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

RS3001

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Location

عربين, Arbin, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this event, described by many as a “massacre”, up to 27 civilians, including children and women, were killed and dozens were wounded as the city of Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to heavy aerial shelling, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime.

Some sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), first reported that five civilians were killed by the strikes. However, shortly after it amended that number to “at least 21”, which included nine children and two women.

Four children were identified by name, while Arbeen City’s Facebook page, who identified 14 of the reported 19 fatalities by name, also noted that nine of these were “young people”, not specifying their exact age.

Smart News Agency, who reported 19 fatalities, including six children, said that the warplanes carried out more than 14 raids. Damascus Media Center mentioned that the strikes hit a popular market and residential neighbourhoods in the city.

Some report referred to “several” wounded while others, such as Al Latamna Youth Group, mentioned “dozens of injured”, including women and children, adding that many more were trapped under the rubble.

Most of the sources, who identified a culprit, pointed to the Syrian regime. However, Al Latamna Youth Group attributed blame to Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fawaz Renkusi
Adult male physician killed
Nazir
Age unknown butcher killed
Yusuf Haj Ali
Child male killed
Mohammed Zaher Al - Yessky
Child male killed
Raghd Al - Yasmi
8 years old female killed
Anas Haj Ali
Age unknown male killed
Mohamed Khair Sukkar
Age unknown male killed
Iyad Halabiya
Age unknown male killed
Suleiman Al-Halabi
Age unknown male killed
Hossam Ahmed Majnoun
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Haitham Al-Rahwan
Age unknown male killed
Duaa Abdel Hay
Age unknown female killed
Rasmi Mohsen
Age unknown male from Adaba town killed
Ziad Mest
Age unknown male from Otaia town killed
Omar
2 months years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 27
  • (4–6 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The streets of Arbin, Damascus, covered in dust and destruction following the contested airstrikes hitting the city on February 8th, 2018 (via Smart News Agency)
  • The moment Arbin, Damascus, is hit by airstrikes on February 8th, 2018 (via Arbeen)
  • The moment Arbin, Damascus, is hit by airstrikes on February 8th, 2018, and the following destruction and civilian harm they inflicted (via Arbeen)
  • Raghd Al Haj Ahmad, 8 years old, was reportedly among the fatalities following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Mashit25)
  • The body of a little girl is being carried away as she along with many others were killed by the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • A civil defence member carrying one of the many victims out from the rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Omar Madaniah)
  • Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, with dozens of civilians wounded or killed, February 8th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, with dozens of civilians wounded or killed, February 8th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Omar, only two months old, was reportedly among the victims of the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Abu Ahmad)
  • Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
  • Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
  • Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
  • A civil defence member carrying one of the many victims out from the rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via SN4HR))
  • Fawaz Renkusi, doctor at the Irbid Surgical Hospital, was reportedly among the victims of the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 27
  • (4–6 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1300

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Location

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

Geolocation

36.1923129, 37.1477151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes in the neighborhood of al Kalassa, Aleppo, killed at least seven members of one family, local sources reported. The death toll may have been as high as 27, with sources reporting at least three children and three women dead, and photographs circulating of a father holding his dead son. LCCSY reported that phosphorus was used, and several reports mentioned barrel bombs.

It was unclear who was to blame for the strikes. Some reported that “Russian warplanes” were responsible: Smart News, Sawaleif News, Almadinah, @ALAMAWI, LCCSY, and SN4HR all used the language. However, Arab48 mentioned helicopters at the scene, suggesting regime involvement.

Reports on the number of casualties varied, but most sources referred to seven dead from a single family. Qasioun News stated, “14 civilians were killed in the neighbourhood of al Kalassa,” while Arab48 and Sawaleif referred to 27 dead in total across three neighbourhoods. @step_agency tweeted that nine were killed.

According to SN4HR, the strikes were carried out in the vicinity of “Ghajar’s Chicken” shop.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 27
  • (3 children3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Aleppo White Helmets trying to extinguish the fire in the chaotic aftermath of the contested strikes on al-Kalassa (via White Helmets)
  • The neighborhood of al-Kalassa was targeting by airstrikes carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via LCCSY)
  • The contested airstrikes targeting al-Kalassa left parts of the city completely destroyed (via White Helmets)

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 – 27
  • (3 children3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI029

Incident date

January 21, 2015

Location

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4618824, 42.6849747

Airwars assessment

A Canadian airstrike at Kisik Junction was alleged to have killed between 6 and 27 civilians, according to an internal CENTCOM report. The source was an English-speaking peshmerga fighter, who had passed on his concerns to Coalition Special Forces based in Iraq.

The Canadian attack had targeted “an ISIL sniper/ HMG [havy machine gun] position on the roof of a building within an ISIL-occupied compound, which correlates with the alleged report.”

A Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) spokesman told Airwars in August 2015 that Canada’s own investigation of the incident – which involved reviewing video and strike records – had concluded there was no case to answer: “The review uncovered no evidence of civilian casualties. Furthermore, it was re-confirmed that the target was a valid military objective from which ISIS was firing a heavy machine gun at Iraqi Kurdish troops. The area in question is still within ISIS held territory.”

Reuters reported on the airstrikes at the time (naming the town as Kiske) but made no mention of civilian deaths. The Kurdish regional Government also later claimed that 200 ISIL fighters had died in a successful peshmerga assault on the town which had begun on January 21st.

Canada had been singled out by Airwars in August 2015 as the most transparent member of the international Coalition. Even so, CAF took more than eight months to publicly admit to possible civilian casualties at Kisik Junction. The Globe and Mail has also reported that Defence Minister Jason Kenney was “never made aware” of the allegations.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 27
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Grab from a Reuters video detailing the Iraqi assault on Kisik Junction, January 21 2015

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Kisik JuNtion, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Peshmerga soldier alleged that between 6 and 27 civilians were killed on 21 Jan as a result of a coalition strike IVO Kisik JuNtion. A Canadian strike (CF18) struck an ISIL sniper/HMG position on the roof of a building within an ISIL-occupied compound, which collates with the alleged report. … under the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) there are no obligations for the CAF to conduct an investigation. CAF assessed as N.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 27
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1383 ISSY001

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Location

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Daraa, Syria

Geolocation

32.774031, 35.883493 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 27 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Shajra in western Daraa.

According to Daraa Martyrs Documentation Center, 32 “mostly civilians” were killed when positions of Jaish Khalid bin Walid, a Salafi jihadist group, were targeted. The report claimed that the Coalition launched a long-range missile, which “targeted the Islamic Court of Khalid Bin Al-Waleed Army”.

Ten detainees who were held in the court’s prison were killed in the attack, according to the Center. It noted another 17 civilians who were killed as they were in the near vicinity of the strike. Five members of the “army Khalid bin Walid” were also reported killed.

Zaman al Wasl quoted a local activist who stated that four missiles struck the court, “likely targeting a meeting of leaders”. According to Enab Baladi, “The last of the group’s Emirs was Abu Tim Enkhl, who was killed yesterday (Thursday, August 17) by an air raid on the village of Al-Shajara in the Yarmouk basin.”

Shaam News reported that “activists said that the raid targeted the court and led to the martyrdom of a number of civilians who were imprisoned in the court on charges of belonging to the Free Syrian Army. A number of civilians were killed while in court for other reasons.”

Shaam added that “Many of the dead were killed in the prison, including relatives of the founder of the Yarmouk Martyrs’ Brigade, Muhammad Saad al-Din al-Baridi, known as the “Khal”, who established the presence of the brigade in the western countryside and was killed nearly two years previously in a suicide attack. His relatives had been jailed in the wake of internal disputes within the organization, after receiving information about their intention to carry out a military coup.”

Orient noted that either the Coalition or Israel was responsible for an attack on what it described as the “Khaled bin Al-Walid Army” in Sharja, but was alone in saying this. Al Shaam mentioned that Coalition raids led to “the deaths of a number of martyrs and wounded civilians” but did not identify a specific number of casualties.

