Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
5965 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CS1496 RS2451

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Location

شميطية, Shumaytiyah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4710166, 39.9351239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman, died after unidentified warplanes conducted a raid on the town of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة) in rural west Deir Ezzor, local sources said. There is limited information on the incident, Airwars will update the entry when new information arises.

Additionally, Deir Ezzor 24 and Asharq Asouri named two adult males as killed at a refugee camp i n Shumaytiyah – and blamed Russia for their deaths.

However western Deir Ezzor falls into the regime/Russian part of the deconfliction line, making this highly unlikely to be a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

AbdulSamad Al Abdul Mohsen Al Fayyad
Adult male killed
Abdul Razzaq Al Ahmad Al Fayyad
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Fatima Moussa al-Aloush
Age unknown female killed
Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'Martyrdom of both Abdul Razzaq Al Ahmad Al Fayyad AbdulSamad Al Abdul Mohsen Al Fayyad'.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.4710166, 39.9351239. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

For September 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.“ and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

For September 15th - 16th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes [1 British?] engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions" and "Additionally, 13 strikes consisting of 18 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 15 that closed within the last 48 hours. On Sept. 15, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS623

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Location

جاسم, Jassem, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.991344, 36.060136 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians (one man and his two children) died in an airstrike on Jassem, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Shaam News Network reported three deaths – “a father and his two children” – and blamed Russia. It also said one person was injured: “the sister of the PM in Assad’s government Wael Al Halki was injured. She lives in the town of Jaseem.”

Al Jazeera also said that Russia was responsible – though some other sources didn’t say who carried out the raids.

Syrianpc News – which blamed Russia – named the three victims.

The VDC also named these victims but said they died in regime shelling. Some sources claim the victims were from Ankhel, Dara’a, while others claimed they were from Jassem, Dara’a.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Faisal Abdulmajid Al-Rahil
Adult male Listed by Syrianpc, father killed
Abdulmajid Faisal Al-Rahil
3 years old male Listed by Syrianpc, son killed
Abdulmalek Faisal Al-Rahil
4 years old male Listed by Syrianpc, son killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdul Majeed, age 24, killed alongside his two sons in a strike on Jassem, Feb 16th (via Etihad Ahrar Syria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the father and his sons allegedly killed in the strike. (via Etihad Ahrar, deleted from Facebook)
  • The exact moments the alleged Russian raid hit. (via, Quasion)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1522

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Seven or ten civilians, mostly women and children, were reportedly killed by an airstrike on Al Mayadin.

According to Al Haddath, Coalition aircraft “launched air raids on residential areas in the eastern city of Mayadeen”, killing seven civilians, mostly women and children from the same family. This was reiterated by pro-regime outlet Tishreen. The Syrian Coalition reported a tally of 10 people killed, injuring dozens.

The Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office identified one of the reportedly killed women as Fatima Mohammad Reza Al-Kanakri. According to the center, she “died after being hit by an air strike of the international coalition”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed “several strikes” on Mayadin, but did not identify a culprit or report any civilian casualties. The observatory noted that the “warplanes” targeted two houses, which were reportedly used by ISIS as a weapon storage facility.

It is important to note that Airwars researchers have also identified public reports of civilian harm as a result of airstrikes in al Mayadin on September 25th (S1350). Still, although the civilian harm events have similarities, local sources very specifically pinpoint both incidents a day apart.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Mohammad Reza Al-Kanakri.
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • '10 people were killed and dozens were wounded by a bombardment of warplanes which targeted the neighborhoods of the town of Mayadin and villages in the Hwaij countryside'

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Sept. 24, 2017, in Al Mayadin, 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. 3150/CS1522 37SFU324762

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported that: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed a fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Sunday 24 September – a Reaper hit a truck-bomb near Dayr az Zawr in Syria, while Tornados demolished a terrorist-held building in northern Iraq…On Sunday 24 September, a Reaper kept watch over the area north-east of Dayr az Zawr in Syria, and used a Hellfire missile to destroy a truck-bomb. Over northern Iraq, Tornados demolished a Daesh-held building in Zawiyyah with a Paveway IV.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

RS815

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Location

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.810278, 37.252222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and ten civilians including one child and two women died – and 20 more people were injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Tal al Daman according to local sources.

Activists told the Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes used cluster bombs to strike the market. It put the death toll at a minimum of 10 civilians.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially attributed the incident to the regime, putting the death toll at six, including a child and two women. The same was reported by Ara News. However, in a subsequent report, the SNHR changed its position and alleged that Russia was responsible, reporting that one of the strikes targeted a fuel store, killing six civilians including one child and a woman. Syria Newsdesk also blamed Russia, and said that seven people died including a child, and that 15 were wounded.

According to the White Helmets (who didn’t identify the warplanes responsible), there were more than 17 strikes on Tal al Daman “with vacuum missiles and cluster bombs which led to the deaths of ten people and the injury of 17 others.” They added that they’d managed to rescue five people from under the rubble, but while doing so their team was targeted with one further strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–20
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a strike on Tal al Daman, May 29th (via White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via Shahed_Ayan news)

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 May 1st – 31st

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–20
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1547

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Location

الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al Ara'ain street, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.017721, 40.447309 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died in a strike on a taxi or militant vehicle in Al Arba’ain street, Al Mayadin, local media reported – though it was unclear who was to blame. Most sources didn’t identify who was responsible, though one attributed the event to Russian aircraft.

Euphrates Post reported “a military air strike targeted a taxi in Al-Arbaeen Street in the city of Al-Mayadin, killing all in the car.” Masar Press said that “three civilians were killed as a result of the targeting of a military vehicle in Al-Arbaeen Street in Al-Mayadin”. That suggested that the civilians harmed were not in the vehicle itself.

Alghad, which put the death toll at five, blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Arba’eeb Street (الأربعین) in Al Mayadin city. Open Source maps give a possible possible for Al Arba’eeb Street (الأربعین) at: 35.017721, 40.447309.

  • Possible location for Al Arba’eeb Street (الأربعین).

    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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 28th-29th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroyed two fighting positions and a supply route; and damaged a fighting position.” And: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS staging area.“

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS653

Incident date

February 21, 2016

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4008045, 40.1184654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Akhbar.net reported that one non-combatant died in a Russian strike on the town of al Hissan. The VDC named one adult male, as killed in a Russian strike.

However, Gulf Eye News  and Akbaralan News reported deaths in nearby Hatlah from Russian strikes, but none in Al Hissan.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bashar Mohammad al-Khaled
Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ 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 published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1580

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

التوسعية, Al Tawosoui'ya neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9633318, 38.9806321 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen to 16 civilians or more died in an aerial attack reportedly conducted by the US-led Coalition on Al Tawaswiya neighbourhood, Raqqah city, according to local sources.

Saeed Ahmed Al Jum’a, his family and another family of relatives were documented killed by the source Marsad Al Hassaka, amongst other reports.

According to Smart activists, “the Tawasu’iya neighborhoods, the Bedouins and the White Garden area have been hit by about 20 coalition raids and 60 artillery and missile rounds from SDF”.

All sources attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition. Airwars will amend the entry when any new information arises.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saeed Ahmed Al Jum’a
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9633318, 38.9806321. The area refers to several neighbourhoods on the North West of Raqqah (الرقة‎), however, due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

  • Al Tawassiya neighbourhood (التوسعیة) in the North West of Raqqah (الرقة‎)

    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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • 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

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, two vehicles, and a logistics node; and suppressed four fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three ISIS fighting positions and a VBIED.” And that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS communication system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS968

Incident date

July 2, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Heavy and “barbaric” shelling killed six named civilians including two children and injured between 10 and 25 civilians in Ar-Rastan, Homs, according to local media. The majority of the injured were – according to Baladi News and Sna Agency – mostly women and children. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

Several sources claimed that two other bodies were so badly burnt they were unidentifiable, including Qasioun News Agency, Sna News Agency and other local sources.

All sources blamed either Russian or Syrian regime warplanes. Shaam Network reported that “The skies of the northern Homs countryside and western Hama countryside were full of planes. Assad and his allies have carried out air raids on liberated points on the civilian houses, which led to the fall of martyrs and wounded a number of civilians.”

Homscommittee reported five children died and blamed the regime. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Yehya Al-Ashtar
Age unknown male killed
Ahlam Bakkor, (wife of yehya Al Ashtar)
Age unknown female killed
Mohammed Bakkor
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Khaled Mohammed Farzat
47 years old male killed
Youssef Al-Qassem
3 years old male killed
Murad Al-Qasem
4 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (2–5 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–25
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian children treated for wounds following alleged air raids on Ar-Rastan, Homs (Youtube via Qasioun)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An unidentifed body covered in sheets following alleged warplane shelling (Youtube via Alrastm Alrastm)

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 July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (2–5 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–25
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]