Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

ISPT0361

Incident date

October 19, 2023

Location

دير البلح, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.418995, 34.349442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 19, 2023, the al-Kurd family home in the city of Deir al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, was bombed in an alleged Israeli airstrike. Nineteen members of the al-Kurd family were killed in the incident.

The patriarch of the family, 58-year old Zuhair Abdel Qader al-Kurd was killed with his wife, 51-year old Rabeia Mahmoud Abdel Razzaq al-Kurd. Their son, 29-year old Abdel Fattah Zuhair al-Kurd and his wife, Aya Salman, were also killed, as were their two young children: 2-year old Zuhair Abdulfattah Zuhair al-Kurd and 4-year old Layn Abdulfattah Zuhair al-Kurd.

Zuhair and Rabiaa’s second son, 20-year old Muhammad Zuhair al-Kurd was killed with his brother, 16-year old Ahmed Zuhair al-Kurd, and sister, 18-year old Nada Zuhair al-Kurd.

Other family members were also killed: the 6-year old child Habiba Abdul Qader Zuhair al-Kurd, and mother and son Faten Anwar al-Kurd and Ahmed al-Kurd.

20-year old Amr Adnan al-Kurd was killed with his sister, 14-year old Sama Adnan al-Kurd. A pregnant Aseel Ayman Ahmed al-Kurd was killed, as was Amani Ibrahim Ahmed al-Kurd. Lastly, Maryam Ahmed Harb al-Kurd was killed with her two daughters, 15-year old Rawan Hassan al-Kurd and 17-year old Sarah Hassan al-Kurd.

There were no reports of injuries following the incident.

Little detail was shared about the victims, with most friends and family instead sharing prayers and hopes for afterlife redemption. Facebook user Sahar Mahmoud described Maryam al-Kurd as her “creative and literary predecessor.” Sahar lauded Maryam’s daughters, Sarah and Rawan, for having both memorized the Quran. Maryam appears to have also done so.

Family, friends, and journalists shared images and videos of the funeral online with words of consolation for the family. The family’s pain was very evident: images of the funeral show crying women, one of whom has collapsed. A graphic photo shared by Facebook user Abdullatif Tawfic shows the aftermath of the strike: a man cradling a teenage boy who is bloodied and wrapped in a body bag. Twitter/X user @M86950933 attached a photo of the funeral where three children–one of whom appears to be an infant– can be seen also wrapped in body bags.

In his farewell to those killed, Twitter/X user Ahmad al-Kurd said, “The heart is sad, and I am saddened by their separation. May God accept them, forgive them, and make them dwell in the highest paradise in Paradise.”

Facebook user Ahmed Noor Eldin Basheer remembered his “neighbors and brothers” and asked that they be accepted “to the gardens of bliss.”

A Facebook post from the Al-Kurd Family was the only source to attribute the strike to the Israeli military. However, Airwars has matched the names of some of the civilians killed with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023, which explicitly mentions that names on the list are “victims of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip”. Therefore this incident has been graded as a likely strike.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (19)

Zuhair Abdel Qader Al-Kurd زهير عبد القادر الكرد
58 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 942372251
Rabeia Mahmoud Abdel Razzaq Al-Kurdi زهير عبد القادر هديوي الكرد
51 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 945771376
Abdel Fattah Zuhair Al-Kurd عبد الفتاح زهير الكرد
29 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400144283
Aya Salman آية سلمان
Adult female killed
Zuhair Abdulfattah Zuhair Al-Kurd زهير عبد الفتاح زهير الكرد
2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 442836953
Layn Abdulfattah Zuhair Al-Kurd لين عبد الفتاح زهير الكرد
4 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 441345733
Muhammad Zuhair Al-Kurd محمد زهير الكرد
20 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 408870251
Ahmed Zuhair Al-Kurd أحمد زهير الكرد
16 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424672087
Nada Zuhair Al-Kurd ندى زهير الكرد
18 years old male Matched to MoH ID 421085069
Habiba Abdul Qader Zuhair Al-Kurd حبيبة عبد القادر زهير الكرد
6 years old female killed
Faten Anwar al-Kurd فاتن أنور الكرد
Adult female killed
Ahmed Al-Kurd أحمد الكرد
male killed
Amr Adnan Al-Kurd عمرو عدنان الكرد
20 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 409355740
Sama Adnan Al-Kurd سما عدنان الكرد
14 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 427425731
Aseel Ayman Ahmed Al-Kurd اسيل أيمن احمد الكرد
Adult female pregnant killed
Amani Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Kurd أمانى أبراهيم احمد الكرد
killed
Maryam Ahmed Harb Al-Kurd مريم احمد حرب الكرد
Adult female killed
Rawan Hassan Al-Kurd روان حسن الكرد
15 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 422387498
Sarah Hassan Al-Kurd ساره حسن الكرد
17 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 422519371

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (7–8 children6 women4–5 men)
  • 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
    Israeli Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (33) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nader Al Arini

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nader Al Arini

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nader Al Arini

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nader Al Arini

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nader Al Arini

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullatif Tawfic

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullatif Tawfic

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @M86950933

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @M86950933

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @M86950933

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @M86950933

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alrai Online

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alrai Online

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alrai Online

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alrai Online

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    Source: Alrai Online

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    Source: Alrai Online

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alrai Online

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Noor Eldin Basheer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Noor Eldin Basheer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Al-Kurd

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nader Al-Arini

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nader Al-Arini

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nader Al-Arini

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Kurd Family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Kurd Family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Kurd Family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Kurd Family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Kurd Family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Kurd Family

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    Source: Al-Kurd Family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Kurd Family

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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Deir al Balah (دير البلح), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.418995, 34.349442. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (7–8 children6 women4–5 men)
  • 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
    Israeli Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS754

Incident date

April 14, 2016

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

Fourteen civilians including three children died and at least 24 people were injured in airstrikes on Raqqa, according to multiple sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently posted images showing destruction of the city following airstrikes. It did not initially say who was responsible. They also published images of some of the dead. However, RBSS later reported that these were Russian raids and that seven people died: “Russian warplanes launched…five raids on the city of Raqqa, which resulted in the death of seven civilians. Those who were identified are Farouk Mansour and his daughter and Khaled al-Issa, as well as injuring more than two dozen others injured, some of them in serious condition. The air strikes focused on different parts, including the eastern gate of Al Rasheed park, the eastern part of the government complex and the car square in front of it, the shops on Al Qitar street opposite the water company, the Palace of Justice and Al Rasheed secondary school junction. Daesh straight away put up barriers inside the town and its entry points.”

Al A’maq accused Russia of conducting 10 raids. In a very brief post, LCSSY initially blamed the Coalition, though then changed position and said Russia was responsible and posted images of the aftermath.

Shaam News Network also attributed the incident to Russia, reporting that “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on several areas in the city of Raqqa, a (near the water company, the Palace of Justice, the junction at al Rasheed secondary school, Al Majma’ Square, and Bab Al-Rasheed Park) which led to the fall of a number of martyrs and wounded among civilians, including children.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, this was the work of the regime. It put the death toll at five including a girl and a woman. A second SN4HR report added: “regime warplanes fired missiles on Al Rashid School in Adnan Al Malkli Street in Raqqa city, partially damaging its building and fence“.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four non-combatants died, but did not identify the planes responsible.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Farouk Mansour
Adult male killed
Child of Farouk Mansour
Age unknown killed
Child of Farouk Mansour
Age unknown killed
Child of Farouk Mansour
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Moussa al Turki
38 years old male killed
Khaled al-Issa
Age unknown male killed
Abd al Salam Al Khalaf
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Hilal al Moussa
Adult male killed
Maher Hussein al A’ani
Adult male Civil engineer killed
Issa al Ali al Habib
Adult male killed
Mohammad Hassan al Hassan
Adult male killed
Al Haj Ismaeil Mansour
Adult male killed
Haj Abd al Hakeem Ramadan al Shaker
Adult male killed
Al Haj Kamel Sultan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (3 children1 woman11 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • Destruction of a street in Raqqa following a raid on April 14trh (via RBSS)

