Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS1474

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Location

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.062057, 36.871512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Halab News named a civilian as killed in an alleged Russian strike on Kafr Halab.

According to Al Jazeera, “cluster bombs and rocket-propelled grenades targeted the town of Kafr Halab in the western countryside.”

@FREE_TV_SYRIA, @24Aleppo, @ShahbaPress were among other sources reporting that Russian cluster bombs hit the train station in the village. @24Aleppo said that civilians were injured as a result of this attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamido al Eido
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS002

Incident date

September 25, 2014

Location

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5044792, 40.74354 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that six unnamed civilian males were killed in a Coalition airstrike on Al Hassakah. It said it had obtained the news via the Syrian Network for Human Rights, though that original report cannot presently be traced.

In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as Non-Credible, saying there was too little information for it to make a determination: “Sep. 25, 2014, near Al Hasakah, Syria, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (6 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Hasakah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Strikes in the vicinity were reported by the coalition for September 24th-25th 2014: “U.S. military forces and partner nations, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, attacked ISIL terrorists in Syria today, using a mix of fighter and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct 13 airstrikes against 12 ISIL-controlled modular oil refineries located in remote areas of eastern Syria in the vicinity of Al Mayadin, Al Hasakah, and Abu Kamal and one ISIL vehicle near Dayr az Zawr, also in eastern Syria.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (6 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1329

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 25 civilians were reportedly killed and up to 75 more injured in airstrikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “The massacre toll rose to at least 13 victims after alleged Russian warplanes fired on Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo city, September 24, 2016.” But in another tweet, SN4HR blamed the regime for the attack.

Most sources agreed with the number of 13 people killed, while others gave figures slightly below or above.

For example, Annahar News said 25 people were killed in the airstrikes.

Aleqt News and LCCSY gave the lowest estimate with seven people killed.

HNN and other sources mentioned that cluster bombs were used by the Russians in the raids.

But a number of sources, including Al Jazeera, Alkhaleejonline and Alsouria blamed both Russian and Syria aircraft.

AleppoAMC reported “nearly 70 wounded” in the attacks.

All4Syria claimed “heavy shelling with phosphorus incendiary bombs, leading to houses burning down.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    75
  • 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 (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Aleppo_neighborhoods_rupture_by_Russian_and_Syrian_forces

    A SN4HR report entitled - 'Aleppo neighborhoods rupture by Russian and Syrian forces' details the events in Al Sakhour (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • Aleppo_neighborhoods_rupture_by_Russian_and_Syrian_forces_en

    A SN4HR report entitled - 'Aleppo neighborhoods rupture by Russian and Syrian forces' details the events in Al Sakhour (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016

    A SN4HR report entitled - 'At least 49 massacres in September' details the events in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016_en

    A SN4HR report entitled - 'At least 49 massacres in September' details the events in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • Bodies of civilians on the streets of Busatn Al Qasr - the human cost of alleged Russian or Regime warplane shelling (via SN4HR)
  • Destruction on the street of Bustan Al Qasr, Aleppo. The consequences of alleged warplane shelling, Sept 24th (via Step)
  • A street in Bustan Al Qasr, left in ruin following alleged Russian warplane shelling, Sept 24th (via Step)
  • Injured civilians in Bustan Al Qasr, the result of suspected Russian shelling, Sept 24th (via Step)
  • Further destruction to the street in Bustan Al Qasr, Aleppo. The impact of alleged Russian warplanes, Sept 24th (via Step)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A vert graphic video of many wounded civilians, covered in blood and laid together in rows. The impact of alleged Russian warplane shelling, Sept 24th (via The White Helmets)
  • Civilians with severe injuries in Bustan Al Qasr (via @AleppoAMC)
  • Footage shows the wounded of Bustan Al Qasr - very graphic (via @RevolutionSyria)
  • Mass material destruction throughout Bustan Al Qasr, the effect of alleged Russian bombing (via @thiqanewsagency)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    75
  • 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 (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS024

Incident date

November 8, 2014

Location

الخريطة, Khareeta, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.47132, 40.0090642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian men were reported by a number of sources as having been killed in a coalition airstrike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Jaber Al Jassem Al Hamad
Adult male Syrian Martyrs killed
Moussa Yassin Al-Amer
Adult male Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Khareeta (الخريطة), Deir Ezzor, for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 35.47132, 40.0090642

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 Khareeta, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV915257
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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

The coalition has confirmed ten airstrikes in the vicinity of Dayr az-Zawr between November 7th-10th 2014, noting: “Eight airstrikes southeast of Dayr Az Zawr damaged several structures of an ISIL oil collection facility which was used to trans-load oil for the black market. Two airstrikes east of Dayr Az Zawr damaged an ISIL oil collection point.“

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1816

Incident date

October 27, 2018

Location

البوبدران, Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.554073, 40.950336 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what local media referred to as a “massacre”, five civilians including a woman and two or three children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Rajab al-Hassan in the area of Al Boubadran, a village near al Soussa said to be under ISIS control.

