Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

SDF00038

Incident date

September 11, 2023

Location

الدحلة, Al Dahla, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one person, a young man named Hussein Nahar al-Gharut, was reportedly killed by gunfire allegedly from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the town of Al Dahla, in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor on Monday, September 11th 2023. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the victim as being a member of local militant groups. However, SN4HR, Ain al-Furat Network and Orient News claimed that he was a civilian.

According to Ain al-Furat sources, Hussein Nahar al-Gharut was reportedly asked by SDF members to stop at a military checkpoint. When he refused, Ain al-Furat claims, they opened fire on him, leading to his immediate death. The Rasd Syria Network for Human Rights corroborated these events.

All of the sources attributed the shooting to the SDF.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man1 undetermined)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Tribal Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man1 undetermined)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Tribal Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Incident Code

SDF00035

Incident date

September 9, 2023

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha’fa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

A man, Khalaf al-Fayyad, was wounded after being hit by an alleged-Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sniper bullet in the town of Al-Sha’fa, east of Deir Ezzor, on the night of September 9th, 2023.

Naher Media stated that al-Fayyad, who installs and maintains solar paneling, was on his way home when he was injured. Furat Post correspondent claimed the sniper, aligned with the SDF, was on a rooftop when the round was fired. It is unclear whether there were multiple snipers, or if this was committed by a single individual. Shaam News alleges several bullets were fired.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Khalaf al-Fayyad خلف الفياض
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Khalaf Al-Fayyad, wounded by alleged SDF sniper fire in Al Sha’fa on September 9, 2023. (Image posted by Ayn Ala Aljazeera via Facebook)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00034

Incident date

September 9, 2023

Location

بالقرب من ذيبان, Euphrates River crossing in the outskirts of Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 12-year-old boy was killed and at least three other civilians were injured while trying to cross the Euphrates river near the town of Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, Syria, short before 5:55 PM on Saturday, September 9, 2023. They were allegedly struck by bullets from the SDF and/or PKK militia members stationed near the Al-Hafel water station in the town of Dhiban.

Naher Media was first to report about the incident, indicating that the civilians received injuries of varying severity. Bullets struck and killed 12-year-old Ahmed Ismail Al Khater Al-Khafaji and injured three others as they were attempting to return to Dhiban from Al-Mayadeen through the Euphrates River crossing, according to Shaam News, with Al Khater struck fatally.

According to Orient News and the report by Zaman al-Wasl referring to the local sources from the countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, the group had reportedly been displaced from the town a few days before due to fighting between members of the Arab tribes and the SDF forces happening in Dhiban.

A video posted by @Omar_Madaniah on Twitter/X social media platform showed Al Kater’s father stroking his son’s head as he lay on a bed after the attack and was being washed before the funeral. In other images, including one posted by @IdlibCallingSy, Al Khater lay on the floor in a soaked and torn shirt, his eyes nearly closed.

Where sources identified the belligerent, most local outlets, including Shaam News, attributed the attack to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). However, some other local sources, including Twitter/X user @alkhabour21, said the PKK was responsible, but both belligerents are a part of Kurdish militia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Ismail Al-Khater Al-Khafaji أحمد إسماعيل الخاطر الخفاجي
12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlfratNda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @IdlibCallingSy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ayn Al Aljazeera

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: D.Z.alaassd

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Tribal Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00033

Incident date

September 8, 2023

Location

عرب ويران, the village of Arab Wiran, east of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Friday, September 8, 2023, a civilian was injured as a result of artillery shelling of the village of Arab Wiran, east of Aleppo, allegedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or SDF militia.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that the shelling came from areas under the joint control of the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Civil Defense team inspected the places affected by the bombing to check the conditions of civilians and tweeted the image showing the aftermath of the attack.

According to Orient news’s correspondent Muhannad Al-Ali, the artillery shelling was carried out by Syrian regime forces, while Shaam news alleged that it was perpertrated by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Since the sources identified different belligerents as being responsible for the strike, Airwars has classified both Strike Status and Civilian Harm Status as Contested.

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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG 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 attacker
    YPG

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00032

Incident date

September 7, 2023

Location

قرية المحسنلي بريف منبج, village of Al-Mohsenli, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 7th September 2023, one civilian was killed and up to five others were injured by a reported missile strike by the Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of Al-Mohsenli in the Manbij countryside.

An initial Twitter post of the event, from user @Step_agency, identified four civilian injuries from the strike. Simultaneously, a tweet from @RadioAlKul reported one civilian death and one civilian injury.

However as further details have emerged it has been widely reported by a series of tweets and Facebook posts, including a tweet from @HalabTodayTV and a post by Syrtelevision, that one civilian was killed and five others were injured from the missile strike.

All reporting on the incident indicates that the Syrian Democratic Forces were responsible for the missile strike with no further details on the civilians harmed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00031

Incident date

September 7, 2023

Location

مخيم برشايا قرب بلدة قباسين, Barshaya camp near the town of Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 7 September 2023, a male civilian was reportedly killed and at least one civilian, a child, was injured by artillery shelling from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian regime in the Barshaya camp for displaced people located near the town of Qabasin.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, 36 year-old Abdul Sattar Muhammad al-Issa was killed by the shelling and his body was taken to Al-Bab City Hospital. Simultaneously, a news report from the Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) identified the young child to be the nephew of the young man who was killed, who was given medical treatment at the scene by civilians.

A series of tweets from the local area identify the injured child to be the son of Abdul Sattar Muhammad al-Issa. This includes a tweet from @qipqa identifying the child’s name as Karmo while Qasioun News provided the name of the child as Abdul Sattar. However, news reports from the following day, 8 September, from Rasd Syria identified the child to be the nephew of Abdul. According to @HalabTodayTV, “several civilians” were injured by the shelling.

The incident is part of major destruction to the displacement camp from artillery shelling, with @SN4HR named the camp as “Haso camp.”

The majority of sources referred to the shelling as coming from areas controlled by the SDF and the Syrian regime. However, sources such as @OrientNews directly attributed the civilian casualties to the SDF.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Sattar Muhammad al-Issa
36 years old male killed
Abdul Sattar Karmo
Child male Son or nephew of Abdul Sattar Muhammad al-Issa injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    YPG, Syrian Regime

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Blood from victims of alleged SDF shelling of Barshaya camp near the town of Qabasin on September 7, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage from alleged SDF shelling of Barshaya camp near the town of Qabasin on September 7, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage from alleged SDF shelling of Barshaya camp near the town of Qabasin on September 7, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage from alleged SDF shelling of Barshaya camp near the town of Qabasin on September 7, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • 36 year-old Abdul Sattar Muhammad al-Issa, killed by alleged SDF shelling of Barshaya camp near the town of Qabasin on September 7, 2023. (Image posted by @SN4HR)

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    YPG, Syrian Regime

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00030

Incident date

September 6, 2023

Location

الطيانة, residential neighborhoods in the town of Al Tayana, east of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at least one man named Abu Adham was injured by the mortar shelling of residential neignorhoods in the town of Al Tayana, east of Deir Ezzor, allegedly perpetrated by SDF or PYD militia. As reported by Al-Khabour correspondent, the injured man was displaced from the city of Al-Mayadeen.

Most local sources, including Deir Ezzor Radyo, mentioned that shelling resulted in the injuries of civilians. Abomosaab Sharkea media emphasized that there were not killed civialians, only wounded ones.

Where sources identified the belligerent, most of the sources attributed the strike to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia. According to the Facebook post by Alhadath, the shelling was carried out by SDF militias stationed on the outskirts of the town of Dhiban. Al-Khabour media and Twitter/X user @Aboody_hat indicated that shelling came from PYD/PKK militia, but both belligerents are a part of Kurdish militia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abu Adham أبو أدهم
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (11) [ collapse]

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
    1–2
  • 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
    YPG

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00029

Incident date

September 6, 2023

Location

قرب الصرف الصحي الفاصل بين الطيانة وذيبان, near the sewer pipe between Al Thayana and Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, a child was injured by the bullets allegedly coming from an SDF checkpoint near the sewer pipe separating the towns of Al-Tayana and Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor. The incident was reported by multiple local sources indicating that the child was from the town of Al-Tayana.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the shooting to Syrian Democratic Forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]