Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

LC022

Incident date

December 26, 2015

Location

اجدابيا, Ajdabiya, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

30.747792, 20.236924 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA strikes reportedly targeted alleged terrorists in the industrial area of Ajdabiya. Sources reported that a Sudanese cafe and/or car repair shop was struck during the raids – along with a policeman travelling nearby in his car. Up to three civilians reportedly died with as many as 19 more wounded.

According to Libya 24, “military aircraft bombed Ansar al-Sharia sites in the industrial neighbourhood of the city of Ajdabia, where witnesses said that the fighter was targeting the terrorist sites and hit a Sudanese restaurant where some workers had gathered. This led to the deaths of a number of those present and the injuring of more. A medical source at the hospital confirmed that the hospital received one dead person and 19 injured from the site of the shelling, their injuries varying in severity”.

Annahar Online added that “Two people were killed and two others were injured when the Libyan Air Force mistakenly bombed a cafe in the industrial area of Ajdabiya”.

According to Akhbar Libya News 24, the strike also “killed the head of the Criminal Investigation Department, Ajdabiya Mohammed Boubaker Kbaili“. The source said that “Kabbaili was driving his car with his son in the industrial neighbourhood during the air strikes. He sustained shrapnel injuries from which he died, while his son was admitted to hospital for treatment”.

It went on to say that the Libyan Air Force was targeting warehouses in the industrial neighbourhood, resulting in the strikes accidentally hitting The Blue Nile Cafe. Three people reportedly died with 17 more wounded.

@rawadfree1 didn’t report a raid on a Sudanese cafe but said that “a car repair shop owned by Sudanese people” – though it made no mention of civilian harm. Faraj Shitaw referred to the bombing of a  “workshop”.

Similarly, the source Akhbar Libya 24 didn’t report any civilian casualties but said that Libyan Air Force strikes led to “a large number of deaths among the terrorist militias”. It added that “what is striking is the accuracy of these air raids targeting the leaders of these organisations and their gatherings”.

The incident occured at 09:45:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–19
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Libyan Air Force hit a restaurant and workshop belongs to Sudanese in Ajdabiya today (Source: @ rawadfree1)
  • Translation: photos of the site of Ansar Sharia, which was targeted by air strikes by air force planes in the city of Ajdabia this morning (Source: @mohamedalzober)
  • Translation: Ajdabiya Libyan Air Force bombarded several locations of Daesh this morning and reported 19 terrorist attacks (Source: @ MstrMax11)
  • Translation: 3. New aerial bombardments carried out by Haftar warplanes targeting the industrial zone south of Ajdabiya (Source: @ ahmad_khalifa78)
  • Translation: Photos showing some of the Sudanese nationality of the survivors of the bombardment of war criminal aircraft Haftar and sprayed in the city of Ajdabia. While the pages and channels of dignity(LNA) since the morning news that the bombing of "ammunition store" in the city of Ajdabia (Source: Faraj Shitaw)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike targeting a restaurant and possibly a car repair shop in Ajdabiya (اجدابيا).  After evaluating visual material from sources, we narrowed this down to two buildings across the street from one another, for which the the exact coordinates are: 30.747792, 20.236924.

  • Image showing neighborhood damaged by airstrike

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Image showing moment of airstrike behind water tower

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Satellite imagery showing distribution of features in witness-provided evidence

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing two buildings on opposite sides of street targeted by airstrike. Note the targeted buildings are near the features tagged "E" and "G" in the preceding images.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–19
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI166

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.437441, 43.286666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Military aircraft – which some sources described as the Coalition’s – reportedly killed five civilians in a Christmas Day strike.

According to Al Rafidain the attack could have been the work either of the Iraq Army or the Coalition, noting that “army aviation commander Hamid al-Maliki also confirmed that army helicopters carried out a raid on 50 locations within the city of Ramadi on the day.”

In its July 2017 report the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of limited information: “Dec. 25, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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]

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 information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ramadi, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports heavy strikes on the city for December 25th-26th 2015: “Near Ramadi, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL tactical vehicles, six ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) factories, two ISIL heavy machine gun positions, an ISIL sniper position, two ISIL house borne improvised explosive devices (HBIED), and wounded two ISIL fighters.”

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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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

CI167

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, General hospital, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.353889, 43.7925 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fallujah’s General Hospital was cited as reporting that seven people were killed – including five children and one woman – following an alleged Coalition airstrike. Three women and a child were also said to have been injured.

However, the Iraqi Spring Media Center did not attribute the incident to any party. And artillery sheling of the city by Iraq Army forces was also reported.

In its July 2017 report the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of limited information: “Dec. 25, 2015, near Fallujah, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Fallujah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reported that for December 25th-26th 2015: “Near Fallujah, two strikes destroyed two ISIL tunnels, two ISIL improvised explosive device (IED) factories, and wounded an ISIL fighter.”

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
    7
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS317

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male, Yehya Abdulrazzaq Hamdan “al-Kerbaa”, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Fresh Syria said Russian aircraft had targeted the city’s industrial district.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yehya Abdulrazzaq Hamdan “al-Kerbaa”
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Yehya Abdulrazzaq Hamdan "al-Kerbaa", killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Yehya Abdulrazzaq Hamdan "al-Kerbaa", killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS314

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on A’zaz, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that four Russian airstrikes struck the city.

Activists told SNN that the raids targeted a field hospital and a women’s and children’s hospital, causing severe damage and huge fires which the White Helmets attempted to extinguish. They stated that three civilians were killed, that the hospitals were put out of service and that there were other raids on non-combatants’ homes.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named one young man, Nasser Abd Al H’alia, from the village of Dibssi Afnan, as killed in a Russian air raid that targeted the Aleppo countryside as he traveled to A’zaz and Bab Al Salama on business.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nasser Abd Al H’alia
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A video of a children's hospital burning down after it was targeted by alleged Russians raids. (via, SNN)
  • The White Helmets extinguishing flames at a children's hospital which was targeted by alleged Russian raids. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS315

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52815, 37.95495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

It named one adult male, Osama al-Halak, as killed due to “Russian airforce shelling in Manbij.” An additional male child, Mustafa Ghazal, is also listed as a victim of a Russian strike in Aleppo on December 25th, though no specific location is given.

The SHRC also named 27-year old Khalid Asaad Hussein from Al Saffira, noting “He died from his injuries from bombing by the Russian offensive on the city of Manbij.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Osama al-Halak
Adult male killed
Mustafa Ghazal
Child male killed
Khalid Asaad Hussein
27 years old male The SHRC named Hussein, who was from Al Saffira, “He died from his injuries from bombing by the Russian offensive on the city of Manbij.” killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Incident Code

RS316

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

حلب, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19949, 37.134479 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Islamic State-linked agency Al A’maq reported that 100 civilian trucks were destroyed in Russian airstrikes on the northern countryside – but did not give any details of casualties.

With no additional reports of such an attack for this date, this may instead relate to the December 24th event at Ihress.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS313

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

حي باب قنسرين, Bab Qansreen, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19432, 37.15575 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bab Qansreen, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes shelled the Bab Qansreen neighbourhood on December 25th, while the Shaam News Network posted a video by Aleppo Media Center showing the body of a child and a father crying over the dead body of his daughter.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Israa Mays
Child female likely to be brother and sister killed
Sameer Mays
Child male likely to be brother and sister killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a family grieving over the bodies of two children, likely to be brother and sister, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]