Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS1035

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven or twelve civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Fardous neighbourhood, according to local media.

Smart News reported that Russian warplanes carried out two raids on the town. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, blamed “the regime and its allies for the warplane shelling”.

The shelling reportedly caused mass destruction to the residential housing and many people were trapped under the rubble. According to a local news reporter, two families were rescued from under the rubble.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at four, including a woman and a child.

Orient News placed the number killed slightly lower at two. A local resident tweeted a photograph of Mohammad Rashid Nasr, who was killed in the airstrike.

LCCSY said  that as many as 12 civilians chad died. In Aleppo altogether they reported the deaths of 59 civilians, with six hospitals made out of service.

Halab Today said that six unidentified bodies were also found.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Rashid Nasr
Adult male Photographer killed
Jamil Mustapha
10 years old male killed
Ahmad Bilal
6 years old male killed
Ibtissam Kana’an
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Bassout
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–35
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • Destruction to the residential neighbourhood of Al Ferdous following two airstrikes by Russian and Assad regime warplanes. 23rd July 2016. (via HNN).
  • A member of the Civil Defence rescues a wounded child from under the rubble in Al Ferdous. 23rd July 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Footage of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Baladi-News Network)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Halab News Network)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath and civilians being rescued from under the rubble following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via AMC)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Syrianpc)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Injured civilian following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Rashid Naser, reportedly victim of the contested warplanes shelling in Al-Ferdous, Aleppo (via Maraei_halabi tweet)
  • Child is being rescued from under the rubble following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Step News Agency)
  • Destruction of al-Fardous following the contested airstrikes (via Halab News)
  • Destruction of al-Fardous following the contested airstrikes (via Halab News)
  • Destruction of al-Fardous following the contested airstrikes (via Halab News)
  • Injured civilians in the aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous(via Baladi Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–35
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS339

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Location

بادية الباغوز, al Baghouz Desert, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.47446, 41.01115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes hit oil installation workers and fuel truck drivers, killing at least ten according to local reports.

Sound and Picture reported that in the “a number of oil workers working at refineries and fuel truck drivers killed in al Baghouz desert in the eastern countryside following raids by the international coalition.”

In February 2018, the Coalition conceded civilian harm in this incident. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “During a coalition attack that destroyed Daesh controlled trucks and fuel tankers it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Al Hall subsequently offered more detail, reporting that “ten civilian workers working on an Islamic State oil refinery (# Daesh) were killed yesterday evening, as a result of international coalition raid on an oil refinery.” A local resident named Salim Omar told them the target was an “electric oil refinery” belonging to ISIL and the strikes led “to its destruction and the killing of a dozen civilian workers, including drivers of large fuel trucks that were completely burned.” Al Hall reported that another refinery in the area was targeted, but no one was injured.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A burning oil facility in the al Baghouz dsert after being hit in a Coalition strike October 16th 2016. At least 10 civilian workers reportedly died (via Sound and Vision)
  • Translation: a coalition plane targets with an air raid the village of al Baghouz in al Boukamal countryside and the columns of smoke are rising from the area that was targeted.
  • Translation: Deir Ezzor: a raid by a warplane on the town of al Baghouz in the countryside of the city of al Boukamal.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.4748637, 41.0112762

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Al Baghouz desert, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU847166
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

  • Oct. 16, 2016 near Al Baghouz desert, Syria via Airwars report. During a coalition attack that destroyed Daesh controlled trucks and fuel tankers it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 15th-16th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIL supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI418

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

الفيصلية, Mosul, Al-Faisiliyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.348018, 43.154196 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said Coalition airstrikes bombed a school inhabited by displaced people in Faisaliyah neighborhood in East Mosul, leaving up to 12 civilians dead or wounded. The Coalition subsequently confirmed responsibility.

News of Iraq reported that the raids on Friday evening had killed and wounded “12 people, mostly women and children.” All sources said the Coalition was responsible for the air strikes.

On March 4th the Coalition admitted responsibility for the event: “Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.” It also noted that it was assessing at least one other Mosul event for that day: “Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.”

A Coalition official subsequently confirmed to Airwars that this refered to the al Faisaliyah event, providing the grid reference 38SLF3436724131.

On March 18th Airwars spoke with a reported survivor of the incident, who provided photographs and biographical details for five victims – including two of his own children. According to the source the US strike hit the Al Marafa private school at 9am where IDPs were staying.

The incident occured at approximately 9:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdulrahman Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq
Child male killed
Aesha Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq
Child female killed
Sara Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed
Musab Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed
Affan Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq to Airwars researchers, showing the bodies of two of his children.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another photo provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.
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:

  • 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
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3436724131
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017

  • Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 12th-13th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed five vehicles, three mortar systems, two UAV launch sites, three fighting positions, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a VBIED manufacturing and armoring facility, a heavy machine gun, a supply cache, and an anti-air artillery system; damaged 18 supply routes; and two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1911

Incident date

March 17, 2019

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.447579, 40.953426 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that US-Coalition air-and artillery strikes resumed after 24-hours of calm and struck Al-Baghouz camp in the evening of March 17th.

According to Syrian regime affiliated news outlet SANA, the Coalition shelled the camp and its surroundings. Step News added that the shelling was conducted by “French artillery and SDF militia” which targeted positions of “ISIS” inside the camp.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the the strikes struck farms on the outskirts of the camp.

According to a video posted by posted by Manartet Al Furat, a US-Coalition air- or artillery strike struck a structure that was in use as a weapons and ammunition depot inside Al-Baghouz camp and caused an explosion.

All but one source reported that 10 civilians were killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a total of 12 civilians killed, among whom were five children and seven women.

In a civilian casualty assessment released July 10th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “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.”

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (5 children7 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Report of the Syria's Democratic Forces that resumed shelling of the last pocket of ISIS in Baghouz on March 17th 2019 (via DMC).
  • Explosion of a weapons and ammunition depot inside Al-Baghouz camp after it was reportedly struck by a Coalition airstrike (via Manartet Al Furat)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo's showing the remains of bodies after an alleged Coalition airstrike was reported to have struck a weapons and ammunition depot inside Al-Baghouz camp, causing an explosion (via @TunisiaQatar).

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
    37SFU794135
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 10, 2021

  • Mar. 17, 2019, near al Baghouz, Syria 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. 3284/CS1911 37SFU794135

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

"Between March 10 - 23 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 250 strikes consisting of 398 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 193 strikes consisting of 338 engagements, engaged 346 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 104 vehicles, 63 supply routes, 39 fighting positions, 31 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, nine tactical vehicles, six fuel tankers, four weapons caches, two command and control nodes, one tunnel, one tanker for petroleum oil and lubricants, one mortar system, and one checkpoint."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For March 13th-19th, France report that Task Force Wagram did not carry out any artillery missions. Aircraft carried out 57 sorties and there was one strike. It also provides a review of the four years of training of TF Narvik and Monsabert

CHAMMALSITUATION MILITAIRE DU THÉÂTREOffensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en SyrieEn moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les combats menés par les Forces démocratiquessyriennes, appuyés par la coalition, pour reconquérir le réduit de Baghouz continuent. Les combats sont intenses, la progression effective, mais lente, en raison de l’évacuation de nombreux civils, et de l’imbrication des combattants et des non combattants.Poursuite des actions en IrakLa situation sécuritaire est stable en Irak, et reste sous contrôle des Forces de sécurité intérieures qui poursuivent leur effort dans la lutte contre Daech.ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCELe dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué depuis la semaine dernière. Le groupe aéronaval participe toujours à l’opération Chammal : une frappe aérienne a été réalisée par ses Rafale cette semaine en appui des forces démocratiques syriennes.En parallèle, le groupement naval est intégré, en soutien associé, à l’opération Sea Gardian, opération maritime de l’OTAN qui accomplit actuellement trois tâches de sûreté maritime en Méditerranée : la constitution de capacités de sûreté maritime, la connaissance de la situation maritime, et la lutte contre le terrorisme.Enfin, la frégate britannique HMS Duncan a rejoint le groupe aéronaval cette semaine.Bilan des quatre ans de formation des TF Narvik et MonsabertDepuis mars 2015, en complément de l’appui feu aux troupes engagées au sol contre Daech, la France a déployé à Bagdad des militaires dont la mission est d’améliorer les capacités de commandement et les savoir-faire des troupes irakiennes. Deux Task Force (TF), Narvik et Monsabert, aux périmètres différents, ont été mises en place pour assurer cette mission.La TF Narvik prend part à la formation des forces spéciales de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), dans des domaines d’expertise immédiatement exploitables dans la lutte contre Daech : le combat en zone urbaine, le renseignement, le tir aux armes collectives et armes lourdes, la lutte contre les engins explosifs ou le sauvetage au combat.Les premiers mandats proposaient des instructions générales et spécialisées aux jeunes recrues et aux soldats expérimentés. L’ICTS est progressivement devenue autonome dans ces domaines et la TF Narvik porte désormais ses efforts sur la formation des cadres et des opérateurs spécialisés tout en perfectionnant à travers des stages dédiés des bataillons opérationnels de l’ICTS.Au bilan, la TF Narvik a formé plus de 8000 soldats et 300 instructeurs, et a mené des stages de perfectionnement au profit de plus de 3000 soldats, ce qui représente 25 % des actions de formation menées par la coalition pour l’ICTS.De son côté, la TF Monsabert fournit assistance et conseil (Advise and Assist — A2) à l’État-major et aux soldats de la 6e division d’infanterie, responsable notamment de la sécurisation de Bagdad.Dans le cadre de son partenariat avec la 6e division, la TF Monsabert a formé depuis sa création plus de 3300 soldats irakiens, et plus de 1700 formateurs.En constante évolution pour répondre aux besoins de ses partenaires irakiens, la TF Monsabert a récemment mis en place des cycles d’évaluation des savoir-faire fondamentaux des soldats de la 6e division. Plus de 4000 soldats irakiens ont déjà été passés au crible, permettant aux experts de la TF et au commandement de la 6è division de disposer d’une appréciation globale du niveau des différents régiments.Enfin, depuis 6 mois, dans le cadre de son partenariat avec l’école d’artillerie irakienne la TF Monsabert a formé 330 officiers et sous-officiers irakiens.Depuis quatre ans, ce sont au bilan plus de 20 000 soldats irakiens qui ont bénéficié de l’expertise de 1400 instructeurs français qui se sont relayés au sein de l’opération Chammal, dispensant 150 stages et participant à plus de 200 missions de conseil et d’appui.La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’EuphrateLa Task Force (TF) Wagram continue d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech au sud de la ville d’Hajin.La TF Wagram n’a pas réalisé de missions de tir, depuis le territoire irakien, cette semaine (bilan du 13 au 19 mars inclus).Sorties air hebdomadaires (bilan du 13 au 19 mars inclus)Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis, et projetés depuis le groupe aéronaval poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition.Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 57 sorties aériennes (bilan du 13 au 19 mars inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 01 frappe cette semaine, réalisée par les aéronefs du groupe aeronaval.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (5 children7 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3888

Incident date

July 10, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة في أدلب, Several town in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that “12 civilians were killed and dozens were injured by airstrikes by Al Assad and the Russian military and helicopter gunships on the towns and villages of Idlib countryside”.

The source added that many of the wounded were injured in raids on the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhaon, Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Ma’arrah Horma, Sahihan, Kafrumah, Kafarsgana, Papoulan and Ormnaya and Mdaya Sheikh Mustafa.

Currently, further details are unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI489

Incident date

February 26, 2017

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3364235, 43.0626297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians died in a mortar strike by an unspecified party on al Tanak neighbourhoopd, according to eyewitnesses.

Amnesty shared the following field report with Airwars:

“Family: 2 boys and 4 girls and his wife.

Mother in law – unharmed but taken to hospital where she died having suffered a heart attack

Mother – unharmed.

Father – shrapnel in right side of abdomen, most of right arm burned and shrapnel lodged in arm.

XXXX – 9 years old – shrapnel in right cheek.

XXXX – 6 years old – shrapnel in his shoulder and back

XXXX – 11 years old – left Humerus broken (upper arm)

XXXX – 8 years old –

XXXX – 4 years old –

XXXX – 2 years old – shrapnel in left side of stomach

On Sunday 26 February 2017, just after 12 noon, parts of the family, were in the courtyard waiting for lunch to be served. They heard a mortar land in a house that was separated from them by one house, on the same street. They later heard 11 people had died in that house leaving only one the young girl alive. No one at first rushed out to help/investigate as most residents believe one mortar is always followed by another shortly after.

Approximately 5 minutes later a mortar landed near their front door, inside the courtyard. Father: “when you hear the sound of it falling you know you have been spared, it has gone over you. But when you are about to be hit, you don’t hear anything, you could just suddenly die before you realise you have been hit.”