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    A child receives medical treatment after a strike on Raqqa, April 14th (via RBSS)
  • Image showing the airstrikes targeting Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image showing the airstrikes targeting Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Farouk Mansour, one of the victims of the raids targeting Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Abd al Salam Al Khalaff, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Ibrahim Hilal al Moussa, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Issa al Ali al Habib, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Mohammad Hassan al Hassan, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Hajj Kamel Sultan, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (3 children1 woman11 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI801

Incident date

July 4, 2017

Location

الميدان, Mosul, Medan, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

On January 13th, a local monitor reported the deaths of three civilians and 3 injured after their home in Medan, Old Mosul was shelled by an unknown source on July 4th.

Mohammed Satter Rejab explains that his mother, sister and her husband were killed in an airstrike and he was himself injured along with his sister and father.

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Satter Rejab
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF323240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • July 4, 2017, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3108/CI801 38SLF323240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 3rd-4th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 21 fighting positions, six medium machine guns, three rocket-propelled grenade systems, and an artillery system; and damaged five fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On July 3, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed eight fighting positions, four weapons caches, three heavy machine guns, a rocket-propelled grenade system, and a barrier wall; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed a sniper team.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS927

Incident date

June 22, 2016

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to four civilians died including, two children following alleged Russian raids on Hraitan, Aleppo governorate, according to local sources. The source, Orient, reported strikes caused significant material damage and “huge fires” in the town, resulting in several others wounded. @ALAMAWI’s report differed from most, it alleged one man dead, and one woman and a child injured; the source referred to the use of “heavy machine guns” and “military aviation” on Hraitan, suggesting that the deaths may have been caused by a party other than Russia.

All other sources alleged Russia responsible, furthermore, the majority or reports referred to the use of phosphorus, a weapon illegal under International law.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Tim Jinto
3 years old male Listed at 0'40" killed
Mahmoud Hassan Na’na’
Child male Listed at 0'40" killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children0–1 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets help people out of the rubble following alleged Russian air strikes on Hraitan, June 22nd (via syrianpc)
  • List of martyrs, two named victims at 0'40" (Youtube by Halab Tv Today)
  • Aftermath of bombardment on Hraitan (via Kurdistan24)
  • Phosphorous raids on Hraitan, Aleppo (via Thiqa News Agency)
  • Phosphorous raids on Hraitan, Aleppo (via Thiqa News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children0–1 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI807

Incident date

July 11, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34075, 43.126911 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 200 homes in Old Mosul to the west of the city were completely destroyed with many of their residents presumed dead following the intense fighting of the previous weeks.

Hossam al Din al Abbar, a member of the Ninveh Provincial Council, was quoted by several sources as saying: The civil defence teams have recovered 1,700 bodies belonging to civilians from the rubble of the houses in the city of Mosul since the launch of the military campaign to liberate the city on October 17.

There are more than 200 homes that were destroyed in the Old City on the western side of Mosul so we expect the number of civilian casualties to double as the civil defence teams begin their recovery operations.

Presently, no further details with regards to the specifics of civilian casualties were available but will be presented when the information is acquired.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture reveals the massive destruction following an intensive strike on Mosul. According to sources, civilians presumed dead following the intense fighting of the previous weeks (via Omar Al Halbusi)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Old City of Mosul (موصل القديمة), for which the coordinates are: 36.34075, 43.126911.

  • Old City of Mosul (موصل القديمة)

    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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    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 July 10th-11th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 28 fighting positions, 11 medium machine guns, an IED, and a VBIED facility; and damaged a fighting position.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS292

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 43 and 73 civilians were reported killed and 70-170 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib, according to multiple sources.

Al Jazeera posted a video from the main market on Al Jala’a street in which the reporter said 47 non-combatants were killed and 70 injured, in strikes by Russian warplanes. The correspondent said the street contained two schools, Al Ourouba school and a primary school, and that Russian planes were still circling the skies of idlib, despite a local truce agreed in the area. Al Jazeera English later posted a film by Nagieb Khaja which claimed the death toll had risen to 73.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian strikes targeted the Al Qoussour neighbourhood, the industrial area and the city centre. It initially said 50 died including women and children and that more than 170 were injured including critical cases, in six Russian raids targeting a party branch, residential buildings and the Department of School Books.

SNN added that there had been fears of repeated raids as the White Helmets attempted to evacuate the area and rescue bodies. A member of the White Helmets said the field hospital was full of casualties, that it had not been possible to identify them all, and that teams continued to search for survivors under the rubble.

A subsequent report by SNN said that a Sharia court had also been struck, killing in total more than 95 people and leaving hundreds injured.

One of the dead was named as Samir Sweden, an engineer and a prominent table tennis judge, who was killed when his home was hit. According to an obituary: “Engineer Samir Sweden, was born in the city of Idlib in 1960, he studied engineering in the city of Aleppo University, and founded 5 years ago the page Deaths in Idlib via Facebook, which was the most prominent reference and the most accurate in terms of counting the number of deaths [from the civil war] maintained on a daily basis.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially published a short report blaming the regime for the attacks and putting the death toll at 18. But a subsequent detailed report blamed Russia, and documented the death of 42 civilians, including a child and two women, and one armed man, plus 122 wounded. According to the report:

“ Three alleged Russian warplanes launched 6 airstrikes with 8 rockets on vital regions in the middle of Idlib city. The estimated region’s area is 1 Km2.

– Four rockets fell on a region called ‘the security region’ in Al Qusour neighborhood in Idlib. It included several government buildings like the military and air force security branches, the governor’s palace and Al Ba’ath Party building that was transformed by the armed opposition to a court and a prison that included 200 individuals who were .accused of different charges

-Two rockets targeted Al Jalaa’ nearby street which includes the city’s main market, a  warehouse for school books, and a high school

-Two rockets targeted a residential building behind Al Hayat Mosque.”

Mr Omar Abu Abdullah, a civil activist witnessed the shelling and told SN4HR: “At about 10 am, three Russian warplanes launched an air strike on Al Jalaa’Street next to Al Ourouba Female High School. I went to the shelling location and before I got there, the Russian warplanes launched another airstrike on the court’s building that was previously the headquarters for the ruling regime party. I was next to the high school and the civil defense members were trying to evacuate the injured people and transport the dead bodies. I saw great destruction in the school’s book warehouse building since it was near the high school. However, the massacre happened next to court’s building. I went there and saw the place completely destroyed. The smell of charcoaled bodies was all over the place and I heard distress sounds from the court’s basement where .the court’s prison was.”

Mr Mohamad Yehya, another civil defence member in Idlib city added: “The greatest number of victims was in the court which was almost completely destroyed. It took us two days to pull the victims’ bodies from under the rubble. During our rescue mission, the Russian warplanes launched another airstrike on us and shelled Al Sheikh Tholoth region There was a 17 year old young man who was trapped under the rubble. It took us 5 hours to reach him and pull him. The region targeted is vital as people go to the court to facilitate their paperwork. There are no military headquarters near that area that would justify the brutal shelling.”

