Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

RS1644

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

جبل بدرو, Jabal Badro, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.215661, 37.204642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from the same family, including a woman, were killed by airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Jabal Badro, Aleppo, local media reported.

Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while SPM Syria and several other sources said that helicopters had dropped explosive barrels, meaning the regime could have been responsible.

Several sources identified one of the victims by name, who worked as a nurse at the local Al-Sakhour Hospital. He was reportedly killed along with his wife and brother. The couple left a nine-days old baby girl behind.

In total, sources reported that between three and ten civilians were killed by the strikes.

Only one source mentioned the number of wounded, reporting that nine civilians were left injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Keffah
Adult male killed
Wife of Kefah
Adult female killed
Brother of Kefah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 10
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A victim identified as Keffah, who was working as a nurse at the local hospital, was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian strikes along with his wife and brother as the neighborhood of Jabal Badro, Aleppo was struck on November 20, 2019 (via Shafak Organization)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 10
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1905

Incident date

March 10, 2019

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.447579, 40.953426 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and ten civilians were killed – including children – and as many as 18 were wounded, following air and artillery on Al Baghouz camp. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most media blamed the US-led Coalition, and more than seven sources attributed the blame to both the Coalition and the Kurdish-based ٍSDF militia.

Horrya News put the death toll as high as ten, while other local sources reported that only seven were killed. 

@DeirEzzor24 initially tweeted that there was heavy artillery shelling by a helicopter. Many sources additionally claimed that “the international Coalition air force targeted [with] several raids on the farms in the town of Al-Baghouz”.

Local media initially specified that there were exactly three shells fired on the vicinity. The following day, Horrya News reported that there were also “dozens of missiles”. 

Smart News Agency tweeted this was one of the “last strongholds of the ISIS organisation”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–18
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (11) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

"Between March 10 - 23 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 250 strikes consisting of 398 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 193 strikes consisting of 338 engagements, engaged 346 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 104 vehicles, 63 supply routes, 39 fighting positions, 31 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, nine tactical vehicles, six fuel tankers, four weapons caches, two command and control nodes, one tunnel, one tanker for petroleum oil and lubricants, one mortar system, and one checkpoint."

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–18
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1206 RS2341

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, al Arabaeen street and other areas, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.017177, 40.449051 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten civilians – including at least one woman and two children – were killed and dozens more were wounded following airstrikes near two schools in the city of Al Mayadeen. However, local sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. Both Russia and the US-led Coalition were reportedly responsible. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian Regime.

Nine of the 13 sources reporting the incident did not make any allegations as to who was responsible given the difficulty in identifying perpetrators (given that Coalition, Russian and Syrian government warplanes were all operating in the vicinity.)

Euphrates Post reported that the warplanes responsible were unidentified, but that they “probably belonged to the Russian air force”. Further sources, including Syria News Desk, @Syrian_Revolution and Deir Al Zor PN, directly alleged that Russia was responsible.

Meanwhile Step News Agency claimed the Coalition was to blame while the Syrian Network for Human Rights said the Syrian government was responsible.

Euphrates Post, among a number of other local sources, reported that the strikes hit civilian areas near the Al Nasswi School and the Khawla Bint Azwar School and that most of the damage was caused to the homes of Muhanned Hamoud al Hamran and Allawi al Helou.

The source added that the airstrikes caused “burning of two civilian vehicles and material damage to a number of shops and adjacent residential buildings”.

DeirEzzor24 reported that “the number [of civilian casualties] is likely to rise due to the large number of wounded and the lack of medical personnel” and added that “the search for survivors from the rubble is still ongoing”.

Many sources described the incident as a “massacre”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Allawi al Helou’s daughter
Child female killed
Adult female wife of Allawi al Helou killed
Child male Son of Allawi al Helou killed
Adult male killed

Family members (5)

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Jamal al Husseinan
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ 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 Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 15th-16th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, eight strikes destroyed 44 ISIS oil storage tanks, 22 oil stills, five cranes, a vehicle, and a well-head.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS382

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

قاضي عسكر, Qadi A'skar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.20131, 37.17594 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven to ten civilians were killed and dozens injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on a mosque in Qadi A’skar, according to a number of sources.

Activists told Shaam News that Russian warplanes targeted the mosque of Agha Jakk during afternoon prayers, resulting in the deaths of 10 people with dozens more wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also blamed Russia, reporting that at least five were killed and dozens more wounded.