The Coalition itself did not publicly report any raids on the province on this date.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 27
  • (1 man10 other protected persons)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of reported Coalition or Israeli missile strike on al Sharja (via Mohamad Abazeed)
  • Aftermath of reported Coalition or Israeli missile strike on al Sharja (via Mohamad Abazeed)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Shajra (الشجرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.774031, 35.883493. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition did not publicly report any airstrikes in the Daraa governorate for August 16th-17th and Augustu 17th-18th.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 9-15th, France report 2 strikes in Raqqah, Syria – and 13 artillery missions in Mosul.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the past week, (11th-18th) France conducted 27 sorties, including 22 armed reconnaissance and ground support (CAS), 1 refueling outlet and 4 intelligence gathering sorties by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrols. Two strikes were carried out in the Raqqah region of Syria. They helped support the Syrian democratic forces in their offensive to retake the city.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes se poursuit. Au sud de la ville, la manœuvre de tenaille, amorcée il y a 15 jours, s’est achevée en fin de semaine dernière. Elle a permis de réaliser la jonction des fronts est et ouest. Depuis, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont relancé une offensive vers le centre de la ville mais elles font face à une défense acharnée des combattants de Daech. En Irak, Les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations dans l’objectif de libérer, à terme, le nord de l’Irak. Actuellement, elles focalisent leur effort sur l’encerclement de la ville de Tall Afar. Les combattants de l’organisation terroriste réalisent un travail de valorisation de leurs positions défensives pour se préparer aux combats à venir alors que les populations tentent de fuir la ville. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Les soldats de l’opération Chammal poursuive leur mission d’appui au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daech. Cette semaine, sur le théâtre, les aéronefs ont réalisé 27 sorties aériennes dont 22 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), 1 sortie de ravitaillement ainsi que 4 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Deux frappes ont été conduites dans la région de Raqqah en Syrie. Elles ont permis d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes dans leur offensive pour reprendre la ville. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 13 missions de tir en appui de la 15e division à l’ouest de Mossoul vers Tal Afar. En particulier, les artilleurs ont fourni des feux de harcèlement et d’éclairement pour interdire aux combattants de Daech de mener des actions au sol ou de réaliser des tirs indirects contre les positions irakiennes. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1330 frappes, 2102 objectifs détruits et 6946 sorties. ‘

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 27
  • (1 man10 other protected persons)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1876

Incident date

December 21, 2018

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed and injured a number of civilians on the morning of December 21st.

Although some sources reported that the incident took place on December 20th (when another similar incident occurred) the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights distinguished the two as separate events.

Local sources reported the killing of 27 people, mostly women and children, in addition to the wounding of dozens.

Several sources quoted the director of the Syrian Observatory, Rami Abdel Rahman, who reportedly said that “At least 27 people have been killed this morning in the village of Al Shaafa in air raids by the International Alliance, including 14 belonging to the families of militant fighters, including eight children.” It also cited a large number wounded. The additional 13 fatalities may therefore have been ISIS fighters.

In its January 2021 monthly civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition determined this event to be ‘non credible’, asserting: “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.”

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 27
  • (8 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

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
    in al Shaafa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU774280
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 6, 2021

  • Dec. 21, 2018, in Al Shaafa, 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. 3257/CS1876 37SFU774280

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

NOTE: In late 2019 and after 52 months, the US-led Coalition ceased reporting the dates and locations of its military actions.

Between Dec. 16 and Dec. 29, CJTF-OIR conducted 469 strikes consisting of 1,001 engagements in Syria, and conducted nine strikes consisting of 14 engagements in Iraq.

In Syria, 469 strikes engaged 666 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 291 fighting positions, 153 staging areas, 67 supply routes, 27 command and control nodes, 27 petroleum oil lubricant storage facilities, 25 vehicles, 14 tunnels, 14 weapons cache, 13 improvised explosive device facilities, seven heavy weapons systems, six pieces of heavy equipment, seven buildings, five petroleum oil and lubricant tankers, five bridges, four armored vehicles, two caves, two vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, two motorcycles, two vehicle borne improvised explosive device facilities, three mortar launching sites, one boat, one barge, and one unmanned aircraft system; and damaged seven fighting positions, four staging areas, two vehicles, one armored vehicle, one command and control node and one heavy weapon system; and suppressed 70 fighting positions, 12 vehicles, 10 staging areas and one armored vehicles.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the last 10 days of the year, 15 missions were flown. Weapons were deployed ten times and targeted ISIS fighting positions and warehouses.

In de laatste 10 dagen van het jaar zijn er nog 15 missies gevlogen. Hierbij zijn 10 keer wapens ingezet, tegen gevechtsopstellingen en opslagplaatsen van Islamitische Staat.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Dec 19th-25th, France reports 13 airstrikes in Syria and 18 artillery strikes in the Euphrates Valley.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie Dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS) ont achevé en début de semaine la sécurisation de la ville d’Hajine. Elles poursuivent leur offensive le long du fleuve et ont atteint la localité d’Abu Hassan où Daech dispose toujours d’une forte capacité de résistance. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation est inchangée. Daech conserve une capacité de nuisance en menant des actions clandestines, notamment dans le désert de l'Anbar et sur le plateau d’Hawija. Les opérations des forces de sécurité irakiennes se poursuivent, avec un effort marqué à la frontière pour contrer toute tentative d’action de Daech depuis la Syrie. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. Par l’opération Chammal, les armées françaises demeurent engagées, les modalités de l’engagement tenant compte en permanence des réalités du terrain. Les priorités consistent à vaincre militairement les dernières poches de cette organisation terroriste, et empêcher sa résurgence alors qu’elle passe à la clandestinité. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 34 missions de tir (18 d'éclairements, 18 de destruction – bilan du 19 au 25 décembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2384 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 22 sorties aériennes (bilan du 19 au 25 décembre inclus). Les Rafale ont conduit 13 frappes cette semaine. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8750 sorties / 1507 frappes / 2314 objectifs neutralisés. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne, qui est en charge de la sécurisation de l’ouest du grand Bagdad, alors qu’après l’ouverture partielle de la « zone verte » entamée le 10 décembre, le gouvernement irakien a poursuivi cette semaine son effort de normalisation des conditions de vie dans la capitale en démontant plusieurs checkpoints, en abattant des murs de sécurité, et en rouvrant des routes fermées à la circulation depuis 2003. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Elle achève cette semaine la phase dite « integration phase » qui visait à évaluer la capacité de 300 stagiaires formés depuis le début de l’automne à restituer l’ensemble des savoir-faire qui leur ont été transmis, dans des situations tactiques et techniques complexes et diverses. Cette phase d’examen a également été l’occasion pour les instructeurs français de parfaire la capacité des moniteurs irakiens à conduire ce genre d’évaluation pédagogique de grande ampleur.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Friday 21 December – a Reaper engaged a group of Daesh extremists south-east of Hajin, whilst Tornados struck two workshops making IEDs...Further support was rendered on Friday 21 December by a Reaper and another flight of Tornados. The Reaper’s crew successfully used a Hellfire missile against a small group of Daesh as they moved across country, whilst the Tornados destroyed two workshops which were producing improvised explosive devices.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 27
  • (8 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1358

Incident date

September 27, 2016

Location

الشعار, Al Shia Ar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2085139, 37.1855771 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 27 civilians including six children were reportedly killed and dozens more wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Shia’ar neighbourhood of Aleppo.

LCCSF reported the lowest number: “Five martyrs and more than 15 wounded were reported among civilians due to Russian airstrikes targeting Al Shia’ar neighbourhood in the besieged part of Aleppo.”

Alamawi and Maryam Gheytani reported that 24 people, among them many children and women, were killed.

But Syriansnews put the death toll as high as 27.

According to Sdusyria, four families were trapped after the rubble as one of missiles struck a residential building.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the incident took place in Al Albesa Al Rejjaliya Street, while Step News added that a four-storey building was hit.

While most sources pointed directly to Russia as the culprit, Douma.Revolution referred to a “bombing by the aircraft of Assad and his ally Russia”, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government forces and its allies”.

Syriapost1 and other sources named the following victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Raghad Sheikh Qassem
6 years old killed
Aisha Sheikh Qassem
1 years old killed
Sabah Sheikh Qassem
6 years old killed

Family members (3)

Hussein Akhtarini
6 years old killed
Eman Akhtarini
20 years old killed
Hayat Akhtreni
24 years old killed

The victims were named as:

Hadil Farhoudi
5 years old killed
Wafa Hamsho
50 years old killed
Khaled Kafr Nawi
12 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 27
  • (6 children2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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 (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (22) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the extensive material destruction on the Al Shia Ar neighbourhood of Aleppo, the aftermath of alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (Youtube via 963 963)
  • A building in Al Shia Ar, Aleppo, destroyed following alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (Youtube via Step)
  • A reporter shows the extent of material damage in the Al Shaar neighborhood of Aleppo, September 27th (Youtube via Halab Today TV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Ghazal Akhtarini is pulled from the rubble after surviving the alleged Russian attacks on Al Shia Ar, September 27th (Youtube via Thaer Mohammed)
  • Extensive material destruction on Al Shia Ar, the impact of alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (via Enabbaladi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is treated and saved, for injuries sustained in alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (via @Omar_Madaniah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic image of a civilian trapped within a demolished building in Al Shia Ar, the impact of alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (via @RevolutionSyria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A medic carries a civilian child away from the site in Al Shia Ar, following alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (via @syria7ra)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of civilians caught in the rubble and the extensive material destruction on Al Shia Ar. The impact of alleged Russian shelling, September 27th. (@ShahbPress)
  • Graphic video of civilian children pulled from the rubble by the White Helmet rescue team in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (via @RevolutionSyria)
  • Rescue teams attempt to save civilians from the destructions in Al Shia Ar, the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes, September 27th. (via @AleppoAMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs the civilians rescued from the rubble in Al Shia Ar, following alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (via @AleppoAMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A very distressing image of a child covered in blood and dust in Al Shia Ar, following alleged Russian warplane attacks, September 27th (via @mo3taz_khattab)
  • A birds eye photograph of a street in Al Shia Ar, destroyed following alleged Russian airstrikes, September 27th (via HNN Facebook) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A man stands amongst the rubble in Al Shia Ar, following alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (via HNN Facebook) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A street scene in Al Shia Ar following alleged Russian airstrikes, September 27th (via HNN Facebook) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little boy held in the arms of a White Helmet member, following alleged Russian warplane shelling on Al Shia Ar, September 27th (via @shbabRevolution)
  • Footage of the rescue mission in Al Shia Ar, the aftermath of alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (Youtube via SNN)
  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016_en

    A SN4HR report entitled - 'At least 49 massacres in September' details the events in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016

    A SN4HR report entitled - 'At least 49 massacres in September' details the events in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • A civilian boy held in the arms of a local man in Al Shia Ar reveals the human cost of alleged Russian shelling, September 27th (via SN4HR report)
  • A civilian child wrapped in cloth and held by a medic, allegedly killed by Russian warplanes in Al Shia Ar. The photograph appeared against reports of different incidents - therefore it is unclear if it should be attributed to events in Al Shia Ar on September 27th (via SN4HR report)

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
    9 – 27
  • (6 children2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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 (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI484

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Location

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that 27 civilians were killed, including women and children, and 63 were injured by Coalition airstrikes and artillery bombing on several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul.

Sawif Ateka published a photograph of an unnamed little girl who it said died in shelling on the Al-Zinjili neighbourhood.

In its June casualty report, the Coalition confirmed that “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.” However the coordinates provided to Airwars – 36.324100, 43.127258 placed this event at Wadi Hajar (Arabic: وادي حجر) neighbourhood in Mosul. Given that this location is 4.6km from Rifai, and 3.3 from Zinjili, it may refer to a separate incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    63
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture of one of the supposed victims (via Sawif Ateka)
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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF306246
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 24th-25th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS sniper unit; destroyed nine fighting positions, eight mortar systems, five ISIS-held buildings, four command and control nodes, three VBIED facilities, three tactical vehicles, two vehicles, two artillery systems, two anti-air artillery systems, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a UAV storage facility, a front-end loader, a VBIED staging area and a supply cache; damaged 12 supply routes and four ISIS-held buildings; and suppressed 22 mortars and an artillery system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    63
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS620

