Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

CS1586

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.027572, 40.460243 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person died in an aerial offensive that targeted the river crossing in al Mayadeen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

News of the civilian casualty came amid numerous reports of Russian actions in the area, @m_eelwahed described “Russian raids” with phosphorous which led to the outbreak of fires in several neighbourhoods of the city. Moreover, Baladi and Syrian PC both reported a Russian Ministry of Defence announcement that “the city of Mayadeen was targeted with ten Caliber [cruise] missiles from the Mediterranean to support the advance of the regimes forces in the region.” The announcement alleged that the“missiles targeted the headquarters and warehouses of weapons and ammunition belonging to ISIS in Mayadin.”

According to Syrian PC, the announcement came “after dozens of air raids by Russian aircraft targeted the city of Mayadeen and its surroundings since dawn on Thursday, without knowing the damage caused by them until the moment of preparation of the news.”

No allegations were made against the US-led Coalition, with the Russians likely to be culpable.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a river crossing in the city of Al Mayadin (ميادين), for which the coordinates are: 35.027572, 40.460243. Satellite imagery available to Airwars from between Sep. 27, 2017 and Oct. 15, 2017, and from Sep. 9, 2017 and Oct. 19, 2017 show structural damage to multiple buildings South of the crossing

  • Before (Sep. 9, 2017) and after (Nov. 2, 2017) images of the struck buildings

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 4th – 5th the Coalition reported •Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four vehicles and a VBIED. Awaiting For October 5th-6th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS weapons cache.” And that “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two IEDs and a logistics node.” And also that “On Oct. 5, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike engaged a fighting position.”

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military 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, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3731

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Location

البوابية, Al Bawabia, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

A civilian was reported killed and eight others injured when an airstrike struck the village of Al Bawabia and a section of the Damascus-Aleppo international road in the morning of May 28th. The images shared by the Syrian Civil Defense shows that the victim is a man.

The airstrike destroyed a civilian property and burned large areas of agricultural crops.

The Syrian Civil Defense who were at the scene blamed the Syrian regime, while local monitor Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russia for the raid.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • A Syrian Civil Defense volunteer at the scene after an alleged airstrike struck the village of Al Bawabia and a section of the Damascus-Aleepo international road in the morning of May 28th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • An alleged airstrike struck the village of Al Bawabia and a section of the Damascus-Aleepo international road in the morning of May 28th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers putting out a fair after an alleged airstrike struck the village of Al Bawabia and a section of the Damascus-Aleepo international road in the morning of May 28th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • One of the wounded victims of an airstrike on Al Bawabia south of Aleppo on May 28th (via Syrian Civil Defense Aleppo).
  • Building in Al Bawabia, allegedly struck by an airstrike on May 28th (via Syrian Civil Defense Aleppo).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteer covering the body of one of the victims of an alleged airstrike on Al Bawabia on May 28th (via Syrian Civil Defense Aleppo).
  • SCD volunteers in the aftermath of an airstrike on Al Bawabia in Aleppo on May 28th, 2019. (via SCD)
  • Video of the fires caused by alleged airstrikes on Al Bawabia on May 28th (via Syrian Civil Defense Aleppo).
  • SCD volunteers in the aftermath of an airstrike on Al Bawabia in Aleppo on May 28th, 2019. (via SCD)
  • SCD volunteers in the aftermath of an airstrike on Al Bawabia in Aleppo on May 28th, 2019. (via SCD)
  • Aftermath of an airstrike on Al Bawabia in Aleppo on May 28th, 2019. (via SCD)

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS873

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center, reported one girl killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza.

All4Syria and A_siba also blamed Russia, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Asmma Ayman Asad
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS938

Incident date

June 25, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media, one woman was killed and up to ten other civilians were injured from an airstrike on Kafr Hamra.

The majority of sources reported that the strike was Russian, however, the Blog Amin News said that it was carried out by the Syrian regime. The source also said that ‘Syrian children were bombarded’ and published images of wounded children.

