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

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

Incident Code

TS365a

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.655309, 40.372388 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, one civilian aged 58 was injured in an alleged Turkish forces attack on Tal Tamr in Hasaka governorate – Syria on October 24th, 2019. No more details currently available.

@DrMWilk reported that “four seriously injured people” were brought to the hospital in Tal Tamr.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal Tamr (تل تمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.655309, 40.372388. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1936

Incident date

November 8, 2019

Location

خبيرة, Khubeirah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.50109, 40.652545 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three tents were reportedly bombed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Khabira area in the northeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It is unclear how many people died in this event.

The Observatory reported that “the tents were set up about a week ago by people who claimed to be hunters, and the targeting killed all those who were in the tents”.

Kurdistan Peace Movement in Syria reported: “The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the planes of the international coalition after midnight Friday-Saturday targeted three tents in the area of Khabra in Badia Deir Ezzor northeast. The observatory said that the tents were erected about a week ago by people who claimed to be fishermen.”

In their August 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 incident was first reported on November 8, 2019 at 6:55 pm by Step News Agency.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike within the desert of Khubeirah (خبيرة), northeast from the city of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور). Some sources mention Khubeirah to be located east of Al Suwar subdistrict (ناحية الصور), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.50109, 40.652545. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    37SFV498298
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • Nov. 8, 2019, near Khabira, 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. 3133/CS1936 37SFV498298

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI209

Incident date

March 27, 2016

Location

وادي حجر, Wadi Hajar (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.32061, 43.12801 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Wadi Hajar to the south of Mosul, as a major military offensive to clear Nineveh of Daesh continued.

According to NRN News, jets from the US-led alliance targeted the Daesh-held village which also led to civilian casualties.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes near Qayyarah that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising from scene of a reported Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)
  • Another picture shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)
  • An image shows an injured child followed an alleged Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)
  • An image shows an injured child followed an alleged Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)
  • An image shows an injured child followed an alleged Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun position, an ISIL anti-air artillery piece and two ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL mortar position and two ISIL tactical units”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4172

Incident date

November 15, 2019

Location

الضهر, Marj al-Dahr, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 15th 2019, at least one person was killed and two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime strike in the village of Marj al-Dahr, near the city of Jisr al-Shughur in the Western countryside of Idlib, local media such as Media Idlib reported.

Various local sources named the woman killed in the strike as Waad Sharif. The same sources reported that the civilians injured were a male and a female called Muhammad Sharif and Shahnaz Sharif. While other news sources cited that the injured were a man and a woman, Orient News mentions that they were two children from the same family.

Although there was almost complete consensus around the death of Waad Sharif, Zaman Al Wasi News instead reported that ‘a child was killed and two people, one of them a woman, were injured’.

The casualties were as a result of “artillery shelling by the Russian militias”, according to various news sources, for example Nedaa Syria, but others, such as Shahba Press attribute them to “Assad forces’ shelling with rocket launchers”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Waad Sharif
Age unknown female killed
Muhammad Sharif
Age unknown male while some sources noted the injured were children from the same family, others were less clear about this status, only describing the injured as a 'man and a woman' injured
Shahnaz Sharif
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (0–1 children1 woman)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Media Idlib reports of those injured from the airstrike that hit Dahr al-Marj on November 15th 2019.
  • A woman was killed and another man and woman were injured, today, Friday, as a result of artillery shelling by Assad forces targeting civilian homes in the village of Dahr al-Marj, southwest of Jisr al-Shughur. Civil Defense teams helped the injured to medical points and inspected the locations of the shootings. مقتل امرأة و إصابة رجل و امرأة أخرين، اليوم الجمعة، نتيجة قصف مدفعي من قوات الأسد استهدف منازل المدنيين في قرية #ضهر_المرج جنوب غرب مدينة جسرالشغور، فرق الدفاع المدني أسعفت المصابين إلى النقاط الطبية و تفقدت أماكن سقوط الرمايات.
  • The martyrdom of a woman (Waad Sharif) and the injury of two others as a result of artillery shelling on the village of Marj al-Dahr, south of Jisr al-Shughur Injury names: 1_ Muhammad Sharif 2_ Shahnaz Sharif استشهاد امرأة ( وعد شريف) و إصابة أثنين أخرين نتيجة قصف مدفعي طال قرية #مرج_الضهر جنوب جسرالشغور اسماء الاصابات : 1_ محمد شريف 2_ شهناز شريف
  • @abdalkaderlhep2 reported the death of a woman in Marj al-Dahr after alleged Russian and Syrian regime air strikes on November 15th 2019.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (0–1 children1 woman)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI030

Incident date

November 4, 2019

Location

خانصور, Khanasor, Sinjar, Iraq

Geolocation

36.47777, 41.61138 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that three civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Khanasor.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "RojNews reports that warplanes have bombed the surroundings of the Khanasor (Xanesor) district of Shengal city in southern Kurdistan, northern Iraq. According to the report, at least three civilians were wounded in the attack." (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khanasor (خانصور), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.47777, 41.61138. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4213

Incident date

December 2, 2019

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed, and five others injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike that targeted Al Hal Market in Saraqib, Idlib in Syria on December 2nd 2019 according to local sources.

Jesr Press reported that Nashaat Al-Ahmad, aged 25, died of his injuries before arrival to hospital. According to the same outlet and other local sources, those that were injured were identified as Muhammad Naasan, aged 36, Ahmed Al-Asaad, aged 25, Muhammad Fayadh, aged 49, Mustafa Al-Omar, aged 29, Ghassan Entabi, aged 56.

A local source, @sraqeb123, reported that the incident happened at 9.05am.

Many sources reported that the attack was with vacuum missiles.

Sources also reported that there was significant destruction to market facilities, nearby buildings, and residential properties.

The incident occured at 09:05:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Al-Asaad أحمد الاسعد
25 years old male injured
Mustafa Al-Omar مصطفى العمر
29 years old male injured
Ghassan Entebbe غسان عنتابي
56 years old male injured
Muhammad Fayyad محمد فياض
49 years old male injured
Muhammad Naasan محمد نعسان
36 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of an airstrike on Al Hal Market in Saraqib (via SMART agency).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on Al Hal Market in Saraqib (via SMART agency).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on Al Hal Market in Saraqib (via SMART agency).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on Al Hal Market in Saraqib (via SMART agency).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on Al Hal Market in Saraqib (via SMART agency).
  • @shaamnews reported on Twitter of the death and injuries to civilians after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit a market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019.
  • @shaamnews reported on Twitter of the death and injuries to civilians after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit a market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019.
  • @shaamnews reported on Twitter of the death and injuries to civilians after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit a market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019.
  • @shaamnews reported on Twitter of the death and injuries to civilians after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit a market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019.
  • Destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit the central market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019 (Image via @zamanalwsl / Twitter)
  • Destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit the central market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019 (Image via @zamanalwsl / Twitter)
  • Destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit the central market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019 (Image via @zamanalwsl / Twitter)
  • Six names - one deceased and the other five injured - after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit Al-Hal market in Saraqib, on December 2nd 2019 (Image via JesrPress)
  • Image via JesrPress News of the Syrian Civil Defense rescuing the injured after a Syrian or Russian regime airstrike hit Al-Hol market in Saraqib killed one and injuring five.
  • Halap Today showed the destruction after a Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrike on December 2nd 2019.
  • Nashat Ahmed al-Shahoud who was killed allegedly by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Al-Hal market on December 2nd 2019 in Saraqib (Image via Mema.rai.50 / Facebook)
  • Violations Documentation Center documented the scene after an airstrike hit the al-Hal market in Saraqib, allegedly by Russian or Syrian regime forces on December 2nd 2019 (Image via VDC-Sy / Facebook)
  • Violations Documentation Center documented the scene after an airstrike hit the al-Hal market in Saraqib, allegedly by Russian or Syrian regime forces on December 2nd 2019 (Image via VDC-Sy / Facebook)
  • Violations Documentation Center documented the scene after an airstrike hit the al-Hal market in Saraqib, allegedly by Russian or Syrian regime forces on December 2nd 2019 (Image via VDC-Sy / Facebook)
  • Smart News documented the rescue efforts after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit Al-Hol market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019, allegedly killing one civilian and injuring 5.
  • Smart News documented the rescue efforts after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit Al-Hol market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019, allegedly killing one civilian and injuring 5.
  • Smart News documented the rescue efforts after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit Al-Hol market in Saraqib on December 2nd 2019, allegedly killing one civilian and injuring 5.
  • SN4HR showed destruction caused by Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrikes on December 2nd 2019 in Al-Hol market, allegedly killing one civilian and injuring five.
  • Syrian Observatory of Human Rights documented the destruction caused after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit Al-Hol market on December 2nd 2019, allegedly killing one civilian and injuring five.
  • Syrian Observatory of Human Rights documented the destruction caused after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit Al-Hol market on December 2nd 2019, allegedly killing one civilian and injuring five.
  • Syrian Observatory of Human Rights documented the destruction caused after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit Al-Hol market on December 2nd 2019, allegedly killing one civilian and injuring five.
  • Syrian Observatory of Human Rights documented the destruction caused after a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit Al-Hol market on December 2nd 2019, allegedly killing one civilian and injuring five.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4241

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

كفرشلايا, Kafr Shlaya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

As many as two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

The Syrian White Helmets said: “A young civilian was injured and destroyed in civilian homes in the village of Kafr Shalaya, west of Jericho, today, Saturday, as a result of a helicopter belonging to the Assad forces dropping two barrel bombs in the middle of a civilian settlement in the village.”

Smart News Agency reported two civilians were injured in Russian raids on the village.

Images uploaded by @media_idlib show a young man being helped into the back of an ambulance by members of the Syrian White Helmets.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4262

Incident date

December 17, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Several people were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns in Idlib governorate on December 17th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network.

Shaam reported that the following towns were targeted with airstrikes by Russian and Syrian regime warplanes: Ma’rat Al Nu’man, Ariha, Jisr Al Shughur, Ma’shammaran, Zayn, Jarjnaz, al-Halbah, Tahia, Tataia, Al Alya, Tal Mardikh, Sheikh Idris, Bazpur, Qatrah, Furan, Shaara, Ain Qurei, Parisa, Balaisa, Tal Dam, Umm Al Tina, and the Al Katiyba Al Mahjoura. The raids also targeted the hospital of the martyr Maysar Al Hamdo in Ghadqa.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]