Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

USSOM072

Incident date

June 3, 2017

Location

Welmarow, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.57652, 42.40677 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

AFRICOM denied conducting any recent airstrikes in Somalia, a VOA journalist reported – following recent claims of US activities in the Lower Juba region.

According to SomNews, US forces had conducted a helicopter assault on the village of Welmarow on the evening of June 3rd: “Helicopters thought to be from United States military have launched  a raid against Al Shabaab militants at a camp in Southern Somalia on Saturday night, residents said. The helicopters dropped foreign forces in Welmarow where Al -Shabaab has a base. The village is located about 65km away from Jilib district in Middle Juba region.

The America troops is said to have briefly engaged with militants. The sides have unchanged heavy and small weaponry during the confrontation. There was no immediate confirmation of any casualties.”

Horn Afrik, which also reported an attack on the village, said it had instead come from unidentified warplanes: “Unidentified warplanes hit Al-Shabab training base in Welmarow village, about 68KM from Jilib town in southern Somalia, locals said on Saturday Night.  According to a resident in Jilib, who sought anonymity due to safety concerns, several loud explosions were heard at the base, where the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group used as recruiting and training facility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted an Al Shabaab military base in or near the village Welmarow, according to media located around 65 kilometers away from the town Jilib. The coordinates for Jilib are: 0.494527, 42.777868. There is a village called Welmarow near Jilib at these coordinates: 0.57652, 42.40677. This is closer to Jilib, at a distance of 42 kilometers, but there doesn’t seem to be any other settlement with the same name, therefore we have geolocated this incident to this location. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • The village Welmarow at 42 kilometers distance to Jilib (65 km radius around Jilib marked in red)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS403

Incident date

December 24, 2019

Location

زونار, Zunnar, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.534167, 38.726944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured in alleged Turkish or Turkish-backed shelling on Zunnar village of Ain Issa, Raqqa on December 24th, 2019 according to local sources. ANHA reported that the Turkish attack directly targeted civilian areas. Other sources blamed Turkish backed mercenaries.

@Karl_hakon reported that “Turkish-backed mercenaries targeted civilian areas in the Ain Issa countryside with artillery and heavy weapons. One civilian was injured due to an attack on Bir Zinar village when he was cultivating his land.”

@Jamal_Bali7 wrote on Twitter that “Turkish backed jihadists targeted civilian areas in the Ain Issa countryside with artillery and heavy weapons.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the village of Zunnar (زونار) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.534167, 38.726944. 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
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC271

Incident date

January 2, 2020

Location

بن عاشور, Ben Ashour, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.877441, 13.206124 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, three random mortar shells landed on Ben Ashour area in Tripoli, Libya on January 2nd, 2020. One of the mortars fell on the house of Quraira Ammar family causing injuries among civilians, while the other two fell on Al Sikka road.

According to Africa Gate, civilians were warned not to gather in the areas that were shelled fearing any shelling renewal or un-exploded mortar shells.

Local reports of clashes point at the GNA or LNA as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
    Libyan National Army, Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    LNA

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The house that was hit with a mortar in Bin Ashour, Tripoli on January 2nd, 2020 (via Tripoli 219).
  • Damage to the house that was hit by an alleged Haftar forces random mortar in Bin Ashour, Tripoli on January 2nd, 2020 (via Tk Yahrouq Kl shy).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Ben Ashour (بن عاشور), for which the possible coordinates are: 32.877441, 13.206124. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord 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
    2–3
  • 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
    Libyan National Army, Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    LNA

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI671

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “8. April 27, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After review of the available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as the Tanak neighbourhood in Mosul.

The strike was assessed as non credible based on the claim that “no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” However, the Coalition reported multiple strikes in Mosul that day.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017

  • 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

For April 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 19 vehicles, eight front-end loaders, two ISIS fortifications, a command and control node, a mortar system, and an ISIS staging area; damaged seven ISIS supply routes and suppressed two mortar teams.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS406

Incident date

January 11, 2020

Location

باشمرة, Bashmara, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.310464, 36.976003 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was reportedly injured in Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Bashmara, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020, according to ANF News. Two soldiers of the Syrian regime were killed.

North Press Agency Syria reported that “the Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition groups bombed with about 15 shells on Saturday morning the village of Bashmara of Sherawa district, in Afrin countryside”, adding that the shelling killed two members of the Syrian forces.

NPA Syria identified the injured civilian as the woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada, who was transferred to a medical point of the Kurdish Red Crescent.

Hawar News interviewed the 55-year-old woman, who stated: “When I heard the sound of shells, I moved my son, who was quadriplegic, into the house in order to protect him. When I went out again, the shell fell to the meters next to me and I was hit by shrapnel and then they took me to the hospital.”

Her son, Saeed Hamada, told Hawar News his experience of the attack: “In the afternoon hours, while I was sitting in my shop, I heard the sounds of shells falling on the village, and as a result, I entered the store to avoid the shells that fall in the village. (…) While I was sitting in the shop sheltering from the shelling, I heard the sound of another shell that fell in the village and when I wanted to know where it happened? I saw smoke billowing from the house where my mother resides, and I went straight to the house to see what happened”.

Saeed Hamada rushed to his mother’s house: “When I got home, I saw my mother lying on the ground, unable to move, because she had shrapnel in her foot and the blood was flowing from the foot. Immediately, I carried her and transferred her in a vehicle to a point of the Kurdish Red Crescent in the village of Burj Al-Qas, and from that point, we went to Avrin Hospital in Fafin district.”

The son of the injured woman added: “We demand human rights organisations to stand up to mercenary practices and not allow them to continue with these violations that affect civilians.” According to the family, “mercenaries are seeking to empty their areas of their inhabitants”.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada was injured in a Turkish attack on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via ANF News).
  • The woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada after being injured in a Turkish attack on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via North Press Agency Syria).
  • Site of the incident, Bashandra village, Afrin governorate, January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Photo of Saeed Hamada, who found his mother injured after alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Bashandra village, Afrin governorate, January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • The woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada back in her home after receiving medical help after being injured in a Turkish attack on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Photo of damaged wall after alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Damaged three after alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • The woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada back in her home after receiving medical help after being injured in a Turkish attack on the village of Bashranda, Aleppo governorate, on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Interview with the woman Zainab Mahmoud Hamada and her son Said after she was injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Bashandra on January 11th, 2020 (via Hawar News).

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention artillery strikes in the village of Bashamra (باشمرة). Investigating audio-visual material from sources and conducting shadow analysis, we have narrowed it down to an exact location, for which the coordinates are: 36.310464, 36.976003

  • Reports of the incident mention artillery strikes in the village of Bashamra (باشمرة). Investigating audio-visual material from sources and conducting shadow analysis, we have narrowed it down to an exact location, for which the coordinates are: 36.310464, 36.976003

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident.

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident.

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Panoramic stitch of footage from the incident.

    Imagery:
    ANHA

  • Satellite imagery showing the distribution of buildings tagged in the panoramic stitches.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    1
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4342

Incident date

January 21, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported “Russian and Assad warships and helicopters launched violent air strikes targeting the cities, towns, and villages of Ma`rat al-Nu`man, Ma`sarān, Deir Sunbul, Marshmarin, Talmans, al-Barah, Babila, Khan al-Sabil”. It added that there were “many wounded”.No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS151

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67296, 36.666364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a report shared with Airwars, the Kurdish Red Crescent named nine male civilians as wounded in Rajo.

The weapons used have not been reported.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • A’aref Hassan Ja’far 40 years old male Head injury injured
  • Abdullatif Ju’ma Ibrahim 32 years old male Suffocating and bruises injured
  • Ahmad Husni Abdo 37 years old male Suffocating and bruises injured
  • Malz Hassan 21 years old male Suffocating and bruises injured
  • Mohammed Alamo 22 years old male Suffocating and bruises injured
  • Mustafa Kamal Ma’mo 25 years old male Left leg amputated and right one broken injured
  • Ma’mo Jamo 24 years old male Bruises injured
  • Hanan Ahmad 40 years old male Dislocated shoulder injured
  • Dawood Qanbar 53 years old male Bruises on feet injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo (جنديرس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.67296, 36.666364. 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4352

Incident date

January 23, 2020

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Eight people, including six children, were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime double raid on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 23rd, 2020, according to local sources. In addition, a Syrian Civil Defence ambulance was burned.

Step News reported five wounded.

@Ahmad_1alshble tweeted that the injured were identified as: Falak Talal Magago, aged 8, Masa Talal Magago, aged three, Salsabil Muhammad Magago, aged six months, Lana Abdel Rahman Magago, aged 35,  Fahima Mahmoud Zaqzak, aged 60, Sondos Mohamed Magago, aged 15, Bisan Talal Mahago, aged 13, Zina Mohamed Magago, aged 10. According to Al Jazeera, at least five were from the same family.

The Syrian Civil Defence told Shaam News Network that “Russian warplanes carried out double raids that targeted Civil Defence teams during their work in giving first aid in the city of Ariha to those who were injured as a result of the first air raid, pointing out that the double raids resulted in the burning of the civil defense ambulance and injured several civilians”.

All sources reported Russia as the belligerent for this specific incident, but it should be noted that the Syrian regime was also conducting air raids in the area, as reported by Shaam News Network.

A local source, @EyadHoms20, reported that the Russian forces used vacuum missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

  • Falak Talal Magago 8 years old male injured
  • Masa Talal Magago 3 years old injured
  • Salsabil Muhammad Magago six months years old female
  • Lana Abdel Rahman Magago 35 years old female
  • Sondos Mohamed Magago 15 years old
  • Bisan Talal Majago 13 years old male
  • Zina Mohamed Magago 10 years old male
  • Fahima Mahmoud Zaqzak 60 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence ambulance burning after a double air raid by alleged Russian forces on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 23rd, 2020 (via syrialiveua).
  • Syrian Civil Defence ambulance on fire after a double air raid by alleged Russian forces on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 23rd, 2020 (via Shaam News Network).
  • Footage of the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 23rd, 2020 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • According to local sources, up to eight civilians were injured in a Russian or Syrian regime double airstrike on January 23rd 2020 in Ariha (Image via Bashar Al-Sheikh on Twitter / @Sy24ria)
  • According to local sources, up to eight civilians were injured in a Russian or Syrian regime double airstrike on January 23rd 2020 in Ariha (Image via Bashar Al-Sheikh on Twitter / @Sy24ria)
  • According to local sources, up to eight civilians were injured in a Russian or Syrian regime double airstrike on January 23rd 2020 in Ariha (Image via Bashar Al-Sheikh on Twitter / @Sy24ria)
  • According to local sources, up to eight civilians were injured in a Russian or Syrian regime double airstrike on January 23rd 2020 in Ariha (Image via Bashar Al-Sheikh on Twitter / @Sy24ria)
  • Civilian casualties and fires caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the outskirts of the village of Ariha on January 23rd 2020 (Image via @abo_aljod84 / Twitter)
  • An alleged double Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit the outskirts of Ariha, Idlib on January 23rd 2020 injuring up to eight people (Image via @EyadHoms20 / Twitter)
  • Up to eight were wounded by an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the outskirts of Ariha, Idlib on January 23rd 2020 (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)

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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]