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Location

الحامدية, Al Hamidiya hospital, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.614779, 36.657085 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a separate incident from the attacks on the National Hospital and the hospital for women and children (listed above for February 15th), between 13 and 26 civilians including up to seven women and at least two children died in airstrikes on the Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF) hospital at Al Hamidiya, according to multiple sources – though they were conflicted as to who was responsible for the attack, with some reports blaming Russia, other the Assad regime and one saying these were Coalition strikes.

Shaam News Network said Russian warplanes conducted four consecutive strikes on the MSF hospital leading to 13 deaths and and the building’s “total destruction“.

It also reported that the Health Directorate in Iblib “issued a statement regarding the Russian raids that targeted field hospitals today in a rural Idlib and Aleppo.” It said that the first attack was “at exactly 9 o’clock when the Al A’thmiya hospital was targeted which belongs to MSF which caused the total destruction of the hospital rendering it out of service completely. The planes came back and targeted the hospital again when the rescue teams had arrived to look for survivors which left 9 dead including a child and two nurses and dozens of injured.”

SNN later reported: “A spokeswoman for MSF in Turkey, ‘Sirab Ozturk,’ said that 11 bodies had been recovered, and confirmed the presence of 25 employees at the hospital during the bombing, stating that 15 of them have survived without injuries, while three employees were injured, and recovered the bodies of five employees and 5 patients and facilities.

“Ozturk explained they do not know how many people were inside the hospital during the bombing, because the bombing occurred during the night shift employees work shifts, saying: ‘We fear the increase in the death toll.’”

According to the Health Directorate for Idlib, eight of those killed were staff of the hospital, “including Doctor Imad Al Nissr from Khan Shaykhun City, two nurses and lab staff Ammar Hallak, Mohammad Shawwaf and Yahiya Qitaz and five nurses namely: Asma’a Dashash, Kawthar al Sawass, Lamia’a, Inas Hamra, Amna Hussein Al Hassan“. Al Jazeera put the death toll at 18, including nine doctors.

A Reuters report quoted the French president of MSF, Mergo Terzian, who said: “There were at least seven deaths among the personnel and the patients, and at least eight MSF personnel have disappeared, and we don’t know if they are alive”.

He added that  “The author of the strike is clearly…either the government or Russia,” and said that this was not the first time MSF facilities in Syria had been attacked.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes believed to be Russian” were responsible – and they “renewed the bombing twice on the hospital’s area.“

They published ten images, though it is not clear whether they refer to this incident or the strike on the National Hospital on the same day (listed above).

Initial reports by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at at least 6 victims including 2 children.

However, in a later report, SN4HR appeared to change their position and attributed the incident to Russia, putting the death toll at 25 including a child and seven women.

But in an ABC report, Syria’s UN envoy, Bashar Jaafari, repeated Syrian claims that the US-led Coalition carried out the strikes; moreover, he added that it was MSF’s fault as they had never consulted with government re installing hospital: “‘The so-called hospital was installed without any prior consultation with the Syrian government by the so-called French network called MSF, which is a branch of the French intelligence operating in Syria,’ ambassador Bashar Jaafari said.”

The Violations Documentation Center named 16 victims, including an unidentified child.

