Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS083

Incident date

June 19, 2015

Location

خنيز, Road 6, near Khaneez village, north of Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.24479, 39.0345 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Coalition aircraft allegedly struck a three-wheeled motorcycle or ‘tirterah’ which was carrying a vegetable farmer. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently later published a graphic image of the aftermath.

The victim was identified as a resident of Hamam al-Turkman near Ar Raqqah.

In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians, and possibly a third, in passing vehicles (a bongo truck and a three-wheeled motorcycle) were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this event, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The incident occured between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al-Hamdo
Adult male Also known as Abu Abdo, a vegetable farmer from Hamam al-Turkman killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Site of alleged coalition strike, June 19 2015, in which a vegetable seller died [via: RBSS]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a convoy of civilian cars on Route 6, West of the village of Khaneez (خنيز), for which the coordinates are: 36.2451039, 39.0351105. Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently located the airstrike on the road between Slouk and Al Raqqa, in the vicinity of the village of Khaneez (خنيز). The report was accompanied by a photograph of the victim who had been driving a three-wheeler motorbike (a tirterah). Shadows visible in that photograph taken soon after the incident indicate that the strike occurred in a four hour window, between 10:00 and 14:00 local time. Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.2451039, 39.0351105

  • Map showing Route 6 and the village of Khaneez (خنيز)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • The location of the strike is probably in the MGRS coordinates 37SEA00 or 37SEA01

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2–3
  • Stated location
    near Khanaiz village, north of Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA031111
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019

  • June 19, 2015, near Khanaiz village, north of Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians, and possibly a third, in passing vehicles (a bongo truck and a three-wheeled motorcycle) were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition appeared to confirm destroying the vehicle, noting for June 19th-20th 2015 that “Near Ar Raqqah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL motorcycle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3411

Incident date

April 20, 2018

Location

قرية أباد, Abad village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.9227696, 36.9230783 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported killed in Abad village in Aleppo, Syria on April 20th, 2018 after a cluster bomb allegedly from previous Russian forces airstrikes exploded in the village.

Shaam Network reported that “a child was killed in the village of Abad in the southern countryside after a cluster bomb remnant of previous Russian airstrike on the village exploded.”

No further details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS103

Incident date

July 18–24, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Al Sabahiah area of West Raqqa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged coalition strike on an Islamic State checkpoint in a suburb of west Raqaa reportedly killed 22-year old Omar Huwaidi Al Mueissat when a missile hit the family house.

His 17-year old brother Ali Huwaidi al Mueissat was also reported to have been severely injured in the incident, suffering a broken pelvis and wounds to the abdomen and chest.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered placed the event in the Al Sabahiah area of West Raqqa.

Reports placed this incident somewhere between July 18th and 24th.

In its civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘not credible, asserting: “July 18, 2015, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2804/CS103 37SEV008785”.

Officials published a location for the event to within 100 metres of where they had remotely assessed the incident. After Airwars pointed out that the event had taken place in the Al Sabahiah area of West Raqqa, the Coalition agreed to again review the case.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition again assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Omar Houwaydi Al Moubsat
22 years old male his surname is written as "Al Mueissat" in RBSS post killed
Ali Houwaydi Al Moubsat
17 years old male Omar's brother. He suffered a broken pelvis and wounds to the abdomen and chest. his surname is written as "Al Mueissat" in RBSS post injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Omar Huwaidi Al Mueissat, aged 22, reportedly killed in a coalition strike at Ar Raqaa, July 18 2015 (via Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

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
    in Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV982782
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • July 18, 2015, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2804/CS103 37SEV008785

  • July 18, 2015, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2804/CS103 37SDV982782

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed strikes in the vicinity for July 24th-25th 2015: “Near Ar Raqqah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL excavator and an ISIL bridge.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CI144

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In an incident which may relate to incident CI143 – or was unknown to Airwars – the Coalition announced in January 2017 that it was investigating a possible civilian casualty event near Manbij almost 14 months earlier.

According to the statement “five reports of civilian casualties received in November are still being assessed… Sept. 20, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq.”

Awaiting further details.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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 (1) [ 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 July 20th-21st, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, five strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1503

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Location

Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian died and up to four more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the al Hamidiya neighborhood in the city of Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground.

Most sources didn’t specify the number of victims, referring only to “martyrs” and “civilian casualties”.

But Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of Mohammed al-Ajam and wounding of four others after the air strike that targeted the neighborhood of Hamidiya hours ago”. This victim was also named by Deir Ezzor 24.

Al Natek and the Step News Agency were among sources blaming Russia.

However, Halab Today attributed the event to the regime, reporting “local sources said that the regime planes bombed the al Hamidiya and al Shawakh neighbourhoods, resulting in the deaths of several civilians and wounding of others. A number of residential buildings were destroyed”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed al-Ajam
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3196

Incident date

March 7, 2018

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5582404, 36.4335823 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was killed due to air or artillery shelling on Al Shifonya, local media reported.

Of the two sources which reported on this incident, one of them blamed both Russia and the regime while the other did not attribute blame.

Smart News Agency reported that the death came “as a result of artillery, air and missile shelling by the regime and Russia, according to activists”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS293

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Location

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0229084, 40.5630804 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Coalition airstrikes on ‘ISIL oil tankers’ reportedly resulted in the death of a civilian driver and the injuring of others. In September 2020, the Coalition admitted that a strike had been conducted on August 11th 2016 against Daesh equipment, killing one civilian and injuring at least one other.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “Coalition warplanes bombarded areas of Zeban town Badia near al-Omar oil field what killed a man and wounded others.”

A news brief from Arab Today added: “Syrian security source in Deir al-Zour confirms that military aircraft of the international coalition bombed-al Omar oil field, targeting cars and tankers dedicated to the transportation of oil. This resulted in the destruction of a 42-car field in the vicinity.”

The event followed the reported deaths of two or more civilian drivers in a similar incident on August 7th at al Tank.

In the second of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition stated: “Coalition aircraft conducted airstrikes against Daesh equipment. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and at least one other unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the town level at 35.0108763, 40.5045318.

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Diban, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU426767
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Aug. 11, 2016, near Diban, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted airstrikes against Daesh equipment. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and at least one other unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike. 3029/CS293 37SFU426767

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 10th-11th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed 15 ISIL oil tankers.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS370

Incident date

November 11, 2016

Location

خنيز جنوبي, Khaniz Janoubi, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition airstrike on an ISIL ‘police facility’ also killed a named civilian non-combatant.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, Ali al Awwad al Rahil died when his home was struck during the raid. However a local media activist claimed he died as a result of “YPG Kurdish militia targeting of his home while he was there.” The Syrian Observatory blamed both air and ground actions.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali al Awwad al Rahil
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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 Khaniz Janoubi, Syria
    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
Official source

For November 10th-11th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed three ISIL oil production machines and an oil storage tank. Near Ayn Isa, 11 strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; and destroyed three fighting positions, two vehicles, a command and control node, a storage facility, a heavy weapons system, a bulldozer; and damaged three supply routes and a tunnel system.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]