Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CI158

Incident date

December 13, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were single-source claims that 19 civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Mosul.

Citing local residents, the National Iraqi News Agency claimed that “international coalition aircraft bombed residential compounds in the Hadbah area east of Mosul, killing 19 civilians including six women and four children, and wounding six others.”

However Airwars’ own sources in Nineveh have contested the claim, suggesting the event did not take place.

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (4 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • NINA
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF294240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • December 13, 2015, in Mosul, 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. 2871/CI158 38SLF294240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 12th-13th 2015 it was reported that “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL bunker.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (4 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • NINA
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

Incident Code

RS271

Incident date

December 13, 2015

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.964534, 38.036764 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Al A’maq agency (linked to so-called Islamic State) produced multiple reports on alleged Russian airstrikes which targeted the city of Maskaneh.

They stated that two raids hit a popular market in the city, killing 25 civilians, injuring 33 (including 10 in critical condition) and causing destruction of property.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights said the Assad regime was responsible for the raids, which also destroyed a number of shops.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Osama Abo Sanad al-Dohaj wife
Adult female Listed by the VDC killed
Osama al-Dhouj
Child male Listed by the VDC killed
Osama Abo Sanad al-Dohaj
Child male Possibly a repeat of the above, Listed by the VDC killed

Family members (2)

Haji Hasan al-Mohammad
Adult male Listed by the VDC killed
Bakour Obaid al-Mohammad
Adult male Listed by the VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Thorya Mosa al-Sayer
Adult female Listed by the VDC killed
Jomea al-Shawakh
Adult male Listed by the VDC killed
Abd al-Kareem Abdo
Adult male Listed by the VDC killed
Mohammad Khairo Alloush
Adult male Listed by the VDC killed
Abd al-Majeed al-Taha
Adult male Listed by the VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 25
  • (2–3 children2 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–35
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video with locals carrying an injured civilian following an airstrike on Maskaneh, Dec 13th. (via, Halab Today)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 25
  • (2–3 children2 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–35
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS264

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.37425, 36.6033 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the VDC. The victim has been named as Zamzam Abdo Al Laban from Kafr Zita

Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a likely total of six civilian deaths.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zamzam Abdo Al Laban
Adult male From Kafr Zita. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kafr Zita (كفر زيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.37425, 36.6033. 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
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI156

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.52068, 43.00152 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of five including three children was killed in a US airstrike on the Albothiab Island area of Ramadi.

The deceased, the Kazem family, were later named by Al Fallujah News.

CENTCOM confirmed the casualty event on April 22nd 2016, noting: “On Dec. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike on ISIL personnel at a suspected ISIL checkpoint, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after they unexpectedly moved into the target location after weapons were already in flight.“

It was also reported that the day before the incident, Iraqi government aircraft had targeted civilian taxis in the same area, killing two.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Duraid Ibrahim Kazem
Adult male Father, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Nebras Abdul Alkarim
Adult male Mother, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Mustafa
Child male Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Mohammed
Child male Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Farah
Child female Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Family of five killed in a reported Coalition strike December 10 (via Ramadi News)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 33.437441, 43.286666

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    in Ramadi, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLC144108
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016

  • On Dec. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike on ISIL personnel at a suspected ISIL checkpoint, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after they unexpectedly moved into the target location after weapons were already in flight.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Ramadi, six strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL assembly area, two ISIL fighting positions, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS265

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Location

سبع و اربعين, Saba’a wa Arba’een, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0811704, 40.6566453 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian attack by helicopters on southern rural villages of Hassaka, according to Siraj Al Hasskawi, an activist from the region.

Hasskawi noted that if the helicopters proved to be Russian then this would be the first raid in the area since the announcement of Russian strikes.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Russian position: Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS156

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Location

كبش, Kabsh, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1308734, 38.8404465 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least six civilians were killed and four injured in what was reported as a Coalition drone strike at Kabsh in northern Al Raqqah.

The attack targeted what was described as “a small convoy of vehicles transporting passengers”. A minibus carrying the civilians was said to have been destroyed.

The Syrian Press Centre was the only source not to attribute blame to the Coalition, citing “an unknown party”.

In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “Dec. 12, 2015, near Kabsh, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Given that the Coalition has confirmed targeting vehicles at Raqqah that day, Airwars has requested additional information – and continues to assess this event as likely.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Kabsh, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in Al Raqqah for December 11th-12th 2015.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS266

Incident date

December 12, 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

Between 13 and 33 civilians, including three women and nine children, were killed and between 30 and 60 injured in airstrikes on Daesh-occupied Mabij, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The IS news agency Al A’maq reported that five non-combatants died and more than 30 were wounded in eight strikes – but they did not state who was responsible.

The Shaam News Network referenced the Al A’maq report but added that activists stressed that the number of dead was 15 people, pointing out that the city was full of ambulances transporting those killed and injured. They said Russia was responsible for the raids.

According to Alaan TV, there were a series of Russian raids on several neighbourhoods in the Manbij. They referenced the official page of ‘Manbej News’ on Facebook which stated that three members of Dash were killed in a raid near the Al Amal Hospital in the city centre and added that although Russian aircraft are bombing areas under Daesh control they are only target civilians.

A media activist named Ghassan told the station that 33 civilians, including 15 children and three women, were killed and more than 60 wounded in Russian strikes targeting Al Jazeera road, the Al Sarab neighbourhood and Shoueihna road near Al Amal hospital, in addition to the area surrounding the Shari court (previously Hnaidal school), which belongs to Dash. He stressed that there were still victims stuck under the rubble.

He added that after the raids citizens were in a state of fear and panic, prompting some “families” to leave the city, but Daesh had arrested a number of people from these families after accusing the civilians who were trying to flee of creating confusion and encouraging others to leave Manbij. He added the citizens of the city had demonstrated against the presence of Daesh in recent months and “arbitrary harassment of citizens and control of their affairs”.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed shelling by the Assad regime death toll, which they put at 13, including eight children and three women.

17 victims were listed by the Violations Documentation Centre.  Six Unidentified male children were also listed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Daughter of Seif Eddin Wiam 1
Child female Named by the VDC killed
Daughter of Seif Eddin Wiam 2
Child female Named by the VDC killed

Family members (3)

Shayer family
Adult female Named by the VDC killed
Shayer family
Adult female Named by the VDC killed
Shayer family
Adult female Named by the VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Basel Deebo al-Hosho
Adult male Named by the VDC. killed
Saif Eddin al-Dado
Adult male Named by the VDC. killed
Ibraheem al-Kassam
Adult male Named by the VDC killed
Mohammad Othman al-Hameed
Adult male Named by the VDC killed
Ibraheem Ahmad al-Saeid
Adult male Named by the VDC killed
Ali Haj Awad
Child male Named by the VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 33
  • (9 children3 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–60
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij, December 12th. (via, Alaan TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russian position: Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 33
  • (9 children3 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–60
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS267

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.136728, 36.829274 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 14 and 20 civilians, including three women and two children, were killed and between two and 12 injured in airstrikes on Al Atarib, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network initially reported that four non-combatants, including one child and one woman died and several were wounded when Russian warplanes allegedly carried out three raids on Al Atarib, completely destroying five houses and three shops. But a subsequent report put the death toll at at least 10, with “many wounded“, adding that some civilians were still stuck under the rubble. Both of these sources stated that Russian warplanes were responsible for the attacks.

The Union of Hama Rebels listed 14 non-combatants killed, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll lower at three with no less than 12 wounded.

The White Helmets also listed 14 killed but did not state who the planes belonged to – neither did Halab News Network, who posted a video showing the aftermath of the attack, referring only to “bombing by warplanes“.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights produced two reports which said that Assad regime was responsible. The initial report put the number killed at four, including one woman and one child, but a second report said that the death toll had risen to 14, including one women and two children.

16 victims were named by the Violations Documentation Centre.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdulla Kashto
Adult male killed
Adnan Kashto
Adult male listed under Taibet Al Imam but in notes it says he was displaced from there but was killed in Atareb. killed
Mwafaq Kashto
Adult male listed under Taibet Al Imam but in notes it says he was displaced from there but was killed in Atareb. killed

Family members (5)

Mohammad Eid al-Shoun
Adult male killed
Saeid al-Shoun
Adult male killed
Abdul Razak al-Shoun
Adult male killed
Khaled Saeid al-Shoun
Adult male killed
Nour Udai al-Shoun
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Omar Abdulla Aaroub
Adult male killed
Hasan Mohammad Saeed
Adult male killed
Miriam Hantash
Adult female killed
Hanaa Jwaid
Adult female killed
Abdul Kader Abdul Wahab Abyan
Child male killed
Abdulla Kadro
Adult male killed
Nour al-Badawi
Adult female killed
Hassan Omar Rashid
Age unknown Named by the White Helmets. killed
Abdullah Al Kaddour
Age unknown male Named by the White Helmets. killed
Abdul Razak Razzouk from Tibat Al Imam
Age unknown male Named by the White Helmets.
Mohammad al-Arour
Adult male listed under Orme but in notes it says he was killed in Atareb. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 20
  • (2 children3 women13–14 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets removed the body of a child from the rubble following an alleged Russian airstrike on Atareb, December 12th (via, The White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrikes. (via, Halab News Network)
  • Adnan Kashto, adult male, killed in a contested airstrike. (via, VDC)
  • Mwafaq Kashto, adult male, killed in a contested airstrike. (via, VDC)
  • Video footage showing the extent of destruction to the local infrastructure in Atarib. (via, Qasioun News Network)
  • Trying to salvage what is left following the airstrikes on Atarib. (via, White Helmets)
  • What is left of some local shops in Ararib. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 20
  • (2 children3 women13–14 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]