Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

TS471

Incident date

August 17, 2021

Location

ابو راسين, Abu Rasin, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.952382, 41.140923 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed and between 10 and 20 others, including two women and two children, were injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes on Zirgan on August 17, 2021.

According to North Press Agency (NPA), at least one civilian was killed and between 10 and 20 others were injured. “Nadwa al-Nifekh, 45, was killed in the Turkish bombing, and more than ten wounded civilians were transferred to the hospitals of al-Derbasiyah, Amuda and Hasakah,” local sources from the town said.

Ahram News identified one of the civilians killed as being a woman while Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a little girl was killed along with five civilians injured, along with two images of young children in bandages in a medical facility but it is unclear if they were killed or injured. In another post, (SOHR) put the number of injured civilians at 20, including women and children, and the number killed at two, including a woman and a child.

Rudaw news also reported that a woman and child were killed along with 11 other civilians injured. Images they posted show at least two women, a child, and a man receiving medical treatment for their wounds following the strikes.

A military source of the SDF also told NPA that the bombing included five villages belonging to the town, which are Bab al-Khair, Bab al-Faraj, Tel al-Ward, al-Rabi’at and Shour. He said that about 50 artillery and mortar shells fell on the town alone, which, in addition to human losses, caused great material damage. Ahram News also reported that the bombing caused widespread panic among civilians and led to multiple families leaving the villages.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkey

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Nadwa al-Nifekh
45 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Shelling of Zirgan on August 17, 2021. (Image posted by NPA)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child, one of the victims of the bombing of Zirgan on August 17, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child, one of the victims of the bombing of Zirgan on August 17, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • A child receiving medical treatment after the bombing of Zirgan on August 17, 2021. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • A woman receiving medical treatment after the bombing of Zirgan on August 17, 2021. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • A man receiving medical treatment after the bombing of Zirgan on August 17, 2021. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • A woman receiving medical treatment after the bombing of Zirgan on August 17, 2021. (Image posted by Rudaw News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abu Rasin (ابو راسين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.952382, 41.140923. 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
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS113 R4374

Incident date

August 18, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, including one to two women and a child, were killed and three to four others were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or Russian or regime strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “three civilians, including a child and a woman, were killed on August 18 when Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) used a missile launcher to shell al Mazout Street in west Afrin city”. Radio Al Kul specified that two women and a man made up the three civilians that were killed in the strikes.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified three civilians as being killed and added that others were also injured in the strikes but did not provide a number. However, Syrian Civil Defense put the injury toll at four but referred to this as being the “preliminary toll”.

@EdlibEmc1 did not provide a specific number of how many people were injured but reported that “dozens” were injured.

The strikes reportedly caused a nearby fuel station selling diesel to catch fire. Shaam News added that “activists broadcast scenes of the bombing and the rise of smoke columns resulting from the bombing and fires, while the civil defense teams worked to secure the place and put out the fires.”

According to Baladi News’ correspondent, the bombing “was concentrated near one of the camps in the city, which resulted in massive destruction of public and private properties” and @Almohrar1 pinpointed the location as “near Al-Shifa Hospital and Dersim in the city of Afrin”. @SyrianCoalition identified 13 shells as being used in the bombing.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the SDF, with Zaman Al Wasl referring to the source of the strikes as an area controlled by the SDF called the “Tal Rifaat pocket” and Radio Al Kul sourcing the strikes from “the village of Al-Alqamiya and the town of Deir Jamal”. However, the Syrian Civil Defense identified the strikes as originating from an area controlled by the SDF and regime while the North Press Agency attributed the strikes to Russian planes. Enab Baladi added that the SDF did not claim responsibility for the strikes.

