Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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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

YS047

Incident date

October 15, 2019

Location

الراعي , Al Ra'i, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.612757, 37.449481 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and three civilians were injured after alleged SDF shelling on the outskirts of Al Ra’i city in the northern countryside of Aleppo on October 15th 2019, according to local sources.

Justice Organization reported that Fouad Al Mustafa, brother of the head of interim government Abdul Rahman Al Mustafa, was killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fouad Al Mustafa فؤاد المصطفى
Adult male brother of head of the interim government Abdul Rahman al Mustafa killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fouad Al Mustafa was killed in an alleged SDF artillery strike on the outskirts of Al Ra'i on October 15th 2019 (via Justice Organization).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an unnamed area in the outskirts of Al Ra’i ( الراعي ) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Ra’i are: 36.612757, 37.449481.

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
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS080

Incident date

December 3, 2019

Location

اعزاز, Azaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.585559, 37.051789 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, one woman was reported killed and 15 other civilians including 8 children and 2 women were injured in alleged YPG shelling on Azaz, Aleppo in Syria on December 3rd, 2019.

The woman killed was identified as Zalikha Ahmed Kasaiba, 36 years old.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zalikha Ahmed Kasaiba زليخة أحمد كسيبة
36 years old female killed
Hussein Haj Suleiman حسين حج سليمان
5 years old male injured
Ahmed Hilal أحمد هلال
5 years old male injured
Mahmoud Najjar محمود نجار
32 years old male injured
Hussein 'Abdul Hamid al-Ali حسين عبدالحميد العلي
15 years old male injured
Zeinab Sheikho زينب شيخو
45 years old female injured
Mohammed Dromi محمد درومي
26 years old injured
Zakaria Abdo Karaz زكريا عبدو كرز
20 years old male injured
Mohammed 'Abdo Karaz محمد عبدو كرز
23 years old male injured
Abdulaziz Salama عبدالعزيز سلامة
15 years old male injured
Diala Hilal ديالا هلال
25 years old female injured
Mohammed Khaled Bzara محمد خالد بزارة
20 years old male injured
Ahmed Seraj Ali أحمد سراج علي
16 years old male injured
Abdulwahab Al-Essa عبدالوهاب العيسى
10 years old male injured
Yahya Shadouh يحيى شادوح
2 years old male injured
Wafaa Shadouh وفاء شادوح
16 years old female injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • One woman killed and seven including two women injured. (via SCD)
  • Aftermath of an alleged YPG mortar shelling on Azaz (via Halab Today)
  • A child injured in alleged YPG shelling on Azaz (via Syria TV).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Azaz (اعزاز), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.585559, 37.051789. 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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS116

Incident date

September 7, 2021

Location

الشيخ ناصر, Al Sheikh Nasser, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52484, 37.68642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured and livestock were killed in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or regime artillery shelling of Al Sheikh Nasser village on September 7, 2021.

The Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) reported that a civilian was injured in Al Sheikh Nasser village by artillery shells coming from an area controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and regime forces. Zaman Al Wasl that the civilian’s injuries were to varying degrees.

Images posted by SCD show a cow that was killed in the strikes along with extensive property damage. @HalabTodayTV also reported that in addition to the civilian that was injured, a number of livestock were killed.

The Nedaa Post correspondent reported that “the Syrian Civil Defense teams in the Al-Bab area in the countryside of Aleppo provided first aid to the injured and secured the place after the shelling stopped.”

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes, with some sources only referring to the sources as originating from areas controlled by the SDF while others attributed the strikes directly to the SDF.

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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building caused by strikes on Sheikh Nasser village on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A cow killed by strikes on Sheikh Nasser village on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage to a building caused by strikes on Sheikh Nasser village on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sheikh Nasser (الشيخ ناصر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.52484,37.68642 . Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS148

Incident date

August 18, 2022

Location

مارع, Marea, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.482059, 37.197487 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed as a result of contested Syrian regime forces or Syrian Democratic Forces action on August 18th 2022 on the outskirts of Marea city, Al Bab, Aleppo.  Sham reported that “a number of civilians” were also wounded.

Sham reported that the civilian killed was identified as Muhammad Diaa Nasser, and was a young man.  According to Radio Al Kul, the missile hit his car and killed him instantly.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Diaa Nasser
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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, YPG

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • One civilian was reportedly killed as a result of contested Syrian regime and SDF action on August 18th 2022 (Image via @Damaspost2 / Twitter)
  • One civilian was reportedly killed as a result of contested Syrian regime and SDF action on August 18th 2022 (Image via @Damaspost2 / Twitter)
  • One civilian was reportedly killed as a result of contested Syrian regime and SDF action on August 18th 2022 (Image via @Damaspost2 / Twitter)
  • One civilian was reportedly killed as a result of contested Syrian regime and SDF action on August 18th 2022 (Image via @Damaspost2 / Twitter)
  • Muhammad Zia Omar was killed reportedly by Syrian regime or SDF forces on August 18th 2022 in Marea (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • Muhammad Zia Omar was killed reportedly by Syrian regime or SDF forces on August 18th 2022 in Marea (Image via SCD / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Marea ( مارع), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.482059, 37.197487. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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, YPG

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF00013

Incident date

September 1, 2023

Location

جديد_بكارة, Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 15 year old child named Raed Muhammad Al-Zaid was killed on the 1st of September 2023, after a rocket propelled grenade was dropped by a drone allegedly controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the village of Jadid Bakara in the Deir Ezzor eastern countryside. Sources across local news and social media corroborated the information, attributing the strikes to the SDF.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Raed Muhammad Al-Zaid رائد محمد الزيد
15 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A 15 year old named Raed Muhammad Al-Zaid was killed by by a missile allegedly fired from a drone by the SDF in Jadid Bakara on September 1, 2023. (Image posted by @nahermedia)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]