Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident date

December 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2811

LOCATION

ابومحالة, Abu Mahala village in Al Hamra district, Hama, Syria

Several civilians were injured by intense aerial shelling of Abu Mahala, Hama, local media reported. All sources blamed Russia. While no reports mentioned the exact number of injured, sources merely reported that a number of civilians were left wounded. The strikes were reportedly part of a larger shelling that day. Masar Press News reported “more

Summary

First published
December 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1701a

LOCATION

near Kharayij, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of three civilians in an event near near Kharayij, Syria. In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted “Coalition aircraft conducted strikes on a Daesh weapons storage facility and Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed due to

Summary

First published
December 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1701

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “December 22, 2017, near Hajin, Syria, via social media report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in

Summary

First published
December 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1700

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and four civilians died and several others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajeen, according to local media. Sources said that the strike hit the car which the victims were in. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at two, though most other sources said that three died.

Summary

First published
December 22, 2017
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr128-C

LOCATION

يكلا‎, Close to Yakla village on road from Rada'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly killed one civilian in Yakla, in Bayda governorate, on December 22nd 2017, according to multiple local language sources. Tweets from news sources, including @7adramout_net, @yem_Breaking, and @yemenakhbar, suggested that the strike targeted the car of a Qat seller, killing him as he travelled through the area. No known sources suggested

Summary

First published
December 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Other
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2810

LOCATION

الحمراء, Al-Hamraa, Hama, Syria

Eight civilians, including children and women, were reportedly injured as warplanes, possible belonging to Russia, carried out airstrikes in Al-Hamraa, Hama, local media reported. While the sources agreed that the strikes, that took place during the night, wounded up to eight civilians, they were not clear in terms of culpability. Step News Agency was the

Summary

First published
December 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2809

LOCATION

خان العسل, Khan al-Assal, Aleppo, Syria

Two children were reportedly killed and another two were left wounded as the remnants of previous shelling exploded in the town of Khan al-Asal, Aleppo, local media said. HalabTodayTV’s correspondent said that it was the remnants of a cluster bomb dropped on a previous day that caused the incident. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
December 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2808

LOCATION

الجنينة, Al-Janeneh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians, including a child and a woman, were seriously injured from the remnants of an alleged Russian cluster bomb that was dropped the previous day, October 19th, in the village of Al-Jeneneh, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Several sources added that the incident led to the amputation of the child’s foot. DMUO, for instance,

Summary

First published
December 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr127

LOCATION

وادي عبيدة, Wadi Obeida, Ma'rib, Yemen

Four alleged AQAP militants, including Saudi-born media “chief” Abu Hajar Al-Makki, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in Wadi Obeida, in Marib governorate, on the night of December 20th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Al-Makki, also known as Mohammed Farhan Al-Maliki, and by his online alias Shakeem Al-Khorasani,

Summary

First published
December 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

December 19, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr126

LOCATION

الكولة, Al Kawlah, Ma'rib, Yemen

Two alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in Al Kawlah, in the Wadi Obeida area of Marib governorate, on the evening of December 19th 2017, according to several sources. On January 10th 2018, a US Central Command statement confirmed that a strike took place in Marib on December 19th, killing

Summary

First published
December 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

December 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2806

LOCATION

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria

In what has been described my local media as a “massacre” as many as 20 civilians were killed and up to 35 were wounded, in airstrikes conducted over Ma’ar Shoreen. Nearly all reports of the incident blamed Russia, however one source blamed the Syrian regime making this a contested event. Many of the dead were

Summary

First published
December 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 20
(8 children7–19 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–35
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
20 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2805

LOCATION

التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria

One girl was killed and two other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Al Tah, according to local media. Images published by a local source, @alathre1989, shows the severe damage to the residential property. Despite most sources reporting that the casualty was a female child, @hish_m_c alleged that she

Summary

First published
December 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2807

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One child was killed when remnants of cluster bomb from a previous raid exploded in Kafr Hamra. Only one source blamed Russian airstrikes, while the others didn’t name the culprit. It is unclear when the first raids occurred, however all sources reported that the child in question died on December 19th. There were no reported

Summary

First published
December 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2804

LOCATION

تل عمارة, Tal Amara and Hawa, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal Amara. All sources blamed Russian warplanes. @insaan_Rights reported that cluster bombs struck the vicinity. There were no reports of civilian deaths.

Summary

First published
December 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr125

LOCATION

الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly killed three alleged AQAP militants in the Sama’a area, Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of December 18th 2017, according to some sources. There were no known claims of associated civilian harm. The earliest known report of the alleged strike came at 5:44pm local time from 24Live (@20fourlive), which stated that

Summary

First published
December 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2803

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

As many as 17 civilians were killed – including ten who were named – as well as 6 or more wounded, in internationally banned Napalm and Phosphorous airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the “air and artillery strikes” which were conducted in the vicinity.

Summary

First published
December 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 17
(2–4 children6–7 women)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2802

LOCATION

تل الطوقان, Tal Al-Toukan, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that two civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit Tal Al-Toukan. All three sources blamed Moscow. Step News Agency reported an unspecific number of “civilian casualties” – which could be dead civilians – however they were the only source to report this. One local source reported rocket fire was used. There are

Summary

First published
December 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2801

LOCATION

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria

Four children (several from the same family) were killed when remnants of a cluster bomb exploded from a previous Russian raid on Zor Shamer on December 16th, according to local media. All sources blamed Russia for the raid. It is unclear when the initial strike occurred, however first reportage of these civilians deaths was 16th

Summary

First published
December 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2800

LOCATION

معرشمشة, Mar Shamsha, Idlib, Syria

A number of civilians were reportedly wounded due to airstrikes on Mar Shamsha. Only two sources attributed blame to Russia while the others blamed the Syrian regime for the raids. According to Shbaballatamneh3, two civilians were wounded by Russian rockets. Qasioun on the other hand reported no civilian casualties. Smart News Agency reported that a

Summary

First published
December 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM110

LOCATION

30 miles northwest of Kismayo, IVO Qudus, Lower Juba, Somalia

On December 18th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had “conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early evening hours on Friday, Dec. 15, approximately 30 miles northwest of Kismayo”. It added that “we assess no civilians were killed in the strike.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the strike had killed “eight (8) terrorists” and destroyed “one

Summary

First published
December 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
5–8
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr124-C

LOCATION

يكلا‎, Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen

At least two women, and possibly two children, all from the same family, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike on a house in Yakla, in the Wald Rabi area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of December 15th 2017. Mwatana later named the two women victims as “Hajera Ahmed Saleh Al Taisi, about

Summary

First published
December 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(0–2 children2–3 women)
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1699

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three named civilians died and others were wounded in Hajeen, according to local media. It is unclear whether the Coalition or the regime were responsible for the deaths. It said they had died “as a result of military air strikes believed to belong to the International Alliance this afternoon which targeted the market at Hajeen

Summary

First published
December 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1697

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died and nine others were wounded in artillery or air strikes on Hajeen, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Awwad Zayed Hussein al Zayed was killed by Syrian regime artillery shells”. The victim was also named by DE24

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1698

LOCATION

Near al Shaafa village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to Eldorar, “sources pointed out that Coalition aircraft targeted a car carrying civilians on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of a number of them, including children and women. The international coalition aircraft had targeted the town of Al-Shaafa, yesterday evening, amid the movement of large-scale displacement of civilians towards neighboring villages.” Baladi produced

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1696 RS2799

LOCATION

الجردي الشرقي, Al Jarthi al Sharqi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 33 named civilians including 16 children and six women died and at least 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Jarthi al Sharqi, according to local media. VDC-SY reported that the airstrike was conducted on the 12th of December, whereas our research shows it was in fact on the 13th of December.

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 33
(16 children6 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
33 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1697a

LOCATION

هجين, near Hajin, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Hajin. In its March 2018 report, the Coalition noted: “During a coalition strike which killed a known high-level ISIS member a civilian scooter inadvertently crossed into the strike area and it is assessed that one civilian was

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2798

LOCATION

تل الضمان, Tal Al-Daman, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

In airstrikes which reportedly “targeted” a medical centre in Tal Al-Daman, Aleppo, one civilian was killed and others were wounded. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Russia, while a few blamed the Syrian regime. One source didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Smart News Agency was the only local media

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM109

LOCATION

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US Forces carried out a strike against an “al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised explosive device” in the early hours of December 12th, US Africa Command announced, which it said had removed an “imminent threat to the people of Mogadishu”. The early morning strike hit 65 kilometers southwest of the capital, AFRICOM said (later noting that the strike

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1695 RS2797

LOCATION

الجردي الغربي, Al Jarthi al Gharbi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male was named as killed in an airstrike on al Jarthi al Gharbi. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, and others to Moscow. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Syrian regime warplanes for his death. But according to Al Haall, Russia was

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2795

LOCATION

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

A shepherd was injured and ten sheep were killed in alleged Russian “rocket-propelled grenade” fire on Taman’a. There were no reports of civilian deaths. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence reportedly inspected the vicinity and rescued one man from the rubble. He was taken to a medical point. There are no other details at this

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident