Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1228

LOCATION

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including two children and a woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hor town, local media reported. According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched airstrikes with vacuum missiles on Hor town in the western suburbs with led to the fall of four civilian martyrs

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1344

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and nine civilians were reportedly killed in Russian or Syrian regime air raids on the Al Qaterji neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Halab News and Alwatan reported one unidentified person dead. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two people as a result of “government helicopters dropping barrel

Summary

First published
September 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 9
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1201

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians including a child and a woman died and as many as 19 others were injured in strikes on Idlib, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. One source reported the use of regime warships in the attacks, while several

Summary

First published
August 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10–19
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1373

LOCATION

الزيتونات, al Zaitouniat, Aleppo, Syria

Sixteen or 17 civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Zaitouniat neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. Smo-sy reported: “five civilians were killed and others were wounded in the Al Zaitouniat area in the Halak district today [Sept 30th], following Russian bombardment raids.” Several sources mentioned the use of bunker busters

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 17
(2–4 children1 woman7 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
13 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1249

LOCATION

صلاح الدين, Salahuddin, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 10 civilians including three named children from the same family died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Salahudeen neighbourhood, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though a report by Buraq media which cited the use of “explosive barrels” in the attack means

Summary

First published
September 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 10
(3 children)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1142

LOCATION

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One female civilian died in an air or artillery strike on Bustan al-Qaser, according to local media – though sources didn’t apportion blame for the attack. According to @HalabTodayTV, there were both “air and artillery strikes” on the area. @ShahbaPress reported that a girl was killed and “several” other civilians wounded.  

Summary

First published
August 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(0–1 children0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1265

LOCATION

Al Sakhina, Homs, Syria

Six civilians including women and children died in an alleged Russia airstrike on a refugee camp in the al Sakhuna area, south of Palymyra, local media reported. According to the Step News Agency, “Russia’s military aircraft committed a new massacre against people in a camp for the displaced from the towns of Palmyra and al

Summary

First published
September 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2014

Incident Code

CI004

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Houses neighboring the Turkish Consulate, Nineveh, Iraq

Sources in the city claimed that an airstrike carried out at approximately 10pm in the vicinity of the Turkish consulate in Mosul had killed Ridwan Akram, his wife and their child. According to a commemorative Facebook page, the family had only recently returned after three months in Turkey when they died. While a number of

Summary

First published
September 5, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1500

LOCATION

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that up to seven civilians – six of whom were named – including children and women died and dozens more were wounded in night-time airstrikes on Kafr Tkharim. The strikes reportedly hit a council building and a sports center. The majority of sources attributed this casualty event to Russia, though one report

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(3 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
20–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2014

Incident Code

CS021

LOCATION

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five civilian men were reported by a single source to have been killed in a coalition strike on the city of Dayr az Zawr. They were named by the VDC.  

Summary

First published
November 7, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(5 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2015

Incident Code

CS062

LOCATION

Mundbaith Refinery, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 30 people, including civilian oilworkers and alleged ISIL militants, died in a night time strike on Mundbaith Refinery according to multiple reports. Ara noted that “The bombing also caused the breaking of glass in houses near the border including shops on the Turkish side, causing panic among the population, and the evacuation of

Summary

First published
March 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2015

Incident Code

CS042

LOCATION

near al-Bo Omar, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In the January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near al-Bo Omar had been assessed as non credible: “#1 Jan. 12, 2015, near al-Bo Omar, Syria via regional human rights group report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in

Summary

First published
January 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1771a

LOCATION

البوكمال, near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a previously unreported incident, in the US-led Coalition’s August 2018 report, it conceded it had injured one civilian during a raid on an ISIS “supply route” near Abu Kamal. The coordinates provided by the Coalition locate the incident East of the Euphrates river, in an area labelled Ash Shājilah (ناحية سوسة) on open source

Summary

First published
June 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI044

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to Reuters, a Coalition airstrike caused significant casualties in Ar Rutbah: “Coalition planes bombed al-Rutba district, 385 km west of Baghdad, killing six Islamic State militants and 11 civilians, according to a source in the local hospital.” ARA News placed the civilian death toll from coalition strikes at Rutba at 10. In July 2017,

Summary

First published
February 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 20, 2015

Incident Code

CS069

LOCATION

التوامة, Tawama, Aleppo, Syria

According to Al Jazeera and others, a Coalition strike on the al Nusra Front at al Tawama destroyed a number of civilian buildings, killing as many as seven inhabitants. Fifteen alleged militants – most described as ‘Turks’ – also died in the attack which reportedly struck two separate locations in the village. According to Sana

Summary

First published
May 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 11
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 12, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM101-C

LOCATION

Southeast of Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A US strike on al Shabaab fighters in the Lower Shabelle region also killed three civilians, Amnesty International later reported. Two US strikes took place in Somalia on November 12th, with one targeting al Shabaab and the other hitting Islamic State fighters, according to US Africa Command. The strikes killed “several fighters”, it said. The

Summary

First published
November 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
3 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–3
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI101a

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi city: eastern area, Al Anbar, Iraq

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted in January 2016 that two possible civilian casualty incidents had taken place in the vicinity of Ramadi on September 3rd of the previous year. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the area on that day. According to UNAMI, “[an] airstrike reportedly hit a residential area

Summary

First published
September 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2015

Incident Code

CS111

LOCATION

اطمه, Atimah, Idlib, Syria

A US airstrike on a Jaish al-Sunna ammunition depot in the night also killed at least eight non-combatants in the village of Atmeh, it was widely reported. According to accounts, a number of civilian homes were damaged or destroyed in secondary explosions. Graphic images showed significant damage at the scene. Five young girls were among

Summary

First published
August 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(6–7 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
4–12
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
Al Qaeda/HTS
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 12, 2019

Incident Code

LC112

LOCATION

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tarabulus, Libya

Othman Mesbah Akak was reportedly killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir. Riyadh Burshan said that the died from a shell falling on his house. Local reporting points at the GNA or the LNA as the perpetrator of the shelling.

Summary

First published
April 12, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI110

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A reported coalition airstrike on an ISIL IED factory [see CI109] injured ‘dozens’ of civilians, it was claimed, after a chemical cloud spread across local areas. Waradana cited Ghias Surja of the Nineveh Union of Kurdistan National Center as saying: “The lab was used by the criminal organization for terrorist activities against the innocent and

Summary

First published
September 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
70
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS930a ISSY001a

LOCATION

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Daraa, Syria

Local sources reported that alleged airstrikes struck a building in Al Shajra town which several sources referred to as an “Islamic Court” while others described it as the headquarters of the “Islamic Army of Khalid Bin Al-Walid” – a faction that has been accused of being associated with the “Islamic State”. Sources were conflicted as

Summary

First published
June 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Israeli Military
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
13–20
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

CS141

LOCATION

الهول, Al Hawl, Al Hassakah, Syria

Three civilian men were reported killed when their vehicle was struck in a Coalition airstrike, according to reports. This incident is presently single source only with VDC naming the three men. In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of proximity: “Oct. 31, 2015, near Al Hawl,

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2019

Incident Code

CS1928

LOCATION

كفرجالس, Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria

In an airstrike confirmed by CENTCOM, US forces struck what it reported to be an Al-Qaeda command center in northern Idlib. Local sources reported that the US strike struck a military headquarters belonging to “Ansar Al-Tawhid” in the town of Kafr Nabil, but added that civilian houses were struck nearby as well, resulting in a

Summary

First published
August 31, 2019
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
22 – 29
(6 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
22
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
22 named
Belligerents reported killed
14–51
Belligerents reported injured
23
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2018

Incident Code

CS1820

LOCATION

و الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported on “two new massacres” resulting from alleged Coalition airstrikes targeting the towns of Al Sha’fa and al-Kashma in Deir al-Zour. Several sources including Free Deir Ezzor Radio and Baladi News reported the killing of a total of 17 non-combatant civilians including four women and three children. Baladi added that the victims were

Summary

First published
October 30, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(0–3 children0–4 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI179

LOCATION

المعارض المنفيس, Mosul, Exhibitions area, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources claimed that 11 civilians were killed and 6 others wounded after Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted cars in the Exhibitions area east of Mosul. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, residents in the city’s Exhibitions area said the casualties occurred when aircraft fired on vehicles: “The bodies of civilians were handed over to

Summary

First published
January 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
Civilians reported injured
6–11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS185

LOCATION

عين العروس, `Ayn al `Arus, Raqqa, Syria

According to reports up to 16 civilians including 10 members of a family died in Ain al A’rouss “following Coalition raids.” One adult male civilian victim – the head of the family – was named by VDC as Faeour al Abo. According to Shaam News, Daesh targets had been struck in the town: “International coalition

Summary

First published
February 27, 2016
Last updated
March 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 16
(3 children6 women7 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
15 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2018

Incident Code

CS1876

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

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

Summary

First published
December 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2016

Incident Code

CI219

LOCATION

حاج علي, Haj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed “dozens of civilians” including children and women were killed or injured after Coalition or Iraq government jets targeted Haj Ali village in Qayyarah south of Mosul. While most social media reports blamed the Iraqi military for the event, others blamed the Coalition or both. Yaqen, for example, said it was a joint

Summary

First published
April 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30
(2 children2 women)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2021

Incident Code

PALIS030

LOCATION

سديروت, Sderot, Southern, Israel

Five rockets were fired by Al Qassam into the city of Sderot, injuring at least two civilians on May 19, 2021. Al Qassam confirmed that they had attacked the city of Sderot that day. The rockets reportedly caused damage to several buildings and cars, according to multiple sources. It was reported that either two or

Summary

First published
May 19, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
Palestinian Militants
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2020

Incident Code

RS4516

LOCATION

تل واسط, Tal Waset, Idlib, Syria

One man was killed and at least one civilian, a woman, was injured by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes or artillery strikes on the village of Tal Wasit, Hama on July 19th 2020. Syrian Civil Defense reported: “A civilian was killed and a woman was seriously wounded today, Sunday, July 19, by artillery and missile

Summary

First published
July 19, 2020
Last updated
March 1, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident