Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CI490

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Location

الجوسق, Mosul, Al-Jawsaq, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3280482, 43.1503701 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that 38 civilians were killed and injured in Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling on Jawsaq neighborhood in Western Mosul.

Press sources had told Yaqein that “the army shelling on Jawasaq neighborhood of western Mosul resulted in the deaths and injuries [which] have not been counted yet” and that “Jawasaq neighborhood is witnessing fierce clashes between the army and [ISIL] militants.” It furthermore spoke of heavy battles in the southwest area of Mosul, together with heavy bombardment and government shelling to recapture the west of the city.

The source continued that “there are fears of troops committing collective massacres against civilians with the continuation of the storm [battle] to recapture the west of Mosul on the right coast.”

Hamid Hadeed said on Twitter that ten people were killed in the raids, and 28 others were injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    28
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (5) [ 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
Official source

For February 26th-27th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, fives strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and two ISIS staging areas; destroyed eight fighting positions, six mortar systems, five vehicles, three VBIEDs, two roadblocks, two ISIS-held buildings, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two VBIED facilities, two weapons caches, a tactical vehicle, a sniper position, a supply cache, a bulldozer and a tunnel entrance; damaged nine supply routes and a front-end loader; and suppressed 18 mortar teams and five ISIS tactical units.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    28
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-048

Incident date

March 23, 2011

Location

الزنتان, Zintan, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

31.930396, 12.250838 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and ten civilians were killed and 26 more injured in air and artillery shelling by Gaddafi forces on Zintan, according to Al Jazeera.

The news outlet reported: “Six civilians were killed in a bombardment carried out today by the Gaddafi Brigades on the city of Zintan, and the bombing cut off electricity and communications completely from the city, while a British military commander announced the destruction of the Libyan air force.

The spokesman of the National Transitional Council in Libya, Abdel-Hafiz Ghouta, told a news conference in Benghazi that Gaddafi’s battalions continued to bombard the city of Zintan, which was controlled by the rebels and 90 kilometers southwest of the capital Tripoli, pointing out that the indiscriminate shelling of the city yesterday killed 10 people and wounded 26 others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Zintan (الزنتان), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.930396, 12.250838. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS396

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

الطعوس, Al Tao'ous, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.98333, 37.8 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 10 civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Tao’ous near Dayr Hafer, according to local sources – though one source points to possible involvement by the Assad regime.

Syrian Press Center reported that nine civilians died and dozens more were injured in Russian strikes.

Step News Agency also blamed Russia, saying that warplanes had targeted a gathering of “Harakat” (fuel burners), killing nine people and injuring many more.

Massar Press put the death toll at 10, also attributing the incident to Russia.

However, there was a suggestion from Halab Today that the regime may have been involved as they referred to  “Syrian-Russian Coalition aircraft” targeting a group of “oil burners“.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ 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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI011

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

البوعجيل, Bojeel, Salah al-Din, Iraq

Geolocation

34.577822, 43.724728 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports claimed that Coalition strike hit a mosque during Friday prayers in the town of Al Bojeel, to the east of Tikrit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel village, East of Tikrit. The coordinates for (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel are: 34.577822, 43.724728

  • Al Bojeel ( البوعجيل )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 Abu Ujail, Tikrit, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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
Official source

No publicly reported Coalition strike appeared to match the event. However for October 17th-18th 2014 it was reported that “five airstrikes occurred south and west of Bayji and struck two ISIL units, destroyed one ISIL armed vehicle, an ISIL heavy weapon, an ISIL machine gun position, an ISIL building and three ISIL guard shacks and damaged one ISIL guard shack.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS569 RS1963

Incident date

March 11, 2017

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.963172, 38.035655 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and ten civilians died and up to 16 others were wounded in an airstrike on Maskana, according to local sources – though field reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia. The Coalition later denied involvement.

Syria News said that “According to activists, the international coalition bombed the neighborhood Rihaniyya in Maskana, resulting in eight martyrs and the presence of dozens of wounded under the rubble, including women and children”.

Qasioun also pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at ten.

In a video for Al Jisr TV, a reporter says that Russia and the regime were to blame, putting the death toll at eight with 16 more injured.

The Step News Agency and Smart blamed Russia, while RFS Media said that the regime was responsible.

Maskana Halab reported that “eight displaced people including women and children killed as a result of an air raid targeting a house in al Rihaniya in Maskana” – though they didn’t indentify the culprit.

According to Syria News Desk – which attributed the event to Russia and the regime – “a civilian source from Maskana who declined to be identified said that the strikes destroyed at least five houses and two stores on the east side of the highway district Rihaniyya, in addition to the burning of two houses and two cars.”

On April 30th 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event as ‘not credible’: “March 12, 2017, near Maskana, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: martyrs and wounded under the rubble following an air raid targeting Maskana in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
  • Title: the international coalition commits a massacre in maskana in the eastern Aleppo countryside and the Russians intensify their raids in the western countryside. (note: the reporter says it was Russia and regime)
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 Maskana, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition has not publicly reported any strikes in Aleppo governorate between March 11th-13th.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st – 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1146

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Location

الزيانات, Al Zaynat, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8917, 40.84569 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to ten civilians belonging to two families, which included six children, were killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Ziyanat in the southern Hasaka countryside, local sources reported.

Zaman al Wasl reported that the alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted ISIL vehicles near the shop and homes of the two families hence causing their deaths.

A number of sources identified the dead as the families of Hamed Ahmad al Majoul al Ziyanat and Salem Ahmed al Majoul al Ziyanat, who were said to be brothers.

The Syrian Observatory placed the toll slightly lower at eight killed, noting: “they are a man and three of his children as well as his brother’s wife and two of their children and another child.”

Of the 20 sources that reported the incident, 19 alleged that the Coalition were responsible.

At the time the US-led alliance reported no strikes in the governorate for this date.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamed Ahmad al Majoul al Ziyanat
Adult male killed
Salem Ahmed al Majoul al Ziyanat
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (6 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The family of Salem Ahmed Majoul Zayanat, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Al-Zayanat, south of Al-Hasakah, June 3rd 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The family of Salem Ahmed Majoul Zayanat, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Al-Zayanat, south of Al-Hasakah, June 3rd 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The family of Salem Ahmed Majoul Zayanat, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Al-Zayanat, south of Al-Hasakah, June 3rd 2017. (via Ahmad al Shibli)
  • The family of Salem Ahmed Majoul Zayanat, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Al-Zayanat, south of Al-Hasakah, June 3rd 2017. (via Zaman Alwasl)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition has not publicly reported any strikes in Hasakah for July 1st-4th 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (6 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS439

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Location

مديرية الكهرباء, Vicinity of power directorate in Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961873, 39.014575 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians including four children and three women died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the power directorate in Raqqa city, according to local sources.

Syrian News Desk also blamed Russia, but did not say how many died.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “alleged Russian warplanes shelled the vicinity of the Power Directorate in Al Raqqa city which killed 7 individuals including 3 women.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published general reports on the bombing of Raqqa on this day, but did not say who the warplanes responsible belonged to.
Likewise, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, published images of the raids, but did not identify the planes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Khaled Al rakan
Age unknown Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed
Nawar al Rakan
Age unknown Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed
Qutna al Rakan
Age unknown Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed

Family members (7)

Maha al Haj Saleh
Age unknown male brothers, Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed
Ismail al Dakheel
Age unknown male brothers, Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed
"his wife"
Age unknown female Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed
Son Mohammad
Child male Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed
Son Mahmoud
Child male Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed
Ahmad
Child male Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed
"and his daughter"
Child female Raqqa Post named these victims has having died in a Russian strike on the electricity company in Raqqa killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The house of a family of deceased civilians according to the source. (via, Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Incident Code

CS698

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Location

كبش, Kabish, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1308644, 38.7842273 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man died – along with perhaps two families – in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Kabish, according to local sources.

One man was named as a victim of a Coalition strike by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. RFS Media put the death toll at two – also blaming the Coalition.

However according to @SY-Reporter, two families died in a Coalition strike.

In January 2019, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Ramadan Al-Bush
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kabish (كبش), Raqqa governorate, for which the coordinates are: 36.1308644, 38.7842273.

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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Stated location
    near Kabish, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV805984
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019

  • Apr. 16, 2017, near Kabish, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 15th – 16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed an ISIS bridge, and damaged an ISIS supply route. Near Tabqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions and an ISIS vehicle.”

For April 16th – 17th: the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and a mortar system. Near Tabqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and suppressed three ISIS tactical units.“

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Saturday 15 April – Typhoons attacked a Daesh-held building west of Raqqa, while Tornados assisted Iraqi forces inside western Mosul…On Saturday, a further Tornado patrol supported Iraqi forces engaged in a firefight with Daesh positioned in a large building in western Mosul. Two Paveway IVs silenced the terrorist fire. Meanwhile, Typhoons continued their support for the SDF as they pushed east from Tabqah towards Raqqa, bombing a terrorist-held building.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]