Israeli Military in Syria & the Gaza Strip

Israeli Military in Syria & the Gaza Strip

A child uses his mobile device in the ruins of a building in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip on May 26th 2021. © Mohamed Zaanoun

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Incident Code

RS1207

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Location

Souran, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.2906196, 36.7492737 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 30 civilians including 11 children died in airstrikies on Souran, Al-Lataminah, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

According to Roiraqro and Wesal_TV 10 people from the same family died when their car was hit by a strike. The sources didn’t apportion blame.

However, Orient pointed to regime warplanes, adding that most of the victims were children and women.

According to the pro-Assad website Albosleh, “warplanes targeted a number of terrorist cars on the Tayba Al-imam, Halfaya and Al-Lataminah roads and killed most of the terrorists”.

But SND attributed the strike to Russia, reporting that “Russian warplanes targeted buses carrying people from the city to the town of Al-Lataminah Soran, killing seven civilians, including children, and wounded several others”.

But in a subsequent report, SND appeared to point towards the regime, saying that “14 civilians were killed and others were injured, all from the same family, by regime warplanes in several raids on vehicles carrying people who werre fleeing from Soran town toward safer areas on the road to Al-Lataminah”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, also blaming the regime, put the death toll at 14 including 11 children and two women.

However, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll climbed as high as 30 including 10 children and six women.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul-Aziz Mohammed Makhlouf
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 30
  • (11 children2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic photograph of one of the deceased civilian children in Souran - the human cost of alleged warplane shelling (via Orient)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Charred boned and body parts - the impact of alleged warplane shelling on Souran (via Orient)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 30
  • (11 children2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI727

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.346741, 43.118997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that seventy civilians were killed or injured as a result of artillery and missile shelling on several neighborhoods in West Mosul. While two sources said it was the work of the Iraqi government, @Sonawa1 mentioned ‘shelling’ in general.

Presently no further details are known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near west Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 20th-21st: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, eight medium machine guns, four rocket-propelled grenade systems, an ISIS fuel truck, a vehicle, an ISIS trailer, an ISIS staging area, and an artillery system; and damaged 18 ISIS supply routes and a fighting position.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS477 RS1881

Incident date

February 7, 2017

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major airstrike on Idlib city killed up to 30 civilians and injured up to 300 more. Reports blamed both Russia and the US-led Coalition for the attack. The Coalition has expressly denied any involvement – though a unilateral US action remains possible.

The attack – which reportedly involved both airstrikes and missiles – caused massive casualties. However attribution was accused. Most blamed Russia – including Idlib Media Center, LCCSY, Halab Today, Step News, Shaam News, Idlib Media Centre, the Syrian Network and Al Araby.

Others said both the Coalition and Russia were responible – including Syria News, Baladi News, the Syrian Observatory and Al Jazeera. All for Syria was alone in blaming the Assad regime – though a later report went on to blame Russia and the Coalition – while the White Helmets did not attribute responsibility.

Complicating attribution, Russia later denied any role in the attack.

A later video by Halab Today referred to destruction caused by both “Russian and Coalition” warplanes.

Syria News Desk also reported that the warplanes were “believed to belong to Russia and the Coalition”.

Step reported: “Our correspondent pointed out that among the Russian raids were two raids by the international coalition which targeted Sheikh Abu Al Qassem al Muhajer who is a member of Haiat Tahrir al Sham [formerly Fatah al Sham Front] injuring him. He was rescued from under the rubble.”

Baladi went further, reporting that “We received from the observatories the information which is semi confirmed that there was coordination between the coalition and Russian planes. This was what the observatories confirmed.”

Alaraby reported that Russian warships and warplanes were responsible.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “it is not known whether they were Russian warplanes or warplanes of the international coalition, or if they were a combination of both.”