Finally, many sources such as Shahed Ayan, Orient Net, al-Araby and al-Buraq mention the unlawful use of phosphorus, cluster and thermal bombs.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghazala Ahmad Attro
45-47 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • "@0’32” Haayan: Ghazala Ahmad A’tro 45 years old [in bombing on Kafr Hamra]"
  • "The effects of bombing phosphorus on the town of Kafr Hamra in the countryside of Aleppo" (Youtube by Shahed ayan)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Syrian children were bombarded by regime forces on the town of Kafr Hamra countryside north of Aleppo" (via Blog.amin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Syrian children were bombarded by regime forces on the town of Kafr Hamra countryside north of Aleppo" (via Blog.amin)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Syrian children were bombarded by regime forces on the town of Kafr Hamra countryside north of Aleppo" (via Blog.amin)
  • A girl is treated for injuried following alleged airstrikes on Kafr Hamra (Tweet by @syriafree339)

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

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 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1142

Incident date

August 13, 2016

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female civilian died in an air or artillery strike on Bustan al-Qaser, according to local media – though sources didn’t apportion blame for the attack.

According to @HalabTodayTV, there were both “air and artillery strikes” on the area.

@ShahbaPress reported that a girl was killed and “several” other civilians wounded.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (0–1 children0–1 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, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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 August 12th – 13th 2016.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (0–1 children0–1 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, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS012

Incident date

October 15, 2014

Location

كۆبانی, Kobanî, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.8883919, 38.3528042 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Kobanî official reported that a civilian – an 87 year old woman – and six Kurdish fighters from the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in the besieged city.It was also reported that two hospitals in the town had been destroyed.

According to Sky News Arabia, Kurdish sources said that the bombing occurred near Al-tall Street in the city. It represented the first known alleged Coalition ‘friendly fire’ incident in Syria.

CENTCOM disputed the claims, noting internally that Kurdish YPG sources instead insisted the elderly woman “was executed by ISIL forces.” The declassified report also concluded that no hospitals had been targeted by the Coalition, although it was conceded that “The closest target struck was approximately 100m away.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Original caption: "the coalition has intensified its raids on Kobane and its surroundings." (via Sky News Arabia)

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
    Kobani, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015
  • Open sources reported that an 87 year old woman was killed during a dvnamic stirke IVO Kobanl, and that two main hospitals were destroyed by us bombing. Neither allegation credible. No CIVCAS determined. SiNe 29 Sep 14, no women or children have been observed by TF IVO Kobani. No reporting or intel supports the death of the 87 year old civilian from US airstrikes. Information provided by the YPG in the ground indicates that the woman alleged killed was executed by ISIL forces, and that the reported source of the report was not in Kobani at the time of the report. IRT the hospital, TF ID’d 3 hospitals IVO Kobani. None have been targeted. The closest target struck was approximately 100m away

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1239

Incident date

September 8, 2016

Location

ياقد العدس, Yaked al A'adas, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2645222, 37.0187463 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Yaked al A’adas, according to local media.

The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several did not identify the warplanes responsible for the event.

According to reports the girl was originally from Aleppo.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shahed Murjan
7 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1368

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Location

تير معلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.802214, 36.709353 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, Abdulmalik al-Ahdab, was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Teir Ma’ala near Homs.

Syria News Desk wrote that “A 15-year-old boy was killed and other civilians were wounded in the late hours of the night yesterday [Sept 29th] by the Russian warplanes targeting the village of Teir Ma’ala.”

Most sources agreed that the strikes were conducted by Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, said they were Syrian regime strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulmalik al-Ahdab
15 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the destruction caused by the contested airstrikes on Teir Ma’ala, Homs, 29th September 2016. (via @SyrianNews2)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    15-year old Abdulmalik al-Ahdab was reportedly killed as a result of Russian or regime airstrikes in Teir Ma’ala in northern Homs countryside, 29th September 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An attempt to revive Abdul Malik al-Ahdab's body from the rubble, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Teir Ma’ala, Homs, 29th September 2016. (via SyriaRev)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

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 child)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]