Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS470 RS1876

Incident date

February 1, 2017

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition, or possibly Russian, airstrike which hit a Syrian Red Crescent hospital in Idlib injured up to a dozen civilians. The Coalition later denied involvement, though a unilateral US action remained possible.

The intended target of the dawn strike appeared to be the militant gropup Fatah al Sham at a base at the former Carlton Hotel. But numerous sources reported extensive damage to a Red Crescent hospital in the city. According to Shaam News “The bombing also caused the injury of nine members of the Red Crescent who were at the center during the raids, where the bombardment caused the interruption of the Centre’s work fully with the service.”

In a video it issued of the event, Step News interviewed a rescue worker at the scene: “At 3am we woke up to the noise of an air raid. We at the civil defence and the fire brigade headed to the target location and saw the Red Crescent centre/carlton hit with a missile that went through from the roof to the first floor. God was merciful as it didn’t reach at the way to the bottom where there were 30 members of the Red Crescent. They would’ve been hit. There are a few injured… we put the fires out and we took the injured to the hospitals.”

Four members of the local civil defence were also reportedly injured while attending the scene.

Multiple sources named Mamoun Kharbout, the head of the Syrian Red Crescent branch in Idlib, as one of the injured.

Most sources blamed the Coalition, although the Syrian Network said Russia may also have been responsible. In April the Coalition stated: “Feb. 1, 2017, near Idlib, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

 

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Mamoun Kharbout
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–12
  • 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

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Bellingcat)
  • Members of the SARC Idlib branch pose with four ambulances in front of the Carlton Hotel. The picture was uploaded by their Facebook page on Jan. 17, 2017 (via Bellingcat)
  • Tweet by ICRC Syria (via Bellingcat)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Bellingcat)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Bellingcat)
  • Translation: Warplanes target the Red Crescent building with airstrikes.
  • Translation: Injured members of the Red Crescent in aerial bombardment on the Carlton Hotel, Idlib.
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 Idlib, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 31st-February 1st and February 1st-2nd the Coalition noted no strikes in the vicinity. However unilateral US strikes against Fatah al Sham are no longer reported by CJTFOIR.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–12
  • 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

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS571

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

علي اغا, Ali Agha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.90373, 41.89885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were injured by alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022.

ANF reported that three people were wounded by Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha in Tal Koçer. Two of the wounded were taken to Derik Hospital, while the other, who suffered a serious injury, was transferred to Qamishli Hospital.

A Facebook post by Metin Bekes reported that civilians were injured and identified four raids as being carried out by Turkish forces against the village of Ali Agha.

Alyaum TV and Metin Bekes both posted on Facebook that casualties resulted from Turkish strikes without specifying how many.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by Ciwan Ibrahîm via Facebook)
  • Alleged Turkish bombardment of the village of Ali Agha on November 23, 2022. (Image posted by دجلة - الجزيرة السورية via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ali Agha (علي اغا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.90373, 41.89885. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS492

Incident date

February 14, 2017

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were confused reports of the death of Abdel-Fattah al-Haj Hussein. While one source claimed he died in an airstrike while being held prisoner by ISIL, a second source said he died in a Turkish strike – with a third source claiming Mr Hussein died of natural causes.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered initially reported the death of Abdel-Fattah al-Haj Hussein, saying he was killed in a Coalition strike on an ISIL prison.

However comments posted below the report suggested a different story. According to one, “first of all the martyr is my uncle, he wasn’t a prisoner or anything. He is been out of there for a month enough of your lies.” Another claimed “he died in Turkish raids while he was on his way to Izaz he wasn’t in prison” while a third claimed that “The man died a natural death.”

Al Hadath news agency and Free Syria published the same report in which they named Abdel Fattah al-Haj Hussein as a victim of an alleged Coalition strike and that he was being held as a prisoner by ISIL.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdel-Fattah al-Haj Hussein
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdel-Fattah al-Haj Hussein (via RBSS)
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 Bab (Aleppo), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA6705426227
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 13th-15th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity of al Bab.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1534

Incident date

November 6, 2016

Location

الدانا, Al Dana, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.218763, 36.768638 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and forty civilians, including at least one woman, one child and one adult male, were killed and up to forty were wounded in airstrikes launched against Al Dana town in Idlib.