In its May 2017 report the Coalition denied responsibility: “Feb. 7, 2017, near Idlib, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was 90 km away.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Sham Fakher Abd al Razzak Fadil
Child killed
Tasnim Fakher Abd al Razzak Fadil
Child female killed

Family members (5)

Raghad Hassan Abd al Rahman
Age unknown female killed
Hala Hassan Abd al Rahman
Child female killed
Jana Hassan Abd al Rahman
Child female killed
Hussein Dibo Abd al Rahman
Age unknown male killed
Nour Hassan Abd al Rahman
Age unknown

Family members (2)

Amal Mohammad Ali Mheir
Age unknown female From Binnish killed
Jamila Mohammad Ali Mheir
Age unknown female From Binnish killed

Family members (2)

Lana Mohammad Gharir
Age unknown female killed
Jana Mohammad Gharir
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Hanan al Omar Moussa
Child female killed
Rim Mouayid Martini
Age unknown female killed
Leila Al A’ri
Age unknown female Muslim al Zeir's wife killed
Mouna Hajj Othman
Age unknown female killed
Bassel Koki
Child male killed
Ibrahim al Zeir
Child male killed
Souad Arab
Age unknown female Muslim al Zeir's mother killed
Arij al Zeiz
Age unknown female Muslim al Zeir's daughter killed
Alaa Mheimid
Age unknown female killed
Mohammad Jamal Gharir
Age unknown male killed
Noura Abd al Dayem
Age unknown female killed
Mohammad Maher Shihab
Child male killed
Moayid Bin Wahid Martini
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 30
  • (12–15 children10–11 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–300
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown, Russian Military

Sources (64) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • Destruction from the air strike (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction from the air strike (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction from the air strike (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction from the air strike (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civil Defence workers at the scene of the strike (via Syria Civil Defence Idlib )
  • Destruction due to the air strike (via Syria Civil Defence Idlib )
  • Civil Defence workers at the scene of the strike (via Syria Civil Defence Idlib)
  • Translation: My daughters murdered by Putin’s airstrikes - saying googdbye to her two daughter [Tasnim and Sham] after Russian raids on the city of Idlib.
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Rescue workers at the scene (via Idlib White Helmets)
  • Translation: The signs of raids by warplanes on the city of Idlib.
  • Translation: Pulling the wounded and martyrs from under the rubble after warplanes bombed Idlib last night. Mother calling out to her daughter Sham, says "oh my oldest girls, the love of your father." The civil defence are asking her to come out and take her daughters out.
  • Translation: Civil defence teams continue to look for those missing under the rubble following the violent raids on Idlib.
  • Translation: Idlib - martyrs and wounded in intense Russian raids on the city’s neighbourhoods.
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Idlib, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was 90 km away.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 6th-8th the Coalition reported no strikes in Idlib governorate. However unilateral US strikes are no longer reported by CJTFOIR.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 30
  • (12–15 children10–11 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–300
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown, Russian Military

Sources (64) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS813

Incident date

May 13, 2017

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0089089, 39.0964794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 30 civilians including seven children died and between 23 and 45 more were injured in a major casualty event on a refugee camp in Al-Hashem and Shanina, according to local sources. While most reports blamed the US-led Coalition, one also mentioned Kurdish artillery.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published “pictures of the martyrs and wounded, mostly children, as a result of the bombing of coalition forces and the artillery of the Kurdish militias on the area of Hashem and the outskirts of the town of Shanina north of the city of Al-Raqqa.”

Ahmad al Hamad was named as a victim of a Coalition raid by Al Ragga Truth.

Death counts varied. According to Shaam, three civilians died, while Syrianpc put the death count at four: “a man, his wife and their son, in addition to the martyrdom of ‘Abdullah Muhammad al-Fayyad, 14 years old, and the injury of his entire family”.

Zaman Alwasl reported that “Islamic State media published testimony of a doctor from a hospital in Raqqa, who confirmed the killing of seven children and wounding of 30 more children, along with 15 women, in an aerial bombardment and US artillery strikes on the villages of Shanina and Mazra’at al-Rashid in the northern Rifqa.”

Al Ragga Truth, also attributing the event to Coalition jets, put the death toll as high as 30 – all members of the family of Abu al Hana from al Bu Hmeid.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, seven children died in the strike. Although it is important to note that this report pinpointed the date of the incident at May 12th, whereas most other sources mention May 13th as the date of the airstrike.

An Amnesty International report released in August, 2017 also identified May 12th as the date of the incident. According to the report, a series of air strikes killed 31 family members in Shannina, targeting “simple agricultural structures” where Internally Displaced Persons were sheltering. Relatives who had survived the airstrike stated to the Amnesty researchers that the bombardments started at 8pm and continued until 4am.

One of the survivors told Amnesty International: “The bombs killed many children, small children aged few months to six years.” The survivors had identified some of the victims of the airstrike, but only mentioned the first names to the field researchers: Iman, her husband and their four-year-old son Haitham; her mother-in-law Noura; Fadda along with six children; one of them was a baby boy born four days earlier and not yet named; Fadda’s sister and husband and three of their four children; Sumaya; Jamal along with his two daughters, and his mother Fatima, his brother Mousa and his two-year-old son Mahmoud; Mohammed and his son and daughter, aged four and six; Amina and her husband and their little girl, and Amina’s sister, Shaha, and her husband and their two young children; Mohammed Nasser, aged 60.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Iman
Adult male Mother killed
Haitham
4 years old male Son killed
Noura
Adult female Mother-in-law of Iman killed

Family members (4)

Jamal
Adult male Son killed
Fatima
Adult female Mother killed
Mousa
Adult male Son killed
Mahmoud
2 years old male Mousa's son killed

Family members (2)

Amina
Adult female Shaha's sister killed
Shaha
Adult female Amina's sister killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al Hamad
Age unknown male killed
Abdullah Muhammad al-Fayyad
14 years old male killed
Abu al Hana
Adult male killed
Fadda
Adult female killed
Sumaya
Adult female killed
Mohammed
Adult male killed
Mohammed Nasser
60 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 30
  • (7–14 children7 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–45
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child allegedly killed in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children allegedly killed in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child allegedly injured in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child allegedly injured in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another child allegedly killed in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another child allegedly injured in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children allegedly killed in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another child allegedly injured in the strike (via RBSS)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 12th-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a front-end loader, an ISIS crane, and a house-born improvised explosive device.”

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 30
  • (7–14 children7 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–45
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1720

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.74226, 40.76953 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported the death of eleven civilians and seven or more wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra village, northwest of the town of Hajin.

A tweet from @BassamJaara was the only source with an estimated tally of more than 30 casualties, claiming that: “More than 30 people, mostly children and women, were killed by US air strikes on the village of Al-Bahra northwest of the Hajeen city of Deir Al-Zour yesterday.” A tweet by @CkmKZSiHpiYW0c1 mentioned “dozens” of civilians were injured by an “aerial bombardment of international coalition”.

Most other sources however, reported instead eleven slain and seven injured civilians – with some reports specifically mentioning “US airstrikes”.

According to a number of local reports, the strikes hit a hospital in the rural town. This was later also noted by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which said that the airstrikes rendered the makeshift hospital inoperable.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

In May 2019, the Coalition appear to have re-assessed this allegation, still resulting in a non-credible assessment. Their report noted, “after a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Photo of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra (via Ahmad Al Shbli).
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on a hospital in Al Bahra (via Ahmad Al Shbli).
  • A stills image from an ISIS proaganda video said to show Coalition strikes on al Bahra February 2nd 2018
  • Image from the SNHR published by Bellingcat showing the aftermath of an alleged coalition attack on a hospital in al-Bahra in Deir Ezzor on February 2nd, 2018.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Stated location
    near al-Bahra, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU619458
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • Feb. 2, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

  • Feb. 2, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 2nd the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 2 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS targets.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1122 CS292

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty event, between 13 and 30 civilians were killed and up to 70 more injured from airstrikes from either a Russian or a Coalition strike on al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa City. Both belligerents report bombing in the area.

Raqaa is Being Slaughtered initially reported on the morning of August 11th: “Wael Haj Hussein martyred and his father injured in coalition raids last night on al Idkhar.”

However it later reported “Shawkat Jajan al Zayid and his daughter martyred following Russian raids on al Idkhar neighbourhood midnight last night.”

Many sources attributed the airstrikes to Russian aircraft, specifically “10 Russian warplanes that launched 12 airstrikes against Raqqa and surrounding areas.”

Following the strikes, Russia published a statement saying that six warplanes bombed Raqqa and surrounding areas, and the Russian Defence Ministry posted a video showing the planes launching and dropping bombs on Raqqa.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, the airstrikes targeted al-Taj hall, the al-Ferdosia area, the Brigade 17 area, a state security building, and the water pumping station in al Kassrat. Then areas effected were identified as those under the control of ISIS by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

@syriamubasher reported that “at least two people died – in an initial count – dozens more were wounded (including cases of amputations and other serious injuries) when Russia carried out more than a dozen airstrikes in Raqqa city. The raids resulted in water being cut off to entire districts of the city and widespread destruction of buildings and public facilities”.

Photos published by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently showed the collapse of buildings and houses as a result of the strikes. They also included very graphic images of dead children.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Shawkat Jajan al Zayid
Age unknown named by RBSS killed
Daughter of Shawkat Jajan al Zayid
Child female named by RBSS killed

Family members (2)

Adnan al Nimr
Age unknown male named by RBSS killed
Hatem Adnan al Nimr
Age unknown male named by RBSS killed

Family members (2)

Abdoulkarim Awad Shlash
Age unknown male named by RBSS killed
Alysar Awad Shlash
Child female named by RBSS killed

The victims were named as:

Yasser Mohammad Sabah al Dibba
Age unknown male named by RBSS killed
Khaled Ismail al Duwaiji
Age unknown male named by RBSS killed
Ahmad al Sagheer
Age unknown male named by RBSS killed
man from Al Haj al Hussein family
Age unknown male named by RBSS killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 30
  • (3 children1–2 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–70
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (31) [ collapse]

  • Clouds of smoke above Raqqa following alleged Russian airstrikes on Aug 11th (via RBSS)
  • An image depicting the exact moment the alleged Russian raid hit. (via, RBSS)
  • An image depicting the exact moment the alleged Russian raid hit. (via, RBSS)
  • The aftermath of the alleged incident on Raqqa, on 11th August 2016. (via, RBSS)
  • The aftermath of the alleged incident on Raqqa, on 11th August 2016. (via, RBSS)
  • The aftermath of the alleged incident on Raqqa, on 11th August 2016. (via, RBSS)
  • The aftermath of the alleged incident on Raqqa, on 11th August 2016. (via, RBSS)
  • The aftermath of the alleged incident on Raqqa, on 11th August 2016. (via, RBSS)
  • The aftermath of the alleged incident on Raqqa, on 11th August 2016. (via, RBSS)
  • Mohammad Shawkat Jajan al Zayid, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously graphic image of a child killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via, RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously graphic image of a child killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via, RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously graphic image of a child killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via, RBSS)
  • Yasser Mohammad Sabah al Dibba, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, RBSS)
  • Abdoulkarim Awad Shlash And his girl Alysar Awad Shlash, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, SN4HR)
  • Adnan Al Nimr, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, SN4HR)
  • Hatim Adnan Al Nimr, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, SN4HR)
  • Khaled Ismail Al Doehi, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of the incident in Raqqa. (via, Alhurra)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A seriously injured or deceased civilian being lifted from the rubble following an alleged raid on Raqqa. (via, JisirTV)
  • MBC news reporting 30 killed in alleged Russian raids on Raqqa. 11th August 2016
  • SN4HR reporting at least 21 dead in alleged regime or 'allies' raids on Raqqa on August 11th 2016
  • @Syriamubashar reports a massacre in Raqqa. 11th August 2016
  • RFS Media reports 27 dead and 55 injured in alleged Russian raids on Raqqa. 11th August 2016
  • Al Jisr TV reports 27 dead in alleged Russian strikes on Raqqa. 11th August 2016.
  • Syrian Press Centre reports 20 dead and 50 injured in alleged Russian strikes on Raqqa. 11th August 2016
  • Syrian revolution account reports more than 25 dead and 50 injured in alleged Russian strikes on Raqqa city. 11th August 2016
  • Amawi news reports 20 dead and 50 injured in alleged Russian raids on Raqqa. 11th August 2016
  • Amawi news reports rising casualties in alleged Russian raids on Raqqa with 30 dead. 11th August 2016
  • Al Jazeera breaking reports more than 20 dead in alleged Russian strikes on Raqqa. 11th August 2016
  • RBSS reports that a man from Al Haj al Hussein family died due to injuries he sustained in the 11th August raids on al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa city. 27th August 2016

