Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CI363

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Multiple neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Nearly 100 civilians were killed or wounded in Mosul due to airstrikes and artillery bombardment, according to a local source.

Iraqi Spring Media Center reported the deaths of 98 civilians in Mosul during the preceding 48 hours due to aerial and artillery bombardment targeting residential areas.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, the Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as Not credible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    98
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 6th-7th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed a VBIED facility and an excavator, damaged three supply routes, and suppressed two tactical units.” For December 7th-8th, the Coalition has not yet released a strike report.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    98
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS356

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 52 and 96 civilians including three women and one child were killed and more than 200 injured in Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Numan, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network initially reported that more than 20 civilians were killed and dozens wounded (mostly women and children) when Russian warplanes struck different districts of the city with “highly explosive missiles“, targeting civilian homes, a popular market place and the Justice Palace. The death toll climbed in subsequent reports, finally reaching over 90 with more than 200 wounded “thronging field hospitals in the region“. They stated that body parts were scattered all over the area.

Activists told SNN that Russian aircraft also targeted a courthouse and prison belonging to the Al-Nusra Front, resulting in massive destruction and the deaths of all who were at the site or around it.

They said that the majority of those killed were prisoners who were being held on multiple charges including belonging to the FSA. A medical source added that masked members of the Al-Nusra Front raided a field hospital in the region to arrest some of the injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also blamed a Russian bombardment. An initial report put the death toll at 39 people “including rebels, prisoners and civilians, while dozens of others were wounded and seriously wounded.”

But two other reports said more people had died, with the figure finally rising to 81, including 52 civilian citizens and prisoners (including three women and a child), 23 fighters from Jabhat Al-Nusra (al-Qaeda in the Levant) and six fighters from other rebel and Islamic factions.

According to the Syrian Observatory, Russia used four missiles on the Administrative Court of Jabhat Al-Nusra which included a prison, in addition to targeting areas in the vicinity of Maarat al Numan. As a consequence it said the death toll was even higher, but that this could not be documented because “of extreme secrecy by concerned parties in the area“.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights published four early reports which blamed the Assad regime. But a detailed fifth report eventually said Russian warplanes were responsible, and that 67 people had died, including three women.

The White Helmets – which needed two days to clear the site – said the final death toll was 96.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Zakaria Abd al-Jabbar al-Satouf
Adult male killed
Abd al-Jabbar al-Satouf
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Adeeb al-Hamoud
Adult male killed
Suhail Salah al-Hamoud
Adult male killed
Mostafa al-Ali al-Hamoud
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Hosain Khaled al-Hosain
Adult male killed
Mohammd Fayez al-Hosain
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Kamel Hasan al-Okdeh
Adult male killed
Wife of Kamel Hasan al-Okdeh
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Omer Khaled al-Saraqbi
37 years old male killed
Mustafa Mohammad Fares
Adult male killed
Abdulkareem Mohammad Hassan
Adult male killed
Hamzah Mustafa Qattash
Adult male killed
Mahmoud Hassan al-Yaseen
Adult male killed
Tamer Yousef al-Masri
Adult male killed
Abo Ahmad al-Ansari
Adult male killed
Abo al-Barae al-Hamwi
Adult male killed
Hosain al-Naseef
Adult male killed
Mohair Azoun
Adult male killed
Rabea Qaramo
Adult female killed
Khalaad Salem al-Awad
Adult male killed
Mohammad Fateh al-Najjar
Adult male killed
Riad Jihad al-Saloum
Adult male killed
Ahmad Mohammad al-Hamoud al-Saloum
Adult male killed
Adeeb Abo Hosain
Adult male killed
Khlaif al-Jadoe
Adult male killed
Ali Mohammad al-Ismaeil
Adult male killed
Maher al-Shehneh
Adult male
Ahmad Ali al-Kashto
Adult male killed
Nader al-Shehneh
Adult male killed
Hasan Dody “Inak”
Adult male killed
Ahmad Fares al-Dyab
Adult male killed
Samawel Mohammad al-Mahmoud
Adult male killed
Mohammad Foad al-Qadour
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khair al-Fajer al-Hamadi
Adult male killed
Abd al-Lateef al-Yehya
Adult male killed
Razouq al-Hasan
Adult male killed
Abd al-Hadi Mostafa Jolak
Adult male killed
Ahed Ali Turky al-Shaikh
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    52 – 96
  • (1 child3 women37 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    200
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Al Jazeera reporting on the incident in Maarat al Numan. Graphic footage showing deceased and injured civilians. (via, Al Jazeera)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of the deceased line the streets in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raids on the 9th of January 2016. (via, Al Maara Today)
  • Zakaria Abd al-Jabbar al-Satouf, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Abd al-Jabbar al-Satouf, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Omer Khaled al-Saraqbi, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Hasan Dody "Inak", killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Samawel Mohammad al-Mahmoud, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Foad al-Qadour, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Adeeb Abo Hosain, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Deceased civilians in the back of an ambulance in Maarat al Numan. (via, LCCSY)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Upsetting footage of deceased civilians. (via, Shaam News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage of civilian casualties being pulled out of the rubble by the White Helmets. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Four casualties from the alleged Russian raids in Maarat al Numan. (via, Al Latamna youth gathering)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    52 – 96
  • (1 child3 women37 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    200
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS029

Incident date

December 22, 2016

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 23 and 94 civilians were killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Al Bab, Syria, according to local media.

Al Jazeera reported the lowest death toll at 20 and refered to the ISIS media agency Al A’amaq as the source. Later Al A’amaq itself said the toll rose to 50.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights described “The death of 23 civilians because of Euphrates Shield forces missiles and shells fired on Al Bab city in Aleppo governorate suburbs, December 22, SNHR yet unable to verify the news, 2016.”

7al said 32 civilians died in the attack, whereas Russia Today reported 72 people dead.

Al Bab News posted on Facebook that “nearly 18 members of the al Shalash family, most of them women and children, killed following Turkish bombardment on al Bab.”

Halab News gave the highest death count at 91 and named many of the victims. Al Bab News reported the same names and said 45 more people were injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Jaafar Omar Ne'ma
Adult male killed
Wife of Jaafar Omar Ne'ma
Adult female killed
Child of Jaafar Omar Ne'ma
Child killed
Child of Jaafar Omar Ne'ma
Child killed
Child of Jaafar Omar Ne'ma
Child killed
Child of Jaafar Omar Ne'ma
Child killed

Family members (19)

Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Unknown victim from the Asfour family
Adult killed
Ahmed Hussein Al-Asfour
Adult male killed
Wife of Ahmed Hussein Al-Asfour
Adult female killed
Son of Ahmed Hussein al-Asfour
Child male killed
Son of Ahmed Hussein al-Asfour
Child male killed
Daughter of Ahmed Hussein al-Asfour
Child female killed
Daughter of Ahmed Hussein al-Asfour
Child female killed

Family members (6)

Member of the Abo family
Adult female killed
Member of the Abo family
Adult male killed
Child from the Abo family
Child killed
Child from the Abo family
Child killed
Child from the Abo family
Child killed
Child from the Abo family
Child killed

Family members (2)

Member of the Fadel Sabbagh family
Adult killed
Member of the Fadel Sabbagh family
Adult killed

Family members (28)

Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed
Member of the Shalash family
Adult killed

Family members (3)

Member of the Kazakaz family
Adult killed
Member of the Kazakaz family
Adult killed
Member of the Kazakaz family
Adult killed

Family members (11)

Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
Adult killed
Member of the Naunu family
killed

Family members (6)

Member of the Ghazal family
Adult killed
Member of the Ghazal family
Adult killed
Member of the Ghazal family
Adult killed
Member of the Ghazal family
Adult killed
Member of the Ghazal family
Adult killed
Member of the Ghazal family
Adult killed

Family members (2)

Mustafa Mahmoud al-Sukkar
Adult male killed
Wife of Mustafa Mahmoud al-Sukkar
Adult female killed

Family members (4)

Jafar Bertawi
Adult male killed
Wife of Jafar Bertawi
Adult female killed
Mohamed Jaafar Bertawi
Child male killed
Fatima Jafar Bertawi
Child female killed

Family members (4)

Mahmood al-Naama
Adult male killed
Wife of Mahmood al-Naama
Adult female killed
Mahmud al-Naama
Child male killed
Yusuf Mahmud al-Naama
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Member of the al-Uday family
Adult female killed
Child from the village of Qarodi
Child killed
Ibrahim Qabalawi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 94
  • (16 children9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    45
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Some of the victims of the mass civilian causality incident in Al Bab, Aleppo on 22nd December 2016. (via Aleppo 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 94
  • (16 children9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    45
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI654

Incident date

April 19, 2017

Location

الثورة, Mosul: Thawra neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34325, 43.09785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that more than 90 civilians died in a major incident in Al Thawra (Revolution) neighbourhood in Old Mosul. As Reuters noted, “Dozens of civilians were killed on Saturday by air strikes targeting homes in the Thawra district on the western side of Mosul, a neighborhood declared by Iraqi forces restored overnight by the Islamic state, local residents said.”

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this allegation of civilian harm – though conceded just one death. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh fighting position. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.” This was later declared by the Pentagon to have been a US action.

Local Facebook group Sawlf Ateka reported that fatalities had resulted from actions by several belligerents: “The bodies of civilians fill the streets of Al-Thawra district, on the right side of Mosul.” They allegedly died after sniper attacks, “terrorist attacks, or because of the indiscriminate bombardment of mortars, artillery and aerial bombardment by the security forces.”

Sources reported to Al Jazeera that “there are dozens of civilians under the rubble, [and] no one knows whether they were alive or dead because Iraqi forces prevented anyone from reaching these areas.”

Iraq Newspaper cited a senior official of the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior’s Rapid Response Force, who spoke of a “total destruction of more than 30 houses in the Thawra neighbourhood, including houses belonging to the region’s dignitaries.”

Abdel Wahab Talal Hadidi and his father died after an airstrike was carried out in front of their house

It was also reported that Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud El Sheikh Issa, a neurologist in the Al-Thawra neighborhood, also died together with his father and son.

Mosul News Now (local Facebook group) named Ahmed Shiite Aida Abu Doaa as one of the victims. He reportedly was Director of Accreditation Company Asia Cell and Sales Manager of North Sale Company. Local comparisons were made to of the “massacre” to the major incident in New Mosul neighbourhood, on March 17th-18th.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

In May 2020 in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon said this had been a US action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdel Wahab Talal Hadidi
Adult male killed
Father of Abdel Wahab Talal Hadidi
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud El Sheikh Issa
Adult male killed
Father of Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud El Sheikh Issa
Adult male killed
Son of Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud El Sheikh Issa
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Shiite Aida Abu Doaa
Adult male Director of Accreditation Company Asia Cell and Sales Manager of North Sale Company killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    90
  • (1 child3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Abdel Wahab Talal Hadidi and his father allegedly died after an airstrike hit their neighbourhood in Old Mosul, on April 19th (via Sawl Ateka Facebook)
  • Dr. Mohammed al-Sheikh Issa, who used to be a neurologist, allegedly died in airstrikes on Old Mosul, together with his father and son (via Sawlf Ateka)
  • Ahmed Shit Aida Abu Doaa, reportedly died after airstrikes and shelling hit Revolution neighbourhood (via Mosul News Now)
  • Video showing the aftermath of the strikes
  • A second video showing the aftermath
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwas had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.34389,43.103399. In June 2019 the Coalition released the MGRS as 38SLF293237.

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:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Thawra, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF293237
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 29, 2019
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • April 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social 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.

  • Apr. 19, 2017, near Al Thawra, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh fighting position. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 18th-19th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units, destroyed 11 fighting positions, six rocket-propelled grenade systems, five anti-air artillery systems, four medium machine guns, four VBIEDs, a weapons cache, a front-end loader, an ISIS vehicle, a command and control node; and suppressed four fighting positions, four ISIS supply routes and four ISIS tactical units.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    90
  • (1 child3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS451

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 61 and 90 civilians including two women and 11 children were killed – and between 40 and 100 others injured – in airstrikes on Khusham, according to multiple sources. While three of the five sources say that Russia was responsible for the attack, there was some uncertainty from the Syrian Network for Human Rights whether Russia or the regime were to blame.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian aircraft targeted the centre of the village of Khusham, near the “clinic of Sushi Mleihan“. They published eight reports in which they named some of those killed and documented the rising death toll, which they finally put at 90, with more than 100 wounded.

The Shaam News Network also said that Russia carried out the raids, killing “at least 50 civilians” and injuring dozens more. They said that warplanes shelled several neighbourhoods, causing widespread destruction to civilian property including shops. But a subsequent report by SNN – referring to a report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights – said that the death toll rose to at least 61 including 11 children and two women who were killed when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired four missiles.

In confused reporting, the Syrian Network for Human Rights initially said Russian warplanes killed 61 and wounded nearly 40 others when four missiles were launched on Khusham. But two subsequent reports said it was not clear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. However, a final report on February 5 once more blamed Russia, again putting the death toll at 61.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 33 non-combatants died, but the Observatory did not say who the “warplanes” belonged to.” They added that the death toll was likely to rise as many people were in a critical condition.

26 victims (killed “in a massacre due to Russian air forces shelling“) were named by the Violations Documentation Centre including one Unidentified male child.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named another 41 victims, including 4 members of a refugee family from Homs.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ghazi al Doulab
Adult male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The wife of Ghazi al Doulab
Adult female named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Family members (2)

Darik Khudar Al Subkhan
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Darik Khudar Al Subkhan
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Family members (3)

Shawwakh Al Shalash Al Jabr
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abd Shawwakh Al Shalash Al Jabr
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The son of Rakan Hasan Al Shalash al Jabr
Child male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Family members (7)

A member of the Taleea Hweijeh al-Omar family 1
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
A member of the Taleea Hweijeh al-Omar family 2
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
A member of the Taleea Hweijeh al-Omar family 3
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
A member of the Taleea Hweijeh al-Omar family 4
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
A member of the Taleea Hweijeh al-Omar family 5
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
A member of the Taleea Hweijeh al-Omar family 6
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
A member of the Taleea Hweijeh al-Omar family 7
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Family members (2)

Taleia al-Doulab
Adult male killed
Wife of Taleia al-Doulab
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Son of Mohammad al-Elkeh al-Saleh al-Eid 1
Child male killed
Son of Mohammad al-Elkeh al-Saleh al-Eid 2
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Eisa Aboud al-Khater
Adult male killed
Mohammad Eisa Aboud al-Khater
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Khalaf Sattam Hasan al-Shallal
Adult male killed
Khalaf Saheb al-Klout al-Shallal
Adult male killed
Abdullah Ali Hadeid Mohammad al-Shallal
Adult male killed

Family members (4)

Farhan Khameis Yaseen al-Raheel al-Mohammad al-Awad
Adult male killed
Khameis Farhan Yaseen al-Raheel al-Mohammad al-Awad
Adult male killed
Jummah Yaseen al-Raheel al-Mohammad al-Awad
Adult male killed
Farhan Yaseen al-Raheel al-Mohammad al-Awad
Adult killed

Family members (3)

Baseis Hasan Elkeh al-Ghallab
Adult male killed
Hassan Muheisen Eidan al-Ghallab
Adult male killed
Yasmeen Hassan Eidan al-Ghallab
Adult killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ahmad Alwan
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Jibreel Al Said Khalaf
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Al Ahmad
Age unknown male from the family of Alwan – abu Hamam, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The son of Mohammad al Nouri
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ali Manzil Al Zakari
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ammar Mohammad Al Ismail
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ali Khalaf al Aoued
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ali Abdullah Tabini Al Hamad
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Saddouk Al Hammoud
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Turki Ramadan Al Saleh
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Hussein Hassani Al Kalikal
Age unknown from Marat, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abboud Al Badrani
Age unknown a refugee from Marat, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Zai’yan Al Dahl Al Dibbe
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mu’az Hasan Ali al Ahmad Al Habbash
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Eid Zai’m Salman Hamad Al A’wwad
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abd Al Wahab Jamal Mustafa Hamida al Hayess
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Hussein Al Shalash Al Jabr Al Mulazem
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The daughter of Mohamad A’kla Al Saleh Al Eid
Child female named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The son of Mohammad Al Ali Al Sarhan
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The son of Hassan Ali Al A’feen
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abdo Shei’bi Al Hamad Al Jawar
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The daughter of Omar Hamada Al Ma’idi
Age unknown female named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Albua’bta
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Issa Al Khalil
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Hassan al-Habbash
Adult male killed
Abdo Shueibi al-Jour
Adult male killed
Ibraheem Eid Shlash
Child killed
Eisa Aboud al-Khater
Adult male killed
Mohammad Eisa Aboud al-Khater
Adult male killed
Mohammad Abdullah al-Mleihan
Adult male killed
Fares Ali al-Badran
Adult male killed
Mohammad Abdullah al-Mleihan
Adult male killed
Fares Ali al-Badran
Adult male killed
Gebreil al-Sayad
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ahmad al-Elwan
Adult male killed
Taleea Hweijeh al-Omar
Adult male killed
Mohammad Muhei Ali Ismaeil al-Shakkal
Adult male killed
Aboud Hameid al-Obeid
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    61 – 90
  • (11 children2 women22 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–100
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A photo of Ghazi Al Doulab who was killed with his wife and two of his daughters in law and Tali’l Al Obeid in an alleged Russian strike on Khusham, January 23rd 2016. (via, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ibraheem Eid Shlash, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 23rd January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike from 23rd January 2016. (via, SOHR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its military report published on 25th January, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last three days, January 22-24, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 169 combat sorties engaging 484 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure…crews of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed 18 combat sorties from the territory of the Russian Federation in order to engage manpower and hardware of the ISIS near Deir ez-Zor on January 22-24. Flight range reached more than 2,000 kilometers.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    61 – 90
  • (11 children2 women22 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–100
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI858

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

Al Qaim, plaster factory, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.257855, 41.213365 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sources alleged the US-led Coalition conducted air raids on Al Qaim west of Anbar province, resulting in 87 civilians killed. However, there was some confusion about the status of the vehicles reportedly struck.

Local sources who spoke to Yaqein said aircraft targeted an area near the plaster factory in the province. It initially alleged the strikes destroyed 20-24 cars that belonged to so-called Islamic State. However, a later Yaqein report said the vehicles were civilian. The agency also added that the raids took place on the desert area of Qaem, and also referred to the location of strikes “near the Teacher area south of Qaim district.”

Both sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    87
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area around a plaster factory in the West of Anbar province, for which the coordinates are: 34.257855, 41.213365. Reports also refer to the teachers area south of the Al Qaim (القائم) district.

  • The plaster factory south of the town of Al Qaem (القائم)

    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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Qaiem, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 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 September 27th – 28th the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed two weapons caches and an ISIS headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    87
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI581

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Al Batool Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.356667, 43.115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local residents and press sources said that at least 15 civilians were killed and many more injured, mostly children and elderly people, by alleged Coalition airstrikes near Al Batool hospital in Zanjili.

Al Amaq [ISIL press agency] posted a video of the strikes on YouTube. Free journalist (Facebook) posted six graphic photos of several reported victims of the raids on Al-Batool hospital. It blamed the US.

Other reports placed the death toll at 85 with 215, though this referred to events in a number of neighbourhoods over two days.

In its July 2017 casualty report the Coalition appeared to reject claims that it had harmed civilians: “March 26, 2017, near Mosul, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Coordinates for the strike placed it at a Pepsi factory about 300m from the al Batool hospital. However some confusion remains as there was a second alleged event at al Zanjili that day (see CI578).

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “In the morning of 27 March, an airstrike hit a warehouse in the al-Batoul Hospital in the ISIL-controlled neighbourhood of al-Zanjilly of western Mosul, reportedly killing three civilians and wounding five others, including a woman.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 85
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–215
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged strikes on Al-Batool hospital in West-Mosul (via Free journalist Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged strikes on Al-Batool hospital in West-Mosul (via Free journalist Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another victim of alleged strikes on Al-Batool hospital in West-Mosul (via Free journalist Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another victim of alleged strikes on Al-Batool hospital in West-Mosul (via Free journalist Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another victim of alleged strikes on Al-Batool hospital in West-Mosul (via Free journalist Facebook)
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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3030825041
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 26th-27th the Coalition stated: “Near Mosul, seven strikes, engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed six tunnels, three fighting positions, three vehicles, two mortar systems, a weapons storage facility, a front-end loader, a supply cache, and a heavy machine gun; damaged 17 supply routes; and suppressed six ISIS mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 85
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–215
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI741

Incident date

May 31, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili and Shifa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3502851, 43.1098795 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that more than twenty civilians were killed or injured after air strikes and artillery shelling hit their homes in Zanjili and Shifa neighborhood, in West Mosul. So far all sources blamed Joint Forces – a reference to both Iraqi and Coalition actions.

A source had told Alaraby news that “the Iraqi forces tried to advance into the neighborhood of Shifa in West Mosul, but failed to do so.” He suggested the shelling with airstrikes and artillery was part of an attempt to force ISIL to leave the areas next to the sites where the Iraqi forces are presently in.

The same local source said that the bombing had led to the collapse of the houses of these civilians – and left twenty killed or wounded.

Omar Al Halbusi put the death toll even higher in a post on Facebook and said 36 civilians had died in Zanjili neighbourhood alone.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 31 May, an airstrike targeting an ISIL compound hit several civilian houses around al-Nasi Street in ISIL-controlled Zanjilly neighbourhood, western Mosul. The airstrike reportedly killed 84 civilians, including 31 women and 27 children, and wounded 103 others, including 49 women and 34 children.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 84
  • (27 children31 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–103
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (5) [ 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF308246
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 May 30th-31st: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed two mortar systems, two ISIS staging areas, a vehicle, a VBIED, and a fighting position; and damaged nine ISIS supply routes, two fighting positions, and a command and control node.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 84
  • (27 children31 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–103
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]