Most sources only reported preliminary counts of casualties and many expected that the number was higher due to many civilians still stuck under the rubble. Most allegations reported that twelve or thirteen people had been killed, however Alsouria put the death toll much higher at forty.

According to the Local Coordination Committee Syria, the area struck included civilian neighborhoods, a popular market, and a school.

Images and videos posted by various news sources show the aftermath of the airstrikes, which caused buildings to crumble to the ground and covered surrounding areas and people with a layer of dust.

There was not a consensus over who was responsible for the airstrikes. Most national sources, including Local Coordination Committee of Syria, Alsouria News and Syrian Network for Human Rights identified Syrian regime planes as responsible for the attacks. However, a few sources, including Erem News and Jisirtv, blamed Russia for the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Al-Bakour
Adult male a journalist, Zaman Al Wasl newspaper described Ammar as “One of the most important and active newspaper correspondents” in Syria. He left his wife and child behind in Turkey a year before to return to Syria to cover the war, director of the media office at the Idlib Health Directorate of the Ministry of Interim Government, born in 1980 in Al Mowzara town killed
Ahmed Barbour
Age unknown male an Orient TV correspondent injured
Unnamed woman
50 years old female had her foot amputated injured

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 40
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–40
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via LCCSY)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via LCCSY)
  • Journalist Ammar Bakor, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via LCCSY)
  • Journalist Ammar Bakor, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • Journalist Ammar Bakor, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via Enabbaladi)
  • Journalist Ammar Bakor, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via Sln)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via Alsouria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilian casualties are bundled into the back of a truck in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via Baladi news)
  • The exact moments after an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via Ayyam Newspaper)
  • News bulletin reporting on an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via Jisirtv)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via @Om_Yusf_)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via @Om_Yusf_)
  • The exact moment an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via @Om_Yusf_)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Dana which struck a school and some residential housing, 6th November 2016. (via @Om_Yusf_)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Dana(الدانا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.218763, 36.768638. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 November 1st – 30th 2016.

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
    5 – 40
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–40
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS516

Incident date

February 20, 2017

Location

AL-SAHAMIYAH AND AL - FATATISH, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on media claims of civilian harm “near al Raqqah, Syria”. According to the Coalition report, “7. Feb. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via media report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed airstrike with Airwars. The locations were stated as al Sahamiyah and al Fatatish. It is important to note that the locations match the areas of two sperate incidents on February 21st for al Sahamiya (S454) and another one in al Fatatish (S455).

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, a VBIED, a garage, an IED and a weapons facility; and damaged a bridge.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK038

Incident date

March 8, 2022

Location

вул. Краснодарська 177, Чугуїв, Krasnodars’ka St. 177, Chuguiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.980633, 36.360032 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including a child, were injured by alleged Russian shelling of a building at Krasnodarska 177 on March 8, 2022.

Donpatriot News added that shells hit a building at Krasnodarskaya 177 which destroyed 27 apartments from the 2nd to the 9th floor, and the 3rd and 4th floors collapsed, resulting in the injury of three civilians, including a child. The injured civilians received medical care.

Local sources including the Head of the Investigative Department of the State Police in the Kharkiv region attributed the shelling to Russian forces.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53008.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a home caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Status Quo News)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security
  • A rocket that fell on Chuguyev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group)
  • Damage and impact caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Damage and impact caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Damage and impact caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Nurnberg2022 News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Nurnberg2022 News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkov.comments)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkov.comments)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Chuguev on March 8, 2022. (Image posted by Obozrevatel News)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Head of the Investigative Department of the State Police in the Kharkiv region

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building at 177 Krasnodarska Street (вул. Краснодарська 177) in the city of Kharkiv (Харків). The generic coordinates for this building are: 49.980633, 36.360032. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS534

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Five civilians died and ten others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the maternity hospital in al Tabaqa, according to a single source.

The Smart news agency reported: “A local source said that warplanes likely to be the Coalition launched a raid with three missiles targeting a street and a building near the maternity hospital in al Tabaqa city, killing five civilians, including two nurses and wounding more than a ten others, including women and children. The building was also destroyed.”

Civilians reported killed: 5, including 2 nurses

Civilians reported injured: 10

Sources: Smart news agency [Arabic], [Archived], Smart news agency (2) [Arabic], [Archived],

Quality of reporting: Weak – currently single source.

Coalition position: For February 24th-25th: “Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes destroyed an artillery system, a mortar system, a rocket system, a watercraft, a weapons storage facility and a chemical weapons facility.” And for February 25th-26th: “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a tactical vehicle and a mortar system.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 24th-25th: “Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes destroyed an artillery system, a mortar system, a rocket system, a watercraft, a weapons storage facility and a chemical weapons facility.” And for February 25th-26th: “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a tactical vehicle and a mortar system.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

[France reports carrying out 34 sorties in the last week – and 11 strikes destroying 19 ISIL targets. In Iraq, the six strikes were concentrated in the Mosul region. They targeted mortar positions, combatant groups, a logistics depot and a command center. In Syria, two ground troop support missions were carried out in the Raqqah and Deir Ezzor areas against artillery pieces and an armored vehicle, loaded with an explosive device (SVBIED). The intervention of a Rafale patrol, after detection and guidance of the ATL2, led to the destruction of 2 clandestine oil wells in the south-east of Raqqah. In the region of Palmyra, two planned strikes were carried out and enabled the neutralization of a military storage site and a vehicle-bomb manufacturing site (VBIED).Task Force Wagram carried out 28 missions]

‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION Point de situation sur les opérations au 02 mars 2017 En Syrie, à Al Bab, les forces d’opposition soutenues par la Turquie ont pu saisir la ville après le retrait de Daech de la ville. En périphérie, les forces armées syriennes et les FDS tentent d’accentuer ce repli progressif des combattants de Daech vers l’Est. Si ce repli dessine un renforcement probable de Raqqah par les combattants exfiltrés, la menace d’actions asymétriques reste présente. En Irak, Daech poursuit ses actions de harcèlement, notamment dans l’Anbar, par l’intermédiaire d’embuscades, de tirs de mortiers ou d’attaques par drones. Dans la région de Mossoul, l’encerclement progressif de l’agglomération perturbe le ravitaillement de Daech même si l’étendue de la zone ne permet pas de garantir l’étanchéité du dispositif. Dans la partie occidentale de la ville, le recul de Daech se poursuit. Près du Tigre, après la reprise de l’aéroport, les forces de police fédérale et l’ICTS continuent leur progression coordonnée vers le nord. Dans la périphérie ouest de Mossoul, les forces irakiennes avancent vers la prison de Badush et la crête d’Astanah. La résistance se durcit à mesure que le cercle se resserre et que les forces irakiennes s’approchent des zones urbanisées. A l’Est de la ville, Daech maintient ses actions de harcèlement par tirs indirects. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui aérien au Levant Point de situation sur les opérations au 02 mars 2017 Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 34 sorties aériennes dont 32 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 2 de recueil de renseignement. 11 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, elles ont permis la destruction de 19 objectifs. En Irak, les 6 frappes se sont concentrées dans la région de Mossoul. Elles s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’appui des troupes irakiennes engagées dans l’offensive visant à reprendre la partie ouest de Mossoul. Elles ont ciblé des positions de mortier, des groupes de combattants, un dépôt logistique ainsi qu’un centre de commandement. En Syrie, 2 missions d’appui des troupes au sol ont été conduites dans la région de Raqqah et de Der Er Zawr contre des pièces d’artillerie, un véhicule suicide, blindé, chargé d’engin explosif (SVBIED). L’intervention d’une patrouille de Rafale, après détection et guidage de l’ATL2, a par ailleurs permis la destruction de 2 puits de pétrole clandestins dans le sud-est de Raqqah. Dans la région de Palmyre, 2 frappes planifiées ont été réalisées et ont permis la neutralisation d’un site de stockage de matériel militaire et d’un site de fabrication de véhicules piégés (VBIED). Appui feu – TF Wagram Cette semaine, le détachement de la Task Force (TF) Wagram déployé au nord de Mossoul a fourni un appui important aux troupes engagées au sol, avec un effort marqué à l’ouest de la ville. Les 28 missions réalisées comprennent 21 de neutralisation, destruction ou harcèlement contre des positions de combattants, des pièces de mortier ou contre des tentatives d’infiltrations en bordure du Tigre. 7 missions d’éclairement ont également été effectuées pour interdire l’utilisation du terrain par Daech. La reprise de l’offensive sur Mossoul-Ouest a marqué un tournant dans la physionomie de l’activité de la TF. Au cours des 3 dernières semaines, l’intensification des missions confiées à la TF et la proportion croissante de missions de neutralisation ou de destruction sont significatives. Cette évolution de l’activité est couplée aux progressions sur le terrain des forces de sécurité irakiennes, elle souligne l’importance et l’efficacité des appuis fournis par la partie française.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK065

