Israeli Military in Syria & the Gaza Strip

A child uses his mobile device in the ruins of a building in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip on May 26th 2021. © Mohamed Zaanoun

Belligerent
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

TS050

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Location

بزاعة , Beza’a city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3829071, 37.56666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman died and one man was injured in shelling on Beza’a city, Syria, according to local media.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “a woman was killed and her husband was wounded in Turkish artillery and rocket shelling on areas in Bzaah town near al-Bab city”.

Al Bab24 reported the death of “the wife of Ahmad Salah Kassem, the daughter of Mr. Haseeb” in “artillery shelling” – though it didn’t name the culprit.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

the wife of Ahmad Salah Kassem
Adult female the daughter of Mr. Haseeb killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Facebook post naming the victim of an alleged Turkish airstrike, 13th January 2017. (via Al bab 24 facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Beza’a city (بزاعة ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3829071, 37.56666. 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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI419

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

العربي, Mosul, Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.41109, 43.11292 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said Coalition airstrikes struck civilian houses in Al Arabi neighborhood, northeast of Mosul, and left dozens of civilian casualties. The area targeted belongs to the Christian community and had been under ISIL control.

Ajel Al Mosul reported that “one of the houses, which was bombed at Arabi neighborhood, is the house of Nurse Labiba…”

In April 2018 the Coalition stated that “After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

However, in its September 2018 monthly report it accepted responsibility for five deaths, noting that “During a strike on ISIS fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters building, three civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.411958, 43.1138706

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
    3
  • Stated location
    near al-Arabi neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF308312
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018
  • January 13, 2017, near al-Arabi neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. During a strike on ISIS fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters building, three civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 12th-13th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed five vehicles, three mortar systems, two UAV launch sites, three fighting positions, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a VBIED manufacturing and armoring facility, a heavy machine gun, a supply cache, and an anti-air artillery system; damaged 18 supply routes; and two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI418

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

الفيصلية, Mosul, Al-Faisiliyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.348018, 43.154196 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said Coalition airstrikes bombed a school inhabited by displaced people in Faisaliyah neighborhood in East Mosul, leaving up to 12 civilians dead or wounded. The Coalition subsequently confirmed responsibility.

News of Iraq reported that the raids on Friday evening had killed and wounded “12 people, mostly women and children.” All sources said the Coalition was responsible for the air strikes.

On March 4th the Coalition admitted responsibility for the event: “Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.” It also noted that it was assessing at least one other Mosul event for that day: “Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.”

A Coalition official subsequently confirmed to Airwars that this refered to the al Faisaliyah event, providing the grid reference 38SLF3436724131.

On March 18th Airwars spoke with a reported survivor of the incident, who provided photographs and biographical details for five victims – including two of his own children. According to the source the US strike hit the Al Marafa private school at 9am where IDPs were staying.

The incident occured at approximately 9:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdulrahman Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq
Child male killed
Aesha Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq
Child female killed
Sara Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed
Musab Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed
Affan Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq to Airwars researchers, showing the bodies of two of his children.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another photo provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.
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
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3436724131
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017
  • Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 12th-13th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed five vehicles, three mortar systems, two UAV launch sites, three fighting positions, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a VBIED manufacturing and armoring facility, a heavy machine gun, a supply cache, and an anti-air artillery system; damaged 18 supply routes; and two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1833

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

جبل الاربعين, Jabal Al-Arba'een, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.805363, 36.618816 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A leader of the Islamic Party of Turkmenistan (jihadist group) was killed following an alleged Russian raid on a residential building he was occupying. Four of his children and three women were also reportedly killed in the raid.

Additionally, in what became a double raid, 20 members of the civil defence were injured in a second raid whilst attempting to dig people out of the rubble following the first raid. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the incident.

An entire building was destroyed, according to sources.

Out of the 20 civil defence members wounded, three cases were serious.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defence are attacked as they attempt to dig bodies out of the rubble following a Russian raid on Jabal Al-Arba'een, 13th January 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defence are attacked as they attempt to dig bodies out of the rubble following a Russian raid on Jabal Al-Arba'een, 13th January 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1832

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

اورم الجوز, Orm Al Joz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.790833, 36.565833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were killed – mostly from the same family – and some were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orm Al Joz, local media said. All sources reported that Russian missiles and rockets were to blame for the raid.

As many as two female children and two women were reportedly killed in the raid.

According to LCCSY, eight civilians were killed in Idlib on January 13th, most of them in Orm Al Joz.

The warplanes reportedly targeted residential homes causing the collapse of huge buildings. One video shows a man being dug out of the rubble. It is difficult to tell if he is wounded or dead.

There are no specific reports on the number of wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man being pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian raid on Orm Al Joz, 13th January 2017. It is difficult to tell if he is dead or alive. (via Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS049

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Al Bab 24 named Hassan Mohammad al Hussein al Assfour as killed in “Turkish shelling” in Al Bab, Syria.

On January 14th, both Amna Alali and Halab Today reported the “death of 12 civilians and wounding of 18 more as a result of a Turkish air and artillery yesterday [Jan 13th] on the town of Tadef and the city of Bab in the countryside”

There are no other details avalible at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Mohammad al Hussein al Assfour
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
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hassan Mohammad al Hussein al Assfour, killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Al Bab city, 13th January 2017. (via Al Bab24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab city ( 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
    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
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS048 CS443 RS1834

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and 12 civilians were killed, and as many as 22 were wounded, in an air and artillery strike which hit the Daesh controlled area of Tadef, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with two sources blaming the International US led Coalition, two blaming Syrian regime helicopters, and many more blaming Turkish and Russian warplanes, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the Coalition was responsible, putting the death toll, at six civilians including one woman. The Shaam News Network also reported that six died, including women and children, at the hands of the Coalition.

According to Al Raed La Yakzub Ahlahu (an IS propaganda source), three non-combatants died and 22 others were injured in “Russian and Syrian raids”.

LCCSY said that Russia had carried out strikes, as did the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

However, Euphrates Post attributed the incident to “regime warplanes and helicopters”, putting the death toll as high as 12. “According to civilian sources speaking to Euphrates Post  regime warplanes targeted residential sites near the Cultural Center building, east of the city, with two raids.”

Additionally, it was reported that helicopters struck residential buildings with explosives barrels near the coach station.

Al Zanlooki reported that eight civilians died and more were injured in raids by “planes believed to be Turkish”. Manbij mother of all the world also said Turkey was responsible, as did the activist Al Zanlooki.

Albab23 named the following victims: “Mohammad Khalil Abdan, members of the al Masri family and members of the Kariz family.”

Some sources said the death toll was likely to rise due to the severity of the wounds.

Allegedly members of the Civil Defence were also killed in the raids.

One source reported that two buildings of three stories each, were completely destroyed in the raid, as was other civilian housing.

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition 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:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • (0–2 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–22
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish, Russian, Coalition and Syrian regime raid on Tadef, 13th January 2017. (via Syria news desk)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tadef, Aleppo ( تادف), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.34857, 37.531501. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA682236
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • Jan. 13, 2017, in Tadef, 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. 3082/CS443 37SCA682236

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 12th-13th and January 13th-14th the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in or near Tadef.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • (0–2 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–22
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1831

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

دار الكبيرة, Dar Al-Kabira, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.606682, 36.516139 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were killed and as many as 18 were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dar Al-Kabira, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. 

Some sources reported that there was partial damage to Al Dal Al Kabera Primary School.

ZaitonMagazine said there were altogether three raids on the vicinity. 

According to @Free_Syria_Iran, two children and a woman were amongst those wounded in the strike which hit their home.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–18
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an alleged Russian raid targeted Dar Al-Kabira, 13th January 2017. (via ZaitonMagazine)
  • The exact moment an alleged Russian raid targeted Dar Al-Kabira, 13th January 2017. (via ZaitonMagazine)
  • A huge crater left in the aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Dar Al-Kabira, 13th January 2017. (via @Free_Syria_Iran )
  • The exact moment an alleged Russian raid targeted Dar Al-Kabira, 13th January 2017. (via Step news agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–18
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]