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

CI695

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Islah al Zirai, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3507344, 43.0868769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two local sources reported that three children and their mother were killed after a either an airstrike or rocket attack hit their house in Islah Al Zerae neighborhood, in West Mosul.

The Nineveh Media Centre reported that “Local source confirmed the martyrdom of three children and their mother when a rocket attack targeted their house.” Revolution Iraqiu claimed the attack was ‘a bombing by the Coalition.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • 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 (3) [ 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Islah al Zirai, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 7th-8th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper team; destroyed six fighting positions, four rocket-propelled grenade systems, four VBIEDs, three medium machine guns, two tactical vehicles, two supply caches, two heavy machine guns, two anti-air artillery systems, two vehicles, a mortar system, a recoilless rifle, a ISIS staging area; damaged 10 ISIS supply routes, seven fighting positions; and suppressed two mortar teams.“

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
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS845

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

الرويح, Al Ruweih, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94987, 40.90735 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians, including two women, were killed and at least three more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Al Ruweih village, which lies in the countryside near Al Shadadi city, local media said.

A number of local sources named three victims of the Al Alewi al Abd Family. A fourth member of the al Alewi al Abd family was not identified.

All sources that reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Barak al Alewi al Abd
Adult male killed
Wadha al Jaban
Adult female Barak’s wife killed
Samira al Alewi al Abd
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Sabbouha al Alewi
Age unknown injured
Nawja al Mohammed
Age unknown injured
wife of Hneidi al Alewi
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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]

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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Ruwieh, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV720800
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported that: “Near al Hawl, one strike destroyed seven fighting positions and a mortar site.”
For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition did not report any airstrikes near Hassakah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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

RS390

Incident date

January 13, 2016

Location

دير سنبل, Deir Sunbul, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.4981504, 36.4479589 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including a father and his two sons were killed in an airstrike on Deir Sunbul, in what the VDC said was a Russian action.

According to Syria News, “a source said it was the first time that Russian planes targeted the village, which led to a state of fear and terror among the civilian population, prompting most to leave their homes and take refuge in shelters in the ground, as he put it.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A new bulletin reporting on the airstrike which targeted Dier Sunbul. (via, Al Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS454

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.751055, 39.615398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed in an airstrike on Ma’adan, according to local sources – though it is currently unclear whether Russian forces or the Assad regime were responsible for the incident.

Only the Shaam News Network blamed Russia for the raid, reporting in a news roundup that “Russian enemy planes launched air raids on civilian homes in the city of Ma’dan which led to the fall of the four martyrs and a number of wounded.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also reported that four were killed, but they did not say who the “warplane” responsible belonged to.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at “at least three“, regime warplanes carried out the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'Destruction resulting from the air raid that targeted Ma’adan today [Jan 23rd) and killed 4 people'. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS710

Incident date

March 6, 2016

Location

بزاعا, Bza'a village, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3832266, 37.5689584 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four non-combatants died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bza’a, according to local sources. SY_Post said Russian warplanes conducted three raids on the village.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud al-Satouf
Adult male Named by VDC as killed in an alleged Russian strike, though it didn’t specify where in Aleppo they died killed
Kareem al-Hosain al-Abdullah
Adult male Named by VDC as killed in an alleged Russian strike, though it didn’t specify where in Aleppo they died. This victim is also named by HNN as killed in Shahnasa village on March 6th killed
Afaf Kareem al-Khalaf
Adult female Named by VDC as killed in an alleged Russian strike, though it didn’t specify where in Aleppo they died killed
Afar Zakaria al-Khala
Adult male Named by VDC as killed in an alleged Russian strike, though it didn’t specify where in Aleppo they died killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman1–3 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bza'a (via Syria News Desk).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman1–3 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2736

Incident date

November 16, 2017

Location

السيال الغربي, Alsayyal Algharbi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.5713889, 40.9066667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilian were killed, and an unspecified number of others were injured in airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the airstrikes.

Only one source reported the death of four civilians, while most others reported that two  adult male displaced brothers were killed.

Euphrates added that a third brother was injured.

One of the brothers, Salah al-Khalifa, was reportedly a primary school teacher.

Images and reports show that civilian housing was destroyed in the raids.

Lawhat bukmalna reported that the brothers were killed in al Ghubrah, however that was the only reportage claiming this.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Uday Salah al Khalifa
male killed
Hamza Salah al-Khalifa
male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via @EuphratesPost)
  • Uday Salah al - Khalifa, killed in airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • Two brothers killed in airstrikes on Alsayyal Algharbi, 16th Nov 2017. (via Yasser Khalifa)

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS979

Incident date

July 9, 2016

Location

حريتان, Assiya (Hraytan), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four members of the Civil Defence Service were killed while traveling from Anadan to rescue civilians in Assiya, according to sources on the ground. The Step News Agency said that the Civil Defence team were specifically targeted with a missile.

Al Jazeera claimed that it was the Syrian regime who were shelling various areas of Aleppo on July 9th. LCCSY, however, reported that Russian warplanes had shelled the area. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the “missiles fired on Assiya near Hraitan.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Ali Hasshoum
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Hammoudeh
Age unknown male killed
Adnan Hawa
Age unknown male killed
Anas Sawa
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage of extensive warplane shelling in Assiya (Youtube by Thiqa)
  • The media activist, Ahmad Ahmad was wounded in Assiya, due to suspected warplane shelling (Tweet by @mahmoodtalha22)
  • Smoke rises above Assiya following alleged warplane shelling (via Aljazeera)

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 strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1507

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Location

بارة, Bara, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.68599, 36.54239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three or four civilians included women and children died in an airstrikes on Bara, according to local media. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime; there were no direct allegations against Russia, but a number of sources didn’t identify the warplane responsible.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “three victims including two women died due to government warplanes missiles fired on Al Bara”

Arabi21 reported that “three civilians, including two children, were injured by rocket-propelled grenade launchers carried by warplanes in five residential neighborhoods in Khan Shikhun, Al Bara in the southern village of Idlib”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bara (بارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.68599, 36.54239. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    3 – 4
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]