The victims were named by multiple sources as Rajan al Hassan, his wife, their two children, and another man named as Zidan Atiyya al-Salbi.

Baladi News and Horrya joined the majority of sources in putting the death toll at five, noting that four of these people were from the same family.

But while @DeirEzzor24 also said five had died, it reported that three of these were children. All other sources, however, said that two children had died.

Free Deir Ezour Radio was alone in saying that the two children killed were Mr Rajab’s grandchildren; all other sources said that they were his children.

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Rajan al Hassan
Adult male killed
Wife of Rajan al Hassan
Adult female killed
Child of Rajan al Hassan
Child Free Deir Ezzor radio claimed the child victims were the granchildren of Rajan al Hassan killed
Child of Rajan al Hassan
Child Free Deir Ezzor radio claimed the child victims were the granchildren of Rajan al Hassan killed

The victims were named as:

Zidan Atiyya al-Salbi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on a home in Al Boubadran, Oct 27th, which reportedly killed five civilians (via RT)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Boubadran (البوبدران), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.554073, 40.950336. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    in al Boubadran, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU693238
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020

  • 2. Oct. 27, 2018, in al Boubadran, Syria, via Airwars report. This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3210/CS1816 37SFU693238

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 27th – October 28th 2018 the Coalition reported “Near Hajin, 24 strikes engaged 12 tactical units, and destroyed three headquarters buildings, five command and control centers, four supply routes, three weapons caches, two IED facilities, and one mortar.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Oct 24th-30th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram have conducted 6 firing missions from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and four strikes north of Abu Kamal, Syria.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Daech a profité des mauvaises conditions météorologiques pour mener des contre-attaques cette semaine et reprendre du terrain aux forces démocratiques syriennes. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITÉ 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 Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 6 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1998 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus) et conduit 4 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8600 sorties / 1476 frappes / 2275 objectifs neutralisés.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For October 24th – 31st, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria and near Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq. Targets were ISIS warehouses and vehicles.

‘In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 4 zijn wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 24 tot 31 oktober 2018. Dat gebeurde in de provincies Deir al Zour en Ninawa, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal (Oost-Syrië) en Mosul (Irak). Doelwit waren opslagplaatsen en voertuigen van ISIS.‘

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS045

Incident date

January 18, 2015

Location

الطيانة, Tayyani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.993816, 40.54807 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An adult civilian male, was reported by a number of sources as killed in a coalition airstrike on his neighbourhood.

 

The incident was first reported on January 18, 2015 at 3:45 pm by Dayr az Zawr TV.

The victims were named as:

Bandar al-Shareidah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident place the alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Tayana ( الطيانة ), Deir Ezzor. The location for the midpoint of Al Tayana village ( الطيانة ) is: 34.993816, 40.548070

  • Al Tayana village ( الطيانة )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 Tayyani, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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

No coalition airstrikes were publicly reported for Dayr az Zawr governorate on either January 17th-18th or January 18th-19th 2015. A spokesman also later told Airwars that “no Coalition airstrikes have taken place in the vicinity” on that date.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1884

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.569294, 38.291216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, one man and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on the town of Palmyra in the eastern Homs countryside. According to @journalhader and the Local Coordination Committee of Syria, the airstrikes were carried out by Russian warplanes. The two air raids reportedly struck the main square and market area in the central part of Palmyra.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI046

Incident date

February 28, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Algiers, Al Faisaliah, flowers, and July neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sources in Mosul claimed that Coalition airstrikes hit a residential neighbourhood in the city, “killing 17 civilians, including six children, and wounded another 23 who were taken to hospitals in Mosul.”

According to BasNews, Daesh/ Islamic State appeared to have recently shifted its headquarters and military positions “into residential neighborhoods,” a move which had likely contributed to any civilian casualties.

NINA gave the same casualty figures, citing medical sources in the city. Rudaw placed the death toll at 24 with 24 injured, citing security sources.

In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible based on insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “Feb. 28, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

However based on reports made at the time of the event, Airwars continues to class this event as Fair.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 24
  • (6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–24
  • 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]

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Seven coalition airstrikes at Mosul were confirmed in this period. For February 27th-28th 2015 it was reported: “Near Mosul, three airstrikes destroyed an ISIL mortar and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 24
  • (6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–24
  • 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]