Incident date

March 17, 2022

Location

Мерефа, Merefa, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.809894, 36.056189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On March 17th, alleged Russian bombardment struck the village of Merefa, wounding up to 26 people and killing up to 23 others. Sources were conflicted as to whether those killed were members of the Ukrainian military or civilians.

Susplilne Media described a Russian “artillery” attack upon Merefa. Twitter user @tincazzi posted pictures of the remains of an alleged Russian missile, asking for followers to help identify what the user believed was a “long range cruise missile”. Telegram user Kharkiv_1654 posted that a “Russian rocket blew up a school today in the city of Merefa.” The initial report from Suspline described the scene in Merefa, at 3:30 a.m., saying that Russian shelling destroyed a school and a cultural center, and damaged nearby houses. Suspline went on to quote Veniamin Sitov, head of the Merefyansk community: “We got to the center of the cultural center, nothing was left of it. There were people in it. Of the civilians, thank God, there are no victims, there are some of the military. The civilians managed to escape the destruction, the military was sent to the hospital,” said Sitov.

According to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, 21 people died, 25 were injured, 10 of them were in serious condition. This report was later released and supported by Censor.Net News, Slk.kh.ua, Slovoidilo.ua, and Zaxid News. Zaxid was the first to list the number of wounded as twenty-six. In addition to the detail about the destruction, these reports, as well as Facebook posts from Prokuratura Kharkiv, also noted that investigators of the State Security Service of Ukraine in the Kharkiv Region launched a pre-trial investigation into the fact of violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

RBC-Ukraine News reported that, “in the Kharkiv region, the consequences of enemy attacks on Merefa continue to be eliminated. The number of dead and injured continues to grow.” Sq.com.ua and and Newsroom.kh.ua later noted an increase in casualties, both elevating the number of wounded to twenty-six and the dead to twenty-three.

A Telegram message by user Perviy Kharkovskyi, identified as a Telegram channel with a clear pro-Russian stance, reiterated that a Russian “Kalibr” missile caused the casualties but referred to those killed and injured as soldiers, and went on to question why soldiers were in a school and the cultural center, “civilian objects.”

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53681 and Bellingcat code CIV0410.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 26
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–23
  • 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
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–26
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–23

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (46) [ collapse]

  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Destruction caused by an alleged Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Merefa, Kharkiv region, bombed the 6th school
  • Type of Russian missile that allegedly struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by 2day.kh.ua)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by 2day.kh.ua)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by DSNS via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Censor)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Prokuratura Kharkiv
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Prokuratura Kharkiv)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Near Kharkov, they attacked the city of Merefa. A fire is raging there.
  • 21 people died, 25 were injured as a result of the night shelling of the city of Merefa near Kharkiv - the regional prosecutor's office. As a result of enemy shelling, the school and cultural center were destroyed.
  • Merefa School again. House of culture. Victims

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Merefa (Мерефа), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.809894, 36.056189. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 26
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–23
  • 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
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–26
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–23

Sources (38) [ collapse]