Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

R4378 IRS010

Incident date

August 23, 2021

Location

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one child was injured in alleged Russian or regime or Iranian shelling of Taqad on August 23, 2021.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense, a child was injured during artillery shelling of the  village of Taqad. All other sources that reported on civilian harm identified one child as being injured in the shelling as well.

Zaman Al Wasl wrote that the child’s injuries were “slight” and that civilian homes were also extensively damaged in the strikes. Activist Ali Haj Suleiman confirmed to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that “a child was wounded by shrapnel in the head and leg as a result of intense artillery shelling.”

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes, with the majority of sources attributing the strikes to the regime while @Almohrar1 blamed Russia and Al Araby pointed to Iranian militias stationed in the “46th Regiment” as being responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets search through the rubble following strikes on Taqad on August 23, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military 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
    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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4379

Incident date

August 23, 2021

Location

درعا البلد, Daraa Al Balad, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.607961, 36.099127 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and six other civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime or Iranian strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021.

A tweet from @Almohrar1 reported that the young man Yazn Al-Omari was killed in the strikes on Daraa Al Balad.

@omar_alharir added that a number of civilians were wounded but did not provide how many, while Radio Al Kul wrote about “the injury of 6 civilians” from the incident.

Shaam News pointed out that there was no dedicated medial facility in Dara’a at the time – only facilities that had a limited amount of medical equipment and no doctors or surgeons.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes. The majority attributed the attacks to Iran and/or the regime. However, Syrian Civil Defence blamed the strikes on Russia and the regime.

Horan Free Media and the Syrian Network for Human Rights identified rocket launchers as being used in the attack, while Shaam News pointed to both rocket and artillery bombardments. The location of the strikes was pinpointed to the Kashef neighborhood in the city of Daraa, according to Ahrar Houran Gathering.

Radio Al Kul reported that the bombardment coincided with a breakdown in ceasefire negotiations between the Daraa Central Committee, and ,regime and Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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
    Iranian Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The young man "Yazn Al-Omari", who was killed in strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)
  • The young man Yazn Al-Omari was killed in strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021. (Image posted by @malikKhattab1)
  • Strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dara’a Al Balad (درعا البلد), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.607961, 36.099127. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dara'a Al Balad (درعا البلد).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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
    Iranian Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS472

Incident date

August 23, 2021

Location

الدردارة, Al Dardarah , Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.743148, 41.842804 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, including a woman, were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of al-Dardarah village on August 23, 2021.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “a young man and a woman were injured due to Turkish bombardment on al-Dardarah village”.

Nabd News provided the names of the civilians injured: Amena Al Faris (21 years), and Khidr al-Fars (39 years)”.

In addition to the injuries, houses in the village sustained material damage.

Nabd News added that the two civilians were “lightly wounded” and that their health condition was stable following treatment and discharge from the hospital they were being treated at, the Martyr Legarin Hospital in the town of Tel Tamr.

All of the sources attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

39 years old injured

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Dardarah (الدردارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.743148, 41.842804. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi002

Incident date

August 24, 2021

Location

Yemen

Airwars assessment

Two alleged members of Al Qaeda were killed in US airstrikes in Yemen sometime before August 24, 2021.

According to a Facebook post from Mushir Al Mashrai, Al-Qaeda organization in Yemen mourned Rashid Al-Ghazali and his brother Abu Asim, who said that they were killed in an American raid.

A tweet from @GhalebM0nz1i7 reported that the death of the brothers was announced on Al-Malahim website, affiliated with Al-Qaeda terrorist organization in Yemen, and attributed their deaths to airstrikes from US warplanes.

While the death of the brothers was announced on August 24th, it is unclear when the strikes took place and/or when the brothers died.

In an email to Airwars on November 18th, the US military denied carrying out any recent attacks in Yemen, noting that “CENTCOM conducted its last counterterror strike in Yemen on June 24, 2019. CENTCOM has not conducted any new counterterror strikes in Yemen since.”

This does not however preclude actions by the CIA – which is known to have conducted at least three strikes in Yemen since June 2019.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has announced the deaths of "Rashid al-Ghazali" and "Abu Asim" who were allegedly "martyred by the American Crusaders." (Image posted by @IntelTweet)

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM343

Incident date

August 24, 2021

Location

Cammaara, Galmudug, Somalia

Geolocation

5.264930, 47.914108 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The brief recapture by al Shabaab of the strategic town of Amara on the morning of August 24th was reversed by Somali ground forces, assisted by a US airstrike. Up to 90 militants and five government soldiers were killed in the strike, according to the Somali government and state media.

Amara had been held by al Shabaab for more than a decade, until its capture by Somali government forces on August 3rd 2021 – part of a wider ground offensive in Galmudug State.

Beginning around dawn on August 24th, Shabaab had then launched a major operation to regain the town. It claimed to have killed multiple Somali government forces including elite Danab fighters. Among those reported killed was a senior commander named as Ahmed Abdi Micy. Al Shabaab also claimed to have captured more than a dozen ‘technicals.’

According to Reuters, “Residents of Amara in the Galmudug region said the morning assault started with a suicide bomb attack which targeted government special force units, known as Danab and Darawish… Asmail Nur, another resident, confirmed the attack and said al Shabaab captured 11 armoured vehicles and burned seven others.”

At 10.52am according to Sonna state media, an airstrike targeted Shabaab forces just outside Amara, as part of a successful government counter offensive. “This strike was successful and killed several al-Shabaab terrorists,” Sonna reported. As many as 90 Shabaab militants were alleged killed in the overall fighting.

Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf), a journalist for Voice of America, tweeted that “Somali army reports killing 62 Al-Shabaab fighters following Tuesday’s militant attack on Amaara, and subsequent air strike. State media reported 5 soldiers also died. Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab displays battle wagons and trucks it claims seized from Govt forces in Amaara.”

AFRICOM itself finally declared the strike that evening, though made no mention of specific casualties – either civilian or militant. Its official statement asserted that the strike had been ” a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab fighters engaged in active combat with our Somali partners in the vicinity of Cammaara, Somalia, on Aug. 24. U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in support of combatant commander-designated partner forces under the 2001 Authorization of Use for Military Force.”

The incident occured at 10:52:00 local time.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    67–95

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Amara in Galmudug, following an al Shabaab attack on the morning of August 24th 2021 (via Shabelle Media Network)
  • Ahmed Abdi Micy, a senior Somali commander reportedly killed by al Shabaab on August 24th 2021 (Via Mohammed Hussein)
  • 'AS militia forces tried to carry out attacks in the area in Amara has faced heavy loss. Zaynab has also pledged to press on the scene of a total number of 90 terrorists killed'
  • Image released by Somali National Armed Forces in association with an August 24th 2021 action at Amara
  • Image released by Somali National Armed Forces in association with an August 24th 2021 action at Amara
  • AFRTICOM statement on its August 24th 2021 airstrike at Amara, Somalia
  • "Al-Shabaab displays battle wagons and trucks it claims seized from Govt forces in Amaara. " (Image posted by Harun Maruf via Twitter)
  • "Al-Shabaab displays battle wagons and trucks it claims seized from Govt forces in Amaara. " (Image posted by Harun Maruf via Twitter)
  • "Al-Shabaab displays battle wagons and trucks it claims seized from Govt forces in Amaara. " (Image posted by Harun Maruf via Twitter)
  • "Al-Shabaab displays battle wagons and trucks it claims seized from Govt forces in Amaara. " (Image posted by Harun Maruf via Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Cammaara, for which the generic coordinates are: 5.264930, 47.914108. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab fighters engaged in active combat with our Somali partners in the vicinity of Cammaara, Somalia, on Aug. 24.

U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in support of combatant commander-designated partner forces under the 2001 Authorization of Use for Military Force.

A battle-damage assessment is still pending due to the ongoing engagement between al-Shabaab and Somali forces. The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command forces take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. These efforts contrast with the indiscriminate attacks that al-Shabaab regularly conducts against the civilian population.

The Federal Government of Somalia and the U.S. remain committed to fighting al-Shabaab to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to the U.S. and regional interests.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    67–95

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4070

Incident date

August 24, 2021

Location

كفرنبل, kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including a child were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Nubul in Idlib on August 24th, 2019.

@oHA8k9FRkEve1LK reported the Syrian Civil Defence saying “Five people, including a child, were injured as a result of two air strikes by warplanes targeting 3 residential neighborhoods and a mosque in the city of Kafranbel.”

Local sources accused both Russia and the Syrian regime. @FSLA2011 said “Russian warplanes targeted the city of Kafr Nabl in the southern countryside of Idlib a short while ago.” @anasanas84 tweeted saying “Five wounded as a result of a raid by warplanes on the city of Kafranbel in the southern countryside of Idlib a short while ago.”

@EzzatHor said the the Syrian regime used vacuum rockets in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

The victims were named as:

Age unknown Not sure whether 'Ghouta' is part of the name or refers to his area of origin. injured
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation; Violent shelling on Kafr Nabl by the Russian and Syrian warplanes together (these are the photos).
  • Image via @NowLebanon1 showing alleged joint Russian-Syrian shelling in Kafr Nubul on August 24th, 2019.
  • Caption translation: Kafr Nabl a little while ago. And reports about the presence of civilians injured as a result of the warplanes' targeting of the city of Kafr Nabl in the southern countryside of Idlib.
  • An image allegedly showing airstrikes on Kafr Nubul on August 24th, 2019. (via @alyasmeenwn).
  • Caption translation: Kafr Nubul a while ago.
  • Shelling on Kafr Nubul by Russia or the Syrian regime on August 24th, 2019. (via @JA00963)

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

Incident Code

R4380

Incident date

August 26, 2021

Location

طفس, Tafas, Daraa, Syria

Airwars assessment

A major bombardment of the town of Tafas in Daraa caused up to three civilian deaths and up to six more injuries, according to extensive local reporting. Both the Assad regime and to a lesser extend Russia were blamed for the attacks.

Horan Free Media, citing its local correspondent, initially described the death of one young civilian male and six injuries “including critical cases” in the attack. The Syrian Observatory also described the deaths of a man and woman.

All sources were agreed on one fatal victim, 26 year old Hafeza Mar’i al-Rabadawi, a woman. Horan for example noted that “a medical source from Tafas Hospital told the Ahrar Horan Gathering that the woman, Hafeza Mar’i al-Rabadawi, died directly as a result of the bombing, while all 6 injured people were treated in the city hospital.”

Adding some confusion to reporting, a second woman’s death – that of Sabah al-Bardan – was also initially claimed by the outlet, though this was later denied on its own Telegram channel, which reported that Ms al-Bardan was in fact alive. The Syrian Network instead reported the death of Ms al-Bardan, as did several other local sources.

A third fatal victim was named by several sources including Qasioun as Samir Reshan Al-Zoubi, a young man.

The White Helmets, which posted a video showing at least six strikes on the town, declared that “Civilians were killed and wounded in a major military escalation by the regime and Russia forces on the city of Tafas in Daraa governorate.” Halab Today said that more than 30 missiles had targeted the town, while Thiqa News claimed that 50 missiles had struck. It was one of several local sources to report three civilian deaths.

In a separate video, Shaam News showed what it described as “the state of panic and fear among the students, after missile shelling by the Fourth Division militias on the vicinity of a school during work hours in Tafas city.”

The Syrian Network condemned what it said was “the bombing of civilian-populated areas by the Syrian regime which fails to distinguish between populated civilian areas and military targets, resulting in the destruction of homes that threatens and forcibly displaces the residents of those areas.”

Baladi News was alone in suggesting the attack may have been in response to local rebel actions, noting that “The area is witnessing a security alert by regime forces, after a military vehicle was targeted with an explosive device on the Nawa – Sheikh Maskin road, west of Daraa, and the regime’s ranks were killed and wounded.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Hafeza Mar’i al-Rabadawi
26 years old female killed
Sabah al-Bardan
Adult female Reported as either killed or injured injured
Samir Reshan Al-Zoubi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Reported victim of Regime and/ or Russian strikes on Tafas on August 26th 2021 (via Horan Free Media)
  • Medics attend to a victim of a Russian or Regime strike on Tafas, August 26th 2021 (via Horan Free News)
  • 'The moment the Fourth Division militias bombed Tafas, 26th August 2021' (via Horan Free Media)
  • Damage caused to Tafas by Regime and/ or Russian shelling on August 26th 2021 (via Horan Free Media)
  • Damage caused to Tafas by Regime and/ or Russian shelling on August 26th 2021 (via Horan Free Media)
  • Damage caused to Tafas by Regime and/ or Russian shelling on August 26th 2021 (via Horan Free Media)
  • Damage caused to Tafas by Regime and/ or Russian shelling on August 26th 2021 (via Horan Free Media)
  • Damage caused to Tafas by Regime and/ or Russian shelling on August 26th 2021 (via Horan Free Media)
  • Damage caused to Tafas by Regime and/ or Russian shelling on August 26th 2021 (via Horan Free Media)
  • 'Less than two days after the signing of a settlement agreement in #Daraa, direct scenes from the bombing of the Assad militia on the town of #Tafas'
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    '#Daraa: More than thirty treacherous missiles fell on the city of Tafas within minutes. There are a lot of injured'
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Unidentified injured male reportedly harmed in Regime and/ or Russian strikes on Tafas, August 26th 2021 (via @syria7ra)
  • '#Urgent #Daraa The death of a woman and the injury of 6 civilians as Assad's militias targeted residential neighborhoods in the city of Tafas, west of Daraa, with rocket launchers.'
  • '3 martyrs so far and 7 wounded in Tafas city 1- The martyr Samir Tarshan Al-Zoubi (M) 2- The martyr Hafiza Al-Salkhadi (F) 3- The martyr Sabah Halima (F) #Battle of dignity '

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

IRS012

Incident date

August 29, 2021

Location

طريق السد, Tareeq Al Sad, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians, including two men from the same family, were killed and up to four others were wounded in alleged Iranian or regime surface-to-surface missile strikes and artillery shelling on Tareeq al-Sad on August 29, 2021.

According to Syrian Civil Defense (SCD), two civilians were killed and four others were injured in missile and artillery shelling by the regime in the neighborhoods of Dara’a but did not specify which neighbor the civilian casualties occurred.

SCD added that at the time of reporting, they expected the death toll to rise because there are no hospitals in Dara’a to treat those that were injured. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that the inhabitants of Dara’a, including Tareeq al-Sad, are experiencing shortages of food, medicine, water and electricity and lack of medical center.

A tweed from @SRoudinah2 identified that three civilians were killed and a number of others were wounded in strikes on Al-Sad Road. However, @chessrabaa put the death toll at two but also pointed out that a number of others were still under the rubble at the time of reporting.

@Daraa24_24 named “Ahmed Ali Al-Amer Ghazlan” and “Bilal Muhammad Al-Hilal Ghazlan”.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes, with Halab Today’s Aleppo correspondent blaming the strikes on the regime while a tweet from @Yypnp1rHaJZ1YRZ attributed the bombing to ” the Iranian militias and the Fourth Division”.

@SRoudinah2 pointed to surface-to-surface missile as being used in the attack while other sources referred to the missiles used as “elephant rockets”. The correspondent of “Zaman Al-Wasl” added that “Golan” and “elephantes” missiles were launched on Al-Sad and that the ability of these missiles to destroy is great, noting that the sounds of their explosions are terrifying. However, North Press Agency identified artillery shells as part of the bombing.

The strikes occurred the same day that the Central Committee representing the people of the besieged areas in Daraa announced the collapse of negotiations with the Syrian regime due to the military escalation and the bombing of areas in the province.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Ali Al-Amer Ghazlan أحمد علي العامر غزلان
male injured
Bilal Muhammad Al-Hilal Ghazlan بلال محمد الهلال غزلان
male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Iranian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • "Bilal Ghazlan", nicknamed "Abu Muhammad", was killed from the Al-Sad Road neighborhood as a result of targeting the neighborhoods of Daraa Al-Balad and Al-Sad Road with elephant missiles and mortar shells. (Image posted by @syria55s)
  • Ahmed Ali Al-Amer Ghazlan was killed from the Al-Sad Road neighborhood as a result of targeting the neighborhoods of Daraa Al-Balad and Al-Sad Road with elephant missiles and mortar shells. (Image posted by @122as122as)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of "Bilal Ghazlan", nicknamed "Abu Muhammad", was killed from the Al-Sad Road neighborhood as a result of targeting the neighborhoods of Daraa Al-Balad and Al-Sad Road with elephant missiles and mortar shells. (Image posted by @Sullaf_7)

Iranian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iranian Military
  • Iranian 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
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Iranian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]