Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS030

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

النقير, Nakir, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.499547, 36.540818 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In confused reporting, a number of civilians were reported killed at Nakir village near Maarat al Numan, in a Russian or Syrian regime attack. However the use of cluster munitions at night strongly indicates Russian aircraft carried out the strike.

Reporting from the scene, Shaam News said the camp for IDPs had been targeted with Russian aircraft firing cluster munitions. One woman survivor is interviewed from her hospital bed: “Before we knew it fires were raging around us. I don’t know where my children are. What have we done? We haven’t done anything. We only have God left.“

One man and two children were named as victims in the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Karmo Marwan al Darweesh
Adult male 30 or 35 years old killed
Battoul Mahmoud Shamma
Child female 5 year old girl from Hassraya in Hama killed
Marwan Abd al Karim Abou Ali
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video documenting the visit of the journalist Hadi al Abdallah to al Nakir camp following the strike. Includes interviews with survivors in the hospital, 8th October 2015. (via SNN)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Nakir (النقير), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.499547, 36.540818. 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 reported a total of 22 lethal sorties for October 8th 2015, although made no mention of 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
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS135

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

جبل عبدالعزيز, Abdulaziz Mt, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.408116, 40.3085589 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source listed an adult male non-combatant as a victim of Coalition action. According to VDC, Ahmad Nayef Al Hamad was from Baseera in Dayr ez Zawr, and was killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Abdulaziz mountain in Al Hassaka.

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.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Nayef al-Hamad
Adult male Originally from Baseera, Deir Ezzor. Killed in Abdulaziz Mt, Hassakah killed

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    37SFA173300
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 8, 2015, in Abdulaziz Mountain, Syria, 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. 2864/CS135 37SFA173300

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 7th-9th 2015, no Coalition strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI120

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that either government shelling or a warplane from the international Coalition struck civilians betwen noon and 1pm as they were using the Albu Shajal crossing point north of Fallujah, allegedly killing up to 14 non-combatants and injuring 12 more. According to Al Fallujah News there were two strikes at the crossing point, separated by several hours.

Al Alamy, claiming to cite medical officials at Fallujah Hospital, reported that “Our hospital emergency department for Thursday, October 8th 2015 has so far [midnight] received twelve injured (including five women and five children) and fourteen martyrs (including four women and six children).“

One local news service carried pictures of locals giving blood in response to an emergency request.

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
    11 – 14
  • (6 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • People donating blood in Fallujah because of the alleged incident

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
    38SLB872911
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 8, 2015, in Fallujah, 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. 2841/CI120 38SLB872911

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 7th-9th 2015, no publicly-reported Coalition strikes appeared to match the event.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 14
  • (6 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS027

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to reports two civilians – a man and a woman – died in a Russian airstrike at Khan Shaykhun, with other victims left in critical condition. SNN News described the attack as “a terrible massacre of civilians,” with footage showing a devastated civilian neighbourhood. And Al Jazeera aired frantic scenes as White Helmets tried to reach survivors.

According to Syrian Human Rights Committee, Syrian regime forces also shelled the town once the airstrikes had finished, “which led to extensive destruction of buildings.”

VDC later named the two victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ahmad al Roro
Adult male killed
Layla al-Assad
Adult female Listed on VDC as the 54 year old wife of Hassan al-Mawas killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A 'White Helmet' rushes child victim of an alleged Russian aircraft raid on the town of Khan Shaykhun to casualty, October 8th 2015 (via SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child injured following an alleged Russian strike on the centre of Khan Shaykhun. October 8th 2015 (via SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Casualties being treated following the alleged Russian strike which targeted Khan Shaykhun, October 8th 2015 (via SNN)
  • Video footage showing the devastation and chaos after the strike, blamed on 'Assad and Russia'. in Khan Shaykhun, 8th October 2015. (via, SNN)
  • Footage showing the exact moment after the alleged strike, in Khan Shaykhun, 8th October 2015. (via Mohammad al Saleh)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reported a total of 22 lethal sorties for October 8th 2015, although made no mention of 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
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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

Incident Code

CI119

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Location

Shura, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

There were reports that a dozen people were killed – including five women – following alleged Coalition attacks which struck civilian homes at Shura, 40 km south of Mosul.

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they had killed civilians 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
    12
  • (5 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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
    38SLE398085
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 7, 2015, in Shura, 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. 2840/CI119 38SLE398085

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 6th-7th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL heavy machine guns and three ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL rocket position and an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (5 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS023

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Location

جبل الزاوية, Jabal al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.71345, 36.52933 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory, Russian aircraft targeted a number of locations in Idlib governorate on October 7th including “Khan Shekhon, al-Tama’a, and al-Habeet in the southern countryside of Idlib, and other areas of Ehsim and al-Bara in the Zawyia mount [area].”

As many as 10 non-combatants may have died at five different locations. However casualty reporting remains confused. TRT Arabic reported that “Russian aircraft dropped cluster bombs on [al Habeet] town, killing six people, wounding 10 most of whom were civilians.” However VDC identified only one person killed in Habeet, named as an FSA combatant. Syrian Network for Human Rights instead said a ten year old boy,  died in the town – but that he was killed by Assad regime artillery fire.

At al Zawiya, an unidentified adult female was reported by VDC as having been killed; an adult male was reported slain at Kansaefreh; and another one was reported killed at Khan Sheikhoun.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Hameid Abu Ras
Child male Named as a 10 year old victim by SN4HR. Killed in al Habeet, Idlib by regime artillery killed
Ibraheem Abdullah al-Dani
Adult male Named as a victim by VDC. Killed in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib by Russian airstrikes. killed
Muhannad Taqi el-Dein al-Bakour
Adult male Named as a victim by VDC. Killed in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib by Russian airstrikes. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Missile fragments recovered at al Bara, Idlib, Oct 7th 2015 (via SOHR)
  • Missile fragments recovered in the area between the towns of al Bara and Ihsim in al Zawiya mount. Oct 7th 2015 (via SOHR)
  • Missile fragments recovered in the area between the towns of al Bara and Ihsim in al Zawiya mount. Oct 7th 2015 (via SOHR)
  • Missile fragments recovered in the area between the towns of al Bara and Ihsim in al Zawiya mount. Oct 7th 2015 (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Abdul Hameid Abu Ras from Habeet, Idlib, aged 10, killed in alleged Syrian government artillery fired on the town. October 7th, 2015 (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jabal Al Zawiya (جبل الزاوية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.71345, 36.52933. 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

The Russian MoD confirmed multiple strikes in Idlib for October 7th 2015: “In Idlib, a Su-24M aircraft made a strike against an ISIS terrorist training ground. Objecting monitoring data registered multiple explosions of munitions. The training base aimed for the preparation of terrorists is eliminated.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS024

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Location

معصران, Ma'asaran, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.70683, 36.802053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russian airstrike killed seven civilians at Ma’asaran in Idlib governorate. Most of those who died were from one family. A neighbour told Smart News: “This is my house, I arrived and I found everyone OK. But our neighbours? May God have mercy on them. I went to pray and then went to the shop.Ten minutes later Russian planes came and bombed.”

The Syrian Observatory put the death toll at seven, including three women and two children. The dead were later named as by VDC.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Safwan Ahmad Abdullah al-Amouri
Adult male killed
Zeinab Ali al-Hammadi
Adult female killed
Taha Yousef al-Yousef
Child male killed
Kawkab
Adult female killed
Sameirah hussain l-Yousef
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (2 children2–3 women1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing rescuers pulling bodies from under the rubble in Ma'asaran, 7th October 2015. (via, Mua'ath al Shami)
  • Aftermath of raids by warplanes alleged to be Russian, Ma'asaran, 7th October 2015. (via, SO4HR)
  • Aftermath of strikes by warplanes alleged to be Russian, Ma'asaran, 7th October 2015. (via, SO4HR)
  • Injured following strike by warplanes alleged to be Russian., Ma'asaran, 7th October 2015. (via, SO4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

While making no specific mention of Ma’asaran, the Russian MoD confirmed multiple strikes in Idlib for October 7th 2015: “In Idlib, a Su-24M aircraft made a strike against an ISIS terrorist training ground. Objecting monitoring data registered multiple explosions of munitions. The training base aimed for the preparation of terrorists is eliminated. A pair of Su-25 attack aircraft attacked an ISIS terrorist field camp also in Idlib. The air strike resulted in destruction of numerous buildings and constructions used by terrorists for storage of explosives, as well as logistic and food supplies.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (2 children2–3 women1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS025

Incident date

October 7, 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

A mother and her two children were killed along with another woman in a suspected Russian cruise missile strike on the town of Darat Izza.

Amnesty International later reported: “More than six residential buildings with at least a dozen homes were destroyed by the attack according to an eyewitness interviewed by Amnesty International as well as reports of human rights organisations. Information provided by local human rights defenders, Syrian human rights organisations and video clips of the aftermath of the attack reviewed by Amnesty International indicated that there was widespread destruction and damage but no military casualties nor any armed presence in the town.”

The dead were later named by Al Kanana Hospital and VDC.

Russia claimed ‘civilian objects were not damaged‘ by 26 cruise missiles fired that day.  According to Amnesty, “The Ministry of Defence did not clarify the exact locations of the strikes, but a map in a video that it released indicates that one of the strike points was in or in the immediate vicinity of Darat Izza. Weapons experts advised Amnesty International that images of remnants of the missile indicated that it was of a model used by the Russian navy, a Novatur 3M14 Kalibr-NK.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Jouideh Naser Bazar
Adult female Mother of Talal and Safa killed
Talal Mohammad Bazar
Child male killed
Safa Mohammad Bazar
Child female killed
Lina al-Loudaama
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Lina al-Loudaama
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Talal Mohammad Bazar, shortly before his death from injuries sustained in an alleged Russian airstrike, Darat Izza Oct 7th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Safa Mohammad Bazaz, killed in an alleged Russian strike Darat Izza Oct 7th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • 'Fragment of a Russian cruise missile' recovered at Darat Izza October 7th 2015 (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Darrat Izza, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.28247, 36.85216. 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 made no specific reference to strikes in Aleppo for October 7th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]