Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident date

December 16, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM171

LOCATION

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM publicly reported two strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 28 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe.  Another four strikes took place at the same location the previous day on December 15th, it said – killing another 34 militants. “All six airstrikes

Summary

First published
December 16, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
28
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM172

LOCATION

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM publicly reported two strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 28 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe.  Another four strikes took place at the same location the previous day on December 15th, it said – killing another 34 militants. “All six airstrikes

Summary

First published
December 16, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2018

Incident Code

CS1874

LOCATION

البوخاطر, Al Boukhater: Salahudin al Ayubi mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike caused the destruction of the Salahudin al Ayubi mosque in Al-Boukhater and killed between 4 and 19 civilians, in what was described “a new massacre”. According to most local sources, 17 civilians were killed in the attack. However one source said that 13 of the dead were ISIS fighters. Syrian state news

Summary

First published
December 16, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 19
(1–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM167

LOCATION

غندرشي, Mountainous area near Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM publicly reported the first of four strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed eight al Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Gandarshe. The tweet was issued shortly after noon GMT, indicating that the attack was earlier that morning. Two days later AFRICOM revealed that it had

Summary

First published
December 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
8
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM169

LOCATION

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM publicly reported four strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 34 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe.  Another two strikes took place on December 16th, it said – killing another 28 militants. “All six airstrikes were conducted in close coordination with the

Summary

First published
December 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2018

Incident Code

SOM121a

LOCATION

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM publicly reported four strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 34 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe.  Another two strikes took place on December 16th, it said – killing another 28 militants. “All six airstrikes were conducted in close coordination with the

Summary

First published
December 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
26
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM170

LOCATION

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM publicly reported four strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 34 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe.  Another two strikes took place on December 16th, it said – killing another 28 militants. “All six airstrikes were conducted in close coordination with the

Summary

First published
December 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2018

Incident Code

RS1582

LOCATION

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three to four civilians died and up to dozens more were reported wounded in Masaken Hanano neighbourhood of Aleppo following suspected Russian attacks. A number of sources did not name a culprit and described the form of attack as “helicopter aircraft” or “warplane bombardment”. Midline alleged that the Syrian regime was the culprit, while @MePanorama

Summary

First published
November 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2018

Incident Code

CS1873

LOCATION

حاوي السوسة, Hawi Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported a “massacre” caused by “several missiles directed at the area Hawi Al-Soussa”. All sources blamed the Coalition. The alleged airstrike reportedly targeted a house inhabited by displaced persons, and killed a number of civilians, including women and children. No exact numbers were reported. Step News for example noted that Coalition missiles “targeted a

Summary

First published
December 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–3 children2–3 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2018

Incident Code

TI020

LOCATION

مخمور, Makhmour refugee camp, Erbil, Iraq

Four women were killed in alleged Turkish airstrikes on the Rustam Jodi refugee camp in Makhmour, south of Erbil on December 13th 2018, according to local media reports. Rustom Joudi, the governor of Rastam Jodi camp, said that the Turkish shelling, which took place at 21:00 on Thursday, killed four women, three of them from

Summary

First published
December 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1872

LOCATION

الشعفة زيد بن ثابت, Al Shaafa: vicinity of Zaid Ibn Thabit mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that 15 people were killed when an airstrike targeted the surrounding area of the Zaid Ibn Thabit mosque (زيد بن ثابت) in Al Shaafa. Most victims were reportedly women and children. All sources blamed the Coalition, although one source, Mena Monitor News, reported that the Coalition and SDF were responsible for the

Summary

First published
December 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2018

Incident Code

CS1871a

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near Hajin, Syria. The Pentagon later declared this to have been a US-caused incident. Their September 2019 civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded

Summary

First published
December 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2018

Incident Code

CS1871b

LOCATION

Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike near Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to have been a US action. According to the OIR report, “December 12, 2018, near Al

Summary

First published
December 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2018

Incident Code

CS1871

LOCATION

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike on a house reportedly killed 15 civilians from one family on the night of December 11th, in Al-Kashma. All sources said that the airstrike was conducted in Al-Kashma, except for Al-Shaafa Facebook page which reported that the event was in the adjacent village of Al-Shaafa. Possibly explaining the confusion, Andolu News

Summary

First published
December 11, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(2–4 children2–4 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1870

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported that on December 8th, Coalition aircraft carried out multiple airstrikes on the town of Hajin, which allegedly resulted in “dozens of civilian casualties”. The full claim from Raqqa is Being Slaughtered read as follows: “Over the past few hours, the International Alliance aircraft have carried out dozens of air strikes on

Summary

First published
December 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM166-C

LOCATION

Baladul Rahma, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

One civilian was reportedly killed and another injured in a confirmed US airstrike in Baladul Rahma near Basra, Somalia according to a field investigation by Amnesty International – though US Africa Command continues to deny that any civilians were harmed. In a press release from AFRICOM issued at the time, it had said it carried

Summary

First published
December 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
2 named
Belligerents reported killed
3–4
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2018

