Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS1400

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

كرم حومد, Karam Houmad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.196287, 37.181253 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Karam Houmad, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime.

According to Zaman al-Wasl, “four civilians were killed and others wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Karm Homad”.

Jsirtv reported that one child was one of two victims, and also blamed Russia.

The strikes were most likely carried out by Russia, as almost all sources pointed to this. These were Zaman al-Wasl, Syrian Press Center, Muslim, Jsirtv, @el-Dorar, @ShahbaPress, SN4HR and HNN. However, one source (@TahrirSY) attributed the strike to the Assad regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Karam Houmad. (via TahrirSy)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1480

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Location

Bariha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.150000, 40.270000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians died and five more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bariha village, according to local media.

Euphrates Post, Sound and Picture and 7al all blamed Russia.

A number of other sources didn’t identify the warplanes that carried out the attack.

Euphrates Post put the death toll at four, while other sources said that two had died.The former also reported the use of cluster bombs in this instance.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS009

Incident date

September 24–29, 2014

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A number of sources including the Syrian Martyrs website reported that a woman was killed in a Coalition airstrike on Ar Raqqah. She was reported as being a resident of the city.

The3 Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported her death fropm Coalition actions – though said this occured on September 24th: ” Fawzia al-Jadou, from Raqqa, was martyred by the bombing of the international coalition forces, on 24/9/2014.”

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Ms. Fawzia al-Jadou died due to extreme panic which led to an attack that stopped her breathing and killed her.”

A Syrian Network for Human Rights report relating to this event can no longer be traced.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fawzia Al Ghaddou
Adult female Named by Syrian Martyrs and DCHRS 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 (4) [ 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
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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
Official source

The coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity on September 28th-29th 2014: “Two airstrikes were conducted on ISIL compounds near Ar Raqqah.”

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

Incident Code

RS1509

Incident date

October 28, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and her unborn child died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strike on Douma, according to sources on the ground. 

According to the Step News Agency, “a woman and her foetus were killed and a number of more people wounded when Russian planes targeted residential areas in Douma Eastern Douma with several air raids”.

But some other sources made no mention of the unborn child. For example, 7al reported that “a woman and her son were killed”, according to Mahmoud Adam, a spokesman for the civil defence in Damascus.

@SyriaRevolutin published an image of a little girl, ‘Zeinab’, while Halab Today said that one child had been killed in an artillery attack.

Additionally, on November 1st, LCCSY reported the death of six-year-old Alaa Suleik, and said that he had died after sustaining an injury “several days ago in shelling of Douma” – though it’s unclear whether he was wounded in this particular strike on October 27th.

Sources say there was much material damage to public roads.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibtissam al Mahbani
Adult female pregnant killed
Zeinab
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Zeinab, allegedly killed in a raid on Douma by Russian and Syrian regime forces, Oct 28th (via SyriaRevolutin)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI018

Incident date

November 19, 2014

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The FBI informed CENTCOM internally on November 21st 2014 that a source had alleged the deaths of “41 Yezidi captive females killed in a strike on a named OBJ IVO [objective in the vicinity of] Mosul.”

The closest strike, number 999, was identified by CENTCOM as having taken place some 3.2km from the site of the alleged incident with an AGM-114 missile (suggesting that the aircraft involved was a drone.) However, it also noted that “the engagement conducted a cold shift on the weapon due to collateral concerns entering the area of the strike.” As a result it was concluded “No further inquiry needed.“

While Airwars researchers have not been able to identify any published claims of mass casualties among Yazidi women in Mosul for this period, there were reports at the time of women escaping as a result of Coalition airstrikes. One local news source cited the Director-General for Yazidi Affairs at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Kurdistan as saying that “about 250 Yazidi from Mosul and Sinjar escaped during the aerial bombardment of these gatherings.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    41
  • (41 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • FBI report from a source indicated that 41 Yezidi cative females were killed in a strike on a named OBJ IVO Mosul. 21 Nov 2014: Received assessment through CENTCOM CHOPS. The closest strike was on the D/T identified, #999, was 3.2 km away, conducted with AGM 114, the engagement conducted a cold shift on the weapon due to collateral coNerns entering the area of the strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    41
  • (41 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1746

Incident date

April 19, 2018

Location

سوسة, Al Soussa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of ‘SDF shelling’ on the town of Al Soussa at night.

A number of sources identified the two casualties as Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger and Alia Mohammed Hilal who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the Omar oil field”. A tweet by Deir Ezzor Now specified that the woman was the wife of Mohammed Khashan Al Naiem’s brother.

All sources identify the SDF as the culprit. However, some sources make mention of SDF “artillery” and “shelling”. The SDF had no access to artillery, indicating a possible Coalition action.

Other reports from the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Baladi specified that the SDF fired projectiles via a missile launcher on Al Soussa. Deir Ezzor Now instead reported that the damage was the result of “rocket-propelled grenades”.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger
Adult male killed
Alia Mohammed Hilal
Adult female Wife of Mohammed Khashan Al Naiem’s brother killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'The killing of both: _ Mohammed Khashan Al Najem Al Dagger _ Alya Mohammed Alhilal, wife of Hassan Khashan Al Najem After the rocket attack that targeted the town of # Sousse last night, the source of which was the oil field controlled by the coalition forces and SDF forces.'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Soussa (سوسة), of which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 34.528889, 40.9675

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 19th, the Coalition reported that “On April 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against Daesh targets.
Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed five Daesh-held buildings.”

