Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

RS512

Incident date

January 31, 2016

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One 17-year-old male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan using cluster munitions, according to local sources.

Both the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Center blamed Russian warplanes.

The White Helmets also named the victim, but did not say whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible for the attack.

However, they said cluster bombs were used, leading to the injury of other civilians (including women and children). They added that a fire was extinguished and that one of the bombs exploded during its removal, but no one was harmed.

According to Smart News “Our correspondent reported that Russian warplanes launched raids on the town of Hayyan using cluster munitions Hayan, killing one civilian and wounding two children were seriously injured, and the outbreak of fires in shops and fuel stations.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

17 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets tackle a fire following an alleged Russian raid on Hayyan, January 31st 2016. (via White Helmets)
  • Civil Defense remove un-exploded cluster bombs from the town of Hayyan following an alleged Russian raid. (via, Hayyan Media Office)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Qasem al-Majari. killed in an alleged Russian raid in Hayyan. (via, VDC)
  • Members of the Civil Defense put fires out following an alleged Russian raid. (via, Hayyan Media Office)
  • Civil Defense remove un-exploded cluster bombs from the town of Hayyan following an alleged Russian raid. (via, Aleppo Defense Media)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory...Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ023

Incident date

January 31, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Leithi, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.094722, 20.1275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA reported that it carried out intensive airstrikes against ISIS targets in the Sabri, Bouatni, Al-Leithi, Hawari and Qawarsheh areas of Benghazi.

However, despite the intensive attacks there were no known local reports of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS511

Incident date

January 30, 2016

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One 45-year-old adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

A video report from Shaam News shows major destruction of civilian property in the town. According to the reporter “Tel Rifa’at is being exposed to a violent string of attacks. It was hit this morning with two vacuum rockets, which led to 10 civilians hit and the destruction f houses. The Russian warplanes repeated their strikes on Tel Rifa’at with another parachuted vacuum bomb which led to the destruction of an entire neighbourhood, as you can see.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

45 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Tall Rif'att. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory...Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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

RS510

Incident date

January 30, 2016

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4008045, 40.1184654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 18 and 20 civilians including seven women and six children were killed and 14 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hissan, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially reported that a “massacre” by “suspected Russian warplanes” killed 18 non-combatants, including six women and seven children, but a subsequent report put the death toll at 20.

The Shaam News Network also reported on “a new massacre against civilians” in Al Hissan, saying that 15 died with dozens more wounded, but they did not say who the warplanes belonged to.

However, they noted that “Russian and regime aircraft haven’t left the skies of Deir Ezzor ever since IS started attacking areas controlled by Assad’s forces like Al Baghiliya, Ayyash and Brigade 137, and committed dozens of massacres in several villages and towns.”

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently published a number of reports naming victims killed in an alleged Russian strike, and noted that among those killed were members of the al-Abdoun family. They put the death toll at nine, including four women.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult female died 2 days later from wounds sustained in the strike killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Ismail A’bd Al Ismail
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The daughter of Habish Ali Al Ahmad
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The daughter of Mohammad al Ali
Age unknown "and her children", named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abo Abdo Al Halabi
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 20
  • (5–7 children4–7 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district. The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 20
  • (5–7 children4–7 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS170

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

دادات, Dadat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.634068, 37.936569 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young child was killed in either a Coalition or a Russian airstrike near Al Dadat, on the road to Jarablus.

Ara News blamed the attack on Russia, while Shaam News and Halab Today among others said the US-led Coalition was responsible.

In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: the martyrdom of a child and the injury of others following air raids on the village of al Dadat near the town of Manbij in the northern Aleppo countryside.
  • Translation: News just in: a child was killed following an air raid by coalition planes on the outskirts of the vilage of al dadat near the city of Manbij in the northern Aleppo countryside.
  • Translation: Aleppo: International coalition planes launch several air raids on the village of Al Dadat in the countryside of the town of Manbij in the northern countryside. (via RFS_North)
  • Translation: the martyrdom of a child and the injury of others following air raids on the village of al Dadat near the town of Manbij in the northern Aleppo countryside (via Manbej_Alhadath)

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
    37SDA049548
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • Jan. 29, 2016, in Dabat, 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. 2904/CS170 37SDA049548

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 28th-29th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS507

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.44294, 40.08619 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died in an alleged Russian raid on Mahimideh, according to local sources.

Three victims were named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently including one unidentified person.

 

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Suleiman
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abd Al Karim Al Badr
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ahmad Khaled Al Sa’ad
Age unknown “from the village of Safira”, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown a local veterinarian, died of injuries sustained in the attack two days later. killed
Mahmoud Albejeen
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district. The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS508

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

الخريطة, Al Khareeta, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.70014, 40.79364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LCCSY said that warplanes targeted the village of Khareeta with an airstrike, but did not identify the planes. They did not mention any casualties.

According to DeirEzzor 24, one man was injured in an alleged Russian strike on the village.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Albejeen
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS509

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

البورمضان, Albu Ramadan, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.743377, 39.61833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed and another five injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Albu Ramadan in eastern Raqqah, according to local sources.

The Shaam News Network said: “coinciding with the violent attack by the Russian Aviation on Deir ez-Zor the towns of Raqqa were not spared.”

They reported on a “new massacre” on Albu Ramadan which targeted a mosque with several vacuum missiles, adding that they “then opened heavy fire on civilian homes leading to the fall of more than four martyrs and a number of injured.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also blamed Russia for the death of four people.Three victims were named by the group including one unknown male.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently injured
Age unknown female named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently injured
Age unknown named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently injured
Age unknown male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently injured
Age unknown named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Near Rijm al-Ammala (Raqqah province), a Su-34 bomber attacked a mini-oil refinery of terrorists. Objective monitoring data confirmed elimination of the object by a direct hit.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]