Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
11064 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS067

Incident date

October 22, 2015

Location

غرناطة, Gharnata, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.89419, 36.67881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Syrian Observatory, reported a man dying from injuries sustained earlier in the day following an alleged Russian airstrike on Gharnata. No other details are presently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Gharnata (غرناطة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.89419, 36.67881. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 22nd-23rd 2015. while tweets from the MoD again make no mention of Homs.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS131

Incident date

November 8, 2015

Location

أم صحريج, Umm Sahrij, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.320510, 37.342140 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female non-combatant was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a mosque in Umm Sahrij, according to the Coordination of Syrian Revolution in Eastern Hama, and The Union of Hama Revolutionaries [links presently disabled.]

All4Syria also reported that “The village of Umm Sahreej in the eastern Hama countryside suffered a Russian airstrike which led to the death of one woman and the injury of others.”

 

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Umm Sahrij (أم صحريج), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.320510, 37.342140. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Hama governorate : “Near Kafer Nbuda (Hama province), a strike was made against a workshop used for repairing of armoured vehicles of the Jabhat al-Nusra. The airstrike of a Su-24M bomber eliminated a hangar with 4 tanks and 1 infantry fighting vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1078

Incident date

June 25, 2017

Location

امن الدولة, Amn Al Dawla, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94409, 39.01924 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two local sources named one civilian male as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Amn Al Dawla area.

According to Ahmad al Shibli, the victim was originally from Maskana, east of Aleppo.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Al-Omar
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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]

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 Amn Al Dawla, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV017777
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, five vehicles, two ammo caches, a recoilless rifle, a supply cache, and an UAS launch site; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 24, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed two fighting positions.” And that “On June 24, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed 19 fighting positions and two vehicles, and damaged a weapons cache.”

For June 25th - 26th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles and a tunnel system" and later reported "On June 25, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 25 June – Tornados attacked a Daesh headquarters and mortar position in eastern Syria…Operations against groups of Daesh extremists outside of Raqqa and Mosul have also been maintained, and on Sunday 25 June, Tornados attacked a headquarters and mortar position in eastern Syria, some 55 miles north-east of Dayr az Zawr.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS163

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian factory worker was killed and two injured in an alleged Russian missile strike on the Atlas Factory for cotton in Hayyan, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre.

The VDC published an image (right) of the unnamed victim. In a separate report, it has also listed 35-year old from Tamura village as killed on the same day in Hayyan, though by “regime forces’ shelling with a surface-to-surface missile.” It is possible these are the same events.

Accordingly to Shaam News, Russian warplanes launched a long-range missile targeting the factory. Warehouses were also reportedly damaged, with a video posted depicting the shelling aftermath, in which a fire broke out.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Hawa
Adult male named by VDC killed

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The inside of a cotton factory following an alleged Russian raid, Nov 17th (via SN4HR)
  • Aleppo –Hayan: factory destroyed in suspected in Russian warplanes shelling 17 Nov 2015
  • VDC published this photo of an unidentified civilian male, reporting that he was killed by a ‘ballistic long range Russian missile’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports carrying out cruise missile strikes in Aleppo governorate on November 17th 2015: “Today as a result of the first massive airstrike 14 terrorist facilities of special importance were destroyed with 34 cruise missiles. Those were control centres of the illegal armed groupings, which coordinated Islamic State troops in Idlib and Aleppo provinces; large depots of ammunition and other supplies located in protected shelters in the North West of Syria; terrorist training camps, where reinforcements for terrorist units and suicide bombers were trained; three large factories manufacturing explosives, suicide vests and unguided rockets.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1107

Incident date

June 27, 2017

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0052619, 40.4581082 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian female was indirectly killed following a heart attack said to be caused by hearing airstrikes on Al Tayba in Mayadeen, local sources reported.

Sharqiya Voice reported that the airstrikes hit the houses of Hassan al Hanan, Bashar al Hanan, Sufian al Hanan and Ghassan al Hanan and reported that a number of people were killed and wounded, but provided no further details.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Huda Mahmoud al Rarat
Adult female identified by Euphrates Post, who is said to be the wife of Abdul-Razzaq al Shuwaile killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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]

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 Al Taybah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

  • A coalition airstrike did not cause a civilian casualty as the result of a strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dawr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, a tactical vehicle, two bunkers, two pump jacks, a front-end loader, an IED factory, an ISIS financial facility, and an ISIS headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

CS1134

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Location

حي المشلب, Al Mashlab, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9449373, 39.0474701 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian male was killed following airstrikes into Raqqa, local sources reported, however it was not clear who was responsible.

