Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

RS3137

Incident date

March 1, 2018

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

Several civilians were left wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes in Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local sources reported.

Douma.Revolution, who did not mention civilian harm reported: “since the morning, 12 warplanes have carried out air raids against the cities and towns of Douma, Arbeen, Kafratna, Hamuriya, Beit Siy, Jisreen, Ash’ari and Marj in the eastern Ghouta.”

Smart News Agency and @SyriaCivilDefe, however, reported that several civilians were left wounded.

Only Smart News Agency identified the culprit and pointed to Russia. However, it should be noted that eastern Ghouta in this period was subject to aerial shelling from both Russia and the Syrian regime why Syrian regime culpability cannot be ruled out.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense team on the scene helping the injured following the contested airstrike in Arbeen, Damascus, March 1st, 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.

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
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1733a

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

Near al Shaafah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.58024, 40.93739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike at Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to be a US action.

According to the OIR report, “March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this event to within 100 metres. This placed the event within Al Shaafah itself.

In May 2020 in its annual report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to be a US civilian harm event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table from DoD's annual civilian harm report to Congress, May 2020, listing additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria conceded for 2018.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Near al Shaafa
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU777282
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 16, 2019
  • March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On March 1 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed a Daesh motorcycle and two weapons caches.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, les opérations se poursuivent. Les objectifs demeurent de défaire les dernières poches terroristes en Syrie et de sécuriser le territoire irakien. Poursuite des combats en Syrie En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes poursuivent leur effort contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie présentes sur les rives orientales de l’Euphrate, l’une située autour de Dashisha le long de la frontière avec l’Irak et l’autre dans la vallée de l’Euphrate à proximité d’Abou Kamal, autour de la ville d’Hajin. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, conduisant une vingtaine d’opérations par semaine, les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent la sécurisation du territoire. Ces opérations se concentrent autour des principales agglomérations, mais aussi dans le désert de l’Anbar où de nombreuses caches terroristes ont été récemment décelées et détruites. Retour progressif des réfugiés en Irak En Irak, la situation des populations civiles revient progressivement à la normale. Au cours des deux dernières semaines, principalement dans la province de Ninive, environ cent trente mille personnes déplacées ont rejoint leurs localités d’origine. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes En fin de semaine dernière, la Task Force Narvik a terminé un stage de quatre semaines au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Ce stage s’est déroulé du 6 février au 1er mars et a permis de former aux techniques d’infiltration une vingtaine de soldats irakiens appartenant à l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), unité d’élite des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Les principaux savoir-faire transmis ont été la lutte contre les IED, le combat en zone urbaine, les techniques d’infiltration et de reconnaissance dans la profondeur et le secourisme au combat. La Task Force Wagram en appui des opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées par les forces de sécurité irakiennes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, quatre missions de tirs ont été réalisées (2 missions d’interdiction et 2 missions d’éclairement – bilan du 28 février au 6 mars). Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram, a réalisé 1629 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations L’activité des forces aériennes françaises engagées dans l’opération Chammal se concentre sur l’appui aux forces démocratiques syriennes combattant dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Dans ce cadre, les aéronefs engagés dans l’opération Chammal ont réalisé cette semaine 30 sorties aériennes orientées sur l’appui renseignement aux forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 28 février au 6 mars). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7845 sorties / 1443 frappes / 2233 objectifs neutralisés.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 07-03-2018 | 12:00 Irak en Oost-Syrië In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 10 missies. Dat gebeurde boven de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië en de Iraakse provincie Al Anbar. Er werden geen wapens ingezet. Nederlandse instructeurs startten in Irak nieuwe cursussen aan Peshmerga, waaronder het beveiligen van grote gebieden en bataljonsstaf- en infanterietrainingen. De militairen verzorgen de opleidingen samen met collega’s van partnerlanden. In het trainingscentrum Menila ontvingen meer dan 50 cursisten een certificaat voor een voltooide cursus. Een Nederlands chirurgisch team opereert in een Amerikaans role 2 hospitaal in westelijk Irak. Het team werkt nauw samen met Britse medici.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Incident Code

TS236

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

ميدانكي, Mydanke, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.642500, 36.881389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman died and others were wounded in an alleged Turkish artillery shelling of Mydanke in Afrin, local media reported.

Sources said that the victim was hit by shrapnel.

According to Qsdheza “others” were also wounded in the attack. IC Afrin reported that “many civilians were injured”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Habiba Ibrahim Khalil Mohammad
48 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on Mydanke, Afrin, 1st March 2018. (via Afrin now)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish raid on Mydanke, Afrin, 1st March 2018. (via Afrin now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Habiba Ibrahim Khalil Mohammad, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mydanke, Afrin, 1st March 2018. (via Ismael Sharif)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Habiba Ibrahim Khalil Mohammad, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mydanke, Afrin, 1st March 2018. (via Ismael IC Afrin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Habiba Ibrahim Khalil Mohammad, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Mydanke, Afrin, 1st March 2018. (via Afrin Qalb Alhadath)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mydanke, Afrin (ميدانكي), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.642500, 36.881389. 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
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3132

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5112138, 36.3881891 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Warplanes, alleged to be Russian, wounded an unspecified number civilians as the town of Jisreen, Damascus, was struck with airstrikes.

Only two known sources reported about this strike. Smart News Agency reported, “wounded civilians with aerial bombardment likely to be Russian on the towns of Jisreen and Beat Sawa and Kafar Batna east of Damascus.”

Meanwhile, @SYR_REV_NEWS only reported about aerial shelling of Jisreen without identifying the responsible nor mentioning any civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3133

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

بيت سوى , Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.537531, 36.399937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly killed along with two wounded as Russian and/or Assad launched airstrikes and artillery shelling in the town of Beit Sawa, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

All sources reported the death of three civilians. The Violations Documentation Centre (VDC) reported that the three victims were all adult men.

Additionally, sources reported that two civilians were left wounded.

According to Smart News Agency, the incident inflicted great damage on a primary school and public property.

Some sources only mentioned the launch of airstrikes while others mentioned both air and artillery shelling. For example, the correspondent of @AleppoAMC reported the death of three civilians and wounding of others due to “a rocket attack.”

Reports were unclear in terms of culpability. Most sources, including VDC, attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while Smart News Agency as the only one identified Russia as responsible.

Finally, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that both the Syrian regime and Russian were to blame.

On a final note, it should be mentioned that the incident possibly took place the previous day, Wednesday, February 28th. Smart News Agency’s report from Thursday, March 1st namely report the killing of the three civilians on Wednesday and not Thursday.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3134

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

كفربطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514529, 36.374577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including a young girl, were killed and dozens were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

@saqbani1972adam, who reported that the strikes hit residential areas, said that three were killed and “dozens” were left wounded.

The three victims were identified by name by several sources. Among the victims was a young girl who was killed along with her father.

Additionally, a judge from eastern Ghouta was also killed by the strikes. Smart News Agency cited The Revolutionary Judicial Council in Damascus who on Friday, March 2nd, stated that one of its judges was killed in the bombing.

Four days after the strike, on March 4th, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported a fourth victim, as a man named Zaher Kharboutli, an activist in the relief field, who died on March 4th due to the wounds he sustained by the strikes on March 1st.

However, as his name is rather similar to the judge victim, Maher Kharbatli, it cannot be excluded that the reports are talking about the same victim. However, as of now, they will be counted as two separate victims.

Finally, it remains unclear who is to blame. The Violations Documentation Center attributed blame to the Syrian regime “and its affiliates” while Smart News Agency identified Russia as responsible.

Meanwhile, both Qasioun News and SN4HR attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male nicknamed Abu Adnan killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The girl Salam al-Dabbas was killed by the contested airstrikes in Kafr Batna, Damascus, March 1st, 2018 (via VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of Ali Dabbas and his daughter Salam Dabbas, both killed in the contested airstrikes in Kafr Batna, Damascus, March 1st, 2018 (via KafarBatna.Coordination)
  • Zaher Kharbotli was killed by the wound he sustained in the contested airstrikes in Kafr Batna, Damascus, March 1st, 2018 (via SN4HR)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3125

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

As many as eight civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

A child was amongst those killed, as well as one unidentified body. Four others are named.

Rockets and barrel bombs were launched into the vicinity and a helicopter was sighted.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Qadish
Child male killed
Amira Sidawi
Age unknown killed
Nazir Mustafa Lime
Age unknown killed
Kifah Ibrahim al-Qusayr
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mahmoud Qadish, killed in airstrikes on Douma, 28th Feb 2018. (via Omar)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded victims in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 28th Feb 2018. (via Douma)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS233

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

بطينة, Batina town, Mobata district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.620000, 36.690833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Hawar news reported “A civilian was seriously wounded by the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries on Badina town related to Mobata district.” The man was named as “35-year-old Abdo Rasheed from the village of Qatma”.

Other sources reported that Turkish warplanes carried out strikes on the Syrian area but made no mention of civilian casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdo Rasheed
35 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Batina town, Mobata district, Afrin, 28th February 2018. (via Hawar)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Batina town, Mobata district, Afrin, 28th February 2018. (via Hawar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Batina town, Mobata district, Afrin (بطينة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.620000, 36.690833. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]