An additional 15 victims – including six women were named by SPC.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al-Sahawaf
Adult male Listed by VDC, a nurse killed
Nasr Saqea al-Staif
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Abdul Kareem Abdul Moein al-Staif al-Ghajar
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Abdul Moein al-Staif al-Ghajar
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Musa al-Staif
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Abdul Razak Fawaz Saeid al-Ghajar
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mahdi Ahmad al-Raheel
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Asri Ahmad al-Raheel
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Thamer Asri al-Raheel
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Ammar al-Hallak
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Emad al-Nisr
Adult male Listed by VDC, representative of doctors without borders killed
Abo Karmo Qeetaz
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Aamne Hsain al-Hasan
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mohammad Azouz
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Ibraheem Mustafa Khateeb
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Yehya Qetaz
Adult female Worked in the laboratory killed
Ala’a Hallak
Adult female Head of nursing killed
Mohammed Askur
Adult male Cleaner killed
Inas Hamza
Adult female killed
Kawthar Sawas
Adult female nurse killed
Lamya’a Fayluni
Age unknown female nurse killed
Asma’a Dashash
Adult female nurse killed
Hasna Ma’youf Al Ali
Age unknown female killed
Mohammed Jihad Al-Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Hadil Mohammed Al-Hussein
Age unknown female killed
Ala’a Abdulkarim Al-Jadou
Age unknown male killed
Yousef Ramadan Al-Jadou
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Ahmad Al-Jadou
Age unknown male killed
Sulieman Khaled Al-Aboudi
Age unknown male killed
Fatima Al-Uleiss
Age unknown female killed
Bade’a Al-Khalaf
Adult female nurse injured
Munaf Al-Dani
Adult male nurse injured
Afra’a Aboud
Adult female nurse injured
Nermeen Al-Khalaf
Adult female nurse injured
Eyad Tu’ma
Adult female injured
Salam Al-Sufi
Adult female nurse injured
Ibrahim Al-Hussein
Adult male injured
Batoul Bakour
Adult female nurse injured
Rafif Harame
Age unknown female physiologist injured
Fatima Al-Mur
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 26
  • (2 children1–7 women22 men)
  • 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 (44) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (23) [ collapse]

  • Ammar Al Halaq, a nurse, who died in a strike on the MSF hospital on Feb 15th. (via SN4HR)
  • Images of the incident from SOHR
  • Images of the destroyed hospital by SNN
  • Yahia Abdul Karim Qeitaz, a pathologist from Ma’aret Al Numan city in Idlib governorate, killed in an alleged Russian an Syrian Regime raid. (via, SO4HR)
  • Emad Al Nesser, a doctor from Khan Sheikhoun city in Idlib governorate, killed in an alleged Russian an Syrian Regime raid. (via, SO4HR)
  • Mohammad Al Shawaf, nurse, killed in an alleged Russian an Syrian Regime raid. (via, SO4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing a female nurse being pulled from under the rubble. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    White Helmets rescue civilians from the rubble in the exact moments after the raid. (via, SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    White Helmets rescue civilians from the rubble in the exact moments after the raid. (via, SN4HR)
  • The damage to the hospital. (via, Al-mara today)
  • Emad Eldin Mohamed Abubakar Nisr, a doctor, from Khan Sheikhoun city in Idlib governorate, killed in an alleged Russian an Syrian Regime raid. (via, Lyhbs)
  • Nurse, Muhammad chawaf, killed in an alleged Russian an Syrian Regime raid. (via, Maldoghem)
  • Civilians who were killed in the raid. (via, Maldoghem)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians who were killed in the alleged raid. (via, Abusaman55)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians who were killed in the alleged raid. (via, Abusaman55)
  • The hospital in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Abusaman55)
  • The hospital in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Abusaman55)
  • White Helmets clearing the rubble. (via, Al Jazeera)
  • Civilians clearing the rubble. (via, SPC News)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via SCP News)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via SCP News)
  • Minister of health in Idlib claims that the Russian warplanes bombed the hospital. (via, Abdulrazak Al-khalil)
  • A news bulletin. (via, Royanews)

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 airstrikes in Idlib for February 10th – February 16th. Commenting on the alleged strike on the MSF hospital, they have said: “Since the end of the last week, Turkey has been conducting massive artillery strikes of large-caliber artillery against the Syrian government forces as well as units of the patriotic opposition in border areas. Means of the objective monitoring data registered more than 100 artillery shots against bordering inhabited areas in the Aleppo province. Ankara has launched an aggressive information campaign in the leading world media agencies against Russia in order to prevent the loss of control over the northern and northwestern parts of Syria. There the Turkish leadership has been absolute landlords for the last years.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 26
  • (2 children1–7 women22 men)
  • 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 (44) [ collapse]