Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident date

July 20, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-114

LOCATION

صرمان, Surman, Al Zawiyah, Libya

Between 13 and 19 civilians were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Surman. The New York Times published a detailed report of the event: “The Qaddafi government used the strike for propaganda purposes. It claimed as many as 19 civilians were killed and put up portraits of the victims across Tripoli. Khaled offered a

Summary

First published
June 20, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 19
(5 children4 women3 men)
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.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Known target
NATO forces
Named victims
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2018

Incident Code

CS1849

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 10 and 19 civilians were reported killed as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike at al Sha’afa. According to a tweet from @addouniatv, 10 civilians died resulting from the attack.  @DeirEzzor24 and Free Deir Ezzor Radio reported that as many as 18 civilians died. Most other sources put the death toll at 11 civilians,

Summary

First published
November 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 19
(5 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI414

LOCATION

المالية, Mosul, Maliyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that Coalition airstrikes bombed a house in Maliyah neighborhood, at the left side of Mosul during an operation to retake it. Up to 17 civilians were killed and five others injured, mostly women and children from the same family who were inside the house at the time of the strike. Iraqyoon spoke

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 19
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS431

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as 19 civilians died following reported Coalition airstrikes on an oil market in central Khisham. The Euphrates Post initially reported six civilian deaths though later raised this to 14 civilians killed: “Coalition aircraft targeted the oil market in the town today with several raids. The first raid – at dawn – did not

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 19
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1321

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between two and 19 civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on the Aleppo neighbourhood of al Ferdos, multiple sources reported – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. Photographs from various sources appeared to show five casualties. Sources were unclear on the number of casualties, though

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 19
(1–2 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI763

LOCATION

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Al-Taqwa Mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

Eight Iraqi police were accidentally injured and one or two killed following an airstrike, according to multiple sources. According to Yaqein, “a government source said in a statement that ‘the fourth regiment of the Ninewa Emergency Police headed to support the federal police in the area of ​​Wadi Akab in west Mosul, adding that as

Summary

First published
June 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(12–19 children1 man)
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS728

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Between 15 and 19 civilians died in an alleged airstrikes on a public bus in Palmyra,  according to local sources. According to Alarby, Homs Media Center and Shaam News, 15 died and 20 more were injured when Russian warplanes targeted a bus on the road from Palmyra to Raqqa. Eldorar reported that Russia continued to

Summary

First published
March 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 19
(1 woman8 men)
Civilians reported injured
20
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
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 31, 2016

Incident Code

CI270

LOCATION

كلية العلوم الاسلامية, Mosul, Faculty of Islamic Sciences at the University of Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

According to multiple reports, alleged night time or dawn Coalition strikes on homes in the vicinity of the Technical Institute and the Faculty of Islamic Sciences at the University of Mosul resulted in nearly 20 civilian fatalities. NRN said many civilian casualties from the brutal strikes came when fragments of the destroyed buildings struck nearby bystanders

Summary

First published
July 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 19
Civilians reported injured
10–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1498 RS2457

LOCATION

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Nine to 19 civilians, including an “entire family,” died following airstrikes on Mahkan, about 45km southeast of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US- led Coalition and others to Russian warplanes. There were no reports of wounded. According to Ortas, Coalition aircraft

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 19
(7 children1 woman1 man)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS1236

LOCATION

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 19 civilians including six children died and up to 50 more were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Tadef in Aleppo, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible: the majority blamed Russia (citing the use of cluster bombs), though there were also allegations against the Syrian regime

Summary

First published
September 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 19
(1–6 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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, Turkish Military
Named victims
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-028

LOCATION

الرجمة, Al Rajma, Benghazi, Libya

According to the Daily Telegraph, 19 civilians were killed after explosions in a munitions depot in Ar Rajma near Benghazi. It is unclear whether the incident was caused by an airstrike by the Gaddafi regime. The Telegraph wrote at the time: “The cause of the explosions was not immediately clear, although most local residents ruled

Summary

First published
March 4, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
26
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
Gaddafi Forces
Suspected targets
Libyan rebel forces, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1183

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Maarat al Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Between five and 19 civilians were killed, including two women and two to three children, and several others were injured from airstrikes that struck Maarat al-Naasan. Among those killed were seven members of the same family. Following the airstrikes, the civil defense teams were mobilized to rescue those trapped in the rubble and transport them

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 19
(2–3 children2 women)
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

January 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI425

LOCATION

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, al-Jadid, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “In the afternoon of 14 January, airstrikes reportedly targeted the house of an ISIL local leader in the Mosul al Jadida neighbourhood of western Mosul. The attack resulted in the collapse of the targeted house

Summary

First published
January 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(4 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1545

LOCATION

معربو, Ma'arbo, Idlib, Syria

In a major civilian casualty incident, between ten and 18 civilians were killed, including 13 children, and up to 40 more people were injured by air and/or artillery strikes targeting the town of Ma’arbo in the southern countryside of Idlib, according to local media. Activist Ayman al-Hussein told ARA News that “at least ten civilians

Summary

First published
November 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 18
(13 children)
Civilians reported injured
7–40
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

