Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS106

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.572778, 36.556667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed and two or more non-combatants injured following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jbala.

While the Syrian Observatory blamed Russia, both the Idlib Media Centre and Al Kul Radio said the attack was the work of the Assad regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The video shows the airstrike carried out in Jbala village, dated on Nov 1st, 2015.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Jbala (جبالا), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.572778, 36.556667. 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

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Idlib governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Regime

While the Syrian Observatory blamed Russia, both the Idlib Media Centre and Al Kul Radio said the attack was the work of the Assad regime.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS107

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

معرتماتر, Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.570000, 36.548889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child named as Ahmad Ali al-Yousef was reported killed following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Ma’artamater.

The Violations Documentation Center and Syrian Observatory blamed Russia. The pro-regime Shaam Times – citing “military sources” – confirmed that unspecified aircraft had supported ground operations at Ma’artamater. And the Damascus Centre for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • a Raid by warplanes targeting the village of Ma’artamater in the southern Idlib countryside on 1/11/2015

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Ma’ar Tamater (معرتماتر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.570000, 36.548889. 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

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Idlib governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS108

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

منطقة أسيا, Assiya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.271066, 37.078834 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unnamed civilian male was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Assiya. Almodon made no mention of civilian casualties, though did report strikes by “Russian jet fighters” on Assiya.

No additional information is presently available.

 

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
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin confirmed carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the suburbs of Aleppo, a Su-34 bomber made a strike against a terrorist camp used for training of militants arrived from other countries. As a result of hits of air bombs, the ammunition depot as well as the training facilities were eliminated.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS141

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Location

الهول, Al Hawl, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.390223, 41.149297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilian men were reported killed when their vehicle was struck in a Coalition airstrike, according to reports.

This incident is presently single source only with VDC naming the three men.

In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of proximity: “Oct. 31, 2015, near Al Hawl, Syria, 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.”

However, given that the Coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity on October 30th-31st, Airwars is seeking additional clarification from the Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Salman al-Raya
Adult male from al Hawl, Hassakah, killed in an alleged coalition raid on a civilian car near al Hawl killed
Hazem Saeid al-Abbas
Adult male from al Hawl, Hassakah, killed in an alleged coalition raid on a civilian car near al Hawl killed
Farhan Jomaa al-Hasan
Adult male from al Hawl, Hassakah, killed in an alleged coalition raid on a civilian car near al Hawl killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Hawl, Syria
    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 confirms carrying out strikes in the vicinity on October 30th-31st 2015: “Near Al Hawl, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL fighting complex.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS142

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Location

مسطاحة, Mestaha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.300278, 38.123611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three teenage civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike. They are listed as being from Mestaha in Aleppo but it is not clear whether they were killed there.  This incident is currently single source.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Hasan al-Hafni
16 years old male killed
Hosain al-Haji al-Hamada
17 years old male killed
Mahmoud Mohammad al-Hamada
18 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition confirms carrying out strikes in the vicinity of Ma’ra in Aleppo governorate on October 31st-November 1st: “Near Mar’a, six strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), and wounded two ISIL fighters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI131

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Location

المحلبية, Mahalabiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.26632, 42.70744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four people from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike, after missiles hit a civilian home.

While a number of outlets reported the incident there are no more details presently available.

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
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF941159
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 31, 2015, in Mahalabiya, 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. 2853/CI131 38SKF941159

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 30th-31st 2015 the Coalition reports carring out one strike in the city: “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS103

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The White Helmets were among those reporting multiple civilian fatalities after a series of alleged Russian airstrikes on Douma. “Since the morning until now, more than 15 strikes,” the civil defence group posted. Syria Reporter published what it said was an image of two Russian aircraft operating over the city that day.

The dead were later named

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaldoun Houssam Al Rheibani
Child male killed
Yussuf Khaled Khabiya
Age unknown male killed
Yasser Hassan Kabkab
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Yasser Blaleh
Age unknown male killed
Waleed Deeb M’ekeh
Age unknown male killed
Yunis Mohammad Naji
Age unknown male killed
Three unidentified women
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (1–3 children3 women)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • warplanes flying over Douma

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (1–3 children3 women)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS104

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four named civilians were killed in a reported Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Hamidiya. The Violations Documentation Center named the victims, all adult males.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Maher al-Dali
Adult male killed
Ahmad al-Dali
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Qasem Mohammad Ahmad al-Madi al-Jole
Adult male killed
Hsain al-Mustafa
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Dayr ez Zawr governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • 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]