libya Observer identified the victim as the 10-year-old Abd al-Rahman al-Abed. It mentioned that others were also injured including two children who are in a critical condition.

Sabha News posted an image of the child in the hospital after a five hour surgery to remove shrapnel out of his body and fix his broken jaw. It referred to him as the brother of martyr child Abdelrahman Al-Abed.

At first the number of injured was reported as nine. The spokesman for the Sebha Security Directorate, Hussein Al-Naem, confirmed in a phone call to 218 TV that the number of injuries exceeded nine when the mortar shell fell in the Mansheya neighborhood, near Al Namla popular market. Libya Observer said 15 were injured, but later @LibyanCW said 30 people were injured in the attack.

Three of those injured were transferred to Tripoli due to the lack of specialized medical personnel in Sabha. Those with light injuries received first aid and treatment within the general care and surgery departments according to 218 TV.

The National Commission for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) condemned the attack. The commission said “Children are not a target, and they must be protected at all times, wherever they are. All sides must refrain from attacks on civilian infrastructure.” The attack was also condemned by the UN mission in Libya.

The source of the shell remains unknown and local sources didn’t accuse any part of the responsibility. The spokesman for the Municipal Council, Sabha Osama al-Wafi said that this attack is under investigation by the security and the military directorate.

No further information is available at the moment.

 

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Rahman al-Abed al-Tamami عبد الرحمن العابد التمامي
10 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–30
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Translation: On the night of February 17th, the organization monitored the killing of the child Abd al-Rahman al-Abed al-Tamami, and the wounding of thirty others, including children after a shell fell on a gathering celebrating the February Revolution anniversary in the Mansheya neighbourhood in the city of Sabha. We condemn this criminal act and we demand that the incident be investigated urgently and that those responsible should not evade justice.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad al-Abed Saleh, a 10 year old child, was killed when a mortar landed on a gathering of people celebrating Libya revolution anniversary on February 16th, 2021. (image via Sabah News).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    10-year-old Muhammad al-Abed Saleh in the hospital after a mortar landed on a gathering of people celebrating Libya revolution anniversary in Manshiya on February 16th, 2021. Muhammad was reported dead after. (image via Libya Observer).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shared by Sabah News of the 10-year-old child killed as a result of a mortar attack on Al Minshiya in Libya on February 16th. The images shows the shrapnel taken for the child's body.
  • Civilians standing in the location where a mortar had landed earlier in Manshiya in Sabha and led to the death of a child and the injury of up to 30 others including children. (via Sabha News).
  • Civilians standing in the location where a mortar had landed earlier in Manshiya in Sabha and led to the death of a child and the injury of up to 30 others including children. (via Sabha News).
  • Civilians standing in the location where a mortar had landed earlier in Manshiya in Sabha and led to the death of a child and the injury of up to 30 others including children. (via Sabha News).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a square being struck in the vicinity of Al Namla Market (سوق النملة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Namla Market are: 27.037854, 14.422075.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–30
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS100

Incident date

February 17, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 13 civilians including women and children were injured in an alleged Grad rocket attack by YPG on residential areas in Afrin on February 17th, 2021.Local sources said that between four and six rockets fell on Villat street in Afrin in the evening.

However, some sources like the Syrian Civil Defence said that the rockets were launched from areas controlled by the Syrian regime and the Syrian Democratic Forces, and didn’t blame a certain belligerent. Many sources said the attack came from areas of Nubul and Al-Zahra’a which are controlled by what Nors for Studies descried as militias affiliated with Iran. Anadolu Agency said the attack came from Tal Rifa’at south of Afrin.

The source said “13 civilians were injured, including six children and three women, this evening, Wednesday, February 17th, after missile strikes targeted residential neighborhoods in Afrin city. The source of the attack is areas under the control of the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces.”

At first, Shahba Press said that six civilians were injured, then EdlibEmc1 reported ten injuries as a result of the attack. The highest toll was reported by the Syrian Civil Defence at 13.

Some sources didn’t blame any party, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rockets came from regime controlled areas.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Bilal Aref Ghazal بلال عارف غزال
31 years old male injured
Anas Ghazal أنس غزال
Child male injured
Thana`a Ghazal ثناء غزال
Child female injured
Mia Ghazal ميا غزال
Child female injured

Family members (5)

Hassan Houria حسن حورية
male injured
Fatima Houria فاطمة حورية
Child female
Salah Houria صلاح حورية
Child male
Khadija Houria خديجة حورية
Asia Mohamed Houria آسيا محمد حورية

The victims were named as:

Fatoum Shehadeh فطوم شحادة
Age unknown female injured
Omar Mahfouz عمر محفوظ
33 years old male injured
Hasan Moscow حسن موسكو
51 years old male injured
Maryam Al-Muhammad مريم المحمد
20 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Nine wounded civilians in Afrin city, in the countryside of Aleppo, as a result of the artillery shelling that it was subject to a short while ago.
  • Civilians moved with an ambulance after reported injured as a result of a mortar attack on Afrin, Aleppo on February 17th, 2021. (via SCD)
  • Injuries among civilians and material damage due to mortar shelling allegedly by YPG in Afrin in Aleppo on Feb 17th, 2021. (via Shahba Press).
  • Remnants of a rocket used in an attack on Afrin on Feb 17th, 2021. (via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights).
  • Remnants of a rocket used in an attack on Afrin on Feb 17th, 2021. (via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights).
  • A rocket attack allegedly by YPG on residential areas in Afrin on Feb 17th, 2021. (via the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights).
  • A rocket attack allegedly by YPG on residential areas in Afrin on Feb 17th, 2021 led to injuries among civilians. (via the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights).
  • Translation: A little while ago, 9 civilians were wounded as a result of the bombing. The missiles that targeted the city of Afrin in the countryside of Aleppo came from the vicinity of Nubl and Zahraa.
  • An injured civilian as a result of alleged YPG rocket attack on Afrin in Aleppo on Feb 17th. (via @Hani_Alymani).
  • An injured civilian as a result of alleged YPG rocket attack on Afrin in Aleppo on Feb 17th. (via @Hani_Alymani).
  • Translation: Breaking: Urgent || The shelling of the rocket launchers targets the center of Afrin, north of Aleppo, from the vicinity of Nubl and Zahraa
  • Translation: Six civilians were seriously wounded by the missile strikes that targeted the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, a short while ago.
  • Caption translation: The hearing of the sound of an explosion now in the city of Afrin. More than five missiles fell on Villas Street in the city of Afrin.
  • Translation: 9 civilians, including children, were wounded as a result of the missile strikes that targeted the city of Afrin a short while ago.
  • Damage to a civilian building as a result of alleged YPG shelling with rockets on Afrin on Feb 17th, 2021. (via @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Translation: Six civilian casualties as a result of the bombing that targeted the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, a short while ago The terrorism of the PKK is no less than that of the Assad gangs
  • Translation: 9 wounded, including children, in the bombing of Afrin from areas in the vicinity of Nubl and Zahraa, which are controlled by militias affiliated with Iran.
  • Translation: The effects of destruction in residential neighborhoods as a result of missile strikes by "SDF militia" on the city of Afrin in the northern countryside of Aleppo.
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG shelling on residential areas in Afrin on February 17th, 2021. (via @ZaitunAgency).
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG shelling on residential areas in Afrin on February 17th, 2021. (via @ZaitunAgency).
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG shelling on residential areas in Afrin on February 17th, 2021. (via @ZaitunAgency).
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG shelling on residential areas in Afrin on February 17th, 2021. (via @ZaitunAgency).
  • Translation: 10 civilians, including 6 children, were wounded in a rocket attack carried out by the YPG / PKK terrorist organization targeting the city of Afrin, which was purified from terrorism by Operation Olive Branch.
  • Aftermath of alleged YPG shelling with rockets on Afrin on February 17th, 2021. (via DailySabah).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime 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
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM336

Incident date

February 17, 2021

Location

Hantiwadaag, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

1.88721, 44.7789 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source alleged a US drone strike on Hantidawaag which AFRICOM later denied.

Halgan Media wrote: “US drones just bombed the village of Hantiwadaag in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle province and struck a vehicle carrying a group of Al Shabaab fighters – Sources.”

AFRICOM responded to a request from Airwars: “U.S. Africa Command’s last strikes were conducted on Jan. 19 2021.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hantiwadaag, for which the generic coordinates are: 1.88721, 44.7789. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

U.S. Africa Command's last strikes were conducted on Jan. 19 2021.

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 target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4297

Incident date

February 24, 2021

Location

عين الحمرا, Ain Al Hamra, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.766540, 36.429556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that that six civilians from one family in Ain Al Hamra were injured when a cluster bomb from previous Russian or Syrian regime bombing that was in their house yard exploded on February 24th, 2021. The injuries varied in terms of severity.

Two children and two women are among those injured. The Syrian Civil Defence showed images of their volunteers moving civilians to hospital for treatment and following up on their conditions by a home visit.