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For April 18th-24th the Netherlands reports that its F-16s flew 9 missions to support ground troops, including in the Iraqi province of Al Hasakeh. Weapons were deployed during one mission when F-16s attacked ISIS fighters in support of ground troops in the area of Abu Kamal in Deir Ezzor, Syria.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 25-04-2018 | 12:00 De Explosieven Opruimingsdienst Defensie (EOD) maakte meer dan 60 explosieven onschadelijk. Veel meldingen waren afkomstig van boeren die hun akkers omploegden en daarbij op oude explosieven stuitten. Ook maakte de EOD handgranaten in Nieuwegein onschadelijk. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 18 tot en met 24 april 2018. EOD-militairen bereiden het springen van gevonden munitie voor (april 2014). Met hulp van de explosievenopruimingsdienst maakte duikvaartuig Hydra een zeemijn (MK17) en een bom onschadelijk voor de Zeeuwse kust. De maritieme tak van de EOD rukte 9 keer uit in Noord-Nederland. Midden-Oosten Nederlandse F-16’s vielen ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen ISIS-strijders aan. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. De jachtvliegtuigen ondersteunden grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies, waaronder in de provincie Al Hasakeh in Irak. In 1 geval werden wapens ingezet. Nederlandse instructeurs gaven cursussen aan militairen in Irak. Zij leren onder meer grote gebieden te beveiligen en krijgen bataljonsstaf- en infanterietrainingen. De trainingen zijn bijna afgerond. Aansluitend ontvangen de cursisten hun certificaat. De instructeurs verzorgen de opleidingen met collega’s van partnerlanden. Een Nederlands chirurgisch team opereert in een Amerikaans role 2-hospitaal in westelijk Irak. Het team werkt nauw samen met Britse medici.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI034

Incident date

January 26, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.123785, 41.297725 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported two alleged Coalition airstrikes, killing five and injuring two civilians called Mohammed Mohammed Ahmed and Ebtehalf Mohammed Yosef.

The first attack took place at 7.40 AM local time on the highway close to the town of Umm al-Dheban at that time. The second airstrike was at 8.40 AM local time on the highway close to the town of Umm Jereis. Jannie Schipper, a Dutch journalist who first broke the story, provided Airwars with details of the location and photo imagery.

The people were moving in a row of taxis from Mosul to Baghdad to flee from ISIS on 26 January 2015. Mr. Ahmed was with his mother in the first taxi and Mrs Yosef was with her husband and another couple in the second taxi. Around 7.40 AM the first taxi of the row was hit during an airstrike. Mr. Ahmed was wounded as a result. His mother and the driver did not survive the attack. After the airstrike the persons present in the second taxi provided first aid to the victims of the first taxi and they have ensured that the victims were taken to a medical facility in ISIS-held area by cars coming towards them. After the row of taxis had continued its journey, it was again hit around 8.40 by an airstrike. This time the second taxi was hit. Mrs Yosef was severely wounded as a result of this bombing. Her husband and the other couple have not survived the airstrike.

Mr. Ahmed and Mrs Yosef are presently being represented by Dutch lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld, who specializes in human rights liability.

 

The incident occured between 7:40 am and 8:40 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Mohammed Ahmed
Adult male injured
Ebtehalf Mohammed Yosef
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that two alleged Coalition airstrikes hit a convoy of taxis traveling towards Baghdad, carrying civilians fleeing fighting in Mosul. The location of the first airstrike, at around 07:40 local time, was on the Al Dhiban – Al Qaim Road, “close to the town of Umm al-Dhiban”. Approximate location (provided by eyewitness): 36.123785, 41.297725 The second airstrike hit at around 08:40 local time on the Al Dhiban – Al Qaim Road, “close to the town of Umm Jereis” ( ام جريس ). Approximate location (provided by eyewitness): 35.862952, 41.383814

  • Location of the first strike near Umm al-Dhiban (قرية أم جريص)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Wikimapia

  • Location of the second strike near Umm Jereis (ام جريس)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Wikimapia

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-Dheban Road, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGA067001
    Military Grid Reference System

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
Official source

According to the Coalition, between January 25th-26th 2015: “Near Mosul, four airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL bunkers, two ISIL vehicles, and an ISIL armored vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1697a

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Location

هجين, near Hajin, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.68547, 40.83724 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Hajin.

In its March 2018 report, the Coalition noted: “During a coalition strike which killed a known high-level ISIS member a civilian scooter inadvertently crossed into the strike area and it is assessed that one civilian was injured.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

According to Al Haal, a Coalition strike in Hajin killed one civilian and wounded another nine. However, the confirmation of the injury came from a Coalition self-report so we cannot be certain that this is referring to the same strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Hajin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU683397
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

  • Dec. 13, 2017 near Hajin, Syria via self-report. During a coalition strike which killed a known high-level ISIS member a civilian scooter inadvertently crossed into the strike area and it is assessed that one civilian was injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

On Dec. 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 17
engagements against ISIS targets.
 Near Abu Kamal, nine strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed three
ISIS vehicles and an ISIS headquarters.
 Near At Tanf, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS
vehicles, four cave entrances and a tactical vehicle.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]