Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS036

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed in heavy Russian airstrikes on the town of Darat Izza, according to reports.

Al Jazeera said eight members of one family were among the dead. Five of those killed were later named by the local al Kanana Hospital.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights agreed that five non-combatants had died, though blamed the strikes on Assad regime aircraft. However Russian Air Force aircraft (likely either Su-30s or Su-34s) were filmed bombing the town the previous day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Zkomo
Adult male killed
Ahmed Mohamed Tawfiq Al Jamal
Adult male killed
Alaa Mohammed Ninh
Adult male killed
Kamel Misto Homs
Adult male killed
Mohammed Abdul Qader Afasheh Al Helou
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 15
  • (5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of 'the moment Russia carried out strikes on Darat Izza'. 13th October 2015. (via AEJkhalil)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians being treated at Al Kanana hospital, 13th October 2015. (via: Darat Izza News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • The activist @AEJkhalil tweets death toll rising to 15, 13th October 2015. (via AEJkhalil)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • Video footage showing destruction at Darat Izza and Hayyan, 13th October 2015. (via: Al Jazeera)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirmed a number of strikes in the Aleppo area in its update for October 13th-14th 2015: “Su-24 bombers performed strikes against facilities near Aleppo, where terrorists manufactured explosives and installed them in vehicles of suicide bombers. These vehicles were planned to be used in the course of terrorist attacks in the cities and towns of Syria, and against positions of the governmental forces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 15
  • (5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1277

Incident date

July 26, 2017

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0052619, 40.4581082 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians including nine people from the same family died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes near Taybah in Mayadin, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame.

The Step News Agency, Smart News Agency and Zamanalwasl were among sources pointing towards the US-led Coalition. According to Smart, nine civilians from one family – including five women – died, with dozens more injured.

The Step News Agency put the death toll even higher at 15.

Euphrates Post (who referred only to “military aircraft”) and other sources named victims from the Al-Manfi family (including four children).

A number of other sources said that the warplanes responsible had not be identified.

According to @zaidbenjamin, 14 non-combatants died, including five children and four women.

Other sources gave more detail on the locations of the strikes. Qasioun reported that “one of the raids targeted a house near the agricultural building in the town, killing two women and four children from one family”, while Euphrates Post added that strikes also “targeted the vicinity of Koniku gas field and the crossing of the town of Tiyana and Badia Albuqmal”. Multiple sources said that civilian homes were struck.

One source – the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – suggested that the strikes may have been carried out by Moscow, reporting that “explosions were heard in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, as a result of airstrikes carried out by warplanes targeting locations in Taybah area. It is unknown whether the planes were Russian or belonged to the international Coalition”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Salman Saddam Al-Manfi
Age unknown killed
Abd al-Aziz Saddam Al-Manfi
Age unknown killed
Daughter of Saddam Al-Manfi
Age unknown female killed
Saddam’s Al-Manfi wife
Adult female killed
Hossan Hamid Al-Manfi
Age unknown male killed
Salman Hamed Al-Manfi
Age unknown killed
Daughter of Saddam Al-Manfi
Age unknown female killed
Umm Jassem, wife of Mohamed Hamada Al-Manfi
Adult female killed
Wife of Abed Hamid Al-Manfi
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 15
  • (4–5 children2–5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes which targeted Deir Ezzor, 26th July 2017. (via Sharqiya voice)

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 Tayba, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 26th-27th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIS well-heads.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah, Daech continue de perdre du terrain, jour après jour, face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes. Les combattants terroristes continuent néanmoins de disposer de solides positions défensives dans le cœur de la ville, à partir desquelles ils mènent des contre-attaques régulières et des actions de harcèlement. En Irak, Les forces de sécurités irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation de la ville de Mossoul, face à des équipes isolées de combattants qui continuent de mener des actions symboliques de harcèlement. Dans le même temps, Daech consolide ses positions autour de Tal Afar, pour tenter de résister à l’offensive prochaine de la Coalition pour libérer aussi cette ville. Daech poursuit par ailleurs ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement, en se concentrant dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah. Certaines actions ont également été menées cette semaine dans l’Ouest de l’Irak, dans la région de Rutbah. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 45 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 06 de ravitaillement en vol. Un C135-FR récemment déployé a en effet réalisé de nombreuses missions en quelques jours à peine, soutenant ainsi, à son niveau, la bascule des efforts de la Coalition vers les autres bastions de Daech. Deux frappes ont été menées dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, détruisant deux positions de combattants ennemies, au contact des troupes alliées engagées. De ces positions, des tireurs de Daech tenaient sous leur feu les soldats alliés à une centaine de mètres à peine. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a réalisé 21 missions de tir dont 07 de harcèlement et 14 d’éclairement. Ces missions interdisent une offensive de contre des terroristes vers Mossoul. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 324 frappes, 2 092 objectifs détruits et 6 857 sorties. Le bilan global de l’activité artillerie atteint 1 331 missions.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 26 July – a Reaper destroyed a terrorist truck in eastern Syria..A Royal Air Force Reaper flew an armed reconnaissance mission over eastern Syria on Wednesday 26 July. A group of armed terrorists were observed boarding a truck, and the Reaper’s crew tracked the vehicle as it headed west along a desert road, some 20 miles south-south-east of Hasakah, before engaging with a Hellfire missile once it was in an isolated location. The missile scored a direct hit which destroyed the truck.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 15
  • (4–5 children2–5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1995

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51388889, 36.49861111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was among at least two civilians killed by alleged Russian or Syrian air or artillery strikes in the besieged eastern towns of eastern Ghouta, according to sources on the ground.

Al Jazeera reported 15 dead.

Schools in the area closed due the proximity of the strikes, according to SMART News, who blamed both Russia and the regime for the strikes.

@alikrarrkar  attributed the civilian harm to artillery strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 15
  • (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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 15
  • (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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS817

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 15 civilians including two children died and 22 others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Manbij, according to two local sources.

The media activist Ahmed al-Mohammad told Edorar that 13 civilians died in a Russian strike on buildings in the city, “emphasizing that four missiles targeted a three-storey residential building in the neighborhood of al Rabita street, which brought the building down and killed and wounded those inside. He added that eight people people have been identified, including two children, while the rest of the bodies are still unidentified dead, due to them being burnt and blown into pieces”.

According to Syria News Desk, four Russian strikes killed 15 non-combatants, wounded 22 more and destroyed residential buildings. Shahed-Alep news reported that warplanes also targeted a bakery and a residential building under which a whole family became trapped under the rubble.

Syria Post was the only source to blame regime airstrikes, while the Syrian Network said “the regime and its allies” were responsible.

The names of six of the dead, including one 6-year old child were published by the Syrian Human Rights Committee (see below)

Blogger Imad Osman reported the following: “In a second raid two missiles hit the neighborhood of Jarablos Road. The first missile fell at al Milhem bakeries without news of injuries. The secondn missile fell on a house in the building of the medical labs opposite the clinic of Dr. Na’assan Arab. The struck house house belonged to the family of Abu Jassem and the entire family is under the rubble now.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amani Hayran or Jiran
six years old killed
Wi’am Jiran
19 years old killed
Hussein al Muhtadi
Age unknown male from al Orja killed
Aqeel Juma al Muhtadi
Age unknown from al Orja killed
Badir Saleh Al’Ama
Age unknown killed
Shukri Abu Idris, the brother of Abu Aws
Age unknown male at the time of the strike he was in Kamel pharmacy killed
Hassan Mohamed Wallo
Age unknown male IDP from al Shioukh killed
Mohammed Rahmani
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • (2 children2 women1–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath or an airstrike on Manbij, May 29th (via Syrian Newsdesk)
  • Bodies are lined up following an alleged Russian raid on Manbij, May 29th (via Syrian Press Center)

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • (2 children2 women1–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1281

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Location

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.88256, 38.17169 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that 15 civilians including three children died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Hor, outside Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes of regime helicopters dropping barrel bombs were to blame.

Several sources reported twelve fatalities: for instance, Shahed-ayan news stated “12 people were killed and others wounded in a massacre committed by warplanes.

