Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

RS218

Incident date

December 2, 2015

Location

كفر ناصح, Kafr Nasih, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.42798, 37.11344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 25 non-combatants including two children were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian bombing of civilian areas in the towns of Kafr Nasseh and Ihress, according to Al Khaleej Online and other sources.

A White Helmets official said the alleged strike had also targeted vehicles carrying humanitarian aid, burning 10 of them. He added that some of those wounded were in a critical condition and were taken to a field hospital between the cities of Izaz and Tal Rifa’at, while others were transferred to Turkish hospitals.

A member of the Coordinating Committees in the north of Aleppo, “Mustafa Abu al-Rashid” said: “The Russian raids targeted, the demarcation lines between the Syrian opposition and Daesh. The armed opposition managed to recover control of the village Jarez”.

Five victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in Aleppo “due to the Russian air forces shelling“, although it did not specify exactly where they died.

An additional two victims were listed as having died “due to the Russian air forces shelling on the road between Kafrnaseh and Ihris.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulrahman Makeih
Child male killed
Ahmad al-Shagal
Child male killed
Ahmad Mohammad Kanjo
Adult male killed
Ali Ismaeil al-Jnaid
Adult male killed
Abdullah al-Zein
Adult male killed
Abdullah al-Zein
Adult male killed
Ayman Ahmad al-Abso
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 25
  • (2 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrike in Aleppo, reported to have killed 25 civilians (via, Alhaleej Online)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 25
  • (2 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI148

Incident date

December 1, 2015

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.7977836, 43.2935143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple civilian casualties were claimed in Qayyarah after the Coalition was accused of bombing civilian houses in the town.

Face Iraq reported that seven children and an elderly woman died in the event, which it said destroyed six houses in the vicinity of the Khader mosque (which some sources said had also been destroyed). Three images were also published showing the damage.

Shafaaq also said the incident was a Coalition strike – but that ten civilians from the same family were injured rather than killed.

Local MP Ahmed al-Jubouri later condemened the attack, saying the Coalition had carried out the strike “without any coordination either with the Iraqi central government, local government, or the Mosul operational command.

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
    0 – 8
  • (0–7 children0–1 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Six houses were destroyed in an alleged Coalition strike at Qayyarah, Iraq on December 1st (via Face Iraq)

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
    38SLE458629
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • December 1, 2015, in Qayyarah, 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. 2863/CI148 38SLE458629

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

No Coalition strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity of Qayyarah for either November 30th-December 1st or December 1st-2nd 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 8
  • (0–7 children0–1 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS217

Incident date

December 1, 2015

Location

مهين, Mahin, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.241684, 37.056241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including two women and one child, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maheen according to the Violations Documentation Center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Amirah Jedoua al-Aseer
Adult female killed
Daughter of Amirah Jedoua al-Aseer
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Daughter of Amirah Jedoua al-Aseer
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Maheen (مهين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.241684, 37.056241. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Incident Code

RS216

Incident date

December 1, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.22989, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qarayatain, according to reports.

 

 

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Waseem Mousa al-Naseif
Adult male killed
Naseem Mosa al-Naseif
Adult male killed
Mousa al-Naseif
Adult male killed
Abdulaziz Mousa al-Naseif
Adult male killed
Wife of Mousa al-Naseif
Adult female killed
Name unknown
Adult

Family members (2)

Ahmad Mohammad Ali Zreir
Adult male killed
Mseikah Mohammad Ali Zreir
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Abdulmenem Saleh al-Daher al-Rewishdi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (2 women6 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the aftermath of Russian airstrikes on al Qaryatain. (via, al Qaryatain round the clock).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (2 women6 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS214

Incident date

November 30, 2015

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1918713, 37.1722841 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Bab al Neirab neighbourhood of Aleppo. Tweeting on the same day, the Syrian Documentation Centre reported that “An air raid by Russian warplanes on several locations in Al Neirab neighbourhood has led to human losses and injuries.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS215

Incident date

November 30, 2015

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center reported that six civilians, including one female and five children, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on As Sukhna.

Activist Alamawi Omer published what he said was an account of the attack: “This morning at eight thirty in the morning the brutal Russian Air Force threw a barrage of rockets. This unleashed death, destruction and devastation on the city of Sukhna, as a result of which the child Mohammad Qasim al Hamid was killed and two daughters of Hussein al Khaleef al A’in. Mr Shihab Allafi and his wife and grandchildren were injured.  The children were buried in a cemetery in the city.

According to Jisr TV, the civilian deaths came after Russian jets “raided by mistake a convoy of regime troops” in the city.

Six civilians were eventually listed as killed.

 

The incident occured at approximately 8:30 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Child female Named by VDC killed
Child female Named by VDC killed
Adult female Named by VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Child female Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of As Sukhnah, for which the generic coordinates are: 34.8848748, 38.8711739. 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

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM042

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

Yasooman, Ceeldheer, Ceel Lahelay, Hiiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

4.264363, 45.353956 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Unidentified jets reportedly bombed three villages – Yasooman, Ceeldheer and Ceel Lahelay in the central Hiiraan region – all described as being under al Shabaab control. There were no reported casualties.

According to All Africa: “An official says unidentified military jets bombed Al shabaab bases in the Somali region of Hiiraan on Sunday, the latest in series of aerial bombardment against the Al Qaeda-linked militants. Confirming the incident, Col Mohamed Omar Aden who is a senior Somali army commander in the region said the jets hit Yasooman, Ceeldheer and Ceel lahelay villages, which are all under Al shabaab control. No casualties reported in the multiple airstrikes against Al Shabaab strongholds in Hiiraan region. African Union troops in the region did not comment on the air attacks.”

It was not clear who carried out the strike – with US officials denying responsibility to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

The area where the attack hit borders Ethiopia, and was nominally under the control of the Burundian component of Amisom at the time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Yasooman (4.055577, 45.749016), Ceeldheer (4.4197762, 44.8728480) and Ceel Lahelay (4.4601000, 45.4361500) in the Hiiraan region. The coordinates for the middle point between these villages are: 4.264363, 45.353956. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Amisom Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Amisom Military Forces
  • Amisom Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS212

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine named  civilians including a child were reported killed – and at least 10 others injured – when Russian warplanes allegedly launched rockets on the northern suburbs of Aleppo, targeting a truck on the road to the Bab Al Salama crossing point, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The network also stated that several freight cars were burnt in the alleged raid.

Abdul Kader, a local media activist said: “At 6 pm Russian warplanes which were flying at a high altitude launched an airstrike on our city. The first targeted an office that organizes the entry of trucks to Bab Al Salama crossing point, which is 4km away from the border. The second strike targeted a square 3km away from the Bab Al-Salam border crossing point.”

The pro-regime site Syrian Microscope claimed the trucks were carrying ammunition for rebel groups. However, Enabbaladi said, “most of the trucks on this road usually bring relief goods from Turkey to help the displaced or needy alike.”

Seven victims were named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The VDC also listed two unidentified victims.

Unidentified 1 – adult, male “Due to the Russian airforces shelling on Izaz – Bab al Salamah road, his body was found charred.”

Unidentified 2 – adult, male. Listed as above.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by SN4HR killed
Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child4–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video showing civilian casualties as result of an alleged Russian aircraft in Azaz, North Aleppo. (Via Abdelkader Abou Youssef)
  • A photo of Ahmad Matar al Zgeer, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child4–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]