An initial report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that regime warplanes were responsible. However, the Network subsequently said that Russia carried out the attack, killing seven.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1003

Incident date

July 14, 2016

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shuhada’a Al-Aqsa Mosque was struck in east Aleppo and destroyed following an airstrike carried about by both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, local media reported. The raid occurred in the morning of July 14th, according to the White Helmets. Between seven and ten civilians including an entire family were reportedly killed.

Smart News and Shahba News both blamed Russia for the targeted raid. Whereas, Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed towards the regime.

Smart News and Syrian Press Centre put the death toll at 10 civilians, with Syrian Press Centre commenting that “dozens” were wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the numbers slightly higher at 13, and also commented that seven of those killed included women and children.

According to Al Jazeera, nine members of the same family were killed, including the Imam of the mosque.

According to several sources including Orient News, Tareeq al Bab was not the only area attacked by Russian warplanes on July 14th. They reported that Salheen was also raided with several deaths which brought the total up to 14 between both neighbourhoods. Shahba tweeted that “The number of the martyrs in Salheen has risen to six and number of martyrs in Tareek al Bab has risen to 10 due to Russian warplanes shelling in both neighbourhoods.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmad Shatat Bin Mohammad
Adult male killed
Rania Nai’imi
Adult female killed
Ahmad and Rania's daughter
30 years old female killed

Family members (3)

Huda
32 years old male killed
Daughter of Huda, Fatima Shatat
female killed
A second daughted of Huda
15 years old female killed

Family members (3)

Hiba Mohammad Shatat
26 years old killed
Mostapha Mohammad Shatat
12 years old killed
Ammar Mohamamd Shatat
3 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • The remains of a mosque which was targeted and destroyed in an airstrike by Russian and the Assad regime in east Aleppo. The Imam and his entire family were killed. 14th July 2016, Tareeq al Bab. (via. LCCSY).
  • The Civil Defence (White Helmets) pulling wounded and dead civilians out of the rubble in Tareeq al Bab. 14th July 2016. (via White Helmets).
  • A correspondent reports on destruction in Tareek Al Bab due to alleged Russian warplanes shelling (Youtube Shahba)
  • The White Helmets work through the rubble and provide aid following an alleged Russian and Regime attack on the Shuhada'a Mosque (Youtube via The White Helmets)
  • Local people carry a civilian on a stretcher out of the destruction in Tareek al Bab (via Syrianpc)
  • Residential buildings destroyed by alleged warplane shelling in Tareek al Bab (via Syriahr)
  • A man raises his hands in the air in distress as The White Helmets uncover civilians in the rubble (via Milad Fadel)
  • Munitions allegedly fired by Russian and Regime warplanes discovered in Tareek al Bab after a suspected attack (via Milad Fadel)
  • A man carries a pile of books through the rubble in Tareek al Bab after suspected warplanes struck (via Milad Fadel)
  • Extensive destruction in Tareek al Bab, the impact of alleged Russian airstrikes (via Midal Fidel)
  • Impact of alleged warplane shelling on a treet in Tareek al Bab (via Sin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The Imam of the Shuhada'a Mosque killed in suspected airstrikes (Tweet via @islammemo_cc)
  • The White Helmets and locals carry a body away from the site of destruction in Tareek al Bab (Tweet by @SN4HR)
  • Photographs of the impact of alleged airstikes in Tareek al Bab (Tweet via @Step_Agency)
  • A blaze in Tareek al Bab caused by suspected airstrikes (Tweet by @bathn_allah)
  • The Civil Defense team work through the rubble in Tareek al Bab (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • Two White Helmets provide assistance in Tareek al Bab (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • The White Helmets use a digger to move the material destruction in Tareek al Bab following alleged warplane strikes (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • Described as a "massacre" in Tareek al Bab - the White Helmets provide aid (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian offensive on the Tareek al Bab neighbourhood (via LCCSY)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A very distressing image of the Iman alleged killed in the Russian warplane attacks on his Mosque - Ahmad Shatat Bin Mohammad, born 1976. (via HNN Facebook)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1208

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Location

Mouhimidah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 10 civilians including five children died in airstrikes on Muhimidah in Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The majority of sources, including Alamawi, Mohamaed202054, Alsharqia24 and Euphrates Post, blamed Russia, with death counts varying between seven and ten non-combatants. “Many” additional people were reportedly wounded in the attacks.

However, Eldorara and the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the regime. SN4HR said that three children were include in the seven civilians killed.

