Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident date

June 24, 2020

Incident Code

ISSY012

LOCATION

الصبوره, Al Saboura, Hama, Syria

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a civilian was killed and others injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Saboura village in Hama countryside on June 24th, 2020 after midnight. The Observatory said “A civilian was killed and three others were wounded, as a result of the Israeli bombing of the village of Saboura

Summary

First published
June 24, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 belligerent
Israeli Military
Suspected target
Iranian military
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Incident Code

RS4454

LOCATION

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was allegedly killed and up to four others injured by a Syrian regime or Russian shelling on Al Muthanna IDP camp in the east of Sarmada, Idlib. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: “Syrian regime forces’ artillery fired shells on al Muthanna IDPs Camp, located in east of Sarmada city in the

Summary

First published
February 15, 2020
Last updated
February 24, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of injury / death
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), 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 belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 25, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM316

LOCATION

Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia

One senior Al Shabaab member was allegedly killed by US airstrike on Saakow. AFRICOM said in its press release: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab senior leader in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Aug. 25. The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed

Summary

First published
August 25, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1843

LOCATION

البوكمال , Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, the Violations Documentation Center reported on adult-male civilian killed by Russian forces in Abu Kamal. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
January 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CI476

LOCATION

near Mosul, Iraq, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an “NGO report”. According to the Coalition report: “71. Feb. 22, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that

Summary

First published
February 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

October 16, 2020

Incident Code

TS451

LOCATION

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Hatem Hazem, aged eight or 13 years old, died of injuries he sustained as a result of an alleged Turkey forces or Turkey-backed militants shelling on Ain Issa area and its camp, or the explosion of a mine according to local sources. Other eight civilians including a child and two men were also reported injured

Summary

First published
October 16, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Kurdish Forces
Suspected target
YPG/SDF
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS543

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Tabaqa, according to local reports. Step news agency and Ka’aka al A’nzi reported that the Coalition had carried out raids “near the workers’ residences in Tabaqa leading to a number of civilians being wounded”. According to Raqqa’s Rebels Brigade, “Coalition planes

Summary

First published
February 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM323

LOCATION

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

Two US airstrikes reportedly killed between eight and ten Al Shabaab fighters near Jilib. Garowe reported: “Amid plans to withdraw from Somalia, the US Africa Command conducted two airstrikes on Thursday in the Horn of Africa nation, killing at least eight Al-Shabaab commanders linked to the manufacturing of explosives besides coordinating attacks in the country.”

Summary

First published
December 10, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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
8–10
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2021

Incident Code

RS4313

LOCATION

سجن قرية القاسمية, Al Qasimia village prison , Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that between 20 and more than 30 prisoners were killed and others injured in alleged Russian, Iranian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al Qasimia village prison in Aleppo’s western countryside in Syria on January 17th, 2020. @yamenhm11 tweeted ” A massacre of more than 30 prisoners as a result of Russian

Summary

First published
January 17, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 30
Civilians reported injured
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2007

Incident Code

USSOM003-C

LOCATION

Xayo, Garer, Bankajirow and Badmadow, Ras Kambooni, Lower Juba, Somalia

Several people, possibly civilians, were left wounded as US airstrikes hit four towns near Ras Kamboni, including a terrorist training camp on Badmadow island, local and international media reported. Sources added that up to ten al Qaeda members were also killed. The strikes came just two days after the US-launched AC-130 attack in Ras Kamboni,

Summary

First published
January 9, 2007
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected belligerent
Ethiopian Military Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in East Africa
Belligerents reported killed
5–10
Belligerents reported injured
4–5
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-192

LOCATION

1000 وحدة سكنية, 1000 Housing Project, Surt, Libya

One civilian was allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on the 1,000 housing units in Sirte. According to Al Gadadiffa martyrs, “Yaza Omar, age unknown, was killed due to the indiscriminate shelling of 1,000 housing units.” NATO on that day reported hitting “1 command and control node, 1 infantry and anti-aircraft artillery staging area, 2

Summary

First published
October 1, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Known target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 15, 2015

Incident Code

USSOM039

LOCATION

Baardheere, Gedo, Somalia

A US drone strike allegedly killed “a senior commander and other members” of al Shabaab. Two or three people were reportedly killed by the drones – with an artillery barrage from Kenyan troops followed up the air attack according to the Los Angeles Times, and reportedly killing 50 ‘militants’. This was the first of six

Summary

First published
July 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Artillery
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerents
US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2–30
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS4018

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al Taman’a, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Al Taman’a in Idlib on August 13th, 2019. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

First published
August 13, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

July 20, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM079

LOCATION

Gaduud, Lower Juba, Somalia

On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal “is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities.” It therefore did not proactively release information

Summary

First published
July 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS599

LOCATION

السبخة, Sabka, Raqqa, Syria

Up to fourteen civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Sabka village, according to multiple local sources. The Shaam News Network was among sources reporting the injury of 10 civilians in a Coalition strike, while Syria News Desk put the number of wounded at 14.  

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
10–14
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

June 7, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-106

LOCATION

باب العزيزية‎ , Bab Al Aziziya, Tarabulus, Libya

At least 29 civilians were killed by NATO airstrikes on Tripoli, according to the Gaddafi regime. Al Jazeera noted at the time: “Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said that at least 29 people were killed in 60 air strikes targeting the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Tuesday evening, while Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi pledged in an

Summary

First published
June 7, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 29
(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.
Known belligerent
Gaddafi Forces
Known target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2056

LOCATION

وطبة, Watba, Idlib, Syria

Some civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian raid which struck Watba, Idlib, according to sources on the ground. There were no reports of civilian fatalities. Both reports blamed Russian warplanes for the strike. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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

January 18, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM115-C

LOCATION

Jameeco Jilyaale near Beled ul Amin, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US confirmed it had accompanied Somali troops in a mission that rescued 30 to 32 boys from an al Shabaab indoctrination centre in the Lower Shabelle region. However, during the rescue attempt, fire reportedly from Somali forces reportedly killed four or five children, and a teacher. A later US government FOIA response indicated that

Summary

First published
January 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(4–5 children1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Known belligerents
US Forces, Somali Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
4–5
Belligerents reported injured
6
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2021

Incident Code

R4299

LOCATION

الحمران, Al Hamran , Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians including a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer were killed, up to 42 others injured, and one civilian went missing as a result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling with surface to surface missiles on oil refinery stations in Tarhin and Hamran villages in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. The Syrian Civil Defence referred

Summary

First published
March 5, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–42
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2019

Incident Code

LC101a

LOCATION

درنة, Derna, Darnah, Libya

One woman was reportedly injured by indiscrimiate artillery shelling in the Old City of Derna. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) wrote in its report: “Since 2 February, fighting in the old city of Derna intensified, and reportedly resulted in substantial numbers of civilian casualties. While it remains impossible to

Summary

First published
February 2, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM152

LOCATION

Araara, Lower Juba, Somalia

Four al Shabaab fighters were killed as the US carried out a strike in Somalia in the vicinity of Araara, Lower Juba region, after partner forces came under attack from small arms fire, a US Africa Command press release stated. The press release called it a “collective self-defense airstrike.” No US service members were apparently

Summary

First published
October 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-215

LOCATION

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya

Between three and five men were killed in Sirte on November 13, 2011 when they were executed by rebels. A video posted by Echorouk Online on YouTube shows the bodied of at least three dead men and many others with weapons surrounding them.

Summary

First published
November 13, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(3–5 men)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM199

LOCATION

23 miles east of Belet Weyne, Hiiraan, Somalia

A confirmed US action, striking approximately 23 miles east of Beledweyne in the Hiran Region, killed 35 militants while no civilians were harmed, an AFRICOM statement asserted the next day. The airstrike targeted armed al Shabaab militants “as they were transitioning between locations in a rural area”, the US command said. Marine Corps Maj. Gen.

Summary

First published
February 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
35
View Incident

Incident date

April 8, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-064

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

On April 8th, a 20 month old baby boy and his grandmother were injured during crossfire between Gaddafi forces and rebel forces in Misurata. Amnesty reported on the injuries. Amnesty reports “‘Abderrabbo Fezzani, a 20-month-old baby boy, and his grandmother were injured when they were caught in the crossfire between al-Gaddafi forces and opposition fighters

Summary

First published
April 8, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

May 4, 2021

Incident Code

CS1958

LOCATION

الشنان, Al Shanan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one man was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition drone strike in al-Shanan village in eastern Deir Ezzor on May 4, 2021. While the majority of sources that reported on the incident claimed that the man killed was no longer part of any armed groups, a spokesman for the Coalition identified him as

Summary

First published
May 4, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2021

Incident Code

TS469

LOCATION

كالوتا, Kalota, Aleppo, Syria

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and three others were wounded in alleged Turkish strikes on Kalota village on June 5, 2021. A tweet from @RojavaIC reported that “a 13yo child, Zeynab Hussain Ibrahim Bento, died in Kalota village, Shehba, when her family house was hit by shells from Turkish-occupied Afrin.” In addition to

Summary

First published
June 5, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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 belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI651

LOCATION

near Mosul, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” by Human Rights Watch. According to the Coalition report, “83. April 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: After a review of available information it was

Summary

First published
April 18, 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

July 15, 2021

Incident Code

R4342

LOCATION

ابلين, Iblin, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians, including a woman and up to two children, were killed and two to five other civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured in alleged Russian or regime shelling of the village of Iblin on July 15, 2021. Shaam News reported that shelling “of a residential house

Summary

First published
July 15, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2021

Incident Code

R4353

LOCATION

بداما, Bidama, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians, including a woman and up to two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on the town of Bidama on July 24, 2021. According to Syrian Civil Defense, “a woman and her child were injured by artillery shelling by the regime and Russia forces targeting residential neighborhoods

Summary

First published
July 24, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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 20, 2018

Incident Code

TS098

LOCATION

شيا عفرين, Shya, Aleppo, Syria

Afrin Now reported that “the Turkish army, based in the city of Izzaz, bombed the villages of Belonya, Malikya, Villat Qadi and Barada, resulting in the wounding of workers with light injuries.” In a related event, the Red Crescent reported that a 45 year old civilian male it named as Ibrahem Khalil Muhammad was injured

Summary

First published
January 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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
Turkish Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident