Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CI133

Incident date

November 4, 2015

Location

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.157604, 43.257238 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five non-combatants were reportedly killed and four more injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike hit a home at Hammam al-Alil.

According to NINA, “international Coalition aircraft bombed residential neighborhoods in the Hamam al-Alil area, and the shelling resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including a child, and the wounding of four others.” A Daesh hummvee was also reported damaged in the attack.

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
    5
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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
    38SLF432028
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • November 4, 2015, in Hamam al Alil, 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. 2854/CI133 38SLF432028

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 3rd-4th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • NINA
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

Incident Code

CI134

Incident date

November 4, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.31426, 43.75913 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that two civilians were injured during a US airstrike at Huwaijah.

According to the official release, “On Nov. 4, 2015, in Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. The incident occurred when, after weapons were already in flight, the ISIL vehicle unexpectedly pulled off the side of the road near a building where two civilians were standing.”

At the time, local sources had reported a heavy air raid on central Hawijah, with one noting “God save the civilians.”

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • A local source reporting strikes in the surrounding area

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 35.3240179, 43.77335

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 injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    in Al Huwayjah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE872086
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016

  • On Nov. 4, 2015, in Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. The incident occurred when, after weapons were already in flight, the ISIL vehicle unexpectedly pulled off the side of the road near a building where two civilians were standing.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS118

Incident date

November 4, 2015

Location

بنسن, Banin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.71158, 36.64075 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Banin village, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

No further details are known at the present time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Banin (بنسن), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.71158, 36.64075. 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 has confirmed carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS116

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1529125, 37.075864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A vacuum missile, allegedly fired by Russian warplanes killed eleven non-combatants and injured about 20 in the Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to reports. Several homes have destroyed. Four of those killed were brothers and sisters from one family, who died alongside their father.

The raid was one of several in neighbourhoods of Aleppo, including an alleged Russian vacuum missile strike on Bustan Al Qasar (see above) and an attack on Al Mashhad (see above).

The VDC and Syrian Network have named 11 named that killed in Ansari.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sundus Abdul Qader Barkat
Child female 3 years old killed
Ismael Sheikh Mohammad
Age unknown male killed
Mustafa Al Hafyan
Age unknown male killed
Salem Kadro
Child male 15 years old killed
Abdi Kadro
Child 14 years old killed
Ghroud Kadro
Child 8 years old killed
Khaled Kadro
Child 11 years old killed
Mohammad Salem Kadro
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Malek Dunia
Age unknown male killed
Ismael Al Sheikh Yousef
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Al Bab
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Devastation wrought by alleged Russian strikes on a neighbourhood in Aleppo, November 3rd (via Civil Defence Administration in Free Aleppo)
  • Aftermath of alleged shelling by alleged Russian warplanes of the neighbourhood of Ansari, Aleppo, November 3rd

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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

RS117

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 34 civilians were reported killed including a woman and a child, and 50 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes, according to multiple sources.

Al A’maq [close to Daesh] claimed there were 26 strikes by Russian warplanes which caused 10 deaths, including two women. They claimed that the city’s general hospital was targeted, along with old and new bridges south of the city. At noon, planes continued bombarding the old bridge and a park adjacent to the al Fardous mosque, as well as residential areas.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported heavy casualties: 42 deaths, of which 27 were civilians including a woman. It claimed 15 of these 42 deaths were so-called Islamic State fighters.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, 32 civilians were killed, including one child and one woman. They put the number injured at no less than 50.

30 victims have been named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights as

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Abdul Satar Al Hilal
Age unknown male killed
Basam Aliwi (Al Fara)
Age unknown male killed
Basam Aliwi’s wife
Adult female Aliwi’s wife killed
Faisal Mohammad Al Satttam
Age unknown killed
Abdullah Al Mahmoud
Age unknown male killed
Abd Al Jana’an
Age unknown male killed
Fasel Haji Al Hilal
Age unknown male killed
Hussein Al Sarawi
Age unknown male killed
Turkey Al Eisa
Age unknown male killed
Yasser Turkey Al Eisa
Age unknown child (or adult according to VDC) killed
Khalaf Al Atrouz
Age unknown male killed
Abood Hasan Al Darwish
Age unknown male killed
Wesam Al Musa
Age unknown male killed
Raed Al Shaher
Age unknown male killed
Jaber Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Abd Al Mazeed /Al Kasrat
Age unknown male killed
Abd Al Kana’an
Age unknown male killed
Wesam Ismael
Age unknown male killed
Abood Hasan Al Darwish
Age unknown male killed
Abd Ahmad Al Mazeed
Age unknown male killed
Jaber Ibrahim Khalil Al Kraiban
Age unknown male killed
Rami Ismael Al Shaher
Age unknown male killed
Faisel Al Eisawi Abu Fahed
Age unknown killed
Abar Al Dali
Age unknown killed
Ali Ahmad Al Ramo
Age unknown killed
Ibrahim Rashed Al Askar
Age unknown Deir Ez-Zour –Hasarat village killed
Hussein
Age unknown A young man called killed
Hasan Ahmad Al Hwaidi
Age unknown killed
Faisel Ahmad Al Hwaidi
Age unknown killed
Fadl Haji al-Hlal
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 34
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named one of the victims on their Facebook page as "Hussein" (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently0
  • Large destruction at the Skik Mosque in the southern suburb of Idlib after being bombed by alleged Russian-Russian planes

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Raqqah governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015: “Near Raqqah, Su-34 bombers carried out strikes against two fortified strong points of militants located at the approaches to the city. Direct hits of air bombs destroyed fortified installations of terrorists as well as four automobile and armored vehicles.“

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 34
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS114

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources that claimed the death of between six and eight civilians including three children and injury of 12 more in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bustan al Qasr.

Several houses were also reportedly destroyed.

VDC released the names of 8 people that killed, including three children as result of the strike.

Additionally, the Violations Documentation Center reported that an adult male, named as Mostafa Assem al-Arki, was killed after an alleged strike by Russian warplanes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al-Bab
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Mohammad Dahrouj
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Fares Qonbori
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Marwa Hasan
Child female Warplane shellinga killed
Amer Hasan
Child male Warplane shellinga killed
Mohammad Zaerour
Child male Warplane shellinga killed
Mahmoud Hawout
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Omer Hawout
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Mostafa Assem al-Arki,
Adult male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3–4 children1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath destruction caused by the alleged bombing of Russian air strike to the neighbourhood of Bustan Al-Qasr 3-11-2015
  • the photo shows the destruction left by Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
  • The photo shows the destruction left by alleged Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
  • The photo shows the destruction left by alleged Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirms carrying out strikes in Homs governorate in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015: “Near Mahin (Homs province), the aviation carried out a strike against a large-sized weapon and ammunition depot of the Jabhat al-Nusra grouping. Militants stored small arms, large-caliber machine guns, grenade launchers, and ammunition in two hangars. These weapons were reserved for militants arrived in Syria from abroad. It is to be mentioned that the information on this object was obtained from representatives of the Syrian opposition. Objective monitoring data confirmed complete destruction of the depots and their contents after the hit of the Russian aviation.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3–4 children1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS115

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes reportedly killed at least three non-combatants and injured at least ten in the neighbourhood of Al Mashhad, according to the White Helmets. The group said they recovered three bodies from the rubble and rescued ten people, transferring them to nearby field hospitals.

Local media activist Mansour Hussain told Al Araby al Jadeed that “Russian warplanes this afternoon renewed their bombing of the city of Aleppo, which resulted in an initial toll of six civilians were killed in al Mashhad.”

In a video posted by the Aleppo Media centre a rescue worker states: “‘Russian planes bombed Al Mashhad neighbourhood which led to the total destruction of two buildings. Then they targeted other liberated areas like al Ferdous and Bustan al Qasr. There are many dead and wounded. Every day the number is going up. Most of them are civilians. There are no militants. We have now carried out our duty and pulled out all the injured.”

There remains some confusion in casualty recording because of other reported Russian strikes on November 3rd in the nearby Aleppo neighbourhoods of Bustan el-Qasr and Ansari.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A family from Al Mashhad neighbourhood in Aleppo leaving their home after it was bombed by russian planes (Via SNN)
  • The first moments of the Russian air strike that targeted the neighborhood Al Mashad (Aleppo) on Tuesday, 2015/11/3
  • The aftermath destruction caused by the Russian airstrike that targeted the neighborhood scene on 3-11-2015

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI132

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Um Al Theban, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3206914, 41.8641115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians were reportedly killed at Um Al Theban while crossing between Syria and Iraq, in what was claimed to be a Coalition airstrike. The incident is presently poorly reported.

In its July 2017 report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of having conducted no strikes in the vicinity: “Nov. 2, 2015, near Sinjar, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. “

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Sinjar, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition has confirmed heavy airstrikes in the Sinjar area at ths time. For November 1st-2nd 2015 it was reported that “Near Sinjar, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL weapons cache, and two ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]