Incident Code

CS1868

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One young girl named as Maryam Abdel Salam was reported killed in an alleged  artillery strike on Hajin. Some sources reported that the attack was conducted by SDF ground forces using artillery while one source reported on “shelling of French artillery”. With the SDF not known to have had access to artillery at Hajin, this indicates

Summary

First published
December 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2018

Incident Code

CS1866

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five to eight civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike at Hajin according to sources on the ground. All victims were said to be women and children. According to Syrian state media SANA News, “warplanes of the US-led Coalition attacked several residential houses in Hajin city on Thursday night or Friday morning, claiming the lives

Summary

First published
December 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2–4 children3 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2018

Incident Code

CS1867

LOCATION

البوبدران, Al Soussa: Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed one named adult civilian male, according to sources on the ground. One source by the name of Sami Aleweti, who appears to have been a family member, reported that the man, Jassim al Attawi, was killed in a “barbaric bombardment” by a Coalition aircraft on the village of Al-Boubadran in

Summary

First published
December 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2018

Incident Code

CS1865

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed up to 25 civilians according to sources on the ground. The dead reportedly included the families of two ISIS fighters. A single source, Suriye UAD Facebook page, reported that five civilians were killed including a woman, whereas other sources such as Step News and Baladi News reported that as many

Summary

First published
December 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 25
(6–7 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2018

Incident Code

CS1864

LOCATION

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 12 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Boubadran in Al Soussa. Radio al Kul reported that a child was killed in Al Boubadran, while most other sources reported on the deaths of four women and and three children. Hajin News for example reported that “Four women and three

Summary

First published
December 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 12
(3 children4 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected targets
ISIS, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM165

LOCATION

Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Four al Shabaab fighters were reported killed as the US carried out what it said was a self-defence strike in the vicinity of Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, after US and partner forces came under attack, US Africa Command said in a statement. Associated Press gave a detailed report on the event: “Somali commandos backed by U.S.

Summary

First published
December 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

December 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1869

LOCATION

البوبدران, All Soussa: Al-Boubdaran (al Salam neighbourhood), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that a named civilian man from Al-Salam neighborhood in Al-Boubdaran district, was killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike. Euphrates Post for example reported that “Ahmed Ramadan Al-Baghouz, a civilian from the town of Al-Soussa / Al-Salam neighborhood  / Al-Boubdaran district, was killed by a Coaltion air strike.” Sources reported on the incident

Summary

First published
December 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 2, 2018

Incident Code

CS1863

LOCATION

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child from the town of Abu Kamal died of his injuries according to multiple sources, following shrapnel injuries to the head received at some point in an air or artillery strike between December 2nd and 4th. Abdul Aziz Maher Jamal Al-Khabour died in the village of al Boubadran near al Soussa. Smart News said that

Summary

First published
December 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 30, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM164

LOCATION

Geelway mountain, Mudug, Somalia

AFRICOM reported that the previous day, it had “conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants near Lebede, Somalia on November 30, 2018”. It said that there had been no civilian harm. However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike had killed “nine (9) militants”. Voice of America reporter Harun Maruf provided a more detailed location. “Statement says strike

Summary

First published
November 30, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
9
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2018

Incident Code

RS2769

LOCATION

العباس و هجين, al-Abbas and Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one and as many as three civilians were killed in an airstrike in the al-Abbas/ Hajeen crossing in al Bukamal, local sources reported, though it was unclear who was to blame. Step News Agency put the death toll at three while the others reported one male fatality, identified by name in multiple reports.

Summary

First published
November 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2018

Incident Code

LC099

LOCATION

العوينات, Al Uwaynat, Ghat, Libya

Eleven civilians were reported killed as a result of a US airstrike near Al Uwaynat. The event marks the biggest single allegation of civilian harm against the United States in Libya so far. Initial reports had indicated that the US had targeted Al Qaeda members with a precision strike near the town in the south

Summary

First published
November 29, 2018
Last updated
April 28, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 11
(11 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Named victims
11 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2018

Incident Code

CS1862

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted Yarmouk Women’s Hospital and killed between 10 and 45 civilians, including women, children and medical staff in addition to members of ISIS. According to AE24, a source in the Deir Ezzor civil council of the Syrian opposition said that “more than 40 civilians were killed, in addition

Summary

First published
November 29, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 45
(3 children5 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2018

Incident Code

CS1859

LOCATION

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a building which appeared to be in use as a Daesh prison at dawn on Wedneday November 28th. Reports on the number of civilian casualties varied widely between six and 100 civilians. RT reported that six civilians died in the attack, whereas other sources such as Baladi News and Horrya

Summary

First published
November 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 100
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2018

Incident Code

CS1860

LOCATION

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition night time airstrike targeted the house of a displaced Iraqi family in Al Kashma and killed an Iraqi woman, according to local sources. Hajin News for example reported that as well as a Coalition strike on an ISIS prison in the town that day, the US-led alliance “also targeted a home that

Summary

First published
November 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident