Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

TI077

Incident date

February 15, 2022

Location

شيلادزي, Shiladze, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.034762, 43.779316 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man was killed in alleged Turkish strikes near the town of Shiladze in Amedi district on February 15th 2022, according to local reports.

Hawar News quoted Roj News Agency, which reported that Hussain Haider (Hussein Rikani) was killed in Turkish bombings of the villages in the Shiladze district of Başûr.

North Press Agency reported that Haider, the civilian killed in the airstrikes, was a resident of the Siri complex in Shiladze district and was married and had ten children, according to press reports. Alyaum TV add that was found in the “Neroh and Rikan area” and that he was 50 years old.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Hussain Haider (Hussein Rikani), killed in airstrikes on the Shiladze district of Başûr on February 15, 2022. (Image posted by @sheladze__)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Shiladze (شيلادزي), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.034762, 43.779316. 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
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4437

Incident date

February 16, 2022

Location

سوق المحروقات بين بلدتي ترمانين والدانا, the fuel market between Tarmanin An Al Dana towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians were killed and up to five others were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on February 16, 2022.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense, four civilians were killed and two others were injured in artillery shelling of a fuel market and the outskirts of the widow camp near the town of Tarmanin. The shelling caused large fires and the White Helmets worked to put out the fires and search for survivors – the rescue efforts took four continuous hours and required the participation of 10 firefighting teams.

A tweet from @ShahbaPress identified the four victims killed in the strikes as being members of one family, including two brothers. Euphrates Post named three of the civilians killed: Ahmed Hajj Hussein Fakher, Khaled Hajj Hussein Fakher, Fahd Ahmed Shahoud from Sarmin City. The source added that the fourth person could not be identified because their body was charred.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the number of civilians killed at “at least three people” and that the number of deaths was likely to rise. Zaman Al Wasl reported that five people were injured, with some of them from the same family. Macro Media Center added that those that were injured had varying degrees of injuries and El Dorar identified those injured as being fuel tanker drivers.

Syrian Civil Defense also provided details that the shelling occurred in the Hazra area located between the town of Termanin and the city of Dana. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the fuel market that was bombed belonged to “Watad petrol company” and Zaman Al Wasl identified the “widows camp” as being Al-Domani camp for the displaced.

One of the White Helmets named Tawfiq described feeling helpless following the bombing and describes a similar incident six years ago when fuel tanks were bombed.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the regime or Russia were responsible for the bombing, with @IdlibPlus attributing the strikes to the regime while the Syrian Civil Defense blamed both Russia and the regime and Al Modon News assigned responsibility to Russia. Euphrates Post identified “Krassenbul laser” missiles as being used in the attack.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the fuel market was under the control of Hay’at Tahrir al Sham and that the fuel was stored in tanks and ground-level warehouses.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • 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

Sources (52) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (78) [ collapse]

  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets describe feeling helpless during a rescue mission following shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets describe feeling helpless during a rescue mission following shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Ariha Today)
  • Shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Ariha Today)
  • Shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Ariha Today)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • White Helmets describe feeling helpless during a rescue mission following shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • White Helmets describe feeling helpless during a rescue mission following shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Destruction caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Destruction caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • White Helmets describe feeling helpless during a rescue mission following shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Destruction caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • White Helmets describe feeling helpless during a rescue mission following shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • White Helmets describe feeling helpless during a rescue mission following shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by @SunaUnique)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by @SunaUnique)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by @SunaUnique)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by @SunaUnique)
  • Media activists' coverage of the civil defense efforts to put out the fire as a result of the Russian occupation forces targeting the vicinity of the town of Dana in Idlib countryside, which led to the death of four civilians. (Image posted by @omarii49)
  • Media activists' coverage of the civil defense efforts to put out the fire as a result of the Russian occupation forces targeting the vicinity of the town of Dana in Idlib countryside, which led to the death of four civilians. (Image posted by @omarii49)
  • Media activists' coverage of the civil defense efforts to put out the fire as a result of the Russian occupation forces targeting the vicinity of the town of Dana in Idlib countryside, which led to the death of four civilians. (Image posted by @omarii49)
  • Media activists' coverage of the civil defense efforts to put out the fire as a result of the Russian occupation forces targeting the vicinity of the town of Dana in Idlib countryside, which led to the death of four civilians. (Image posted by @omarii49)
  • Damage caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Damage caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Damage caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Damage caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by North Press Agency)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Tarmanin media center via Facebook)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Tarmanin media center via Facebook)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Tarmanin media center via Facebook)
  • Damage and fires caused by shelling of a fuel market near Tarmanin on February 16, 2022. (Image posted by Tarmanin media center via Facebook)

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • 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

Sources (52) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4438

Incident date

February 20, 2022

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.347545, 37.531967 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were injured, with one reportedly dying of their injuries, when an unexploded cluster bomb from a previous bombing by the regime or Russian forces exploded in the town of Tadef on February 20, 2022.

According to a tweet from @Almohrar1, two children were injured, one of whom had his hand amputated, due to the explosion of a cluster bomb from a previous Russian bombing of the town of Tadef.

Baladi News also reported that two children were seriously injured from the explosion of bomb remnants. However, they attributed the previous bombing to the regime.

A day after the incident, February 21st, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one of the children that was injured died from the explosion in Tadef.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tadef (تادف), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.347545, 37.531967. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4440

Incident date

February 21, 2022

Location

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9916361, 36.3938856 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One girl was injured when an unexploded ordnance from a previous bombing by Russian or regime forces exploded in Darkoush on February 21, 2022.

Syrian Civil Defense reported that a girl was injured when an unexploded ordnance exploded in her home after she was collecting firewood with her family in the outskirts of Darkoush. White Helmets transferred her from one hospital to another to complete the necessary treatment.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the original bombing, with @Almohrar1 blaming Russian forces while Baladi News attributed the previous bombing to the regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Darkoush (دركوش), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9916361, 36.3938856. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4439

Incident date

February 21, 2022

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three children were injured by an unexploded ordinance belonging to Russian or regime forces on February 21, 2022.

According to Baladi News, three children were seriously injured when an unexploded ordnance from a previous bombing by regime and Russian forces exploded in the city of Jisr Al Shughur. All other sources reported similar details about the vicitims. No additional information is currently available.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the original bombing, with @Almohrar1 blaming Russian forces while Syrian Civil Defense attributed the previous bombing to the regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Jisr Al Shughur (جِسْرُ ٱلشُّغُورِ), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.81425, 36.319812. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4441

Incident date

February 22, 2022

Location

عدوان, Adwan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.87263, 36.50219 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 22nd 2022, two children were seriously injured, according to local reports, as a result of the explosion of previously unexploded ordnance left from previous Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes in the village of Adwan, west of Idlib, Syria. One of those children was reported to have died from his injuries the next day, named in local sources as Khaled Shadi Al-Assaad, aged nine.

According to other sources, his cousin Ahmed was wounded.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that these injuries were the third incident of its kind in the past 24 hours, for example see Airwars incidents R4438, R4439, R4440.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khaled Shadi Al-Assaad
9 years old male killed
"Ahmed"
Child male cousin of Khaled injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • One child was killed and one was injured when a reported unexploded ordnance left over from previous airstrikes from the Russian or Syrian regime forces exploded in Adwan on February 22nd 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Khaled Shadi Al-Assad, aged 9, was reportedly killed by an explording ordnance left by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in Adwan, west of Idlib on February 22nd 2022 (Image via @Almohrar1 / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Adwan (عدوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.87263, 36.50219. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM345

Incident date

February 22, 2022

Location

Fiidow, Hiiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

3.177624, 45.467415 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 60 Al-Shabaab militants were reported killed in a declared US airstrike in support of Somali ground actions, at Fiidow village in Hiiraan on February 22, 2022.

Somali National Television reported that “over 60 Al Shabab terrorists were killed in a planned security operation conducted by #Somali National Army with support of airstrikes of Somalia’s security partners in Fiidow village of #Hiiraan region on Tuesday, SNA chief Ge. Odawa Yusuf confirmed to State Media.” The location and casualties were also confirmed by a government spokeswoman.

According to Mareeg, the Somali military stated that they had killed 60 militants, including their commander, whose name has not been released, in addition to also destroying the group’s safe houses, a so-called mobile court and explosive centers in Hiran region.”

The Somali Guardian also reported that militants claimed seven Somali government soldiers had been killed in an ambush carried out by Al-Shabaab.

The New York Times reported that the strike was carried out with an MQ-9 Reaper and followed an attack on allied Somali forces in Duduble, about 40 miles northwest of Mogadishu.

The New York Times also added details about the decision to carry out the strike, which “as in four previous attacks since President Biden took office, White House approval was not needed because the Africa Command has the authority to conduct strikes in support of allied forces under what the military calls collective self-defense.” However, “There were no U.S. forces accompanying Somali forces during this operation, an Africa Command spokesman said. Instead, U.S. forces were advising and assisting the Somali forces’ mission from a remote location, but the official did not say where that was.”

AFRICOM released a statement a day after the incident declaring that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Duduble, Somalia, February 22.” While it stated that a battle-damage assessment was still pending, “the command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.”

AFRICOM cited both self defence, and the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) as justification for the strike.

This incident marked the first declared US strike in Somalia by AFRICOM since August 2021. Five days before the action, AFRICOM commander General Townsend had visited US forces in Somalia – as unnamed senior US defense officials briefed Stars and Stripes that ‘U.S.-backed forces in Somalia are now outgunned by Africa’s largest terrorist group, raising concerns that a 2021 decision to pull out American troops and curtail airstrikes has helped the militants’ insurgency expand’.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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
    60

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • US forces in partnership with Somali Military conducted airstrikes on Fiidow village on February 22, 2022. (Image posted by Somalia National Television)
  • US forces in partnership with Somali Military conducted airstrikes on Fiidow village on February 22, 2022. (Image posted by Somalia National Television)
  • US forces in partnership with Somali Military conducted airstrikes on Fiidow village on February 22, 2022. (Image posted by Somalia National Television)
  • US forces in partnership with Somali Military conducted airstrikes on Fiidow village on February 22, 2022. (Image posted by Somalia National Television)
  • US forces in partnership with Somali Military conducted airstrikes on Fiidow village on February 22, 2022. (Image posted by Nasra Bashir Ali via Twitter)
  • US forces in partnership with Somali Military conducted airstrikes on Fiidow village on February 22, 2022. (Image posted by Nasra Bashir Ali via Twitter)
  • Statement from AFRICOM on US strikes in Somalia on February 22, 2022. (Image posted by AFRICOM via Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Fiidow, for which the generic coordinates are: 3.177624, 45.467415. 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 an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Duduble, Somalia, February 22.

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. 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
    60

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1979

Incident date

February 22, 2022

Location

الدحلة, Al Dahla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian, named in local sources as Ibrahim Khalif Ali Al-Ammar, aged 52, was reportedly killed during a Syrian Democratic Forces and US-led Coalition raid on the village of Al-Dahla, in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, at dawn on February 22nd 2022. According to local sources, he was shot at dawn when his house was raided.

The US-led Coalition was reportedly providing “aircraft” support. SANA reported that they carried out an airdrop operation.

Euphrates reported that Mr. Al-Ammar worked in the fertilizer and grain trade.

@DeirEzzorNow tweeted that “the raid took place without helicopters, as forces from HAT and the coalition raided the house of Ibrahim Al-Khalif Al-Ammar, and the goal is to arrest his brother Hassan, who was said to be an arms dealer, as they live in two adjacent houses in one yard.” They reported that his brother was arrested during the operation.

Another local source tweeted that the town was raided at night, “with a patrol of twelve cars.” Ath Press added that the raid was carried out by members of the “Miliary Council in Deir Ezzor”, led by Ahmwd Al-Khabeel… came with the aim of putting pressure on Al-Ammar and his brother with the aim of blackmailing them and forcing them to pay the money as a kind of royalty, and after he refused several times the raid took place.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not mention the detail about Mr. Al-Ammar’s brother and instead said that he was trying to be arrested during the raid, and that because he refused to surrender, he was arrested and shot dead.

Shaam reported that “activists in the Furat Post network said that SDF members shot Ibrahim Khalif Ali Al-Ammar, after he tried to prevent them from entering his house because of the presence of women and children.”

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Khalif Ali Al-Ammar
52 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ibrahim Khalif Al-Ali Al-Ammar, reportedly killed by a SDF and US-led Coalition raid in Al-Dahla on February 22nd 2022 (Image via @nahermedia / Twitter)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]