He was reportedly from the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of the city.

All five sources who reported the incident did not make any claims as to who was responsible for the airstrikes. However, only the Coalition was known to be targeting the city by air at this time.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Manaf Shabli
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Manaf Shibli, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, July 1st 2017. (via AbdoulSalam Shbli)
  • Abdul Manaf Shibli, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, July 1st 2017. (via Moaed shbli)
  • Abdul Manaf Shibli, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, July 1st 2017. (via AbdoulSalam Shbli)
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
  • Stated location
    near al-Mashlab neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV044776
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • July 1, 2017, near al-Mashlab neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 1st-July 2nd: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, a front-end loader, a mortar system and a heavy machine gun.”

It additionally reported that “On July 1, near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroyed a fighting position and a heavy machine gun, and suppressed 27 fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Saturday 1 July – A Reaper eliminated a mortar team and Typhoons dealt with a heavy machine-gun, both in Raqqa. Tornados hit three Daesh positions in Mosul…A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft patrolled over Raqqa on Saturday 1 July. A mortar was reported firing on the SDF, and the Reaper’s crew spotted its muzzle flashes from a position concealed beneath a tree. A Hellfire missile destroyed the target. Typhoons were also active over the city, where they used a Paveway IV to silence a heavy machine-gun which was holding up an SDF advance.'

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS3866

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a child was killed and his father and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kansafra, Idlib governorate, around noon on July 4th, 2019. The Syrian Civil Defense was at the scene and reported that the village was struck with an explosive missile.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “the child Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi, from Bsamis village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, age 9, was killed as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on east of Kansafra village”.

@SyrianCoalition alleged “the martyrdom of a child and his father’s injury as a result of Russian airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Kansafra in Idlib.”

@AlkhaleejOnline tweeted: “A child was killed and civilians were injured in Russian raids on the town of Kansafra in Idlib countryside.” Other sources also reported multiple wounded but did not specify the number. Ebaa News added that the strikes led to “significant damage” of civilian’s property.

While nearly all sources blamed Russia for the strikes, @ShahbaPress pointed to the Syrian regime. Justice Organisation blamed both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters for the strikes.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi يوسف سمير كفرجومي
9 years old male from Bsames killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • A wounded father carrying his son, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the outskirts of Kansafra in Idlib on July 4th (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • A father carrying his nine year old son, Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi, who was killed by alleged Russian fired missiles on east Kansafra village on July 4th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defense volunteer carries the body of the child Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi, who was killed by an airstrike on Kansafra on July 4th (via Syrian Civil Defense).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra on July 4th, 2019 (via Justice Organisation).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of the child Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi, who was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra on July 4th, 2019 (via Abdul Rahman KafarJoumi).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3900

Incident date

July 13, 2019

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on July 13th, 2019.

At first, only a woman was reported killed and at least two civilians wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian shelled Kafar Zeita.

In addition, Abdullah al-Aboud, a volunteer for the Syrian Civil Defense, was wounded while searching for survivors through the rubble.

A day later, Syrian Civil Defense volunteers pulled out a man’s body out of the rubble. His name is Ghazwan Al-Abdo Hassan, aged 50.

No other details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah al-Aboud عبد الله العبود
Adult male Syrian Civil Defense volunteer injured
Ghazwan Muhammad al-Abdo Hassan غزوان محمد العبدو الحسن
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Abdullah al-Aboud, a volunteer for the Syrian Civil Defense, was injured while searching for survivors after alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling struck Kafar Zeita on July 13th (via Syrian Civil Defense).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the bombing of Kafar Zeita on July 13th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Video of the moment of impact when Kafar Zeita is struck by an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on July 13th (Mahmoud Al Hamwi).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on July 13th, 2019. (via @civil_hama).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on July 13th, 2019. (via @civil_hama).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on July 13th, 2019. (via @civil_hama).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on July 13th, 2019. (via @civil_hama).

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]