Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
11064 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CS1099

Incident date

June 26, 2017

Location

السخاني, Ar Raqqah: Sukhani neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.951373, 39.016984 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two named men identified to be from Al Sukhani, were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported.

All four sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

No further details were available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Shajma al Saleh
Adult male said to be from Al Sukhani killed
Muqdad Abdul Karim al Sayed
Adult male said to be from Al Sukhani killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Miqdad Abdel Karim al-Sayyid, killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Raqqa, June 26th 2017. (via Soheb al haskayi)
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 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
  • Mar 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 June 26th-27th: “Near Raqqah, 18 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 13 fighting positions, two vehicles, a VBIED, a home-made explosives factory, and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged two fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On June 26, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an IED belt.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 26 June – Tornados destroyed a truck-bomb workshop near Al Mayadin in eastern Syria, while Typhoons and Tornados eliminated snipers in Raqqa and Mosul… Two mixed pairs of Tornados and Typhoons, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, meanwhile provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pushing into Raqqa and to the Iraqi troops clearing remaining Daesh positions in west Mosul. A Brimstone missile accounted for a sniper team in Raqqa.'

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria in the last week. Most of them were carried out in the battles of Mosul and Raqqah. These strikes were aimed at groups of Daech fighters. The other strikes were carried out in Syria and targeted regrouping and refueling areas used by jihadi fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 16 artillery strikes in Mosul.

‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie, les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) sont engagées dans des combats féroces pour reprendre progressivement le contrôle du centre-ville de Raqqah. À l’Est, arrivés en bordure de la muraille d’enceinte de la vieille ville, les FDS sont ralentis sur les autres axes par les stratégies de harcèlement et d’imbrication de Daech déjà mises en œuvre à Mossoul. Les combattants du groupe terroriste s’appuient par ailleurs sur les rues étroites de la vieille ville pour freiner la progression des FDS. En Irak, le recul de Daech se poursuit. Au nord-ouest de l’Irak, les Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) et la 15e division irakienne poursuivent leurs actions pour consolider leur emprise sur la province de Ninive. Daech de son côté continue de concentrer ses actions de diversion dans la poche de Hawijah. À Mossoul, les Forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) continuent leur progression méthodique. Les combattants de Daech sont désormais isolés dans deux poches de résistances distinctes, entre la Médina et le complexe hospitalier. Le 21 juin les djihadistes ont fait sauter la mosquée Al Nouri alors que les FSI s’en approchaient, privant ces dernières d’une prise symbolique. Ils ont également mené plusieurs actions de harcèlement contre les lignes arrière des FSI. Dans les quartiers repris, la sécurisation est lente, progressive et dangereuse pour les FSI. Daech continue de mener des actions sporadiques de harcèlement et tente de maintenir des cellules dormantes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a appuyé cette semaine les opérations de ratissage de la 15e division irakienne à l’ouest de Mossoul. 16 missions de tir ont été réalisées en appui des unités irakiennes dont : 10 missions de harcèlement 6 missions d’éclairement Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a donc conduit plus de 1200 missions de tirs. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 29 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 2 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elles ont été réalisées dans le cadre des batailles de Mossoul et de Raqqah. Ces frappes visaient des groupes de combattants de Daech. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en Syrie et ont visé des zones de regroupement et de ravitaillements utilisées par les combattants djihadistes.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS185

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Location

نوى, Nawa, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.89044, 36.0399 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two named civilians were killed in an alleged Russian and also claimed that the Assad regime was responsible for the attack on Da’ara Street in Nawa, Da’ara governorate.

The Violation Documentation Center in Syria named the two victims, and they were both from Kafr Shams.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhannad Yehya al-Sadi
Adult male named by VDC killed
Yehya al-Sadi
Adult male named by VDC killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged regime strikes on Nawa, Nov 21st (via ShaamNetwork S.N.N)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A photo of the corpse of Yehya al-Sadi (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirmed the following for November 21st-23rd 2015: “Aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have performed 141 combat sorties engaging 472 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah, and Deir ez-Zor.” It made no mention of strikes in Da’ara.

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)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1303

Incident date

July 31, 2017

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

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death “of the children of ‘Khaled al-Issa‘ by the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Raqqa.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Child of‘Khaled al-Issa 1
Child killed
Child of‘Khaled al-Issa 2
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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 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
  • May 31, 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 July 31st – August 1st: “Near Raqqah, 16 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, a mortar system and a VBIED facility.” It additionally reported that “On July 31, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 31 July – Typhoons attacked a Daesh defensive position and two sniper teams in Raqqa…Royal Air Force Tornado, Typhoon and Reaper aircraft have continued to fly daily armed reconnaissance missions against Daesh over Syria and Iraq, and have delivered a number of air strikes against terrorist targets in Raqqa. On Monday 31 July, two flights of Typhoons, based at RAF Akrotiri, delivered successful attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs against a defensive position from which Daesh were firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and against two sniper teams.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1331

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Location

ﻗﺮﻳﺔ ﺍﻟﺤﻤﺎﺩﻱ , Al Hammadi, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.99523, 41.138306 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two named children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in the village of al Hammadi in the al Shadadi countryside, according to local media.

Multiple sources reported that the Haddaj Sharqi school was struck by the Coalition, killing two children.

The incident was first reported on August 4, 2017 at 4:57 pm by مرصد الحسكة @AlhasakaArabea on Facebook.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Mohammed Al-Aziz
4 years old male killed
Asmaa Ismail Aziz
15 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Haddaj Sharqi (East) school (ﻣﺪﺭﺳﺔﻫﺪﺍﺝﺷﺮﻗﻲ), al Hammadi village (ﻗﺮﻳﺔﺍﻟﺤﻤﺎﺩﻱ ) in al Shadadi (ﺍﻟﺸﺪﺍﺩﻱ ) countryside near the Iraqi border, Al-Hasakah governorate. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the coordinates of either al Hammadi village (ﻗﺮﻳﺔﺍﻟﺤﻤﺎﺩﻱ) or the school. There are three buildings labeled as schools on Wikimapia east of Haddaj village and near the Iraq/Syria border, but it is unclear if any of these are the school that was reported to have been targeted. The coordinates for these three schools are: 36.017222, 41.207778; 35.977500, 41.247222; and 35.961667, 41.203889. We did locate al Shadadi town (ﺍﻟﺸﺪﺍﺩﻱ ), for which the coordinates are: 36.052222, 40.728889, and Haddaj village (حداج), for which the coordinates are: 36.035833, 41.056389.

  • Three possible locations for the school east of the village of Haddaj (حداج) and near the Iraq/Syria border

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 Al Hammadi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV927855
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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

“On Aug. 4, near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a command and control node.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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

RS485

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52815, 37.95495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, The Shaam News Network reported that several civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij.

The Network said this was part of a series of raids which included Al Bab, the villages of Berlhan and Trahil, and the city of Manbij. It added that civilians were directly targeted.

 

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
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.“

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
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1390

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Location

Dashisa, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0436, 41.16444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of two people following alleged US-led Coalition strikes in Al-Dashisha in southern Hasaka.

According to the single source, “a man and his wife, were killed by bombing by warplanes believes to be related to the International Coalition”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dashisha (الدشيشة), for which the coordinates are: 36.0436, 41.16444; and a possible school, south of Dashisha village (36.023228, 41.174086). Damage to this building can be seen on satellite imagery between 3 and 8 August already.  

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 information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Dashisha, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV949909
    Military Grid Reference System

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 August 18th-19th , the Coalition reported: “Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed a fighting position and an IED factory. “

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS517

Incident date

February 1, 2016

Location

معرسة الخان, Ma'arasta al Khan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.38032, 37.0744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes “carried out raids on the towns of the northern countryside on the towns of Tal Rafa’at, Mare’, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, Hayyan, Ratyan, Bayanoun, Al Mallah, Ma’arasta al Khan, Ihress, Deir al Zeitoun, Bashoui and Asiya.” It said that two people died in Ma’arasta Al Khan in addition to a number of people being wounded.

Halab Today reported that one man and one woman were “martyred due to Russian airstrikes on the village of Ma’arasta al Khan.”

Al Souriya also reported a series of bombings carried out by “Russian warplanes” on February 1 in the northern countryside of Aleppo, including in Ma’arasta Al Khan.

The White Helmets also put the death toll at two and referenced multiple “wounded,” but did not say who the “warplanes” responsible for the incident belonged to.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a raid on Ma'arasta al Khan, Feb 1st (via White Helmets)

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 1st – February 3rd

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3663

Incident date

May 5, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nubul , Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians died and up to five more were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime strike on the surgical hospital of Kafar Nubul, according to local media.

The New York Times later published audiofile transcripts which it said proved Russia had deliberately targeted the hospital.

According to Syria TV at the time: “A Syrian television correspondent reported that two civilians (Hussein al-Diri and Ahmad al-Rahal, who worked in the ambulances) were killed in air raids by the regime which targeted the center of the city of Kafar Nabil in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

However, a number of other sources blamed Russia.

@HadiAlabdallah tweeted: “War crime! Russian planes destroy three hospitals in one day in the countryside # Idlib and Hama, the last one was the hospital Kfarnbul surgical 5-5-2019”

The UN Commission of Inquiry for Syria described the attack in its September 2019 report, noting: “Also on 5 May, at approximately 5.30 p.m., pro-Government forces attacked Orient hospital in Kafr Nabl (Idlib) three times, with 3 to 5 minutes between each strike. Orient hospital was the closest medical facility to the Hass cave hospital, and had served up to 500 patients per day. The first air strike struck the main entrance. Two persons were killed and another five injured. The attacks rendered Orient hospital completely destroyed and inoperable.

Some 8,000 families fled Kafr Nubl since the first onslaught of aerial attacks in February, many of whom were left with no choice but to shelter under olive trees throughout northern Idlib. Also on 5 May, pro-Government forces launched air strikes against al-Sham hospital.”

In October 2019, the New York Times published what it said was proof that Russia was responsible for this attack and three other hospitals targeted on May 5th-6th: “An analysis of previously unpublished Russian Air Force radio recordings, plane spotter logs and witness accounts allowed The Times to trace bombings of four hospitals in just 12 hours in May and tie Russian pilots to each one.”

The Times gave the following account: “A doctor who worked there said that the hospital was struck four times, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The strikes landed about five minutes apart, without warning, he said, killing a man who was standing outside and forcing patients and members of the medical staff to use oxygen tanks to breathe through the choking dust.

A spotter logged a Russian jet circling above at the time of the strike, and in another Russian Air Force transmission, a pilot reports that he has “worked” his target at 5:30 p.m., the time of the strike. He then reports three more strikes, each about five minutes apart, matching the doctor’s chronology.”

Accoridng to Human Rights Watch report “The hospital was closed for a week while they repaired the damage. It was closed again in January 2020 because of Syrian army advances, and has remained closed since. Syria Sentry messages indicate that flight spotters sighted attack aircraft circling Kafr Nabl at 5:37 p.m., 5:40 p.m., and again at 5:49 p.m. In the 5:37 and 5:49 p.m. instances, spotters identified Russian “warplanes,” while at 5:40 pm the spotter identified a Russian-made Sukhoi-24 (Su-24) “Fencer,” which is flown by both the Russian and Syrian air forces in Syria. Intercepted radio communications between a Russian air force pilot and Russian ground control obtained by the New York Times also implicate a Russian aircraft in this attack.”

The incident occured at approximately 5:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Hussein al-Diri حسين الديري
Adult male killed
Ahmad al-Rahhal أحمد رحال
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (27) [ collapse]

  • An alleged Russian airstrike struck the surgical hospital of Kafar Nabil on May 5th (via Edllib Media Center).
  • An alleged Russian airstrike struck the surgical hospital of Kafar Nabil on May 5th (via Edllib Media Center).
  • An alleged Russian airstrike struck the surgical hospital of Kafar Nabil on May 5th (via Edllib Media Center).
  • An alleged Russian airstrike struck the surgical hospital of Kafar Nabil on May 5th (via Edllib Media Center).
  • The destructed surgical hospital in Kafar Nabil after it was struck by an alleged Russian airstrike on May 5th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime strike on Kafar Nabil, May 5th.
  • An alleged Russia airstrike on the surgical hospital of Kafar Nabil, May 5th.
  • Explosive barrels, allegedly dropped by the regime, hit Kafar Nabil, May 5th.
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Kafar Nabil, May 5th.
  • The aftermath of a strike on Kafar Nabil, May 5th.
  • Translation: "Air raids and explosive ordnance targeted at the environs of the city of Kafarnabil in the southern suburb of Idlib"
  • The aftermath of strikes on Kafar Nabil, May 5th (via SY24)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Kafar Nabil, May 5th (via SY24)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Kafar Nabil, May 5th (via SY24)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Kafar Nabil, May 5th (via Syrianmosaic)
  • The hospital in Kafar Nubul following the May 5th strikes. (Via @AleppoAMC).
  • Translation: "A patient in the streets of kafar nabil fleeing the hospital for fear of bombing"
  • @HadiAlabdallah tweeted: "War crime! Russian planes destroy three hospitals in one day in the countryside # Idlib and Hama, the last one was the hospital Kfarnbul surgical 5-5-2019"
  • An unnamed victim of a strike on Kafar Nabil, May 5th (via Justice Organisation)
  • Ruins of the hospital in Kafar Nabil, May 5th (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of a strike on the hospital in Kafr Nabil, May 5th (via Alitihad)
  • An image of a hospital in Kafr Nubul in the aftermath of a Russian/Syrian regime airstrikes on May 5th. 2019 (via @Fouadhallak89)
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on the hospital in Kafar Nubul on May 5th 2019. (Via @AleppoAMC).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on the hospital in Kafar Nubul on May 5th 2019. (Via @AleppoAMC).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on the hospital in Kafar Nubul on May 5th 2019. (Via @AleppoAMC).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on the hospital in Kafar Nubul on May 5th 2019. (Via @AleppoAMC).
  • Screenshot of messages from Syrian Observatory flight spotters indicating that a Russian-made Sukhoi-24 (Su-24) “Fencer” aircraft, which is flown by both the Russian and Syrian air forces in Syria, was in the area during the attack on Orient Hospital near the town of Kafr Nabl, Idlib, on May 5, 2019. (via HRW).

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 status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (49) [ collapse]