Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident date

April 9, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM212

LOCATION

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike in Jilib, Middle Juba region, according to a press release issued the following day by US Africa Command. AFRICOM asserted that one terrorist was killed in the strike, and that it currently assessed that no civilians were harmed in the action. For the first time and in the

Summary

First published
April 9, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2019

Incident Code

RS3615

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria

Local sources reported that an elderly man was killed when multiple Russian airstrikes allegedly struck several neighbourhoods in the city of Kafr Zeita. Local news outlet Baladi News reported that the Russian Airforce conducted eight airstrikes with high-explosive rockets on residential neighbourhoods in the town. According to Step News, the Russian planes launched a total

Summary

First published
April 7, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2019

Incident Code

LC106

LOCATION

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tarabulus, Libya

The doctor Jumua Ghouma was reported killed from indiscriminate shelling on Tajoura. The Times reported: “Another doctor, Jumua Ghouma, was killed while off-duty when a shell fell on his house.” Abdulrahman Ghummied said his home was in the Wadi al Rabie area of Tajoura. Khaled Sherif posted that he was the head of the laboratory

Summary

First published
April 7, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3616

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that long-range high-explosive ballistic missiles struck the city of Jisr al-Shughour. Step News specified that ten missiles struck residential buildings and infrastructure in the city. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the strikes struck an area near the Mamoun Haj Yahya School in al Shamali al Sharqi neighborhood, severely destroying

Summary

First published
April 8, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery, Naval bombardment
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
12–14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
12 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2019

Incident Code

LC105a

LOCATION

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tarabulus, Libya

One civilian doctor was allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie. Al Wasat said: “The field medicine center mourned the doctor Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, who was killed in the clashes areas south of Tripoli. The field medicine center said, Saturday, ‘The field medicine and support center mourns the martyr of duty Dr.

Summary

First published
April 6, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 belligerent
Libyan National Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3614

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nubul, Idlib, Syria

A child and a woman were reportedly killed and more than a dozen civilians were injured in shelling on the town of Kafr Nabil in Idlib, according to sources on the ground. In an initial post, Smart News blamed the Russian forces but later blamed the Syrian regime instead. Other local sources blamed the Syrian

Summary

First published
April 6, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–22
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2019

Incident Code

LC105

LOCATION

وادي الهيرة, Wadi al Hira, Al Jafarah, Libya

A family was reported killed in a GNA airstrike on Wadi Al Hira near Aziziyah. DMC news said: “The head of the General Command Information Office of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa al-Obeidi, said that a warplane took off from Misurata airfield bombed a house and killed a family in the Aziziyah region, 45 km

Summary

First published
April 5, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
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 belligerent
Government of National Accord
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM211-C

LOCATION

Ugunji, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A ground operation struck a minibus carrying civilians, killing one woman and injuring up to six others, local media reported. While one source claimed that the attack was conducted by drone, others said it was a ground operation, involving Somali and possibly also US troops. AFRICOM later denied responsibility for civilian harm on the grounds

Summary

First published
April 4, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Known belligerent
Somali Military Forces
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2019

Incident Code

LC104

LOCATION

جبل العوينات, Jebel Uweinat, Al Kufrah, Libya

Four civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Jebel Uweinat by an unknown belligerent. While the majority of sources said those killed were combatants, the Libya Observer said they were civilians. It said: “On another level, spokesperson of warlord Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled army, Ahmed Al-Mismari denied that the bombing was coordinated with their forces,

Summary

First published
April 2, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2019

Incident Code

RS3613

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

One adult male civilian died and up to four other civilians (including a father and his two children) were wounded in an alleged Assad regime or Russian artillery bombardment of Kafar Zeita on the afternoon of April 1st, local sources reported. According to Smart News, Russian forces conducted heavy artillery shelling on the cities of

Summary

First published
April 1, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr197

LOCATION

مديرية الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

Three alleged AQAP militants, including at least one leadership figure, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in Bayda governorate on March 30th 2019. Though most suggested that the strike took place in Sama’a district, two sources, including Xinhua, instead located the strike in the Anah or Tayeb area of Dhi Naseem district. Sources,

Summary

First published
March 30, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Suspected targets
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), ISIS - Yemen
Belligerents reported killed
3
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr195

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 29th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. In a separate press release, US Central Command stated that all six declared US military strikes in March 2019 strikes had targeted AQAP in Bayda. There were no

Summary

First published
March 29, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr196

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 29th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. In a separate press release, US Central Command stated that all six declared US military strikes in March 2019 strikes had targeted AQAP in Bayda. There were no

Summary

First published
March 29, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3611

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

One woman was injured in an alleged regime or Russian artillery strike on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. On March 28th, the Syrian Observatory said “that it had monitored more violations in the areas of the Russian-Turkish truce and surrounding areas” It added that it had “monitored intensive bombardment by regime forces with more than

Summary

First published
March 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3612

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that four civilians including a woman were wounded when a cluster bomb that was dropped in a previous strike (the date unknown) exploded in Ma’aret Al Nu’man on March 28th. Sources were conflicted on whether the cluster bomb had originally been dropped by regime or Russian forces.  

