Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

TI005

Incident date

July 17, 2016

Location

الفاضلية, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.509167, 43.270278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A local MP complained that a number of civilians had been killed and injured in fresh Turkish shelling of Fadhiliya village.

Salim Juma told NRN News that artillery strikes from a nearby Turkish base at Bashiqa “killed and injured a number of civilians, including women and children.” The MP called on the regional Kurdish government to intervene, saying that eight houses had been destroyed in two days of recent ‘indiscriminate’ shelling.

No additional reports are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Fadhiliya (الفاضلية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.509167, 43.270278. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS118

Incident date

January 24, 2018

Location

راحو, Rajo village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67296, 36.666364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians died and several more were injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Rajo village, according to local media.

The Smart News Network reported that “a woman was wounded by a Turkish air strike on the town of Raju in the Afrin area of Aleppo, north of the country, receiving treatment in a hospital in the area on 24 January 2018. One person was killed and two were injured.”

According to Hawar, one person died and two more were wounded from the same family. They also published many images showing damage to residential homes.

Albawabh reported the death of one person and the wounding of two women, while Ciyaye put the death toll at two.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Welat Muhammad Bero
48 years old named as wounded by The Kurdish Red Crescent injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • Damage to civilian homes as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Hawar)
  • A wounded woman as a result of alleged Turkish airstrikes in Rajo village, Afrin, 24th January 2018. (via Smart)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rajo village, Afrin (راحو), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.67296, 36.666364. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS213

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

قرية درويش, عفرين, Darwish village, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.635, 36.668056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians including a child died, and up to eight others other was wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling of Darwish village, Syria, local media reported.

According to Nuce24, a 39-year-old man was killed, and 65-year-old was injured as a result of the targeting of their house in the village of Darwish in the area of Medniki.

Other sources also named Rustom Mohammed Jumaa. Most put his age at 41-years.

However, according to Bas News, the bombing of Turkish airliner also caused the death of 13-year-old girl, and wounding eight others in the village of Darwish in the area of Maidanki in rural Afrin, said Prosk Haska, spokesman for the People’s Protection Units.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rustom Mohammed Jumaa
Adult male via IC Afrinresistance‏ killed
Haifa Kalaho
13 years old female via Salan Efrin‏ killed
Mohammed Juma’a
65 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows one of the victims, killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Darwish village (Source: IC Afrinresistance‏)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows the victim body at the hospital, killed following an alleged Turkish shelling on Darwish village (Source: Hewar news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Darwish village, Afrin (قرية درويش, عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.635, 36.668056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS922

Incident date

June 5, 2017

Location

البو عاصي, Al Bu A'ssi, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.78392, 38.32796 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two adult male civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bu A’ssi village, according to local media.

Two sources – Baladi and Mohab Nasser – pointed directly at the Coalition, reporting that two non-combatants died in an alleged Coalition raid near a refugee camp. Other sources referred to “warplane raids”, but didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al Alewi al Issa al Shahhada
40 years old male killed
Yassin Ahmad al Yassef
49 years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Yassin Ahmad al Yassef, 49 years old, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bu A'ssi, 5th June 2017. (via Ahmad al Shibli)
  • Ahmad al Alewi al Issa al Shahhada 40 years old, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bu A'ssi, 5th June 2017. (via Ahmad al Shibli)
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 Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV3926860193
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 5th-6th: “Near Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged 18 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 19 boats, 12 fighting positions, eight vehicles, a house rigged with explosives, and a weapons storage facility; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionaly noted for June 5th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS staging areas, two fighting positions, a VBIED factory, an ISIS tunnel, an ISIS sentry post, a vehicle, and a command and control node.” And that “On June 5, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed an IED factory, an ISIS headquarters, an ISIS financial center, and an ISIS staging area.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Monday 5 June – Typhoons struck a Daesh-held building in eastern Raqqa, whilst Tornados hit two terrorist firing points in a building in Mosul…On Monday 5 June, two Typhoons, supporting Syrian Democratic Forces close to Raqqa, used a Paveway IV to strike a Daesh-held building in the east of the city itself.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • The @RoyalAirForce is continuing to strike Daesh in Iraq and Syria. (via Ministry of Defence)

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1080

Incident date

June 25, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.882222, 39.048611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two adult civilians died and three children were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ratlah village, according to local media.

Al Hassaka Rasd reported that the Coalition struck “the house of Abdul Aziz al-Khamri in Ratlah”. It reported that two civilians died and “three children were slightly injured by the attack”.

The victims were also named by Al Ragga Truth who attributed the event to the US-led Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Asa’ad Mohammed Al Ibrahim
Adult killed
Faisal Ismail Al Ibrahim
Adult killed

Summary

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

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 Ratla, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV043712
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, five vehicles, two ammo caches, a recoilless rifle, a supply cache, and an UAS launch site; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 24, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed two fighting positions.” And that “On June 24, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed 19 fighting positions and two vehicles, and damaged a weapons cache.”

For June 25th - 26th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles and a tunnel system" and later reported "On June 25, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 25 June – Tornados attacked a Daesh headquarters and mortar position in eastern Syria…Operations against groups of Daesh extremists outside of Raqqa and Mosul have also been maintained, and on Sunday 25 June, Tornados attacked a headquarters and mortar position in eastern Syria, some 55 miles north-east of Dayr az Zawr.’

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS230

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male and one child died in an alleged Assad regime airstrike on Najeh, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Radio Al Kul said one person died and three were injured – but instead attributed responsibility to Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ziyad Fato
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khaled Bakour
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of adult male, Ziyad Ahmad Fato, killed on 4th December 2015. (via, Idlib Civil Defence)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Najieh (الناجية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.7894815, 36.2177181. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Idlib.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS263

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two male civilians were reported killed in either a Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Arbeen. The town’s local medical committee reported “Dozens of injured received by the hospital in Arbeen after the outskirts of the town of Arbeen, Zamalka and other eastern Ghouta towns were targeted by warplanes that are still targeting public places and civilians.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Maysour Shroosh
Adult male named by the VDC, who they said were victims of unspecified ‘warplane shelling’ killed
Mohammad Ziad al-Khateeb
Adult male named by the VDC, who they said were victims of unspecified ‘warplane shelling’ killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Medics tend to wounded from Russian or Assad regime strikes on Arbeen, December 11th 2015 (via Arbeen Medical Committee)
  • The exact moment that the alleged Russian airstrike fell onto Arbeen. (via, Baladi News)
  • The exact moment that the alleged Russian airstrike fell onto Arbeen. (via, Baladi News)
  • White Helmets run to the scene to rescue trapped civilians. (via, White Helmets)
  • White Helmets working on a patient inside a medical facility. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • Graphic photograph of an injured man receiving medical help. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • An injured man in Arbeen. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • An injured child as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • Graphic image of a seriously injured man. He is also covered in dust. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • A graphic image of a man receiving medical treatment. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • Another image of a member of the White Helmets helping an injured man. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Arbeen, for which the generic coordinates are: 33.538143, 36.364331. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2940

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Location

مصطفى الشيخ, Mustafa Sheikh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.519135, 36.552968 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as two civilians were killed and others were injured in airstrikes on Mustafa Sheikh, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids.

There is confusion over whether one adult male died or one child. No sources point to two civilian deaths, however some sources differed while reporting the age of the victim.

Additionally, local media reported that “others” were wounded, however this was unspecified.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Iyad Ibraheem Bsais
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an airstrike struck Mustafa Sheikh, 28th Jan 2018. (via Ibrahim Zaydan)
  • Iyad Ibraheem Bsais, killed in airstrikes on Mustafa Sheikh, 28th Jan 2018. (via Osama Al Na’ssan)

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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]