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On August 11th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that, "six Tu-22M3 long-range bombers took off from the territory of the Russian Federation and carried out concentrated strikes with high-explosive fragmentation munitions on objects of the ISIS terrorist grouping located to the south-east, north, and north-west regions from the Raqqah city. A large weaponry, ammunition and POL storage located near the Raqqah city, a plant producing chemical munitions located in the north-western suburbs of the city, and a large ISIS terrorists’ training camp have been destroyed by the aviation strike." Further to this they added that "Terrorists have suffered significant material damage. A lot of insurgents have been eliminated." According to the report the bombers took off from Hmeymim airbase.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Aug. 11, 2016, in Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3028/CS292 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 10th-11th 2016, the Coalition reported no strikes at Raqqa. However for August 11th-12th the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIL excavator.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 30
  • (3 children1–2 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–70
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS993

Incident date

July 12, 2016

Location

Al Hadlat camp, near Al Hammad, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

32.857888, 37.820134 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes on Al Hadlat camp for displaced persons which reportedly killed up to 30 civilians. The camp is on the border near Al Hammad, in the Hammad Desert.

Saeed Seif, a media activist in Badiyat Sham (Sham Desert), reported that there were more than seven raids on the camp, which used cluster bombs and injured up to 40 people.

Syria Direct claimed that there were five Russian raids which killed 17 civilians  – including women and children – and “wounded others”. Khaberni News placed the numbers of wounded higher at 50, as did the Syrian Newsdesk.

Many of the wounded were taken to Jordanian hospitals for medial treatment.

According to Syrian Newsdesk, “it was very difficult to transport the injured towards the Jordanian border, due to the continued flight of the Russian aviation over the area.”

Multiple sources reported the use of missiles and cluster bombs on the camp.

Against Terrorism said  that more than 20 people were killed in the raids, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the figure at 30 including 2 children.

Khaberni News claimed that “the camp hosts the family of fighters who are working against IS and are supported by the coalition.” The majority of the residents of the displaced camp were originally from Dier Ezzor and had escaped from ISIS control. LCCSY also reported that there were more than 350 families in the camp and most of them were the families of rebels.

The Reuters Report claimed that this was the first attack of its kind near the Jordanian border.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sanna Ali Jakka
Age unknown killed
Anas Mohammad
Age unknown killed
Ranjiha al Alian
Age unknown killed
Sham Hasan al Matar
Age unknown killed
Ismail Mohammad al Kahhal
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Jordanian soldiers take the wounded from the camp near its borders to its hospitals. July 12th 2016, Al Hadlat camp.
  • A Russian warplane allegedly attacked the displaced persons camp near Al-Hammad (Youtube via SMO)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A bloodied child - the aftermath of suspected Russian shelling on Al Hammad (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded or potentially dead child - the aftermath of suspected Russian shelling on Al Hammad (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian child cries whilst laying on the floor - the aftermath of suspected Russian shelling on Al Hammad (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia is not known to have publicly reported on the locations of any airstrikes during July 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1133

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven named civilians died and up to 50 more were wounded in multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Raqqa, according to local media.

According to @lebanon4_com, 30 civilians died in the Russian strikes, though the Violations Documentation Center put the number at seven. @DoumaRevolution added that 50 more civilians were wounded in 12 raids.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adnan al-Nimr
Adult male killed
Hatem Adnan al-Nimr
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Yaser Mohammad Sabah al-Dabbe
Adult male killed
Khaled Ismael al-Dwaihi
Adult male killed
Mohammad Shawkat Jaijan al-Zayed
Adult male killed
Ahmad al-Sagheer
Adult male killed
daughter of Mohammad Shawkat Jaijan al-Zayed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 30
  • (1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Yaser Mohammad Sabah al-Dabbe, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 12th August 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Adnan al-Nimr, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 12th August 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Hatem Adnan al-Nimr, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 12th August 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Shawkat Jaijan al-Zayed, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 12th August 2016. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    daughter of Mohammad Shawkat Jaijan al-Zayed, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 12th August 2016. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 12th – 13th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 30
  • (1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]