The incident occured at approximately 2:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (39) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets with one of the victims of the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Fires caused by the bombing of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Fires caused by the bombing of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets bring an injured civilian to an ambulance following strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • The first moments of our teams' response to a missile bombardment on residential neighborhoods in the city of #Afrin, coming from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces north of #Aleppo, which led to the killing of 3 civilians and the injury of 4 others
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Missile strikes and shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Missile strikes and shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Centerl)
  • Rocket shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Step_Agency)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Smoke from the shelling and the fires it caused in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Alassaf1977)
  • Smoke from the shelling and the fires it caused in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Alassaf1977)
  • Destruction and fires caused by the shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @SyrianCoalition)
  • Fires broke out from strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • Fires broke out from strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @maamo_walid)
  • Fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS114

Incident date

August 18–19, 2021

Location

الكريدية, Al Karidiya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.427060, 37.671859 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians, including a girl and a woman, were killed and up to seven members of their family, including two women and a child, were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or regime strikes on Al Karidiya on August 18/19, 2021.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported about “the killing of a woman, and the injury of 5 civilians, including two women and a child, by a missile attack in the middle of the night, originating from the areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the regime forces”.

A tweet from @MasarPressNet, in addition to the majority of other sources, identified that the civilian that was killed was a girl rather than a woman and that the civilians that were injured were all from one family and sustained their injuries in their home, which was struck in the shelling. However, a post from Mohammad Ward reported that both a woman and a girl were killed, “the death of a woman succumbed to her injuries and a girl of no more than ten years of age”.

Saleh Al Asmar posted the name of the girl killed: Aya Adnan Al-Hamidi. Syrian Network for Human Rights identified Aya as being 13 years old.

@baznewz put the number of civilians injured in the bombing at seven and @YusufAd76532779 identified most of those injured as being children. An image posted by Saleh Al Asmar shows a man who sustained injuries in the shelling.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the SDF or the regime were responsible for the strikes, with some sources identified the area that the strikes originated from as being controlled by both the SDF and the regime.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Aya Adnan Al-Hamidi اية عدنان الحميدي
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man injured in the shelling of Al Karidiya on August 18/19. 2021. (Image posted by Saleh Al Asmar via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Karidiya (الكريدية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.427060, 37.671859. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime 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
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY019

Incident date

August 19–20, 2021

Location

قارة, Qarah, Rif Dimashq, Syria

Geolocation

34.154232, 36.743259 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, including a young man, were killed and three to four others were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes or Syrian regime air defense strikes on Qarah on August 19/20, 2021. Sources reported that four additional members of Hezbollah were killed in the strikes.

A tweet from @SARASALLOUM963 quoted the Head of Qara City Council as reporting that “four civilian workers were killed and three others were injured as a result of the Israeli aggression on Qara last night”.

Enab Baladi quoted the Russian “TASS” news agency as reporting that “the warplanes targeted three points in Qara, and three missiles landed on civilian homes, killing four civilians and wounding four others, as well as destroying two houses and damaging nearby buildings” and “the ages of the dead ranged between 20 and 50 years, and the wounded were taken to the hospital in the nearby city of Deir Atiyah”.

@SARASALLOUM963 also identified the name of one of the people killed: Jaafar, the son of Abdul Jabbar Taha, a member of Kefraya and Al Foah, who was expelled from his village in Idlib countryside, was killed. @AuroraIntel referred to Jaafar as being a civilians.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, four members of Lebanese Hezbollah were killed and others were wounded in the strikes on weapons warehouses and other military posts belonging to Lebanese Hezbollah in Qarah. They added that Lebanese Hezbollah uses the area to smuggle fuel from Lebanon to Syria.

@QalaatM identified the names of two of the “soldiers” killed in the strikes: Maher Ahmed Hilal and Adel Khader Al-Fatlawi, who was serving in the IRGC-linked Brigade.

Damascus SV reported on both the Hezbollah militia members and the civilians killed in the strikes, indicating that both civilians and belligerents were killed. They quoted Voice of the Capital correspondents in the western Qalamoun, who said that “ambulances loaded with corpses and wounded arrived at several government hospitals”. In addition, they also quoted the Qara City Council’s reported on civilians being killed but added that “local sources accused the anti-missiles fired by the air defenses of killing and wounding civilians”.

Step News reported that in response to the Israeli airstrikes, the Syrian regime launched air defense missiles and an image posted by Damascus Voice shows “remnants of the Russian “Pantsir” air defense missiles”. Syrian Arab News Agency, an agency associated with the Syrian regime, reported that the regime had shot down most of the missiles and were still assessing the outcome.