Further testimony was given by Mr Sa’er, a local media activist in Idlib, who was close to the location of the attacks: “The shelling started at about 10 a.m. where two rockets fell on the city’s downtown next to the former air force security branch which killed a civilian and injured 5 others. I went directly to the shelling location and started to take pictures of the shelled site. The shelling was repeated in nearby locations with 7 more rockets. They hit the military security branch, the court and the school books’ warehouse. The court’s building was targeted twice and it witnessed the death of dozens of people. It was a three story building and it facilitated the …resident’s paperwork and documents like marriage, divorce, civil conflicts etc. Dozens of individuals go there daily in addition to the judges. There was a basement in the court’s building which included almost 200 prisoners. The initial outcome was 20 martyrs, 15 missing individuals and not less than 110 injured individuals. It was horrific. Dead bodies were scattered around the .place and hundreds others were calling for help from under the rubble. The court’s building belonged to the Al Fateh Army but judges, lawyers, employees and court security forces worked in it and there were no military headquarters next to it.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights kept one other name confidential due to search reasons – from  Hama – a member of an armed opposition group.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Zaria Kurdi
Age unknown killed
Fadi Kurdi
Age unknown killed

Family members (2)

Omar Aisha
Age unknown from Idlib, Darkoush  killed
Abdo Aisha
Age unknown from Idlib, Darkoush  killed

Family members (2)

Mudar Abdul Majeed Eiz
Adult female killed
Daughter of Mudar Abdul Majeed Eiz
Child female killed

Family members (2)

Ibrahim Shahoud
Age unknown male killed
Hisham Shahoud
Age unknown killed

Family members (2)

Faisal Abdul Karim Bakour
Age unknown from Hama suburbs – Khattab town killed
Taha Bakro or Taha Mohammad Bakro
Age unknown male young man (died December 22nd) killed

The victims were named as:

Abu Huthaifa Al Homsi
Age unknown from Homs killed
Samir Swaid Abu Waseem
Age unknown killed
Majd Ma’adal
Age unknown killed
Ibraheem Ahmad Qousurah
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Akeel
Adult male lawyer killed
Nader Sha’aban
Age unknown lawyer killed
Huda Halaq
Age unknown lawyer killed
Hasan Farhat
Age unknown killed
Bilal Sharif
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Zuhair Arabian
Age unknown male killed
Yasser Ahmad Al Shabaka
Adult lawyer killed
Yahiya Al Mohammad
Age unknown from Idlib, Saraqibah killed
Omar Faheil
Age unknown male lawyer killed
Haj Mohammad Yasser
Adult male lawyer killed
Muhi Al Din Bin Ghiath Mashlah
Age unknown killed
Burhan Dubea
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Wahid Wahdi
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Juma Abdul Jawal
Age unknown male killed
Mustafa Hamoush
Age unknown male killed
Fakher Afdeil
Age unknown lawyer from Idlib, Ihrem town killed
Omar Haj Qasim
Age unknown male from Idlib, Darkoush killed
Mustafa Sarimo
Age unknown male from Idlib, Darkoush killed
Abdul Qader Haj Qasim
Age unknown male from Idlib, Darkoush killed
Khaled Abdullah Al Eisa
Age unknown from Idlib, Kafr Sajneh killed
Ziad Tala’a Mohammad
Age unknown killed
Juma Abdul Jawad
Age unknown killed
Oqba Kasher
Age unknown from Idlib, Ma’aret Msreen killed
Hamdo Zaaifa
Age unknown from Idlib, Ma’aret Msreen killed
Omar Mohammad Ali Halaq
Age unknown male from Idlib, Sermin city killed
Mrs Sadeiqa Makhal
Age unknown female her body was found under the rubble on 22 Dec 2015 killed
Yasser Khadro
Age unknown male from Idlib, Ma’aret Msreen city – his body was found under the rubble on 21 Dec 2015 killed
Mahmoud Sanaq Abu Mihyo or Mahmoud Sonae
Age unknown male from Ariha (died December 23rd) killed
Mudar Abdul Hamid Eiz or Mudar Abdulhameed Ezz
Age unknown from Taftaneh (body recovered December 22nd) killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    43 – 73
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70–170
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Moment of alleged Russian strike on Idlib, Dec 20th (via SNN)
  • A view of the smoke from an airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Moments after an airstrike fell. (via, SNN)
  • Another image taken moments after the airstrike. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian trapped inside a car following an airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Damaged buildings in Idlib following an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of the airstrike on the ground in Idlib. (via, SNN)
  • A damaged car following an airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Civilians are rescued from the rubble following an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Moments after the airstrike hit Idlib. (via, SNN)
  • A civilian being rescued from inside a damaged car. (via, SNN)
  • A car and some residential buildings, totally destroyed by an airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • The streets in the aftermath of the airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Chaos, as locals desperately try to find trapped or injured civilians. (via, SNN)
  • Part of the aftermath of the airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Smoke fills the sky moments after the airstrike hits Idlib. (via, SNN)
  • A damaged car from the alleged Russian airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Another image of civilians attempting to rescue trapped people from the rubble. (via, SNN)
  • Moments after the airstrike hit Idlib. (via, SNN)
  • A destroyed car. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    43 – 73
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70–170
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1211 RS2342

