Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS1982

Incident date

July 4, 2022

Location

الزر, Al Zer, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.124387, 40.432541 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children under the age of 18 were killed during a joint Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces airdrop operation in the village of Al Zer on July 4th, 2022. Sources were conflicted as to whether the two killed were civilians or members of ISIS.

Al Khabour posted on Facebook that a young man named “Muhammad Fateh Khalaf Al-Daham” and another person were killed during an airdrop operation carried out by the Coalition in the village of Al Zer. Euphrates Post added that the other person killed was an IDP and @19had93eel identified the two people killed as civilians.

According to @syria_news123, a “citizen” was killed and another was wounded by the SDF during an operation with the support of the “American occupation forces,” with @19had93eel specifying that Coalition helicopters participated and that the occupation was carried out at dawn.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that the two men that were killed were accused of working for ISIS and were killed when they resisted arrest. Activists specified to SOHR that one of the men killed was detained for about four months by the SDF and had been released in April, while the other man was accompanied by his mother and was working to distribute financial guarantees to the women of ISIS in the area.

Private sources told Euphrates Post that the operation was carried out at a house near the “Al-Munkar” neighborhood that was inhabited by a displaced family from Aleppo and resulted in the death of a 14 year old member of ISIS named Omar who was from Aleppo whose father was a former member of ISIS and was detained by the SDF, while the other child killed, Muhammad Fateh Khalaf Al-Daham, was a 17 year old who had been released from SDF prison two months ago. The sources added that  the two people killed had been holding a lunch feast and that Coalition drones had been flying in the area at the time.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the two people were shot and killed when SDF personnel raided a house while Orient News referred to the operation as involving “light bombs”.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (0–2 children)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zer (الزر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.124387, 40.432541. 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
    Not yet assessed

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
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (0–2 children)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS359

Incident date

November 6, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Al Safsafa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed in coalition strikes, according to local sources.

Step News Agency reported that “4 civilians were killed and others injured in an air raid by the international coalition targeting Al Safsafa neighborhood in the city of Raqqa.”

Al Mirsad and Al Amawi also reported raids in the neighborhood and said 4 civilians were killed.

Radio al Kul noted that clashes had taken place during the night between Kurdish forces and ISIL near Ain Issa, shortly after the announcement of the SDF’s campaign to retake Raqqa.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 4 civilians killed and others injured in international coalition air raids targeting al Safsafa neighbourhood in the city of Raqqa a short while ago.
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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 5th-6th, the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike engaged oil processing equipment.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS530

Incident date

July 24, 2022

Location

الاسدية, Al Asadiya, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.776363, 40.130898 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians, including two children and their father, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of al-Asadiya village in Zarkan district on July 24, 2022.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the bombardment resulted in the injury of eight civilians, including a woman and two children, in the area from Abu Rasin (Zarkan) to Tel Tamr countryside. However, the source did not specify whether the injuries occurred in in Tel Tamr or Zarkan district.

A Facebook post by Dijla-Syrian desert provided the names of four people injured: Mohammed Muayyad Abdullah (7 years), Tayseer Muayyad Abdullah (5 years), the father Muayyad Abdullah (32 years), and Muhammad Qasim (20 years).

A military source told North Press that one of Syrian army soldiers lost his life due to the Turkish shelling on al-Asadiya and a medical source in Martyr Khabat Hospital in Derbasiyah told North Press that four wounded people including two children reached the hospital due to the Turkish shelling.

Hawar News reported that “a member of the Damascus government forces was killed and 4 others, including 2 children and their father, were wounded in Zarghan district.”

North Press Agency identified the villages of Qabr al-Khedrawi, Tel Hermel, al-Asadiya, Mushairfa Zarkan, Tel al-Amir, Bsais and Harmallah as being shelled by Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mohammed Muayyad Abdullah محمد مؤيد عبد الله
7 years old injured
Tayseer Muayyad Abdullah تيسير مؤيد عبد االله
5 years old injured
Muayyad Abdullah مؤيد عبد الله
32 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Qasim محمد قاسم
20 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the villages of Zarkan on July 24, 2022. (Image posted by Dijla-Syrian desert via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the village of Al Asadiya (الاسدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.776363, 40.130898. 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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS101

Incident date

March 14, 2021

Location

الحمران, Al Hamran, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.618056, 37.769167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and her child were reported killed and five others injured allegedly by YPG missiles on Tuwayjat farm near Al Hamran village on March 14th. The victims were identified as Bakr Shehadeh aged 12, and his mother Ammoun al Muhammad, aged 48. Their bodies were transferred to Jarablus’ hospital by the Syrian Civil Defence.

Euphrates Post said “the SDF bombed with heavy artillery the Al-Hamran area of ​​Jarablus city from the southern side, which led to the killing of a woman and her child, wounding five others, and extensive damage to civilian homes.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said “A 12-year-old boy named as Bakr Shehadeh, and a 48-year-old woman named as Ammoun al Muhammad, were killed while other civilians were injured when Syrian Democratic Forces’ artillery forces fired mortar shells at al Humran village in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo governorate on March 14, 2021.”

Halab Today said that the victims’ house was targeted with five mortars from SDF.

No further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

12 years old male killed
48 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers moving to hospital casualties as a result of YPG artillery attack on a farm in Hamran area in Jarablus on March 14th, 2021. (via Syrian Civil defence)
  • Syrian civil defence volunteers near a man who seems to be a relative of victims of alleged YPG shelling on Hamran in Jarablus on March 14, 2021. (via SNHR)
  • Alleged YPG shelling on Hamran in Jarablus on March 31st that led to killing a woman and her child. (via SCD Aleppo)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hamran (الحمران), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.618056, 37.769167. 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
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS400

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Location

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.08, 39.05917 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reported killed and between 8 and 12 injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Rahiat.

In a detailed report, Syria News said that “two children and their parents were killed and 12 other civilians were injured after midnight, due to international coalition targeting of al Rahiat village under the control of Islamic State in Raqqa with two raids. The media opposition activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from the village, told Syria News Desk that ,’the said Coalition aircraft targeted with vacuum missiles houses in the centre of Rahiat and another on the outskirts, confirming that there 4 injured who are in a critical situation and were transported by the residents to the National Hospital in Raqqa, while the others were taken to various medical points of the city. Osman added that the raids also resulted in the deaths of a number of livestock and the destruction of two houses completely and burning civilian vehicle and other physical damage to property.”

Others also reported the event – often using identical language.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ 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 Rahiat, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 28th-29th, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed three oil well heads, two oil pump jacks, two oil refinement equipment pieces, an oil tank, and construction equipment.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS093

Incident date

March 19, 2020

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

A number of civilians including two children were injured in an alleged YPG artillery strike on Afrin city, Aleppo governorate, on March 19th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo reported that the 1-year-old Abdel Halim Hassan and 15-year-old Safa Abu Fras were injured in a missile attack that targeted a residential neighborhood of Afrin. SCD teams treated the wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “Kurdish forces bombed the city of Afrin with rocket-propelled grenades, causing several casualties.”

Bawaba Aleppo blamed the Qasd militia for the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

15 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A girl injured in alleged YPG shelling on Afrin in Aleppo on March 19th, 2020 (via @syria7ra)
  • A boy injured in alleged YPG shelling on Afrin in Aleppo on March 19th, 2020 (via @syria7ra)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the city of Afrin (عفرين), the generic coordinates for which are: 36.511389, 36.864167. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS416 TS024

Incident date

December 16, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eleven and 15 civilians were reported killed in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) action at al Bab.

According to LCCSY eleven civilians died, “most of them killed in Coalition raids on al Bab.”However, the source had consistently denied civilian harm from Turkish actions during the al-Bab campaign.

Al Bab News reported “more than 15 dead most of them women and children and dozens injured as a result of the bombardment on al Bab yesterday. There are families still under the rubble and the rescue operations are underway.”

However ISIS’s media wing reported “intense raids with more than 15 Turkish air raids and 180 shells falling on al Bab in the Aleppo countryside since dawn today.” And the Syrian Observatory reported that “Turkish warplanes bombed areas on the outskirts of al-Bab city which is under the control of the “Islamic State” northeast of Aleppo province, amid clashes in several places in the area between members of the organisation against the factions of Euphrates Shield supported by Turkish forces, which caused casualties.”

The Syrian Network suggested Free Syrian Army (FSA) or Turkish artillery may also have been responsible: “Three civilians from the same family including a child died in Der’ Al Furat forces, supported by Turkish forces, artillery fired shells on Al Bab city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, December 16, 2016.”

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as ‘Not credible for Coalition caused civcas.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Khaled Shaban reports more than 150 shells fired and 15 air raids targeting al Bab allegedly by Turkish forces and allied militias since dawn. 16th December 2016. (via Khaled Shaban)
  • Jahra online reports Turkish army declarations that they had destroyed 60 Daesh targets near al Bab amid accusations of killing civilians. 16th December 2016. (via Jahra)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Bab, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 15th-17th 2016 the Coalition has publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For December 14th to 20th, France reports 10 strikes: 8 in Iraq – 7 of which were in Mosul – and 2 in Syria. They reported that 16 targets were destroyed.

#Chammal : 10 frappes contre Daech en Irak et en Syrie cette semaine, 16 objectifs détruits.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS058

Incident date

October 20, 2019

Location

راس العين, Ras Al Ayn, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.848065, 40.075979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources in Ras Al Ayn, Syria, on October 20th, 2019, the SDF executed seven civilians in the northern countryside of al-Hasakah on charges of collaborating with Operation Spring  forces. The victims included three men from the same family.

Local sources identified three of the victims as Muhamad Ali Al Khalaf, Ismail Ali Al Khalaf and Abdallah Al Khalaf. It was also reported that the three civilians were kidnapped for two days before being executed with shots into the heads and that their bodies were thrown in the street.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Three civilians from the same family were reported executed by SDF in Ras Al Ayn on October 20th, 2019 (via Raqqa RWB)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ras Al Ayn (راس العين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.848065, 40.075979. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (12) [ collapse]