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

Incident Code

RS1071

Incident date

July 30, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, HNN, one civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Atarib.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fahd Hassan al Hajji
35 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 29th – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS059

Incident date

February 26, 2015

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5514827, 40.4005694 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman from the town of al-Hussainiyah- said to be the mother of four children – was reported killed in a coalition airstrike on the nearby town of al-Tamr in al Hasakah, according to sources.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Hussainiyah village (الحسينية), Al Hassakah governorate, Syria, for which the coordinates are: 36.5514827, 40.4005694. The first reports of the incident were published on the 27th of February, 2015

  • Al Hussainiyah village ( الحسينية )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition has confirmed airstrikes in Al Hassakah governorate for both February 25th-26th and February 26th-27th 2015. It notes respectively that “Near Al Hasakah, four airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units” and that “Near Al Hasakah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle and an ISIL VBIED.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS092

Incident date

July 7, 2015

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were contradictory claims as to the status of Bassel Jassem Al Jirroh – reportedly killed in a Coalition or Assad regime strike at Hatla.

While the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies and al-Natiq described him as a young male non-combatant killed at Al Aziziah Street, the pro-government Tishreen claimed that al-Jirroh was a “terrorist.”

Hassakah News Network also said al-Jirroh was a combatant, but was killed in a Syrian regime airstrike: “Three armoured vehicles were also targeted and five cars equipped with machine guns, as well as terrorist groupings in The Youth housing which led to the destruction of the armoured vehicles and the killing of a number of terrorists.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “July 7, 2015, in Hatla, 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. 2798/CS092 37SFV090116”.

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (6) [ 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 Hatla
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV090116
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • July 7, 2015, in Hatla, 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. 2798/CS092 37SFV090116

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition has confirmed strikes in the vicinity for July 6th-7th 2015: “Near Al Hasakah, four airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL building.”

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
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2094

Incident date

April 8, 2017

Location

نصيب, Nasib, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.550502, 36.187213 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An eight year old child was killed in an airstrike in Nasib, Dara’a, according to local media sources – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible.

Most known sources for this event did not positively identify the aircraft.

Step News reported that “Russian aircraft intensified raids yesterday [8th]…targeting two villages in the town of Nasib”. However, Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that it was the “Syrian-Russian alliance” who carried out the raid, leaving some ambiguity.

Local media reported that the young girl who died was eight years old.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

8 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The child, Ula Mousab Al-Refaie, was killed in a contested airstrike in Nasib, Dara'a. 8th April 2017. (Via: Daraa Martyr Center)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS209

Incident date

May 6, 2016

Location

دابق‎, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.539778, 37.269556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 6-year old girl was reported killed in an alleged Coalition raid on the town of Dabiq, though the alliance has denied responsibility. VDC has named the victim as Sara al Naser.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying that it conducted no strikes nearby that day: “May 6, 2016, near Dabiq, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

6 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: #Aleppo the martyrdom of a girl following air raids launched by international coalition planes on the village of #Dabeq in the northern Aleppo countryside #Aleppo_is_burning.
  • Translation: News just in - a girl martyred following a raid by the coalition planes on the village of #Dabeq in the northern Aleppo countryside.
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports for May 6th-7th 2016 that “Near Mar’a [Aleppo governorate], three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL command and control node, and ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2324

Incident date

July 5, 2017

Location

عقيبرات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed one child and wounded several others as the ISIS-held city of Akeirbat, Hama, was hit from the skies, local media reported.

Smart News Agency was the only source reporting about the civilian harm caused by the airstrikes. The media reported; “a child was killed and others were injured in an air strike that is likely to be Russian on a town controlled by the Islamic State, east of Hama city, central Syria”.

Meanwhile, the remaining sources cited the Russian Ministry of Defence, who allegedly announced that type T-95 bombs were launched on July 5th, targeting ISIS-controlled warehouses.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video of the moment three alleged Russian airstrikes are being launched in Akeirbat, Hama, July 5th, 2017 (via RT Arabic)
  • Video of the moment three alleged Russian airstrikes are being launched in Akeirbat, Hama, July 5th, 2017 (via Sputnik Arabic)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS448

Incident date

January 18, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and three others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Tabaqa, according to local media.

Shaam News Network said that three civilians were wounded in a Coalition strike. LCCSY named Nour Riyad al Ayyash, from Deir Ezzor, as a victim. An Eye on Raqqa also named the victim and blamed the Coalition, as did Syria2011 and the Syrian Popular Movement. RBSS didn’t say who was responsible for his death.

According to the IS propaganda outlet Al Raed La Yakzub Ahlahu, the Coalition carried out three raids on Al Tabaqa that day.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male From Deir Ezzor killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: al tabaqa - the young man Nour Riyadh al Ayyash martyred following the air raids
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 Al Tabaqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 17th-18th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed a VBIED, a checkpoint, a command and control node; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Wednesday 18 January – Tornados destroyed a terrorist armed truck near Al Bab in Syria…Surveillance and strike operations have also been maintained against Daesh in Syria, and on Wednesday 18 January, Tornados conducted an armed reconnaissance patrol near Al Bab, where they used a Paveway IV to destroy an armed truck which Daesh had attempted to conceal in a vehicle shelter.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS770

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Location

رقة السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9327067, 39.0910721 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, one child “died after he was hit with shrapnel when Coalition planes targeted Daesh trucks while they were setting up barriers on the edges of al Ballikh river near the village of Raqqa al Samra east of the city”.

Al Raqqa Truth, SHRC and the Shaam News Network also reported his death and attributed it to the Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Hammad Al Marzouq
11 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mahmoud Hammad al Marzouk, killed when he was hit by shrapnel from an alleged Coalition airstrike on May 5th (via Al Ragga Truth)
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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV082764
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, three strikes destroyed a front-end loader and an ISIS well head.”
For May 5th - 6th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed two front-end loaders and damaged a dam."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]