Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

TI088

Incident date

October 16, 2022

Location

برادوست, Bradost area, Erbil, Iraq

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a woman, was injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes or drone strikes on the Bradost area in northern Erbil province on October 16, 2022.

Kurdistan 24 reported that a 30 year old woman named Sharmin Asad was injured by Turkish airstrike in the Bradost area in northern Erbil province. Ihsan Chalabi, the mayor of Sidakan, told Kurdistan 24 that the injured woman is from Sideman district and she was in the area visiting her relatives. She was transferred to the hospital and is receiving medical treatment, and her condition is stable.

BasNews specified that the drone strikes affected the Robi and Riwall resorts of Sidakan subdistrict, which the injured woman Sharmin was visiting. Rudaw News reported that the woman had been hit by shrapnel from a shell and that he injury was light.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the injury to Turkish forces, referring to both airstrikes or drone strikes.

The incident occured at approximately 12:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Sharmin Asad
30 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish airstrikes on the Bradost area in northern Erbil province on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Kurdistan24)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4477

Incident date

October 17, 2022

Location

قرية نحلة, Nahla village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One woman was injured by alleged Syrian regime shelling and/or Russian airstrikes on the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022.

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a woman was wounded by Russian and Syrian regime artillery shelling of the village of Nahla. The Aleppo correspondent @HalabTodayTV also reported that a woman was injured.

According to Baladi News, the air and ground bombardments caused extensive damage to civilian property and created a state of panic among the civilians near the bombing sites.

@Jamil_Alhasaan identified 70 missile shells and five Russian airstrikes on Nahla and Kfarsbo, which struck homes and civilians in agricultural lands. @abdulaziz_sy11 reported that Russian airstrikes occurred on the same sites of Syrian regime artillery shelling and the correspondent of Zaitun Agency said that Russian planes launched four raids with vacuum missiles on residential neighborhoods in Nahla.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by artillery shelling in the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Damage caused by artillery shelling in the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Damage caused by artillery shelling in the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Volunteer inspects the site of artillery shelling in the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)

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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS154

Incident date

October 18, 2022

Location

معبر الحمران, Al Hamran crossing, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.677812, 37.736892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians, workers traveling in a car, were injured by alleged SDF guided missiles that struck them while they were traveling near the Al-Hamran crossing in the Jarabulus countryside on October 18, 2022.

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that six workers were injured in a missile strike on a car carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces near the Al-Hamran crossing in the Jarabulus countryside. The Civil Defense added that volunteers treated three of them and took them to Jarabulus Hospital.

A Facebook post from Al Kabour reported that three civilian were wounded by mortar shells, and that the Kurdish militias were responsible.

The Syria TV correspondent said that the “SDF” struck a car carrying workers with a guided missile at the Al-Hamran crossing, located near the town of Ghandoura. All other sources that reported on the incident attributed the missile to SDF forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers treat one of the civilians wounded near the Al-Hamran crossing on October 18, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage to a vehicle caused by alleged SDF shelling near Jarabulus on October 18, 2022. (Image posted by @syr_television)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Five of the workers injured by shelling of their vehicle near Jarabulus on October 18, 2022. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Hamran crossing (معبر الحمران) in the vicinity of the town of Ghandoura (غندورة). The generic coordinates for the Al Hamran crossing are: 36.677812, 37.736892. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4478

Incident date

October 20, 2022

Location

قرية الصحن, Al Sahen village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery shelling of the village of Al Sahen on October 20, 2022.

According to the @SyriaCivilDefe, a child was injured by artillery shelling of the village of Al Sahen carried out by Russian and Syrian regime forces. The Civil Defense forces assisted the injured child and ensured there were no additional injuries in the area.

Activist Muhammad Al-Daher reported similar casualties to Al Araby, identifying one child as being injured.

A tweet from @idleb_online reported that the Syrian army was targeting terrorist movements in Al Sahen with heavy artillery, but did not provide any information on casualties. However, @AsharqNewsSYR tweeted that civilian hames were struck by the artillery shelling.

The majority of sources, including @RadioAlKul, attributed the artillery shelling to the Syrian regime, with Al Araby adding that the shelling coincided with the flight of Russian reconnaissance planes. However, @SyriaCivilDefe blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia while @alothman_nabel listed Russia as being responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers inspect the site of artillery shelling that injured a child in Al Sahen village on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The site of artillery shelling that injured a child in Al Sahen village on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @alothman_nabel)
  • The site of artillery shelling that injured a child in Al Sahen village on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @Nidalhamo_1)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4479

Incident date

October 20, 2022

Location

معربليت, Ma’rblit, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, children, were injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery shelling of a vehicle in Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022.

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that two children were injured by a guided missile launched by Russian and Syrian regime forces that struck a car of civilians working in olive picking in the village of Ma’rblit. The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that the missile caused extensive damage to the car.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also identified the children injured as 12-year-old Awad Muhammad al-Qassum and seven-year-old Muhanna Khaled Qassum, both of whom are from Kafr Batikh village. @anasanas84 specified that the two children were injured to varying degrees.

A tweet from @Jamil_Alhasaan identified “a family” as being injured without specifying how many family members. @Tareek2011T put the number of injuries from the artillery shelling at four civilians.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the Syrian regime was responsible alone or if Russia and the Syria regime were both involved in the shelling.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Awad Muhammad al-Qassum
12 years old injured
Muhanna Khaled Qassum
7 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • One of the children injured by artillery shelling on the village of Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the children injured by artillery shelling on the village of Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by artillery shelling on the village of Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the children injured by artillery shelling on the village of Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage to a vehicle caused by artillery shelling on the village of Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the children injured by artillery shelling on the village of Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @Tamer_Turkmane)
  • Damage to a vehicle caused by artillery shelling on the village of Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @anasanas84)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the children injured by artillery shelling on the village of Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @hafeztaraman)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM354

Incident date

October 23, 2022

Location

near Buulobarde, Hiiran, Somalia

Geolocation

3.855029, 45.568398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two al-Shabaab militants were killed by a declared US airstrike near Buulobarde, Somalia on October 23, 2022.

AFRICOM released a statement that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia, about 218 km north-northwest of Mogadishu, on Oct. 23. The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed two attacking al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.” AFRICOM also added that “U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.”

Voice of America reported that leading up to the strike, al-Shabaab launched two major attacks in Somalia, including the siege at the Tawakal Hotel on Sunday in the southern coastal city of Kismayo and a triple bombing in the town of Beledweyne. In response, the Somali National Army and its allied militia have launched an offensive against the group, and the Military Times quoted the Somali Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism who released a statement that government forces had reclaimed territories in the Hiiraan (where the strike occurred) and Middle Shabelle regions in the Hirshabelle State.

Horumar added that just a day after the strike occurred, the Somali government announced that they had killed over 100 al-Shabaab militants in 48 hours in Hirshabelle State, in conjunction with “international friends”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–100

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike in the vicinity of the town of Bulobarde, for which the generic coordinates are: 3.855029, 45.568398. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia, about 218 km north-northwest of Mogadishu, on Oct. 23.
The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed two attacking al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.
U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.
Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.
Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.
U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–100

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4480

Incident date

October 24, 2022

Location

شنان, Shnan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, including a child and/or woman, was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling of the village of Shnan on October 24, 2022.

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a woman was injured by Syrian regime and Russian shelling of the village of Shnan with tank shells. The Syrian Civil Defense added that the shelling occurred at the same time as schools letting out for the day, and volunteers protected students from the shelling.

According to @syr_television, a child was injured and a home was destroyed by missiles that hit the village of Shnan.

Baladi News correspondent in Idlib countryside reported that the Syrian regime forces intensively bombed the farms surrounding the town of Shnan, which resulted in the injury of a woman to varying degrees.

@idleb_online tweeted that the Syrian army was shelling the positions of the militants in the village of Shnan, but did not include information about casualties.

The majority of sources attributed the shelling to the Syrian regime. However, @SyriaCivilDefe reported that the Syrian regime and Russia were responsible.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by artillery shelling of Shnan on October 24, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Civil Defense volunteers protect students from artillery shelling of Shnan on October 24, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Damage caused by artillery shelling of Shnan on October 24, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Damage caused by artillery shelling of Shnan on October 24, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS562

Incident date

October 27, 2022

Location

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4375, 36.968333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were injured in alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Aqiba on October 27, 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that two children were injured by Turkish shelling of civilian homes in the village of Aqiba. SOHR added that Turkish forces launched more than 15 artillery shells at the village of Oqiba and that the shelling came from Turkish forces stationed in the village of Jalbal.

Hawar News provided the names of the the two children injured: Samar Idris (4 years old) and Joan Idris (3 years old). Both children were transferred to the hospital in Tel Rifaat district for treatment.

Both of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Samar Idris
4 years old injured
Joan Idris
3 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Oqiba on October 27, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Oqiba on October 27, 2022. (Image posted by برجاف - FM)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Oqiba on October 27, 2022. (Image posted by برجاف - FM)
  • Damage caused by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Oqiba on October 27, 2022. (Image posted by برجاف - FM)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Aqiba (عقيبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.4375, 36.968333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]