Incident date

July 16, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, multiple locations, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 11 and 14 civilians – including several women and children – were killed and dozens others were wounded in airstrikes on Al Mayadin. However it was contested as to who was responsible. Sources either blamed Russia, the Syrian regime or the US-led Coalition. More than five sources made no claims with regards to responsibility. However, some also reported “unknown warplanes”.

Ahmad Shibli, blaming the Coalition, published a series of graphic images showing casualties from the strikes.

A number of local sources said the airstrikes struck the Tkeit Al Rawi Street, the children’s hospital, the Quail market, the Al Rawi hospice, the Al Samn Market and the Al Sharq hospital (though some of those locations may be overlapping) and Euphrates Post shared images which documented the extensive damage.

Sources reported that the Al Shaher family were trapped under the rubble. Additionally, many other sources reported that there were many wounded civilians, most critical, because the airstrikes “targeted” residential buildings.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mahdi al Misnad
Age unknown female killed
Hussein al Misnad
Age unknown female killed

Family members (4)

Mohammed Hasan al Hamid al Shaker
male killed
Daughter of Hassan Shaker
Child female killed
Daughter of Marwan Shaker
Child female killed
Wissam Atallah Shaker
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Fadel al Jawer
Age unknown killed
Ali al Khalouf al Awaid
Age unknown killed
Samer Fawzi al-Humaidi
Age unknown seriously injured in his body while he was near the Al Jeash Street "Al Samna Market" injured
Bint Hassan Shaker
Age unknown killed
Haj Mahidi al-Musnad Abu Jaber
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 14
  • (1–3 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Unknown

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The exacr moment the airstrike hit Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Free Deir Ezzor Facebook)
  • The exacr moment the airstrike hit Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Free Deir Ezzor Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Ahmad Shibli)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Ahmad Shibli)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Ahmad Shibli)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Ahmad Shibli)
  • A civilian casualty is pulled from the rubble following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Ahmad Shibli)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Ahmad Shibli)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Ahmad Shibli)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Ahmad Shibli)
  • Samer Fawzi al-Humaidi, one of the survivors from the airstrikes was seriously injured and was found near the Al Jeash Street "Al Samna Market". (via Al Mayadeen Today)
  • Haj Mahidi al-Musnad Abu Jaber, killed in an airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via AhrarDeirezzor)
  • Either Mahidi Al-Musnad Abu Jaber and Hussein Al-Musnad Abu Saleh, who were both killed in an airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Abo Sa’ed Al Husainy)
  • Either Mahidi Al-Musnad Abu Jaber and Hussein Al-Musnad Abu Saleh, who were both killed in an airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, July 16th 2017. (via Abo Sa’ed Al Husainy)
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 Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 16th-17th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed three weapons caches, two staging areas, and a well-head.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 14
  • (1–3 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Unknown

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS310

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Al Souria placed the fatalities higher, noting: “The initial death toll following the targeting of the outskirts to the city of Tel  Refaat  with rockets by Russian warplanes is six martyrs, with additional injuries among civilians, including three children.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Omar Abdulkareem Aleito
Child male brothers killed
Belal Mohmmad Abdulbaset Aleito
Child male brothers killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]