Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS1960

Incident date

July 15, 2021

Location

القائم, Al Qa’em, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was reportedly shot dead during a raid on the outskirts of Al-Zar village carried out by the US-led Coalition alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces, according to multiple sources, at dawn on July 15, 2021. A single source – Furat News – also reported that a girl was injured in the incident.

The dead civilian was identified by multiple sources as Riad Ali Al-Khuzam. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that he was shot by personnel from the Syrian Democratic Forces during the raid. Al-Khuzam was allegedly from the village of Al-Maray’iyah but lived in Al-Busaira while working on the oil fields. Euphrates Post reported he was a displaced person.

Sputnik reported that the operation “resulted in the killing of civilians and the kidnapping of dozens of others” but did not provide any other details of how many or who civilians were involved.

According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Amjad Al-Sari from the Ain Al-Furat satellite television network said the raid involved “26 military vehicles, 5 helicopters, a number of drones and laser-correction aircraft” which arrived in the village at around 2am.

Eye of Euphrates gave the following account from a civil source: “The international coalition carried out an airdrop operation on a house in the village of Al-Zar, east of Deir Ezzor, in which four military helicopters and two drones participated.” It added, “The targeted person resisted the international coalition forces and fled within the agricultural lands, after which the planes bombed the area with several missiles, which led to his arrest and detention, and the injury of a girl with several shrapnel.”

Deir Ezzor 24 said the operation targeted a house near the “Abu Saad” mosque, arresting a man named Saleh Abu Sumaya and his wife. It reported that Abu Samaya had been arming Islamic State and organising assassinations for the group.
It continued, “During the operation, clashes took place between the SDF and persons from Azzir village for about half an hour as they refused to surrender, but helicopters targeted their place with a guided missile and sound bombs forcing them to surrender.”

Euphrates News added that two houses were targeted in the raid, “the house of Khader Rajab Al-Sabti near the Abu Saad Mosque and another house belonging to a member of the “Al-Munkar” family, inhabited by displaced people from the village of Al-Hari in the city of Al-Bukamal.” In addition to arresting “Saleh Abu Sumaya and his wife”, six others were arrested on charges of belonging to ISIS.

The incident occured at 03:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of Riad Ali Al-Khuzam, from the village of Al-Maray’iyah, who was killed in a raid near the Al Qa’em Syrian-Iraqi border on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • Image of Riad Ali Al-Khuzam, from the village of Al-Maray’iyah, who was killed in a raid near the Al Qa’em Syrian-Iraqi border on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mentiont the city of Al Qaem (القائم), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3439

Incident date

June 2, 2018

Location

بلدة حيان, Hayyan Town, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed when a cluster bomb from alleged previous Russian shelling on Hayyan town in Aleppo’s western countryside exploded on June 2nd, 2018 according to local sources.

Aleppo 24 said that “Mohammed Juma’a Omar Sharaq al-Zait, aged 42, was killed by the explosion of a cluster bomb from previous Russian bombing on the town of Hayyan in Aleppo’s western countryside.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM340

Incident date

July 25, 2021

Location

Between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district, Galmudug, Somalia

Geolocation

4.82888, 47.923205 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The US conducted its second airstrike within four days against Al Shabab fighters in the Qay’ad area between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district on July 23, 2021 at 10:21AM.

According to Morad News, the US airstrike was in support of Somali forces involved in fighting with Al Shabab fighters as they were trying to capture Qay’ad.

The Somali Ministry of Information released a statement that “at 10:21 in Galmudug state between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district an airstrike has crippled the al-Shabaab terrorist. The precision strike only destroyed al-Shabaab fighters and weapons with zero civilian casualties.”

The US confirmed that it carried out the strike. AFRICOM released a statement saying “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab in the vicinity of Qeycad, Galmudug, Somalia today. There were no U.S. forces accompanying Somali forces during this operation. U.S. forces were conducting a remote advise and assist mission in support of designated Somali partner forces.”

@jseldin, correspondent for Voice of America, reported that “@PentagonPresSec tells @VOANews’s @CarlaBabbVOA, other reporters traveling w/@SecDef that like Tuesday’s strike, US troops executed the strike while working w/Somali forces remotely.”

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told VOA and other reporters traveling aboard a US military aircraft with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Friday’s strike was carried out in support of Somali forces near the village of Qeycad. He said the strike was permitted by the powers granted by the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Kirby added that just as with the earlier airstrike that week, US troops were not on the ground with Somali forces but were conducting a remote advise-and-assist mission. Further information was not provided because of “operational security.”

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin further justified the need for the strikes in a statement that asserted: “Most recently what’s happened is our partner forces have increased their op[erational] tempo, and they have been pushing back on al-Shabab in a more significant way,” Austin told reporters traveling with him to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. “The result of that is some engagements that were fairly intense, and we conducted those strikes to support our partner forces,” he added.

The Hill pointed out that while the authority to carry out the strike on July 20th was justified by U.S. Africa Command chief Gen. Stephen Townsend’s “existing authorities to act in the defense of our Somali partners, who were under attack by al Shabaab,” the strike on July 23rd was permitted by the AUMF.

Reuters also quoted several lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who leads a key Senate foreign relations subcommittee, [who] criticized the Pentagon for carrying out the strikes even when no US forces were in danger. “It’s time to do away with questionable legal justifications claimed by one administration after the next for acts of war like this,” Murphy said in a statement.

The incident occured at 10:21:00 local time.

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A statement released by the Somali Ministry of Information about the US airstrike near Qaycad on July 25, 2021.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area between the town of Qeycad and the boundary of Xarardheere district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these two locations are: 4.82888, 47.923205.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

n coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab in the vicinity of Qeycad, Galmudug, Somalia today. There were no U.S. forces accompanying Somali forces during this operation. U.S. forces were conducting a remote advise and assist mission in support of designated Somali partner forces. U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in support of combatant commander-designated partner forces under the 2001 Authorization of Use for Military Force.

The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed given the remote nature of where this engagement occurred.

“The engagement was conducted to support our Somali partners who were taking significant fire from al-Shabaab fighters,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Greg Anderson, U.S. Africa Command, director of operations.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. These efforts contrast with the indiscriminate attacks that al-Shabaab regularly conducts against the civilian population.

The Federal Government of Somalia and the U.S. remain committed to fighting al-Shabaab to prevent the deaths of innocent men, women and children.

Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to U.S. and regional interests.

Due to operational security U.S. Africa Command is unable to release further information at this time.

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2998

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Location

اللطامنة , Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media, three civilians were wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime carried out aerial and artillery strikes in Lataminah, Hama.

A civil defence member told Smart News Agency that what he believed was Russian warplanes had launched four air raids while the Assad regime had launched 40 artillery and missile shells.

Both Smart News Agency and Al Latamna Youth Group reported that the incident had wounded three civilians, while other sources mentioned the material damage that strikes had caused.

Sources were, however, unclear in terms of culpability. While Smart News, as noted above, pointed to a shared responsibility between Assad and Russia, others pointed only to Assad, namely Masar Press Net and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, while Step News and Waseem only attributed blame to Russia.

Across the reports, several mentioned that the town had been subject to both aerial and artillery shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the moment alleged Russian strikes and regime artillery hit Lataminah, Hama, on February 8th 2018, and the damage it caused (via Smart News Agency)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS111

Incident date

August 5, 2021

Location

حزوانحزوان, Hazwan near Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.408648, 37.404864

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and a further two injured after missiles reportedly struck vehicles in the village of Hazwan, east of Aleppo on August 5th, 2021. While most sources claimed the Syrian Democratic Forces were responsible, the Syrian Civil Defence said the missiles originated from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and regime forces.

The Syrian Civil Defence confirmed that one of their volunteers was among the injured. In a post, it wrote that one missile had targeted a crane car used in maintenance and the second hit an ambulance of the Syrian Civil Defense that had arrived on the scene. They noted that it originated from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and regime forces and Zaman Al Wasl added that the missiles originated from the members of the “SDF” militia stationed in the “Radar Shaala” area.

Zaman Al Wasl named the two civilians killed in the crane car as Mahmoud and Hassan Al Badi. Mohammed Al-Badi, who was reportedly accompanying them, was also injured, it said. Meanwhile @abualisar18 named Shihab Mahmoud Al Badi as one of the fatalities and not Mahmoud Al Badi. A social media user indicated that they knew both the deceased, noting that Hassan Al Badi and Mahmoud Al Badi were brothers.

Most sources said the deaths were caused by guided missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Image showing vehicle damaged. Missiles reportedly targeted a crane car and then an ambulance that arrived on the scene (image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • While Helmets carrying a body from the scene of a August 5th, 2021 attack on an ambulance and crane car (image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • A crane car sustained significant damage following after a missile. It was unclear who was responsible. (Image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • Translated image caption: The corpse of a civilian killed by the missiles of crime, a charred ambulance and a tired volunteer. The picture summarizes the story of a grieving homeland, the missiles of death do not stop, and civilians and rescuers are the target and the victim. (Via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • Damage to a vehicle sustained on August 5th, 2021. (Image posted by MMC)
  • Caption indicates that this is a photo of Hassan Al Badi, one of the men killed on August 5th, 2021. (Image shared by Narhal)
  • Caption indicates that this is a photo of Mahmoud Al Badi, one of the men killed on August 5th, 2021. (Image shared by Narhal)
  • Video caption: Crane burning with militia fire #قسد It contains two people in the eastern town of Hazwan (via @OrientNews)
  • Video from the scene of the August 5th, 2021 incident. (Video via @SyrianCivilDefence)
  • Video from the scene with White Helmet member commentary. (Video posted by @SyriaCivilDefence)
  • Video of scene of the August 5th, 2021 which sources said killed two men and injured another two (Video via @Gurbtawtan)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hazwan (حزوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.408648, 37.404864. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3011

Incident date

February 10, 2018

Location

ريان, Rayyan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.781765, 36.865469 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes struck the town of Rayyan, Idlib, reportedly wounding several civilians, local media reported.

Step News Agency reported how multiple Idlib towns were subject to “several air raids with rockets and explosive barrels targeting” on February 10th, including Rayyan.

However, it was only Sham News Network who reported about injury of civilians following the strikes.

All sources, except one, pointed to Russia as the responsible. Sham News Network pointed to both “Russian and Asiad military aircraft”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT024

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

قرب برج السلطان, Vicnity of Al Sultan Tower, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.521018, 34.486656 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 14 and 26 civilians, including four children and nine women, were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes near Al-Sultan Tower on Yafa Street in Jabalya on May 12, 2021.

According to @paltimes2015, “14 civilians were injured, and their injuries were described as moderate to minor, as a result of the occupation targeting a house near the Sultan Tower on Jaffa Street in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip”.

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights reported that at 3:20am, strikes on agricultural land near al-Qerm intersection resulted in 26 civilians, including 4 children and 9 women, being wounded due to the shattering glass. However, it is unclear if this is the same incident.

An image posted by @muhammedobuowda shows an explosion from the strike. The strikes were attributed to Israel.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–26
  • 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
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Explosion from strikes on a house near the Sultan Tower in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip. (Image posted by @muhammedobuowda)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Sultan Tower (برج السلطان), within the town of Jabalia (جباليا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates are Al Sultan Tower are: 31.521018, 34.486656.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military 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
    14–26
  • 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
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2951

Incident date

January 30, 2018

Location

حران, Harran, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5681, 36.80282 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit Harran, according to local media.

Although no sources blamed the Syrian regime, all attributing blame to Russia, Baladi news Network reported that “The Russian and Syrian air force planes and helicopters launched a series of rocket, napalm and barrel attacks Explosive since dawn today and so far, more than 50 air strikes on the cities and towns scattered in the countryside Idlib.”

There were no reports of civilian deaths, and no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Strike target
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Strike target
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]