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

Belligerent
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Incident Code

RS1268

Incident date

September 15, 2016

Location

Tabara Kalash, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.14916667, 37.96611111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and nine civilians including two children and one man died and more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tabara Kalash village, according to local media.

LCCSY “documented the deaths of nine people in Aleppo killed in a Russian air raid using cluster bombs on the village of Tabara Kalah and in a mine explosion in Manbij; the mines had been left in the town by Daesh.”

Other sources blaming Russia included Thiqa, Hasan_Mustaga, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Alnateq1 and HalabNews – all of which said that two children killed.

ZakariaNassani added that a “large number” more were wounded.

Shahba reported that “two children and a man were killed” – but didn’t identify the warplane responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A satellite image show the location of Tabara Kalash village, allegedly struck by Russian aircraft on Sept 15th. (Tweet via @Hasan_Mustafa)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS312

Incident date

September 14, 2016

Location

معيزيلة, M’eizileh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6163981, 40.4576683 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians including a child died when a water tanker was struck in Coalition strikes at M’eizileh, according to multiple reports.

VDC named two of the victims who it said died as a result of warplane shelling by international forces.

The reported fatalities may have been confused with reports at nearby al Salhiya which was also struck in a Coalition raid (see above.)

In their May 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:

Family members (2)

Saleh al-Elwan
Adult male killed
Nephew of Saleh al-Elwan
Child male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Saleh al-Elwan (via VDC).
  • Al- Salhiya village in eastern Deir Ezzor (via Deir Ezzor 24)
  • Translation: coalition planes target last night a water transport truck on its way to Ma’izlieh fountain in the desert of Deir ezzor.
  • Translation: Saleh al Ulwan and his nephew martyred due to coalition raid on their car near al Maizlieh south west of Abu Kamal.

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
    37SFU336314
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 14, 2016, in Meizileh, 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. 3044/CS312 37SFU336314

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed five ISIL supply routes.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS311

Incident date

September 14, 2016

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya [exact location], Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.7251951, 40.7404912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Heavy airstrikes were reported, with Step News noting that “Coalition planes bombed al Salhiya near al Bukamal, targeting a bridge that links the area of al Duweir with other areas of Deir Ezzor. They also targeted al Ashayer village east of Deir Ezzor.” No mention was made of casualties.

Beloved Al Salhiya also posted a video showing damage to the bridge – while reporting “no casualties.” A description accompanying a second video said “One of the places hit by the planes under the mountain on the road leading to al Shaeb left a crater 7 meters wide and 4 meters deep.“

However Step News, Ara News and others insisted that four civilians died, noting: “The international coalition aircraft bombed the village of al Salhiya targeting a bridge in al Dweir which links it with all areas in all of Deir al-Zour area, killing four civilians.”

In a report published the following month, the Syrian Network noted: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired missiles that targeted the international road in Al Salihiya village, located in the eastern suburbs of Deir Ez-Zour and is under the control of ISIS. The road connects between Deir Ez-Zour and Homs governorate through Al Bokamal city. The bombardment resulted in the killing of two children.

In their August 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 after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

A child from Al-Alwan
Child killed
Saleh Al Alwan
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage from a Coalition airstrike at Salhiye on September 14th 2016. Reports were conflicted on whether four civilians died (via Deir Ezzor 24)

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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU593439
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Sept. 14, 2016, in Al Salhiya, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 3043/CS311 37SFU593439

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed five ISIL supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS310

Incident date

September 13, 2016

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian vehicle near Shadadah.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “A man and a woman [were] killed by coalition airstrikes in Shadadi countryside.” Al Jisr TV reported “martrys and wounded following the targeting by Coalition planes of a car carrying them south of the town of al Shadadi in al Hassaka countryside.”

In a report published the followingmonth, the Syrian Network noted: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired missiles that targeted Al Dshiesha Al Gharbiya village, located in the southern suburbs of Al Al Hasakah and is under the control of ISIS, which resulted in the killing of three civilians including a female child.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

son of Ahmad Al Mohammad Al Sa’doun
Age unknown male killed
Daughter of Ibrahim Al Ewyed Al Hamad Al Dawwas.
Child female killed
Hamoud Mohammad Al Salem
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: al Jisr correspondent:martrys and wounded following the targeting of coalition planes of a car carrying them south of the town of al Shadadi in al Hassaka countryside.

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.05631, 36.05631  

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Shadadi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV5585691580
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Sep. 13, 2016, near Shadadi, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3042/CS310 37SFV5585691580

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 12th-13th it reported: “Near Al Shadaddi, seven strikes engaged seven ISIL tactical units and destroyed a VBIED, three vehicles, and a command and control node.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1265

Incident date

September 13, 2016

Location

Al Sakhina, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including women and children died in an alleged Russia airstrike on a refugee camp in the al Sakhuna area, south of Palymyra, local media reported.

