Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

RS227

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

احرص, Ahras, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.401129, 37.14446 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what appears to be a separate incident from the Maskaneh event previously listed, five non- combatants were reported killed when Russian warplanes allegedly struck a convoy of trucks carrying aid to the areas controlled by rebels in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

Shaam News Network cited the Anatolia News Agency as saying the trucks were carrying fuel for the White Helmets in Aleppo when the road connecting Kafrnasseh and Ihress was targeted by waplanes. The Network added: “Russia has recently been targetting trucks carrying relief materials and commercial goods from northern areas in Syria near the border crossings with Turkey.”

A reporter at the scene for Zaman said five civilians died and ‘several were injured’ in what was described as the third day of such Russian attacks.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Burning trucks in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Ahras, December 4th 2015. The trucks were supposedly carrying oil from Daesh. (via, Zaman Press for News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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

RS228

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

جسرين, Jissrain, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51049, 36.38865 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 16 and 30 civilians were reported killed and more than 50 others injured (“most of them women and children”), when Russian warplanes allegedly dropped four missiles on the popular market town of Jissrain (‘Two Bridges’), destroying residential buildings and shops according to reports.

Activists told  Shaam News Network that the civilians had been “shot to pieces.” Reported deaths quickly rose from 11 to 27 and then to 30, with dozens of people injured, some critically. Local hospitals were said to have been overwhelmed.

Civilians killed have been named by VDC.  2 unidentified women, 2 unidentified men and 1 unidentified child was also discovered.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Suleiman Darweish
Adult male killed
Rafat Darweish
Adult male killed
Abdulrazzaq Darweish
Adult killed
Daughter of Nazem Darweish
Child female killed
Daughter of Abo Diab Darweish
Child female killed
Mohammad Khaled Darweish
Child male killed
Abdulrhamen Jabri Darweish
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Dia al-Nabki
Adult male killed
Wael al-Nabki
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Hassan al-Khateib
Adult male killed
Mohammad Zuheir Abdulhay
Adult male killed
Khaled Abdulqader Makawi 
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 30
  • (3–6 children2 women10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage showing victims following an alleged Russian airstrike on Jissrayn. (via, Coordination Committee of Jissrayn- Eastern Ghouta)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia made no public mention of carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 30
  • (3–6 children2 women10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS229

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

الأربعين‎, Al Arbain, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.353889, 36.558333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Union of Hama Rebels, the SHRC and the VDC have all named five civilians including two women, whom they say died in a Russian airstrike on the village of Al Arbain.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mohammad Mubarak
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ahmad Mubarak
Adult male killed
Ghusoun Mohammad Mubarak
Adult female killed
Najah Mohammad Mubarak
Adult female killed
Samer Ahmad Mubarak
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Arbain, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.353889, 36.558333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS230

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male and one child died in an alleged Assad regime airstrike on Najeh, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Radio Al Kul said one person died and three were injured – but instead attributed responsibility to Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ziyad Fato
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khaled Bakour
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of adult male, Ziyad Ahmad Fato, killed on 4th December 2015. (via, Idlib Civil Defence)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Najieh (الناجية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.7894815, 36.2177181. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Idlib.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI037

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Location

حميدات, Humaidat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.40389, 42.9789 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the town of Hemidiat to the west of Mosul.

According to Shafaqna and others, the strike hit the commercial district of the town: “The death of two children has beeen reported from an aerial bombardment by international Coalition aircraft west of Mosul. Early detection of a local source, on Thursday, reports the death of two children in an aerial bombardment by planes of the so-called international alliance which targeted Hmeidat west of the city of Mosul.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “February 3, 2015, in Humaidat, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2781/CI037 38SLF188306”

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

However, Airwars had initially wrongly placed this event on February 3rd 2015 on its website. This has now been corrected, and the Coalition has re-opened the incident for review.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Location for Hemedat village (Humaidat    حميداتx) 36.40389 42.9789

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
    in Humaidat, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF187306
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • February 3, 2015, in Humaidat, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2781/CI037 38SLF188306

  • Dec. 3, 2015, in Humaidat, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2781/CI037 38SLF187306

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported one strike nearby for December 2nd-3rd: “Near Mosul, two strikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS221

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six non-combatants including two children were reported killed, and more than 15 injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Shaam News Network which reported that the alleged raid led to the destruction of residential buildings and the homes of civilians.

All six victims have been named.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ihssan Karnaba
Age unknown killed
Osama Al Toam
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Al Zaghlul
Child male killed
Wissam el Habet
Child killed
Moayed Alarbiniyah
Age unknown killed
Nabil Jazzar
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the destruction in Abeen. (via, All4Syria)
  • Video footage which includes graphic images of the victims. (via, All4Syria)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Arbeen, for which the generic coordinates are: 33.538143, 36.364331. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS222

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child were reported killed – and five others injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Najieh.

The Shaam News Network posted images on Facebook showing the remains of what it stated were missiles dropped by Russian warplanes, while Jisr TV described the weapons as “cluster rockets originating from Russian battleships.”

Four victims were later named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The VDC also later named a 60 year old man Abdul Wahhab Hsain as having died from wounds sustained in the strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ali Jeeko
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ali Jeeko
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ali Jeeko
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khaled Bakour
Child male killed
Abdul Wahhab Hsain
60 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Remains of missile allegedly dropped by Russian warplane on Najieh, December 3rd. (via, SNN)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Najieh (الناجية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.7894815, 36.2177181. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Idlib.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS223

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Location

هنيدة, Hanida, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.837470, 38.692946 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three brothers were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike which targeted a car carrying them to work near the town of Haneeda, according to Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign.

The victims – all described as builders – have all been named.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abd Al Jalil Al Ali Al Mohammad/ Al Turki
25 years old male killed
Ayman Al Ali Al Mohammad/ Al Turki
20 years old male killed
Abd al Aziz Al Alil Al Mohammad/ Al Turki
18 years old male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the Russian raids on Hindah. (via, Al Jisir TV)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hanida (هنيدة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.837470, 38.692946. 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Raqqa governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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]