Father: “it was hot. Just a hot fog. I felt like I was under anesthetics. I had my 2 year old in my lap and covered her with my arms.”

Mother: I was in the doorway of the living room and saw the front door come towards me. XXXX [6-yeard old son] was thrown from the living room doorway to the kitchen.

Apart from the mosque, which according to the father did not carry out any significant activity other than the usual payers and Friday Khutba, no particular building/house in that street belonged to IS members. While the father accedes to the fact that individual IS fighters patrolled the area on motorbikes, he had not seen any in the hours before the attack. Around the corner from the mosque, an IS pickup with a doshka was stationed close to Sooq-al-Ma’aash.

The uncle of the wife: I heard the sound but didn’t immediately go out. We all know it’s never just one or two hits, so it’s not safe to go towards the area that has been struck. After a while, I went out and someone who lives in the neighborhood came running towards me saying it’s the house of my relatives. When I got there and saw the scene, I was certain 100% they were all dead. I thought we’d soon be dead too. When we started to pull them out, they were alive but badly hurt. We put them on wagons [vegetable selling wagons] and took them to the hospital. Daesh does not allow people to use cars. At the time, the army was in Yarmouk. People in Mosul have started buying spaces for graves before their family members die, and even they are running out.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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, Unknown

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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • 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 February 25th-26th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 fighting positions, 11 mortar systems, three vehicles, three weapons caches, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIEDs, a sniper position, an ISIS headquarters, two heavy machine guns, an artillery system, a UAV staging area, and a supply cache; and suppressed 14 mortar teams, two ISIS tactical units, an artillery team and a rocket-propelled grenade team.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2217

Incident date

May 7, 2017

Location

الكناوية, Al-Kinawiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.97626, 37.876725 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians were killed, and others were wounded, following an airstrike which targeted a residential neighbourhood in Al-Kinawiya, Aleppo, according to reports from the ground. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid.

According to sources, women and children were killed. Additionally, a local source, @majd12347651, reported that the civilians were internally displaced persons. 

Homes were reportedly flattened in the raids.

There are no other details at this time.

The incident occured after midnight.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed in airstrikes on Al-Kinawiya, 7th May 2017. (via Ahmad al Shibli)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Kinawiya, 7th May 2017. (via Ahmad al Shibli)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1620 RS2629

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

المجاودة, Al Mjawda, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.150000, 40.270000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to 12 civilians were killed in an airstrike on the town of Mjawda. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others attributed blame to the US-led Coalition.

Both the Violations Documentation Center and Euphrates Post identified eight victims of the attack – while VDC-SY identified the Coalition as the culprit, Euphrates stated that Russian aircraft were behind the attack.

According to a tweet by @ahraralmyadein, aircraft had deployed 15 missiles on the town.

SyrianPC reported warplanes launched more than 20 air raids on villages and towns in eastern Deir Ezzor. According to the outlet, Russian warplanes committed the most terrible massacres against civilians in the east of countryside of Deir al-Azzur, as part of his fierce campaign against the region.

Euphrates Post, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Baladi News confirmed that Russia was the culprit, with the latter outlet noting that: Seven civilians were killed on Wednesday by aerial bombardment of aircraft believed to be Russian. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the highest tally of 12 civilians killed, including three women and a child – while Albokmal News specifically stated in a tweet that “there are no casualties.

In the first of their September 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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Khalif Makhlaf Mohammed Al-Issa
Adult male Via Euphrates Post killed
Aisha Mohammed Al-Sheha
Adult female Via Euphrates Post killed
Rasha Khalaf Makhlaf al-Issa
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Omar Khalif Makhlaf Al-Issa
Age unknown male Via Euphrates Post killed
Hanaa Ali al-Awad (wife of Ammar
Adult female Via Euphrates Post killed
Tasnim Ammar Khalif Makhlaf Al-Issa
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Raheeq Ammar Khalif Makhlaf Al-Issa
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Aa’ishah Ammar Khalif Makhlaf Al-Issa
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • (1–4 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike on the town of Mjawda, October 11, 2017 (Via Baladi news)
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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Oct. 11, 2017, in Al Mjawda, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3156/CS1620 No MGRS Given

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 10th – 11th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS vehicles and two trailers.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • (1–4 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]