Summary

First published
March 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr194

LOCATION

حدود البيضاء وشبوة, Border of Al Bayda and Shabwa, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 28th 2019, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America – one of six declared strikes that month. One local source, Huna Al-Bayda, reported that “three senior al Qaeda leaders were killed in an [US] airstrike by a drone on the border between al-Bayda

Summary

First published
March 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

March 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS3610

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria

One adult male civilian was wounded in alleged regime or Russian artillery shelling of Al Lataminah, according to local media. The Smart News Agency, citing activists as its source, reported: “A civilian was wounded as a result of artillery shelling on the town of Latamna, north of Hama, the source of the Russian forces camp in

Summary

First published
March 27, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 27, 2019

Incident Code

ISSY-270319

LOCATION

الشيخ نجار وقرب مطار حلب الدولي, Al sheikh Najar and near Aleppo airport, Aleppo, Syria

Between seven and 10 belligerents, specifically member of the Iranian forces and their loyal militias, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Israeli strikes on Al sheikh Najar and near Aleppo airport around midnight between March 27/28, 2019. Euphrates Post reported “Israeli planes targeted midnight on Wednesday with violent raids in the vicinity of

Summary

First published
March 27, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
Israeli Military
Suspected targets
Assad regime, Iranian military
Belligerents reported killed
7–10
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr193

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 26th 2019, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. In a separate press release, US Central Command stated that all March 2019 strikes targeted AQAP. There were no other known local reports of a strike on that day according to our Arabic-language researchers,

Summary

First published
March 26, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr191

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A confirmed US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 25th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. According to a later CENTCOM press release, all US strikes in March 2019 targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate. Multiple sources reported at the time that a drone,

Summary

First published
March 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr190

LOCATION

معسكر الحازمية السلفي, Salafiya Al Hazmiya Camp, Al Bayda, Yemen

A number of US drone strikes reportedly targeted pro-government fighters in Hazmiya district in Bayda governorate, on March 25th 2019, killing at least five and injuring eight others.  A few sources instead indicated that a UAE drone had conducted the strikes, and one suggested that a Houthi ballistic missile was responsible for reported casualties.  Though

Summary

First published
March 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US Forces, Saudi-led Coalition, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
5–7
Belligerents reported injured
8
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr192

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A confirmed US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 25th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. According to a later CENTCOM press release, all US strikes in March 2019 targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate. Multiple sources reported at the time that a drone,

Summary

First published
March 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2019

Incident Code

CI878

LOCATION

الرطبة, Rutba, Al Anbar, Iraq

A girl was reported killed and a man injured when an airstrike was carried on a house in Al-Oudan district, north of Rutba, Anbar province, Iraq. The airstrikes were believed to be carried out by American forces. The other members of the family were reportedly arrested but the reason remains unknown. In July 2019 the

Summary

First published
March 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr189

LOCATION

مارب, Ma'rib, Yemen

A single local-language Twitter source, @wn4YYsr1zvokcHx, asserted that a US drone strike had killed seven AQAP militants travelling to Shabwa, on March 22nd 2019.  No other known sources reported the strike, and there was no known indication of civilian harm. In a later press release and in comments to New America, US Central Command stated

Summary

First published
March 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
7
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM210

LOCATION

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia

A reported precision airstrike by an unidentified aircraft at Buaale, Middle Juba was said to have killed up to 50 fighters with local Al Qaeda affiliate al Shabaab – along with a named senior leader. The event was first reported by Kenyan media – though reports did not identify which nation had conducted the alleged

Summary

First published
March 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
40–50
Belligerents reported injured
80–100
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS3609

LOCATION

كفريا والفوعة, Kafriya and Al Fou’a, Idlib, Syria

In a major civilian casualty incident, which several sources referred to as a “massacre”, up to 28 civilians died and as many as 30 more were wounded in multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on he town of Kafriya and Al Fou’a in Idlib. According to Baladi, Russia launched “more than 15 successive airstrikes” on the town

Summary

First published
March 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 28
(3–4 children1–2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20–30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3607

LOCATION

قرية بسيدا, Bsida village, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that six Russian aircrafts carried out airstrikes on a number of villages in rural Idlib including Bsida village. One woman was reported injured in this particular village, while an airstrike on Al Faqee caused a number of fatalities and wounded civilians that Airwars documented in assessment R3397.

Summary

First published
March 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2019

Incident Code

CS1914

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported the death of the young woman “Alaa Mahmoud Al-Shakran” displaced from the city of Palmyra, as a result of alleged Coalition on the town of Al-Baghouz on March 20th. According to a post by Revo.palmyra3, this brings the number of fatalities to four civilians displaced from Palmyra including two women and one

Summary

First published
March 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2019

Incident Code

CI878a

LOCATION

Anbar, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another near Anbar, Iraq. This was later confirmed to be a US action. As CJTFOIR’s June 2019 civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was

Summary

First published
March 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3608

LOCATION

بلدات متعددة في ريف إدلب, Several towns in Idlib countryside, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that Russian warplanes carried out strikes on a number of towns and villages in Idlib on March 20th and 21st, resulting in the death of up to five civilians. According to the Step News Agency, “Russia launched several air raids on the towns of Sheikh Mustafa and Basida  and the outskirts of

Summary

First published
March 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident