Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

CS1857

Incident date

November 24–25, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajin , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A named male civilian was reported killed in a confirmed Coalition air or artillery strike on Hijan when it struck his home. All sources blamed the Coalition for the event.

Some sources reported that the incident was on November 24th and others on the 25th. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the Coalition fired missiles on Hijan. Hajin Magazin described the shelling as “savage”.

On September 20 2021, the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF – OIR), acknowledged the event in their monthly civilian casualty report, but stated: “After a review of all available  records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as  a result of a Coalition action”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed al-Karhout Abou Hussein
Adult male nicknamed Alhuli, from Bhajin killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU677407
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 20, 2021
  • September 20, 2021 Release No. 20210920-03 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Monthly Civilian Casualty Report SOUTHWEST ASIA – Since the beginning of operations in 2014, the Coalition and partner forces have liberated nearly 110,000 square kilometers (42,471 square miles) from Daesh, eliminating their self-proclaimed territorial caliphate and freeing 7.7 million people from Daesh oppression. The Coalition will continue to work with partner forces to deny Daesh any physical space and influence in the region as well as deny Daesh the resources they need to resurge. The Coalition conducted 34,991 strikes between August 2014 and the end of July 2021. During this period, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses at least 1,417 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition actions since the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve. We follow a rigid targeting process for all of our strikes to ensure strict adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict while attempting to avoid collateral damage. Every accidental loss of life is tragic, and it will remain our goal to take all feasible precautions to avoid putting civilians in danger in our pursuit of a ruthless enemy. In the month of July, CJTF-OIR carried over 106 open reports from previous months and received no new reports. CJTF-OIR completed two civilian-casualty allegation assessment reports. CJTF-OIR assessed both reports as non-credible. 105 reports are still open, including one that CJTF-OIR had previously closed but reopened due to the availability of new information. The results of each investigation of an allegation will fall into one of two categories, either "credible" or "non-credible." An assessment of "credible" means that our team investigated the allegation and determined that, based on available evidence, more likely than not, the death was the result of Coalition action. A "non-credible" evaluation means that the information we have to assess the allegation, using our available resources, cannot determine, to the standard of "more likely than not", that the death was the result of Coalition action. There could be a number of reasons for this, to include no corroborating strikes at that time or that location, there was insufficient evidence to support the allegation, or there is simply insufficient or overly vague data in the allegation itself. __________________________________________________________________________________________ CJTF-OIR Website CJTF-OIR Twitter CJTF-OIR Facebook CJTF-OIR Imagery Email | CJTF-OIRmedia@mail.mil | Phone | +1.813.529.4636 | Kuwait | 00.965.221.6340 and 430-5193# Mailing Address | CJTF-OIR Public Affairs | APO AE 09306 1 COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE Public Affairs Office It is important to note that while the Coalition has a substantial quantity of data at its disposal to investigate every claim, we welcome any information from any source that will enable us to determine the truth. Furthermore, we routinely reopen closed investigations based on new information that might help us attain more accurate results. Non-Credible Reports: After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed the following two reports as non-credible. At this time there is insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition action resulted in civilian casualties. Numeric Key: [CJTF-OIR Allegation Number] / [Non-Governmental Organization Allegation Number] [Grid Coordinate]. The Military Grid Reference System coordinates specified in these reports are derived from the original allegation source. 1. Nov. 24, 2018, near Hajin, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 3246/CS1857 37SFU677407 2. Jan. 29, 2019, in al Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 3268/CS1893 37SFU786153

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 24th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 24 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 65 strikes consisting of 86 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 65 strikes engaged 24 tactical units and destroyed 28 firing positions, eight vehicles, six fighting positons, four supply routes, four IED factories, two buildings, five command and control facilities, two staging areas, one vehicle borne IED, one piece of engineer equipment,  one checkpoint, one weapons cache and one AAA system.

For November 25th it reported: "On Nov. 25 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 26 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 14 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed one vehicle, two fighting positons, two supply routes, one UAS launch site, three buildings, one command and control center and one weapons cache. "

On September 20 2021, CJTF-OIR published a strike report stating:
The Coalition conducted 34,991 strikes between August 2014 and the end of July 2021. During this period, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses at least 1,417 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition actions since the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve.
We follow a rigid targeting process for all of our strikes to ensure strict adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict while attempting to avoid collateral damage. Every accidental loss of life is tragic, and it will remain our goal to take all feasible precautions to avoid putting civilians in danger in our pursuit of a ruthless enemy.

In the month of July, CJTF-OIR carried over 106 open reports from previous months and received no new reports. CJTF-OIR completed two civilian-casualty allegation assessment reports. CJTF-OIR assessed both reports as non-credible. 105 reports are still open, including one that CJTF-OIR had previously closed but reopened due to the availability of new information.

1. Nov. 24, 2018, near Hajin, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 3246/CS1857 37SFU677407


French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

From Nov 21st-27th, France report that Task Force Wagram carried out 62 firing missions (35 lighting, 27 destruction) from Iraq territory. Aircraft carried out 16 sorties and two strikes.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie Dans la région d’Hajine, profitant de conditions météo défavorables, Daech a récemment lancé des offensives contre les positions des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). L’appui de la coalition, notamment l’engagement de l’artillerie, a permis de stopper ces offensives. Au bilan, cette action a occasionné des pertes dans les deux camps, sans faire évoluer la ligne de front. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent, avec un effort le long de la frontière syrienne pour contrer toute tentative d’action de Daech depuis la Syrie. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Elle a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 62 missions de tir (35 éclairement, 27 destruction – bilan du 21 au 27 novembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2227 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 16 sorties aériennes (bilan du 21 au 27 novembre inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 2 frappes cette semaine. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8670 sorties / 1481 frappes / 2280 objectifs neutralisés. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne, qui est en charge de la sécurisation de l’ouest du grand Bagdad. Insérée au sein du quartier général de la division, la TF se compose d’une centaine de militaires dont les expertises variées permettent de dispenser des instructions opérationnelles adaptées aux besoins émis les Irakiens. Depuis le mois d’octobre, treize stages ont ainsi été organisés, dans des domaines variés comme le secourisme de combat, la lutte contre les IED, le combat en zone urbaine, la lutte contre la menace NRBC ou encore la maintenance ou l’entraînement physique et sportif. Ils ont permis de former quelque 240 militaires irakiens, dont une majorité de cadres ayant pour vocation de devenir instructeurs à leur tour. Monsabert intervient également au profit de l’école d’artillerie irakienne : 75 cadres de cette école ont ainsi été entraînés pendant plus d’un mois. L’artillerie est une capacité de premier ordre pour l’armée irakienne qui l’emploie actuellement à la frontière irako-syrienne pour prévenir toute incursion de Daech depuis la Syrie. Composée d’une quarantaine de militaires, la TF Narvik, qui est implantée dans les faubourgs de Bagdad, forme et conseille les membres de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Mi-octobre ont débuté cinq formations dans les domaines suivants : mise en œuvre d’armes lourdes, combat motorisé, lutte contre les engins explosifs improvisés, sauvetage au combat et tir de précision. D’une durée de douze semaines chacune, ces formations permettent d’instruire les stagiaires de l’école de spécialité de l’ICTS mais également de conseiller les instructeurs irakiens.’

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For November 21st - 27th 2018, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16's supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 9 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting vehicles, logistical places and IS-fighters.

In het overzicht van 21-27 Nov laat MinDef weten tijdens 9 missies F-16's te hebben ingezet ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Bij 3 missies boven Deir al Zour in Syrie werden wapens ingezet. Voertuigen, logistieke plaatsen en IS-strijders zijn aangevallen.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS203

Incident date

April 19, 2016

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two named civilians were reported killed and others injured after an alleged Coalition strike at Al Tabaqah.

One of those killed has been named as Abd al Mahayman Abd al Tawwab al Radwan, from Deir Ezzor.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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:

Age unknown male From Deir Ezzor killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: #Al Raqqa: two martyrs and a number of wounded in an international coalition raid on the town of #Al Tabaqa

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
    37SDV580651
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • April 19, 2016, in Al Tabaqah, 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. 2950/CS203 37SDV580651

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 18th-19th the Coalition reports that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4504

Incident date

March 5, 2020

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 16 civilians, including between two and five children and 5 to seven women, were killed and up to 35 civilians, including two women and four children were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on March 5th, 2020, according to local sources.

@seerij80 tweeted 14 names of some of the civilians who were killed: Mohammed Hussein Harkoush, an Unknown woman, Mohammed Mustafa Eid, Mohammed al Hussein Saleh Harkoush, Mohammed Al Saleh Harkoush, Ahmad Al Ghadban, Yasser Hamoud, Aya Salem Qoutaish, Maya Salem Qoutaish, Irein Mohammed Qoutaish, Jamila Ibrahim Al Saleh, Yaza Hamoud, Zainab Harkoush, Fatima Harkoush and Ibrahim Harkoush. Other sources reported the civilian death toll as high as 16.

Edlib Media Center reported that there were “civilian martyrs and wounded as a result of Russian occupation warplanes targeting a building inhabited by displaced people near the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib, at dawn today [March 5th, 2020].”

Multiple sources added that most of the civilians harmed by the strike had been women and children, Smart News reported that 7 of the civilian deaths were women. Others reported as many as 5 of the civilian deaths were children.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “the presence of at least 18 wounded people, some of them in critical conditions, in addition to information about other martyrs, as rescue teams continue to remove the rubble and search for missing persons”. Other sources reported that the number of injured was as high as 35.

Witnesses told Smart News Agency that the Russian warplanes targeted a farm inhabited by displaced people from the Ma’arat Al Numan area, killing nine civilians and wounding 20. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the farm was a poultry farm. According to SOHR, the victims are displaced people from Hama, Aleppo and other areas of Idlib.

Ahmed Sheikho, director of the Syrian Civil Defence Media office in Idlib told Smart News Agency that “Russian warplanes launched two raids on a farm inhabited by displaced families in the vicinity of the city of Ma’arat Misrin, killing 16 civilians, including seven women and two children, and wounding 21 others, including two children and four women”. Edlib Media Center reported that 32 people were wounded.

The airstrike took place around 2-3:00am and hit derelict farm buildings in which displaced families had been seeking refuge.

Bab Al Taka added that 6 of the civilians killed had previously been residents of “Bab al-Taqa village”. Other sources reported Aleppo and Hama as other areas where the displaced people living in Ma’aret Misrin had previously fled from.

Reuters reported on the ensuing situation of talks between President Putin and Erdogan, where “Putin expressed his regret to Erdogan over the recent killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an air strike, saying that the Syrian army did not know their whereabouts. Civil defense workers helping to clear the rubble and search for survivors said that at least 16 civilians were killed”.

Human rights watch later reported that “at least five munitions” had hit the buildings in which “14 displaced families were living”. The Human rights watch source also gave the harrowing account of a man and his son who said “For some families, no one was left. For other families, only one or two people survived, and they left. Others whose shelter was destroyed also left. We are the only family who stayed behind, because we found a room nearby. We didn’t stay willingly, but we have nowhere else to go…”

A witness described the scene as “I saw a woman and her husband under the rubble with their daughter, who was about 6 years old. The man was waving his hand for help… I dug the girl out from under the rubble and placed her on a mattress on the ground while we waited for the ambulance. Suddenly, an airplane dropped a complete load of [munitions] on us. I heard a huge bang and the explosion threw me to the ground and I couldn’t move. My clothes got ripped off. I finally stood up afterwards and realized I had burns to my head and could not hear from one ear.”

Human rights watch added that “the area where he had laid the girl down had been blown up, killing the girl, he said. Two SCD volunteers who arrived after the first two munitions hit found seven people wounded, whom they took to hospital. Several team members remained there when the next set of munitions hit, killing some of those who had been wounded in the first set of strikes.”

According to Human Rights Watch, “All witnesses interviewed said they knew of no military objectives in the vicinity before or at the time of the attack, nor were there signs of military weapons, equipment, or personnel in the imagery reviewed.”

Human Rights Watch also identified “Sentry messages sent that morning between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., on the messaging app Telegram, included continuous sightings of a Russian aircraft in the area and the COI, in the report it released in July 2020, said it had “reasonable grounds to believe” the attack had been carried out by Russia.” The vast majority of other sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Russia, with only Shaam News mentioning both Russian and regime planes carrying out strikes. Therefore, we grade this as likely carried out by Russian forces.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Yaza Hamoud يازة حمود
killed
Yasser Hamoud
killed

Family members (3)

Aya Salem Qoutaish آية سالم قطيش
killed
Maya Salem Qutaish مايا سالم قطيش
killed
Irene Muhammad Qutish إيرن محمد قطيش
Child female killed

Family members (6)

Mohammed Hussein Harkoush
killed
Mohammed al Hussein Saleh Harkoush
killed
Mohammed Al Saleh Harkoush
killed
Zainab Harkoush
killed
Fatima Harkoush
killed
Ibrahim Harkoush
killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Al Ghadban أحمد الغضبان
Age unknown killed
Jamila Ibrahim Al Saleh جميلة عبدو ابراهيم الصالح
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Mustafa Eid
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 16
  • (2–5 children5–7 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (51) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (67) [ collapse]

  • Belongings of civilians after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • Child walking in rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer carrying a killed or injured child after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer holding a child victim in an ambulance after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim into an ambulance after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim into an ambulance after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Footage of the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Mission on March 5th, 2020 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim into an ambulance after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • Damaged building near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNHR).
  • Child standing in front of the destoyed farm near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Damaged poultry farm near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Damaged building near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Destruction near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Damaged poultry farm near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Destruction near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @fatina_sam98)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child critically injured from airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @fatina_sam98)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Rescue workers with one of the victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • One of the victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • "A horrific massacre committed by Russian warplanes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib The raids targeted poultry farms and around them some rooms and tents, all inhabited by displaced people from the southern countryside of Idlib" (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • "A horrific massacre committed by Russian warplanes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib The raids targeted poultry farms and around them some rooms and tents, all inhabited by displaced people from the southern countryside of Idlib" (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • "A horrific massacre committed by Russian warplanes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib The raids targeted poultry farms and around them some rooms and tents, all inhabited by displaced people from the southern countryside of Idlib" (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Rescue workers help victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Rescue workers help victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Rescue workers help victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Arabic names of those killed in airstrikes on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @seerij80)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a man killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Misrine news via Facebook)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child critically injured from airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Misrine news via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Muhammad Mustafa Eid, killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Al Mastouma coordinate via Facebook)

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
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 16
  • (2–5 children5–7 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (51) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4442

Incident date

February 27, 2022

Location

اّفس, Afes, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and between two and four other civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling of the town of Afes on February 27, 2022.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that two civilians were killed and two others were injured when the regime forces and Russian forces bombed a market in the center of Afes.

Syrian Network for Human Rights gave the names of the two civilians killed: Hussein Aboud al Aboud and Ismail Farzat Mas’oud. Local news channel @Almohrar1 reported the names of the civilians injured: Iyad Zreik and Zaher Masoud. Zaman Al Wasl added that Iyad Zreik is the principal of the school of the town of “Afes”.

Shaam News quotes activists who said that a popular market was struck with several artillery shells, which led to the death of two civilians and the wounding of others, including a teacher, in addition to the “massive destruction of the facilities” of the market. @Syrianfreeyouth also identified a kindergarten as being struck by the shelling and Zaman Al Wasl add details of the location as being ” in the center of the town of “Afes”, near the city of “Saraqib” at the intersection of the two international highways (M4 and M5)”.

Macro Media Center reported on the incident, providing information that four people were injured and one person was killed in the artillery shelling.

According to Zaiton Mag, “the civil defense teams rescued the victims and treated the injured from the village clinic to the hospitals in Idlib city.”

Syrian Network for Human Rights noted that “the village’s main market has been almost empty recently as most of the village residents were displaced as a result of previous military operations by the Syrian-Russian alliance in the region.”

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified Afes village as “considered as one of the “Turkish Army” strongholds in “De-escalation Zone” where number of points and bases of the Turkish Army are located”.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to the Syrian regime. However, local journalist @anasanas84 and a local nonprofit @Syrianfreeyouth blamed the shelling on Russian forces.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Aboud al Aboud مسعود حسين عبود
Adult male killed
Ismail Farzat Mas’oud اسماعيل فرزات
Age unknown male killed
Iyad Zreik إياد زريق
Age unknown injured
Zaher Masoud زاهر مسعود
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets rescue and treat one of the civilians injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Afes on February 27, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • The bombing of a popular market in the town of Afes in the countryside of Idlib led to the fall of two martyrs and the injury of civilians.
  • Here in Idlib, death has been going on for 10 years now... And no one wants to hear or see... As if everyone is enjoying our death... #Martyrs and wounded in #Efes, east of #Idlib
  • The crime of #Russia continues from #Syria to #Ukraine Two martyrs and several wounded as a result of Russian artillery shelling on the town of Afs, east of Idlib, a while ago
  • Our correspondent reported the killing of two civilians and the wounding of others in shelling by the regime forces targeting the town of Afes in Idlib countryside
  • Hussein Aboud al Aboud, killed in alleged Russian or regime shelling of Afes village on February 27, 2022. (Image posted by Hussein Al Hadidi via Facebook)

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
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS242

Incident date

June 27, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Manbij, according to multiple sources.

Manbij Mother of the World placed the death toll at 7, though the Syrian Network reported that four died – including 2 children.

However a local activist (whose account is now suspended by Twitter) challenged the claim: “The news of the death of an entire family in their home near al Sharia school west of the town is a lie. There are no civilians there as some of them fled and others are taking refuge inside the city.”

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: the news of the death of an entire family in their home near al Sharia school west of the town is a lie. There are no civilians there as some of them fled and others are taking refuge inside the city (via Hodhod_Minbig1).

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
    37SDA065429
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • June 27, 2016, in Manbij, 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. 2983/CS242 37SDA065429

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, seven strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL tunnels and damaged an ISIL fighting position and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Monday 27 June – Typhoons provided close air support to Syrian democratic forces fighting in Manbij…On Monday 27 June, while Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s conducted reconnaissance missions to gather intelligence on Daesh activity, Typhoon FGR4s and Reaper remotely piloted aircraft provided support to both Syrian democratic forces and Iraqi units. The same day, in Syria, a pair of Typhoons conducted a successful attack with Paveway IV guided bombs against a Daesh strongpoint on the south-western outskirts of Manbij.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1885

Incident date

January 10, 2019

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike struck a field hospital in the outskirts of the town Al Soussa in the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor on the night between Thursday January 10th and Friday January 11th, killing more than 15 non-combatants including doctors and wounded patients being treated by ISIS on the site, according to reports. It is unclear how many of the victims were affiliated to ISIS.

Step News blamed both ”SDF artillery’ and Coalition airstrikes. All other sources blamed only the Coalition.

Among the dead was the so-called Minister of Health with ISIS, Muwaffaq Askar Mohammed, nicknamed Abu Abdul Qadir. According to a local source, he was a physician born in 1972 in the town of Grajij and a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, University of London.

He worked as a teacher at the Faculty of Medicine at Deir Al-Zour University and supervised the work of the Health sector in many cities of Deir al-Zour during ISIS’s occupation. One source pointed out that three of his sons were killed while fighting with ISIS in Syria and Iraq

According to Madar Daily, the incident occurred in Al Shaafa, while other sources claimed it was in Al Soussa.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The incident occured after midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–6
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Minister of Health and the leader of Daesh" Dr. Mowaffaq Mahdi al-Askar alleged killed in a Coalition airstrike (via Shabab Al Soussa).
  • Description of Dr. Muwafaq Mahdi al-Askar (via Manartalforat2018).

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.52889, 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

Between Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 12, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 575 strikes consisting of 1,147 engagements in
Syria.

In Syria, 575 strikes engaged 485 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 308 staging areas, 220 fighting positions, 105
mortar, rocket and artillery systems, 57 supply routes, 50 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive device
and vehicle borne improvised explosive device, 31 command and control nodes, 26 vehicles, 19 weapons caches,
18 mortar launching sites, 18 petroleum oil and lubricant storage facilities, 11 heavy and light weapon systems,
eight reservoirs and tankers for petroleum oil and lubricants, eight pieces of heavy equipment, seven vehicle borne
improvised explosive devices, six tunnels and caves, four buildings, two unmanned aircraft systems, one weapons
facility, one logistics hub and one fuel storage.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–6
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI267

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition strike targeted the house of an ISIL commander named as Abu Hajar, said to be from Diyala province, also reportedly killed his whole family according to a single source.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 15th-17th 2016, no Coalition strikes were publicly reported in the Hawijah area.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS503

Incident date

April 24, 2022

Location

قرية بندرخان, Bandar Khan village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.709197, 38.696223 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a 16 year old, was killed and others were injured, including an elderly man, were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on Bandar Khan village on April 24, 2022.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a civilian was killed by Turkish artillery shelling of a regime military checkpoint in Bandar Khan village.

The correspondent for Hawar News also reported that a civilian was killed, adding that “several others were wounded as a result of the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries launched violent artillery and missile shelling”. Al Etihad Media corroborated this casualty toll, reporting that a civilian was killed and “a number of others were wounded” and Alyaum TV reported that some of the casualties “were transferred to the Jalabiya district hospital for treatment, in addition to causing significant damage to homes and property”.

Xeber24 provided the name of the civilian killed: “Hammoud Ali Osman” from the village of Khani. A local source also told Xeber24 that “many” citizens were injured, including “Mohamed Ayoub”. North Press Agency clarified that Hammoud was 16 years old and that “an elderly man was seriously injured in the village of Bir Arab and was transported to the city of Manbij.”

According to Al Etihad Media, the shelling by the Turkish military was a response to the “killing of one of its soldiers, after targeting a Turkish armored vehicle with a rocket-propelled grenade last Friday, according to a statement by the Turkish Ministry of Defense.”

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkey.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bandar Khan (بندرخان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.709197, 38.696223. 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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]