Tweets from @AuroraIntel and @SAMSyria0 were able to identify the geolocation of the strikes. Sources were conflicted as to whether the Israeli strikes or the Syrian defense strikes were responsible for the civilian casualties.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Jaafar جعفر
Age unknown male son of Abdul Jabbar Taha, a member of Kefraya and Al Foah killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Hezbollah, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Remnants of the Russian "Pantsir" air defense missiles that fell in the residential neighborhoods of the city of Damascus on the evening of August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Damascus Voice)
  • Remnants of the Russian "Pantsir" air defense missiles that fell in the residential neighborhoods of the city of Damascus on the evening of August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Damascus Voice)
  • Jaafar, the son of Abdul Jabbar Taha, a member of Kefraya and Al Foah, who was expelled from his village in Idlib countryside, was killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Qarah on August 19/20, 2021. (Image posted by @SARASALLOUM963)
  • Strikes on Damascus and surrounding areas the evening of August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • Strikes on Damascus and surrounding areas the evening of August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • Strikes on Damascus and surrounding areas the evening of August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • Strikes on Damascus and surrounding areas the evening of August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • Adel Khader Al-Fatlawi, identified by @QalaatM as a soldier, was killed in strikes on Qarah on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @SAMSyria0)
  • Maher Ahmed Hilal, identified by @QalaatM as a soldier, was killed in strikes on Qarah on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @SAMSyria0)
  • Maher Ahmed Hilal, identified by @QalaatM as a soldier, was killed in strikes on Qarah on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @SAMSyria0)
  • Adel Khader Al-Fatlawi, identified by @QalaatM as a soldier, was killed in strikes on Qarah on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @QalaatM)
  • Civilian planes flying to Beirut airport were rerouted due to alleged Israeli strikes in Qarah on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @Intel_Sky)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Qarah (قارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.154232, 36.743259. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Hezbollah, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4375

Incident date

August 19, 2021

Location

بلشون, Balshoun, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians, including three children and their mother in addition to another child, were killed and two to four other civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021.

Syrian Civil Defense reported on “the killing of three children, their mother and another child, and the injury of a child and a young man, in a massacre committed by the regime forces and Russia”. Al Modon, along with the majority of other sources, also published that five civilians were killed and added that an additional four civilians were injured in the attack.

@IdlibPlus put the number of victims at three civilians killed and four wounded but added that this was only a preliminary result. They later revised their reporting and increased the toll to five civilians killed, including a woman and four children.

@freeehsem identified the name of one of the children: Mustafa Muhammad Ajaj, who was killed alongside his mother and his two brothers.

A post by Omar Mhmad provided names of more of the victims: Mohamed Ajaj’s wife, Child Murad Muhammad Ajaj, Child Ahmed Mohamed Ajaj, and Child Hamza Khaled Habib. Murad and Ahmed were siblings of Mustafa and Mohamed Ajaj’s wife was also their mother.

A post by Abd Al Kareem identified Hamza as being 8 years old. Orient News reported that Hamza was being raised by Mohamed Ajaj and his wife after his father, Mohamed’s brother, was killed in a previous bombing.

SCD also posted an emotional video of a father saying goodbye to his children, who were killed in the strikes.

According to the SCD, the rescue teams had difficulty reaching the locations that were bombed to help the victims because the regime continues to bomb roads and had reconnaissance planes flying over the area monitoring movement. Radio Al Kul added that it took the White Helmets two hours to rescue all of the victims from the location, all while Russian reconnaissance planes flew overhead.

Syrian Network for Human Rights identified five shells as being used on the attack, with one shell hitting a house in the west of the village and killing four civilians from the same family (three children and their mother) and damaging the house’s structure while another shell hit another house, also in the west of the village, killing a child.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to the Syrian regime, with Radio Al Kul identifying regime forces stationed in the vicinity of the city of Kafranbel as being responsible. However, @anasanas84 and Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the strikes on Russia and identified laser-guided Krasnopol missiles as being used in the attack.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mustafa Muhammad Ajaj مصطفى محمد عجاج
Child male killed
Mohamed Ajaj's wife
Adult female Mother of Mustafa, Murad, and Ahmed killed
Murad Muhammad Ajaj مراد محمد عجاج
Child male killed
Ahmed Mohamed Ajaj أحمد محمد عجاج
Child male killed
Hamza Khaled Habib حمزة خالد حبيب
8 years old male Cousin of other children, raised by their parents killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (34) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets search for survivors following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets search for survivors following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets search for survivors following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets search for survivors following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "I just want to see his face." He did not find anything from his child's body except his hand, saying goodbye to it with a lump and heartburn, touching it tenderly, and the memories recurring quickly, until the last look was deprived of it, in a scene that carries all the meanings of oppression and pain. One scene from the massacre committed by the regime forces and Russia this morning, Thursday, August 19, in the village of Balshon, south of Idlib, which killed 3 children, their mother and another child.
  • Rescue workers and civilians work to put out fires following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • Rescue workers search through the debris following following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • Rescue workers search through the debris following following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • Rescue workers search through the debris following following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • A man searches through the debris following following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • #Sham: Assad's forces committed a massacre in the village of Balshon in Idlib countryside, killing 5 people, including 4 children.
  • Rescue workers search through the debris following following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The last looks of a mother who lost her son, and houses turned into graves, here memories are lost and words turn to tears, and death becomes a nightmare that takes our breath away every moment. From the moments of our teams’ response to the massacre committed by the regime forces and Russia in the village of Balshon, south of Idlib, which claimed the lives of 3 children, their mother and another child.
  • A friend of Mustafa Ajaj, who was killed, searches through the rubble following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Rescue workers search through the debris following following strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Destruction of the home where a woman and children were killed in strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction of the home where a woman and children were killed in strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction of the home where a woman and children were killed in strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction of the home where a woman and children were killed in strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Mustafa Muhammad Ajaj, killed alongside his mother and two brothers in strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by @freeehsem)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Hamza Khaled Habib, 8 years old, killed in strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Abd Al Kareem via Facebook)
  • The husband and father of four of the victims bids farewell to his family, who were killed in strikes on Balshoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Alaa Al Omar via Facebook)
  • The great destruction caused by the bombing of the Assad forces on civilian homes in the town of Balshon in Jabal Al-Zawiya
  • Russian-made (laser-guided) "Krasnopol" shell used in the attack on Bashoun on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Zaman Al Wasl)
  • Photo from SNHR shows the bodies of the victims killed in Russian forces’ shelling of the village.
  • Overhead view of the destruction to a home from shelling on August 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI066 YI001

Incident date

August 20, 2021

Location

بنكي, Banke village, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.207778, 42.968611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two Iraqi tourists were killed in an alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) IED or Turkish air or artillery strike near the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021, according to local sources. Their bodies were missing until Kurdish and Iraqi security forces found them on August 22nd.

The security source told Shafaq News Agency, “Two tourists from Mosul entered, two days ago, the prohibited area in the village of Banka in Bativa district, affiliated to Zakho district, north of Dohuk,” noting that “a Turkish artillery shell fell near their car, leaving them dead.” The source added, “The two tourists are Ahmed Shukr, born in 1981, and Youssef Omar, born in 1995,” explaining that “the security forces in Zakho are trying to enter the prohibited area to evacuate the bodies of the tourists.”

Kurdistan 24 correspondent Islam Yousef said: “The bodies of the two men, who had been visiting from Iraq’s nearby province of Nineveh, were discovered still inside a car that sustained damage by the impact of what appears to be a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) in the village of Banke, located in the Batifa subdistrict outside Zakho.” The source quoted local authorities who said the men had been killed by a roadside bomb. The source also quoted anonymous local sources as saying the bomb had been planted by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Bas News reported: “Head of Batifa administration, Farhad Mahmoud, told BasNews that the two men visited Zakho countryside from Mosul on Friday when they were caught in the middle of a fierce conflict between the Turkish Army and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). He said the two men were hit in their personal vehicle in the vicinity of Banke village. “Investigations show that they were hit by a Turkish artillery fire,” he added. “We are now awaiting their conclusion of the forensic report before handing the bodies over to the families.”