No further information is available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence treating civilians injured as a result of an explosion of a cluster bomb remnant of war in Ain Hamra in Idlib on Feb 24th, 2021. (via SCD)
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers moving civilians injured by a cluster bomb explosion to hospital. The explosion occurred in Ain Hamra in Idlib on Feb 24, 2021. (via Baladi)
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers moving civilians injured by a cluster bomb explosion to hospital. The explosion occurred in Ain Hamra in Idlib on Feb 24, 2021. (via Baladi)
  • Caption translation: Civil Defense: Six civilians from one family (including two children and two women) were injured in varying degrees, following the explosion of a cluster bomb remnants of the bombing of the regime and Russia, which was in the garden of their home in the village of Ain al-Hamra in the southwestern countryside of Idlib.
  • Caption translation: After most of the family members were injured several days ago when a cluster bomb remnants of the previous bombing of the regime and Russia exploded in Ain al-Hamra in the southwestern Idlib countryside, volunteers of the Syrian Civil Defense monitor the health status of the injured and provide them with the necessary medical services.
  • Female volunteers with the Syrian Civil Defence check on civilians injured by the explosion of a cluster bomb in Ain Hamra in Idlib on Feb 24th, 2021. (via @SyriaCivilDefe )
  • Female volunteers with the Syrian Civil Defence check on civilians injured by the explosion of a cluster bomb in Ain Hamra in Idlib on Feb 24th, 2021. (via @SyriaCivilDefe )
  • Female volunteers with the Syrian Civil Defence visit victims of a cluster bomb explosion in their home in Ain Hamra in Idlib. (via @SyriaCivilDefe )

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ain Al Hamra (عين الحمرا), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.766540, 36.429556. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1956

Incident date

February 25, 2021

Location

حارم, Harem, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.213082, 36.519177 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Some local sources which reported the sounds of an explosion from an alleged US-led coalition drone strike in Harem, Idlib said that three ‘people’ were injured as a result of that on February 25th, 2021.

While most sources didn’t specify identities of those injured, @AlnahdaNews_24 said they were militants. “An unknown drone struck a point in the town of Harem in the northern countryside of Idlib, wounding three militants.”

Shaam Network and @NagiNajjar reported that three ‘people’ were wounded when a drone struck them in Harem, Idlib on Feb 25th.

Though Shaam Network didn’t blame any belligerent, @NagiNajjar attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition saying: “News of the cause of the explosion in the city of Harem is the targeting of a person by the international coalition, but his identity is not known yet.”

@AmmarAlzeer tweeted that “The International Coalition aviation launches several air strikes near the Harem area in the northern countryside of Idlib.”

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the cause of the explosion is not known. They said that the explosion coincided with the presence of Coalition drone in the air, but it is unclear whether it is a Coalition strike or the detonation of a mine cave during the search for antiquities in the area.

Also Aram reported both stories. It said that an area of the military factions in Harem was hit by an explosion, either by a US-led coalition bombing, or by the explosion of mines during a search for antiquities in the area. “A video recording of the targeted site, showed that the target area was mountainous and contained rocks, and the bombing led to digging a hole in the place. The spokesman indicated in the recording that they did not know what the exact target was (a missile – a raid – an explosion) and explained that it did not lead to any damage.”

Local activists told Aram network that the explosion caused three casualties, which were transported to Harem Hospital, and most likely the result of an airstrike carried out by an International Coalition warplane on a point of the “Guardians of Religion Organization” faction in the Kfarmou region of Harem district.

They indicated that the aircraft belonging to the international coalition flew over the sky of the city of Idlib, the city of Salqin, and the city of Harem, on the border with Turkey, after the aforementioned targeting. Meanwhile, “Idlib Governorate Radio” denied on its Facebook page the news of the coalition raid in the vicinity of Harem, explaining that the explosion was caused by landmines that were detonated to search for antiquities by unknown persons.

In a civilian casualty assessment released July 13th 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 in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The surrounding of Harem.
  • Caption translation: An unknown explosion in Harem in the Idlib countryside is believed to have been caused by an airstrike carried out by the International Coalition.
  • Image of a cave that some local sources said was detonated in Harem on February 25th in search of some antiquities. (image via Aramme).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Harem (حارم), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.213082, 36.519177. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    37SBA769104
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 13, 2021

  • Feb. 25, 2021, near Harem, 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. 3294/CS1956 37SBA769104

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4298

Incident date

March 5, 2021

Location

معرة الإخوان, Maaret Al Ikhwan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.064641, 36.672084 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured as a result of an alleged Russian airstrike on Ma’aret Al Ikhwan in Idlib on March 5th.

@jisrtv tweeted “Russian bombing raids with cluster rockets on the outskirts of the town of Maarat al-Ikhwan, northwest of the city of Maarat Misrin in the northern countryside of Idlib.”

Edlib Media Center posted images showing destruction in the area as a result of the Russian strikes.

Syrian Civil Defence said that their volunteers evacuated some civilians from the area to a safe place because of fears of renewed bombing.

No further information is available.

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
    1
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation of second tweet: Meanwhile a civilian was injured as a result of two raids by the Russian warplanes on Ma'aret Ikhwan village in Idlib's northern countryside. Our teams checked the area for injured civilians, and evacuated a number of civilians to a safe place.
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteers on the rubble of a destructed building in Ma'aret Ikhwan that was earlier allegedly bombed by Russian warplanes. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Maaret Al Ikhwan (معرة الإخوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.064641, 36.672084. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]