October 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2580

LOCATION

البوليل, Al-Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between ten and 18 civilians were killed, including at least one woman, during aerial shelling of al-Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, local sources reported, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Many sources reported simultaneously about airstrikes in both the towns of al-Bouleil and Toub that day, reporting a total of

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 18
(1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1517

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Between two and 18 civilians including one child and up to four women died and as many as 50 others were wounded in airstrikes on Saraqib, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the event. The lowest estimate of

Summary

First published
November 2, 2016
Last updated
December 21, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 18
(1 child2–4 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–50
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
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

March 15, 2018

Incident Code

TS276

LOCATION

ترينيدة, Trinide village or Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

At least five civilians including three children and two women died in alleged Turkish artillery and/or air strikes on Afrin, local media in Syria reported – though there was some uncertainty about the location. Rudaw put the death toll as high as 18. According to Hawar, the Turkish occupation planes bombed the village of Trinide

Summary

First published
March 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 18
(3 children2 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS774

LOCATION

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to 18 civilians including two children died in airstrikes on Al Kalassa, according to local sources. While most blamed the regime, others alleged that Russia was responsible. At least eight died when “suspected Russian warplanes missiles” fired on the neighborhood, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. In a later report it put

Summary

First published
April 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 18
(2 children)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS070

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Eighteen civilians were killed in heavy airstrikes on Talbiseh, all from the Aloush and Swais families. Nine children were among the dead following at least three air raids. Graphic footage shows bombs being dropped in the centre of the town, followed by desperate rescue operations. Opinion was divided on whether the attacks were by Russian

Summary

First published
October 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(9 children5 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
18 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS749

LOCATION

شارع فلسطين, Tabaqah, Palestine Street, Raqqa, Syria

Eighteen civilians including 11 children and three women, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Filastin Palestine Street, Al Tabaqa. There is, however, uncertainty about the date ofthe incident: Mohab Nasser puts it at April 28th and eyewitnesses told Human Rights Watch that the attack happened in late April. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
January 21, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(11 children3 women)
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
18 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1338

LOCATION

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and 18 civilians  – six or seven of whom were reportedly from the same family – were killed in airstrikes in the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. While the majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, both the Shaam news Network and LCCSY, referred to “Russian and

Summary

First published
September 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 18
(6 children1 woman1 man)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI140

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Between 7 and 12 civilians were reported killed following an alleged Coalition strike on the Directorate of Agriculture in Mosul. A further 28 to 39 people were reported injured. The incident took place in the Al Faisaliah area of eastern Mosul, and according to reports, most if not all of those killed had no links

Summary

First published
November 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 18
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
28–39
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS875

LOCATION

حي الشعار, Al Bayan hospital, Al Shia'ar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and 18 civilians died and dozens more were injured when strikes hit the Al Shia’ar neighborhood in Aleppo, including Al Bayan hospital – with doctors, patients and members of the White Helmets among the casualties. The incident looks to have been carried out by the Syrian regime – with the majority of the

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 18
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI463

LOCATION

مدينة الطب, Mosul, Medical City Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq

Several sources claimed that civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on a medical complex in western Mosul. While Iraqi Spring and Raedlay spoke of 18 dead and 47 wounded, News of Iraq reported the death of a child in a video. The Coalition confirmed to have carried out the strike, but did not state any

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
47
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS821

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A child was among at least three civilians killed – with others injured – in two alleged Russian airstrikes or regime artillery or helicopter strikes on the Al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo. Shaam News Network published images from the neighborhoods of Al Sakhour and Tareeq al Bab following what it said were Russian strikes. According

Summary

First published
May 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 18
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–18
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1350

LOCATION

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between ten and 18 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo. IranArabSpring also reported the death of one man as a result of cluster bombs and posted a picture of him. LCCSY reported ten civilians dead and others wounded. Syrian Press Center added that

Summary

First published
September 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 18
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2074

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Up to 18 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime – though the majority of sources pointed to Russia. Four rockets were allegedly fired at one residential building,

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 18
(2–13 children4–7 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1429b

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Some of the names in this incident were initially reported by several sources under incident number CS1429a (Amjad Ahmed Taha Al-Suwairi, Mohammed Ayman Sweiri and Ahmad Taha Al-Omar Al Suweiri). During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field researchers were

Summary

First published
August 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(5 children1 woman1 man)
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI093

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed that a Coalition airstrike aimed at an ISIL vehicle instead hit nearby celebrations, killing 18 people including three medics. One was later named as dentist Dr. Samir Ibrahim while the UN noted that a father and child died in the reported event. According to NINA, the deaths occurred when a missile accidentally

Summary

First published
August 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(1 child1 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-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1050

LOCATION

النور, Al Nour, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that 18 civilians were killed and 10 others were injured following alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes and possible SDF mortar attacks in the Al Nour neighbourhood, near the Al Nour Mosque, in the northeast of Raqqa. All 12 sources who reported the incident alleged that a combination of Coalition airstrikes and

Summary

First published
June 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(2 children2 women)
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, Syrian Democratic Forces
View Incident