However, both Syria2011 News and Halab news published matching lists of 15 casualties.

Syria News Desk disagreed with claims that Russian planes were to blame and referred to helicopters instead. The source reported that “12 civilians, including three children, were killed and more than 15 others wounded yesterday [Sept 19th] when helicopters dropped two explosive barrels targeting houses in the center of Hor”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at 14, blamed “government warplanes”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail Siraj
31 years old male killed
Amor Mahmoud Ismail Siraj
27 years old male killed

Family members (2)

Mohammed al-Akhras
Age unknown male killed
Saleh al-Akhras
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Ali Darwish
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Adib Ghazi
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Haj Mohammed
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Shibli
Age unknown male killed
Faten Shibli
Age unknown female killed
Omar Shaghal
Age unknown male killed
Malek Dibo Hajjo
Age unknown male killed
Malek Omar Qanti
31 years old male killed
Youssef Abdel Almaanghazi
Age unknown male killed
Juma Mohammed Assi
Age unknown male killed
Bara Mohammed Hussein.
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (3 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing Hor village left in ruins following the contested strikes (via SNN)
  • One of the victims of the contested strikes targeting Her, Aleppo, possibly named Omar Shaggha (via HNN)
  • One of the victims of the contested strikes targeting Her, Aleppo, possibly named Malek Omar Qanti (via HNN)
  • One of the victims of the contested strikes targeting Her, Aleppo, possibly named Saleh al Akhras (via HNN)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting the village Hor, Aleppo (via RFS Media Office)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting the village Hor, Aleppo (via RFS Media Office)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting the village Hor, Aleppo (via RFS Media Office)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting the village Hor, Aleppo (via RFS Media Office)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting the village Hor, Aleppo (via RFS Media Office)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (3 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1286a

Incident date

July 22, 2017

Location

ساحة شماس, Ar Raqqah: North of Shammas Square, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94898, 39.01557 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of 15, including eight children and three women, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa, according to local sources. Reports – all of which pointed towards the US-led Coalition – named the victims as the Al-Zanna family. According to SHRC, they were displaced from the city of Tadef in the Aleppo countryside.There was some confusion as to the exact location of the family’s home which was reportedly struck. Qasioun and Oman Daily said that it was in Al Mansour Street; Gate ahram and @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH reported that it was in Al Shammas square, in the center of Raqqa; while according to Smart and Almodon, it was near the museum (Al Muthaf). Sources said that other civilians were wounded in the strike and were likely still trapped under the rubble.

During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field researchers established the location as Shammas Square. However, hours earlier another Coalition airstrike had killed nine members of the same family who were sheltering in a basement two streets away, near the museum (Al Muthaf), which is likely where the confusion in the reporting stems from. The report on the strike near the museum can be found here: CS1268b. The strike at Shammas Square killed 15 members of the Al-Zanna family, who were sheltering on the ground floor of a four-storey building. Amnesty researchers spoke to a relative of the family, Abdellatif: “The family had tried to leave Raqqa but Daesh (IS) prevented them, and Daesh also kicked them out of home near the old mosque. So, they took shelter in whatever place they thought they would be safe.” 1-3 Unnamed people were also injured in the strike.

Amnesty field researchers found the date of the strike to be July 22, 2017, rather than on July 28, as Airwars had previously reported.

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (15)

Khaled Mohammed Rasool Al Zanna
54 years old male killed
Muna Mahmoud Al Zanna
51 years old female Khaled's wife killed
Mohamed Khaled
20 years old male Khaled and Muna's son killed
Mohammed Mohammed Rasool Al Zanna
48 years old male Khaled's brother killed
Asma’ Ahmad Abdel Karim al Zanna
42-43 years old female Mohammed Mohammed’s wife killed
Yassir
15 years old male Mohammed Moh and Asma’s child killed
Yusef
1-10 years old male Mohammed Moh and Asma’s child killed
Salam
1-10 years old male Mohammed Moh and Asma’s child killed
Manar
1-10 years old female Mohammed Moh and Asma’s child killed
Manal
1-10 years old female Mohammed Moh and Asma’s child killed
Marian Al Zanna
71 years old female Khaled's aunt killed
Mahmoud Mohammed
77 years old male Marian's husband killed
Khalil Mahmoud al-Zana
Adult male Marian and Mahmoud's son killed
Mariam
8 years old female Khalil's daughter killed
Mahmoud
5 years old male Khalil's son killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (8 children3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed al-Zana, killed with his wife and five children in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, July 27th (via sharqiya .voice)
  • Mr. Mahmud al-Zana and his wife, "Remi al-Zana", killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, 28th July 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • The wife and 5 children of Mohammed al-Zana, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, July 27th (via sharqiya .voice)
  • Victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 28th July 2017. (via Al Raqqa Alkher)
  • Khaled Mohammed Rasul Al Zanna (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • House in which 15 members of the Al Zanna family were killed, before the strike (July 19, 2017)

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • House in which 15 members of the Al Zanna family were killed, after the strike (July 29, 2017)

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

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
  • Stated location
    in Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV016779
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • Jul. 22, 2017, in Raqqa, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units, destroyed an anti-air artillery system, and damaged seven fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 28 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair struck a Daesh position in Raqqa…Another mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair assisted the SDF in Raqqa on Friday 28 July, and a Paveway IV was used to destroy a terrorist position.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (8 children3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2241

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

سوحا, Soha , Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.000015, 37.401581 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 15 civilians were killed – and as many as 30 were wounded – following an airstrike on a bakery in Soha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed Russia, except Syrian News Desk, which blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Sources reported that ten out of the 15 casualties were civilians who were working at the bakery early in the morning. 7al news added that the bakery alone was hit by two raids. However, overall up to seven strikes were reported in the vicinity.

@HamahNow reported that the causalities were “mostly women and children”. 

Tustar news calls the building that was struck by the raids Almayawimin, which out researchers believe was the name given to the bakery. 

Smart news reported that few other details were discovered from the incident.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (11) [ 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 specific strikes between May 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI642

Incident date

April 15, 2017

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agragarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3507344, 43.0868769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that at least eight civilians died after two missiles consecutively hit a two-floor house in Isilah Zeraei neighbourhood in West Mosul. Sources reported a similar incident hours earlier in the same neighbourhood, with casualty numbers so far unknown.

Alsharqiya news noted that the two missiles were launched after an ISIL combatant sat on the roof – “killing at least eight civilians from one family, including a number of children”. The news agency said that the bodies of the victims were still under the rubble of the house.

Salih Elias reported on Facebook that the ISIL combatant managed to flee. He also said that “a father and his sons, including children” were among the victims.

An eyewitness – the neighbour of the family whose house was bombed – reported the same information and said that her own son (9 years) was injured in the shelling.

Amnesty International published the following report, which appears to match this event: “In mid-April presumed air strikes destroyed a house on al-Islah al-Ziraee Street, next to a local landmark known as the Mahmoud water well and not far from Yarmouk Roundabout. Amnesty International interviewed “Ali”, a witness who was living in a house 100m away in the same street.

He described the attack: “At around 5pm we heard a whizzing, whistling sound and then a huge explosion that knocked us sideways. This was followed by a second explosion after about two minutes. I waited until the following morning before going to the scene. The entire house had been destroyed. The bodies were still buried. I asked the neighbours what had happened and they said that IS had been inside the house before the strike. The brother of the family had not been at home at the time. He survived but he lost his entire family. Fifteen civilians were killed in that house.”

The witness did not know exactly how many IS fighters had been inside the house when it was destroyed. From other interviews, Amnesty International is aware that IS fighters would roam neighbourhoods and enter civilian houses at will. They would usually travel in pairs, presumably in order to reduce the chance that a single strike would kill many fighters. This strike killed 15 civilians and raises proportionality concerns. Although Amnesty International cannot confirm how many IS fighters were impacted, established patterns of IS behaviour would suggest that the number was small. This, coupled with the high cost to civilian life, raises the possibility that this attack was disproportionate.”

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 15
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 14th-15th: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed two rocket-propelled grenade systems, destroyed two fighting positions, damaged four supply routes and a fighting position, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 15
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]