Israeli Military in Syria & the Gaza Strip

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

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Incident Code

R4368

Incident date

August 10, 2021

Location

تديل, Tadel, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to two children were killed in regime and/or Russian shelling in the village of Tadel in the countryside of Aleppo on August 10th, 2021, according to multiple sources.

The majority of sources reported the death of one child and the injury of two of her siblings. The child who died was named by four sources as Rayan al-Hassan, while two others named her as Lian al-Hassan. She was reportedly one and half years old. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one of the injured children, who had been taken to a hospital in Turkey, also then passed away that same day. He was identified by other sources as Abdel Ghafour Al-Hassan, aged between four and six. According to Syria TV, he had shrapnel in his head.

The surviving sibling had her leg amputated, according to multiple sources. She was identified by @pressrahhal as 12-year-old Rama.

The family’s house was reportedly hit by artillery shelling leading to the casualties. Most sources placed responsibility on regime forces, while @s2udFqewzZOZrQU implicated just Russian forces and other sources, including the Syrian Civil Defence, said it was regime and Russian artillery shelling. @anasanas84 meanwhile blamed the “Russian and Iranian militias”, as did @pressrahhal.

Baladi News reported that the bombing coincided with an intense flight of Russian reconnaissance planes over the region.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Rayan al-Hassan ريان الحسن
one and half years years old female killed
Abdel Ghafour Al-Hassan عبدال غفور الحسن
6 years old male Most sources put him as 6, but one reported him as 4 killed
Rama al-Hassan رامى الحسن
12 years old female Rama's leg was reportedly amputated injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • The Syrian Civil Defence posted this image in relation to alleged artillery shelling on August 10th, 2021 in the village of Tadel. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defence)
  • The Syrian Civil Defence posted this image in relation to alleged artillery shelling on August 10th, 2021 in the village of Tadel. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defence)
  • The Syrian Civil Defence posted this image in relation to alleged artillery shelling on August 10th, 2021 in the village of Tadel.(Image posted by Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Translated image caption: The death of a child and the injury of two of her brothers, one of whom is in a critical condition, in artillery shelling by the regime and Russia forces on the village of Tadel in the western countryside of Aleppo. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translated image caption: Today they kidnapped the soul of Rayan and Abdul Ghafour. (Image posted by @Hamoudi_Free_Sy)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translated image caption: Today they kidnapped the soul of Rayan and Abdul Ghafour. (Image posted by @Hamoudi_Free_Sy)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rayan al-Hassan was reportedly killed by artillery shelling on August 10th, 2021. She was one and half years old. (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Rayan al-Hassan after she was killed on August 10th, 2021 in reported artillery shelling on her house. (Image posted by @feryal222kakhi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a child's legs after one of amputated. 12-year-old Rama reportedly lost her leg as a result of artillery shelling (Image via @pressrahhal)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of injured child from the August 10th, 2021 incident in Tadel village. (Image posted by @pressrahhal)
  • Video posted possibly showing shelling from this incident but it's not clear in the caption. (Video posted by @anasanas84)

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

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2144

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

البشيري, , al Bsheiriya, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Bsheiriya, Jisr al Shoughour.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI712

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Location

near Mosul, Iraq, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.

Incident Code

R4385

Incident date

September 7, 2021

Location

مخيم مريم, Maryam refugee camp, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.992606, 36.640529 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and eight civilians, including three to six children and one to two women, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on IDPs living in “Maryam” refugee camp on September 7, 2021.

Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) reported that four children and two women were injured in Russian air strikes targeting the outskirts of “Maryam” camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin.

A tweet from @ZaitunAgency put the injury toll at five, including three children while @Najdat567 reported that “more than six civilians” were injured but did not specify how many. The lowest toll provided was that four civilians, three children and a woman, were injured, according the Anadolu Agency while the highest toll provided was eight civilians, including six children, one of whom was in serious condition, and a woman, according to Zaman Al Wasl.

@Almohrar1 provided the names of the civilians injured: Khadija Ziada, Reem Ziada, Aziza Ziada, Salaam Ziada. Nedaa Post added that Ali Abbas was also critically injured in the head and Reem (Al-Yousef) suffered multiple injuries and was in critical condition.

The director of “Maryam” camp, Ahmed Muhammad Abdul Rahman, confirmed in a call with Radio Al-Kul Al-Youm that the raids of the Russian warplanes resulted in the injury of a man, his wife and 4 children, all from one family. One of the children was transferred to Turkey due to the seriousness of his injury.

A video posted by the SCD rescuing a mother and her five children from under the rubbling following the strikes and they described “we rescue[d] those trapped under the rubble, there was a woman and two young girls, and their father was beside us all the time, waiting for us to see them”.

A tweet from @syria55s reported that following the strikes, Russian planes attacked the ambulance systems trying to reach and rescue the victims.

Muhammad Ali Pasha, a volunteer with the White Helmets, recounts that “within a few moments, I had to make a fateful decision, either evacuate the place and leave the children under the rubble, or put myself and my team in mortal danger” due to the continued reconnaissance planes waiting to retarget the area. When he arrived, he described “the voice of the children those who were crying under the rubble” and that he had to calm down the six year old girl under the rubble by telling her “how sweet she is and that she must be strong so that we can look at her and take her to her mother’s”.

The strikes occurred in “Maryam” refugee camp, which houses Internally Displaced Persons, and the strikes resulted in damage to several residents’ tents. Nedaa Post identified that five air strikes were carried out against the camp.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Russian forces and Macro Media Center specified that the Russian planes that carried out the strikes  took off from the “Hmeimim” air base. 7al reported that the Russian forces used vacuum missiles in the attack.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Khadija Ziada خديجه ذيادة
Age unknown injured
Reem Ziada ريم ذياده
Child female injured
Aziza Ziada عزيزة ذياده
Age unknown injured
Salaam Ziada سلام ذياده
Age unknown injured

The victims were named as:

Ali Abbas
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–8
  • 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 (48) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (31) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets search for injured civilians following strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets search for injured civilians following strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets rescue for injured civilians following strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A father is reunited with his daughter, who was stuck under the rubble following strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Smoke and dust caused by strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • Child injured in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Child injured in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Smoke and dust caused by strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Smoke and dust caused by strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Smoke and dust caused by strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of an injury sustained by a child in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by @a2hmmad77)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of an injury sustained by a child in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by @freeehsem)
  • Child injured in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Zaitun Agency)
  • Child injured in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Zaitun Agency)
  • Child injured in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Zaitun Agency)
  • Child injured in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Zaitun Agency)
  • Smoke and dust caused by strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by @Najdat567)
  • Child injured in strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • Smoke and dust caused by strikes on "Maryam" camp and Madjna, near the city of Maarat Misrin, on September 7, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • We count God and yes agent injuries in #Maryam camp as a result of targeting the camp by the #Russian occupation aircraft 1_ Khadija Ziada 2_ Reem Ziyadeh 3_ Aziza Ziada 4_ Salam Ziada

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Maryam camp, the generic coordinates for which are: 35.992606, 36.640529. 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–8
  • 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 (48) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS209

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

قرية قوتا, ريف عفرين , Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.7737831, 36.8417072 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple local sources: two civilians were wounded following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages.

Claudia, a Kurdish activist reported on Twitter, one civilian was wounded in an alleged Turkish shelling of Quta villages. Furthermore, Afrin Now and Hawar news named an additional civilian who got fragments and breaking in his thigh, which is later named by the Kurdish Red Crescent also named the victim and reported that he was 17-years-old.

The source PYD Rojava also reported the injury of a civilian. According to Hawar news, dozens of shells fell on the villages.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Kawa Ahmed Habib.
17 years old shrapnel fragments in his thigh injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Footage shows the destruction of the buildings after being shelled by allegedly Turkish on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source pyd rojava)
  • A picture shows some destruction in the buildings following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows smoke rising from the scene following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: @ClaudiaAlMinah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an injured civilian, being treated following alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows destruction in the building following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows destruction in the building following an alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)
  • A picture shows a destroyed motorbike, being targeted following alleged Turkish shelling on Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (Source: Hawar news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Quta villages, Bulbul district, Afrin (قرية قوتا, ريف عفرين ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.7737831, 36.8417072. 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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4402

Incident date

October 16, 2021

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.204324, 36.724478 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four people were killed and up to 23 others wounded in the first of two Syrian or Russian artillery or airstrikes in one of the most populated cities in Idlib, Sarmada, on October 16th 2021. One of those killed was reported to be police chief Saad Eddin Berri; sources said it was likely that another three policeman were also killed.

The Syria Observatory for Human Rights said that they expected the death toll to rise given the severity of the injuries sustained by some of those wounded in the incident.

Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) teams noted that this is the latest in a significant escalation of airstrikes on the region, which is leading to “a humanitarian catastrophe that may be the worst since 2011, threatening the lives of more than 4 million civilians”. SCD also pointed to rising COVID-19 infections in the region, which is only expected to get worse with the approach of winter.

Shaam news reported that a number of key humanitarian warehouses and offices were in the area where the strikes were carried out on the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey – the border used primarily by humanitarian actors bringing essential supplies into Syria.

A relative of Mr. Berri, the police chief killed in the incident, posted on Facebook:

“In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful

“Oh, the reassured soul * return to your Lord, contented with contentment * so enter into my servants * and enter me”

With tearful eyes and humble hearts satisfied with God’s decree and destiny, we received the news of the death of our cousin Saad Eddin Ibrahim Berri from the town of Kafr Daryan following the bombing of the city of Sarmada by Assad’s gangs.”

Orient news reported: “The Civil Defense explained that artillery shelling by the Assad militia and the Russian occupation affected vital and service facilities today and the road between Bab al-Hawa and Sarmada in Idlib countryside, adding that the rescue teams retrieved the bodies of the dead and treated the injured, and put out the fire in light of the continued bombing of the area”.

Syrian Civil Defense teams were reported to have immediately attended the bombing site, with Baladi news correspondent noting: “the civil defense and ambulance teams went to the bombing sites immediately, and worked to open the roads, remove the rubble, retrieve the bodies of the martyrs, and transfer the injured to hospitals and medical points near the area.”

Sources also noted that the attack on Sarmada is in violation of ceasefire agreements, with Shaam news network pointing to the strategic significance of the strikes allegedly observed by Idlib rebel factions to have resulted from Russian operations: “with the aim of sending a clear message to Turkey, which threatens to launch a military operation against the separatist militia “SDF”, which is a repetition of the Russian strikes”.

Shaam noted that the same area was targeted last March, and was “carried out with advanced Russian “Krasnapol” missiles, in parallel with the flight of Russian aircraft of the “Orlan 30″ type over the Sarmada region, which identified the targets and directed artillery to target them”. Several other sources also commented than the laser-guided Krasnapol missiles were used in the incident.

Most sources blamed either Syrian regime or Russian forces for the strike, while two also blamed Iranian backed militias. The Syria Network for Human Rights said: “The primary parties suspected of responsibility for the attack being Russian and Syrian regime forces, since the shelling emanated from an area controlled by them. The investigation process is still underway to specifically identify the party responsible for the bombing”.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Saad Eddin Berri سعد الدين بري
Age unknown male killed
Yousef Abdul Rahim Al-Dabaan يوسف عبد الرحيم الضبعان
33 years old injured
Ahmad Juma'a أحمد جمعه
28 years old injured
Jumaa Muhammad جمعه محمد
28 years old injured
Mahmoud Al-Youssef محمود اليوسف
Age unknown injured
Ahmed Al-Saleh احمد الصالح
Age unknown injured
Ahmed Al-Susi Ahmed أحمد السوسي احمد
Age unknown injured
Abdullah Gomaa عبد الله جمعه
Age unknown injured
Hisham Al-Aswad هشام الأسود
Age unknown injured
Jamil Tayeb alrouh جميل طيب الروح
Age unknown injured
Khaled Al-Saleh خالد الصالح
Age unknown injured
Imran Sheikh عمران الشيخ
Age unknown injured
Ahmed Juma Hadid حمد جمعه حديد
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–23
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Iranian Military, Russian Military

Sources (47) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (34) [ collapse]

  • A residential neighbourhood is hit by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime strikes on October 16th 2021. Image via @aboalhodaalhoms on Twitter.
  • Smoke rises from residential neighbourhood in Sarmada after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime strikes on October 16th 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @aboalhodaalhoms.
  • "The first moments of the response of the Syrian Civil Defense teams to the bombing by the regime forces and Russia, which targeted vital facilities on the Bab al-Hawa-Sarmada road, north of Idlib, today, Saturday, October 16, and led to the killing of 4 people and the injury of 23 others."
  • "4 martyrs, including the police chief and another policeman, and about 20 wounded, as a result of shelling by the Assad militia located in the western countryside of Aleppo (the 46th Regiment) through laser-guided missiles, in the area between Sarmada and Bab al-Hawa, the Department of Souls and the police station in Sarmada, north of Idlib"
  • Destruction caused by Syrian regime and/or Russian forces in Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Image posted on Twitter via @SyrianCoalition.
  • "#Ahmed Dayoub from the bombing of the city of Sarmada today in #Idlib All that he dreams of is prosthetic limbs, Ahmed, as you can see, is a boy without two legs and his hands are not healthy either." - image posted via @momtaz112233 after alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada October 16th 2021.
  • "Initial photos of the rescue operations after the artillery and missile shelling on Sarmada in the countryside of Idlib"
  • Images posted after alleged Syrian regime or Russian strikes on Sarmada, Idlib - October 16th 2021. Image posted on Twitter via @Almohrar1.
  • First responders remove a body from the rubble of a Syrian regime or Russian airstrike on Sarmada, Idlib - October 16th 2021. At least four people were reported killed. Image posted by @Almohrar1 on Twitter.
  • Destruction caused by Syrian regime or Russian strikes on Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @Almohrar1.
  • "4 civilians were killed and 12 others were injured as a result of artillery shelling by the Syrian regime forces on the city of Sarmada in Idlib countryside"
  • First responders tend to fires caused by alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes in Sarmada, October 16th 2021. At least four people were killed in the attack. Image posted on Twitter by @zamanalwsl.
  • First responders stand in front of a building hit by alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes, October 16th 2021 in Sarmada. Image posted on Twitter by @zamanalwsl.
  • Residents gather in the street after alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @zamanalwsl.
  • First responder tends to a fire caused by alleged Syrian regime or Russian strikes in Sarmada October 16th 2021.
  • The effects of reported Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on Sarmada 16th October 2021; Police chief Saad Eddin Berri was reported killed in the incident, alongside another police colleague. Image posted on Twitter by @s2udFqewzZOZrQU .
  • Building damaged by alleged Syrian regime or Russian air or artillery strikes on Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @s2udFqewzZOZrQU .
  • First responders put out a fire in a building after alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada October 16th 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @s2udFqewzZOZrQU.
  • Image posted by Twitter user @s2udFqewzZOZrQU showing destruction of offices - one of those killed in the incident was reported to be Police chief Saad Eddin Berri.
  • Smoke rising above Sarmada, where Russian and Syrian regime forces were accused of killing at least four people and wounding another 23 in an artillery or airstrike - image posted on Twitter via @abo_aljod84.
  • Image of smoke rising over Sarmada October 16th 2021, after alleged Syria regime or Russian strikes. Image posted by Syriatv.
  • Smoke rises over Sarmada after alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian strikes were reported to have killed four people and injured over 20. Image posted by Orient news.
  • At least four people were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on October 16th 2021 in Sarmada. Image posted on Facebook by Siriaidlibnews.
  • xxx, Sarmada police chief - one of four killed in alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on October 16th 2021. Image posted on Facebook by Qais.tribe2021.
  • Syria Civil Defense first responders carry one of the four bodies reported to have been killed in Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Image via SDC on Facebook.
  • First responders attempt to put out a fire in Sarmada, Idlib, on October 16th 2021 after alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes. Image via Syrian Civil Defense (SDC) on Facebook.
  • Syrian Civil Defense first responders in the rubble of a building destroyed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces in Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Image posted on Facebook by Syrian Civil Defense.
  • "These children are trying to escape from the shells of the regime forces and Russia, which targeted the city of Sarmada in the northern countryside of Idlib today, Saturday, October 16, and led to the death of 4 people and the injury of 23 others. The international community must put an end to the deadly attacks on northwestern Syria, protect children from them, and make every effort to support and continue the educational process." - via Syrian Civil Defense on Facebook.
  • Destruction in Sarmada, October 16th 2021 - after strikes carried out by Russian or Syrian forces, according to local sources. Image via IdlibPlus on Twitter.
  • Sarmada, Idlib - October 16th 2021, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces hit the heavily populated area - killing at least four and likely injuring over 20. Image posted by Shaam news.
  • First responders in Sarmada, Idlib, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces hit the town - killing at leats four and leaving several others wounded. Image posted on Facebook by Shaam.
  • First responders try to put out fires caused by strikes from either Russian or Syrian forces in Sarmada, Idlib, October 16th 2021. Image via Shaam on Facebook.
  • Large fires caused by alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes on Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Image posted by Shaam news on Facebook.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a government facility being struck near the old Bab Al Hawa square (ساحة باب الهوى القد) in the city of Sarmada (سرمدا). Based on imagery available to Airwars, a potential set of coordinates for the strike are: 36.204324, 36.724478.

  • Reports of the incident mention a government facility being struck near the old Bab Al Hawa square (ساحة باب الهوى القد) in the city of Sarmada (سرمدا). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to exact coordinates.

    Date taken:
    November 12, 2019

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Date taken:
    November 12, 2019

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Date taken:
    October 16, 2021

    Imagery:
    @aboalhodaalhoms

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–23
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Iranian Military, Russian Military

Sources (47) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS120

Incident date

November 19, 2021

Location

عفرين, ِAfrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians, including a woman, were killed and up to 17 others, including children, were injured in alleged Syrian Defense Forces shelling of Afrin on November 19, 2021.

Macro Media Center reported that one person was killed and a number of civilians were wounded in artillery shelling in Afrin without identifying who was responsible.

A tweet from @IdlibPlus later reported that the “number of victims of the missile strikes on the city of Afrin in the northern countryside of Aleppo has risen to 3, and more than 10 wounded”. Liveuamap also put the death toll at three while increasing the wounded to 13, including children.

Orient News quoted the Syrian Civil Defense as putting the final toll at three people, including a woman, killed and 17 others wounded, including children, as a result of Syrian Defense Forces shelling of Afrin with rocket launchers.

Syrian Civil Defense gave a similar casualty report of three people killed and 16 others wounded, in addition to identifying residential neighborhoods as the location of the shelling. Halab Today TV’s correspondent added that some of those that were injured were in critical condition.

The majority of sources, including Liveuamap, attributed the shelling to the Syrian Civil Defense while the Syrian Civil Defense identified the shelling as coming from “areas controlled by the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces”. @ShahbaPress reported that rocker launchers as being used in the attack.

Shaam News reported that the Turkish and national armies responded to the shelling of Afrin by targeting SDF strongholds in the northern countryside with artillery shells, Katyusha and Grad rockets.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • 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.

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by @SyrianCoalition)
  • Translation: The number of victims of the missile strikes on the city of Afrin in the northern countryside of Aleppo has risen to 3, and more than 10 wounded. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • Shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ShahbaPress)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Orient News)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • One of the victims of shelling of Afrin being treated by a White Helmet volunteer on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by shelling of the city of Afrin on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • One of the victims of shelling of Afrin being treated by a White Helmet volunteer on November 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • 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.

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI739

Incident date

May 30, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3545, 43.108694 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “11. May 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as the Zanjili neighbourhood in Mosul. This matches the location of a separate strike reported by Airwars (I561).

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3049224538
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 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 May 29th-30th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 34 vehicles, seven fighting positions, three VBIEDs, two mortar systems, two heavy machine guns, a medium machine gun, and a supply cache and damaged an ISIS-held building, an ISIS supply route and a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]