The director of Batova district told Rudaw Media Network that “the Turkish bombing of the areas where PKK fighters are located, in the village of Bandro, of Batufa district, led to the killing of Iraqi tourists.” Rudaw reported: “The bodies of two tourists killed on Friday in Turkish artillery fire in northern Duhok province were retrieved by Iraqi border guards on Sunday afternoon and returned to their families. The two, Ahmed Shukir, 40, and Yousif Ammar, 26, are from Mosul had seemingly unknowingly entered a conflict zone when they visited the village of Bankie, in the Batifa sub-district where Turkish forces have clashed with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).” Rudaw quoted an unarmed eyewitness as saying the men had “died after an artillery shell hit their car”.

@BarzanSadiq posted a video alleging to show the moment the car was targeted and said “an IED blast planted by PKK killed the two Iraqi tourists”.

Medyanews quoted the Mesopotamia News Agency as saying “the two lost their lives when their vehicle was bombarded by a drone belonging to the TAF”.

The majority of the sources said the men had been killed by a Turkish artillery strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Shukr
40 years old male killed
Youssef Omar
26 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, YPG
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • An image of Yousif Omar, who was killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike on the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20 th, 2021. (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • An image of Ahmed Shukr Mahmoud, who was killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike close to the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021 (Image posted by Rudaw News)
  • An image of Yousif Omar, who was killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike on the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by Kurdistan revolution in Arabic)
  • An image of the vehicle Ahmed Shukr Mahmoud and Yousif Omar were traveling in when they were killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike while visiting Banke village, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @BarzanSadiq)
  • An image of the vehicle Ahmed Shukr Mahmoud and Yousif Omar were traveling in when they were killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike while visiting Banke village, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @BarzanSadiq)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the interior of the car the men were traveling in following the alleged Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike or Turkish air or artillery stike which killed them on August 20th, 2021. (Uploaded by Shafaq)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the interior of the car the men were traveling in following the alleged Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike or Turkish air or artillery stike which killed them on August 20th, 2021. (Uploaded by Shafaq)
  • An image of the vehicle Ahmed Shukr Mahmoud and Yousif Omar were traveling in when they were killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike while visiting Banke village, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @BarzanSadiq)
  • The funeral for Yousif Omar, who was killed in an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike on the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Image posted by Naynawa Alghad)
  • Caption: “Emergency services are seen in the Zakho area of northern Dohuk, near to where two tourists from Mosul were killed in a Turkish bombardment on August 22, 2021.” (Uploaded by Rudaw)
  • An ambulance is seen waiting to collect the bodies of two men who were killed during an alleged Turkish artillery strike or Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) IED strike near the village of Banke, Batifa sub-district on August 20th, 2021. (Uploaded by Kurdistan 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Banke (بنكي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.207778, 42.968611. 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

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, YPG
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4376

Incident date

August 20, 2021

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least four children from the same family were killed and their mother and two other men were injured in alleged Russian or regime or Iranian strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021.

Syrian Civil Defense reported “four children from one family were killed, and two civilians were injured, this morning, Friday, August 20, by artillery shelling of the regime forces and Russia with laser-guided shells”.

@abuhuzaifa_ provided the names of the children killed: Ayat Al Omar 12 years old, Muhammad 9 years old, Mary 6 years, Hatem 3 years. A tweet from @DeirEzzore added that Muhammad Faisal Al-Khalil is the father of the children.

An image posted by @thawrat111 shows the bottle belonging to one of the children that was killed amongst the rubble of their home.

Al Jazeera wrote that a reporter for the French Press Agency saw the father crying over the bodies of three of his children in a cemetery when the remains of his fourth child were brought to the cemetery. The fourth child had to be buried in a hurry because bombing had begun again in the area.

Macro Media Center also identified four children as being killed in the strikes but put the number of injured at five, all from the same family. Radio Al Kul identified the mother of the children killed as being injured in the strikes and added that two men were seriously injured in a bombardment of another home in the same village.

According to @zelal_abo_adnan, the father of the children killed had gone to work the day of the strike and his wife was able to escape the bombing with the youngest child just moments before the shell landed on a nearby home.

Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible for the strikes. Radio Al Kul blamed the shelling on regime forces stationed in the vicinity of the city of Kafr Nabl. However, Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the strikes to Russian artillery forces along with a Russian surveillance plane overhead and identified Krasnopol laser guided shells as being used. Anadolu Agency pointed to both the regime and Iran as being responsible for the strikes.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ayat Al Omar آيات العمر
12 years old killed
Muhammad Al Omar محمد
9 years old killed
Mary Al Omar مريم
6 years old killed
Hatem Al Omar حاتم
3 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (39) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets remove the body of one of the victims of the strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets sort through the rubble following strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets remove the body of one of the victims of the strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets sort through the rubble following strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Four children from the same family were killed by artillery shelling by the Assad militia and Russia targeting civilian homes in the town of Kansafra in Jabal Al-Zawiya, south of Idlib.
  • People gather for the funeral of the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Four children from the same family were killed by artillery shelling by the Assad militia and Russia targeting civilian homes in the town of Kansafra in Jabal Al-Zawiya, south of Idlib.
  • Bodies of the victims, all children, killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @abuhuzaifa_)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of one of the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @abdalwhab761)
  • Very graphic image of the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)
  • Image of the four children that were killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @dbOFRYEU7XqMrTc)
  • Funeral for the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Body of one of the victims killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @feryal222kakhi)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @feryal222kakhi)
  • Bodies of the victims, all children, killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @feryal222kakhi)
  • A bottle belonging to one of the children that was killed in the strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @thawrat111)
  • Bodies of the victims of the strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @ajplusarabi)
  • Damage caused by the strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @ajplusarabi)
  • Explosion caused by the strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @ajplusarabi)
  • People mourn the victims of the strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @ajplusarabi)
  • Residents sort through their belongs and save what they can following strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @_abdulazizketaz)
  • Funeral and burial for the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @bN2HlKac9SVdqtL)
  • Family and friends mourn the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Family and friends mourn the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Family and friends mourn the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Family and friends mourn the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Funeral for the children killed in strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Residents sort through their belongs and save what they can following strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Residents sort through their belongs and save what they can following strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Residents sort through their belongs and save what they can following strikes on Kansafra on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)

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

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4377

Incident date

August 20, 2021

Location

كفرنوران, Kafr Nouran, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one child was killed and her sibling, another child, was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on a cemetery in Kafr Nouran on August 20, 2021.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that two children, Muhammad Subhi Darwish, 9, and his sister, Huda, 8, were injured in the town of Kafr Noran. Both children were taken to the hospital but Huda was transferred to a Turkish hospital due to the seriousness of her injuries.

A tweet by @abo_aljod84 identified “civilian martyrs and wounded in the town of Kafr Noran” but did not provide any details or numbers.

Various sources reported that Muhammad’s condition was “stable”. However, Zaiton mag later wrote that “the little girl, Huda Darwish, died of her injury yesterday”.

According to Macro Media Center, the two children, Muhammad and Huda, were in the town cemetery visiting their father’s grave when the area was bombed. @SbmjMS3nXS7DzvE added that the children were reciting the Quran and praying at the grave at the time the strikes occurred.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes. A tweet from @Almohrar1 attributed the shelling to Russia while Macro Media Center identified the regime as using a “machine gun “23” in the attack against Kafr Nouran.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Muhammad Subhi Darwish محمد صبحي درويش
9 years old male injured
Huda Darwish هدى درويش
8 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Cemetery in Kafr Nouran that was struck by shelling on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Cemetery in Kafr Nouran that was struck by shelling on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Muhammad Subhi Darwish, 9, and his sister, Huda, 8, the children injured in strikes on a cemetery in Kafr Nouran on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the children injured in strikes on a cemetery in Kafr Nouran on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Civil Defense members sort through the rubble in a cemetery in Kafr Nouran that was struck by shelling on August 20, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image f Huda Darwish receiving treatment for the injuries she sustained in shelling of Kafr Nouran on August 20, 2021. Various sources reported that she later died from her injuries. (Image posted by Mamoun Al Shami)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]