According to the Step News Agency, “Russia’s military aircraft committed a new massacre against people in a camp for the displaced from the towns of Palmyra and al Sukhna in the area near the Valley of al A’leek south of Palmyra in eastern Homs on Tuesday [Sept 13th]…The initial death toll is six civilians, including two children and two women. A number of wounded were taken to a field hospital.” The source said that seven tents were bombed.

SRG and Kheroalhome also blamed Russia for the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A camp for displaced people in Syria near the Valley of al A’leek, suspected attacked by Russian warplanes, Sept 13th (via Step)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1264

Incident date

September 13, 2016

Location

البزاعة, Bazaa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians including two children died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Bazaa village, according to local media. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia – though there was also one allegation against the Syrian regime.

LCCSY, Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian Press Center (SPC) all blamed Russia. SPC said three people died with 20 more injured – including children.

According to the Smart News Network, “Three civilians were killed including two children, and 20 more wounded including women and children in five raids, thought to have been carried out by Russia”.

Only one source, Syrianevent1, blamed the regime for the event – though a number didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18–20
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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 – 3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18–20
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS309

Incident date

September 12, 2016

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown civilian casualty incident, CENTCOM reported on September 13th that civilians may have been killed or injured after a non-ISIL vehicle strayed into a strike kill box.

“On Sep. 12, near Ash Shaddadah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft,” CENTCOM reported.

While no civilian deaths were publicly reported at the time, heavy clashes took place in the viciinity. As the Syrian Observatory noted on the day, “Islamic State has bombed areas controlled by SDF in al Ziyanat village in the al Shadadi countryside south of al Hassaka, in conjuntion with violent clashes on the outskirts east of the town of Shadadi between the two sides, following a violent attack by IS in an attempt to advance towards Tal Jayer.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 11th-12th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Shadadi, nine strikes engaged eight ISIL tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, two bulldozers, a command and control node, a VBIED, a vehicle and a VBIED facility.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1263

Incident date

September 12, 2016

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misreen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians (10 of whom were named) died and as many as 35 more were wounded in airstrikes on Maarat Misreen, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed the Syrian regime for the event – though there were also allegations against Russia.

Syria News Desk – who blamed Moscow – provided the most detail on the incident. It reported: “The death toll from Russian strikes on Maaret Misreen – which is under the control of the opposition – rose to 15 people, including children, with more than 35 wounded.

“The media opposition activist Ammar Hashim told Syria News Desk that the two raids targeted Corniche Road and the fuel market in the town. Bodies were burnt and there were amputations. The injured were taken to hospitals and medical points in the region by the civil defence. There was significant damage to property and the burning of dozens of cars”.

Sadaltwhed also blamed Russia, though put the death count at 11.

However, the majority of sources – including Alsouria, CDS, SMO and RFS – attributed the incident to the regime. Cluster bombs were reportedly used in the attacks.

There was some confused reporting from the Syrian Network for Human Rights: in an initial tweet, it alleged that Russia was responsible – but went on to accuse “government forces”.

A number of other sources, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, didn’t identify the culprit. The Observatory also put the death toll at 15, including”three from one family and four others from another family”.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee – who blamed “warplanes” – put the number killed at 13, and named 10 victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Al-Absi Badleh
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Bitar
Age unknown male killed
Taghreed Badleh
Age unknown killed
Hala Al-Khaled
Age unknown killed
Khiro Alolo
Age unknown killed
Samer Hamwi
Age unknown killed
Mahroos Al-Khaled
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Abdullah Nadaf Ibrahim Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Mahroos Khaled
Age unknown male killed
Wasim Bitar
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets retrieve a body from the rubble in Maaret Misreen following alleged Regime or Russian shelling, Sept 12th (Youtube via CDS)
  • Footage of civilian casualties arriving at the Centre for Victim Rehabilitation in Maaret Misreen (Youtube via CDS)
  • A news report of the scene in Idlib city following destruction caused by suspected Russian or Regime warplanes, Sept 12th (Youtube via Jisrtv)
  • Dust and smoke rise above a street in Idlib city following the suspected Russian or Regime shelling on the area (Youtube via UAR)
  • Firefighters at work on the streets of Idlib city, local people look on at blazes. The impact of alleged Russian or Regime warplane shelling (Tweet via @syrian191124)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Maarat Misreen (معرة مصرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.012172,36.673049. 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
Official source

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
    10 – 15
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]