Zaman Masdar blamed both “Russian and Syrian warplanes”.

Three victims following a strike on the house of Ahmad Al-Khalaf.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Iman Mohammed Al-Zobe
Child killed
Bilsan Al-Zobe
Child killed

Family members (3)

Hani Hamdi Khabour
killed
Rami Khabour
killed
The sister of Hani Hamdi Khabour
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS403

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Location

الجرنية, Al Jarnia, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.16054, 38.23337 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition airstrike on the local water company killed at least five workers, according to sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered reported that “three people working at the water company in al Jarnia – one of them the water manager – were killed in international coalition raids targeting the company today.” Baladi News placed the death toll at seven, while Syria Post reported ten deaths. Pro-regime website JP News reported that “Coalition warplanes killed the workers in the water company thought those workers are not ISIS member, and they had been working there even before ISIS was found 3 years ago.”

Syria News Desk cited local activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from the village: “The wounded were taken by villagers to the National Hospital in Raqqa, after raids resulted in the destruction of a large civic building institution, in addition to the destruction of an apartment building nearby and other property.”

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Issa Al Hassan
Adult male director of the water company killed
Mohammed Hmeed Al-Hussein
Adult male killed
Ahmad Hammoud Al-Hilal
Adult male killed
Mohammed Al-Isa Al-Hussein
Adult male killed
Khaled Al Haj Abed
Adult male killed
Hussein Al-lous
Adult male killed
Umar Al Ahmad
Adult male killed
Abdur-Rahman Mohammed Al-Tis’an
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Omar al Ahmad al Omar (via RBSS)
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 Jarniyah (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA3112002021
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 4th-5th 2016 the Coalition reported that ” Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes [1 British with others] engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a weapons production facility, a vehicle, and a bulldozer.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2496

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Location

بلدة تل مرديخ جنوب سراقب, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81117, 36.79093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian airstrikes on the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham in Mardikh town, south Saraqeb, killed at least two civilians and possibly injured dozens more, local media reported. Most of the sources reported the death toll among fighters of Faylaq Al Sham, but at least five civilians including four women were named as killed in the strikes, which also reportedly struck and wounded members of the  White Helmets as they attended the scene.

According to Edlib Media Center, the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham Corps was hit by the airstrikes. The Violations Documentation Centre listed the names of 33 “non-civilians” killed – alongside the names of five civilians. Sharif Sarmada noted “dozens of martyrs and wounded among Faylaq al Sham fighters who were killed when Russian aviation targeted their headquarters in the town”. Aksalser, meanwhile, put the number of “fighters” killed at 45.

Step reported that “more than thirty-five Russian air raids targeted the village of “Tel Mardikh” Saturday, September 23, and focused on the headquarters of the faction “Failaq al Sham “of the opposition forces, killing seven fighters “.

Syrianoor reported that there had been “dozens of martyrs and wounded, most of them civilians, who were killed in an air strike by Russian airliners this morning [Sept 23rd] on the village of Tal Mardikh”.

Zaiton said that  “a number of civilians were killed” and went on to add that a young man died and two members of the White Helmets were wounded while they tried to inspect the site.

Citing activists on the ground, Syrianoor added that “10 martyrs have so far have been killed by the Russian airstrikes that targeted the village of Tal Mardikh”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Combat status unclear. He is named by Edlib EMC who do not give his combat status. VDC list a "Dirar Mohammad al-Mokhtar" as a non-civilians, so they could be the same man. killed
Moeawia Ibraheem al-Shbeeb
Adult male killed
Najat Mohammad al-Derwan
Adult female killed
Shagila Yousef al-Darwan
Adult female killed
Um Mohammad Yousef al-Darwan
Adult female killed
Majida Abd al-Rahman al-Othman
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians being pulled out the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Mardikh. (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Image of an injured civilian being carried by a White Helmet following airstrikes against Mardikh on September 23rd, 2017 (via Edlib EMC)
  • The White Helmets are reportedly targeted when attending the scene of a strike in Mardikh, Sept 23rd.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of a strike on Mardikh, Sept 23rd are pulled from the ground.
  • Translation: "10 martyrs and dozens wounded, including 5 of the civil defense, as a result of the bombing of the Russian air force targeted the village of Tal Mardikh countryside # Idlib."
  • Translation: "Martyrs from # Darya killed today in # Idlib in the Russian bombing on the # Tel-Mardikh". Note: the combat status of these men is unclear.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]