Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

CS660

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Location

رابعة, Rabi'a, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9714769, 38.9187241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Smart News Agency, “a man and a woman were killed and three others were wounded” in an alleged Coalition airstrike on village of Rabi’a.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Rabi’a, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • 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. (1282)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 3rd-4th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”
For April 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; and destroyed three fighting positions, three vehicles, a mortar system, a rocket system, and an excavator."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS659

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Location

هنيدة, Hunaida, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83234, 38.69938 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Smart News Agency reported that “a local source in the village of Hunaidah in rural West Raqqa said four civilians were killed and 11 wounded following raids by the coalition. The injured people were taken to an IS run hospital in the western countryside, but the location was not specified.”

Marobobuzer, also blaming the Coalition, put the death toll at 13.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 13
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hunaida, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV728653
    Military Grid Reference System

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 3rd-4th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”
For April 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; and destroyed three fighting positions, three vehicles, a mortar system, a rocket system, and an excavator."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 13
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2070

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Location

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.429388, 36.49078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from one family were killed in an alleged Russian raid on Kfar Nbouda, according to reports from the ground. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid.

The Smart News Agency reported: “Three civilians from a family were killed on Monday night [April 3rd] by a bombardment of warplanes likely to be Russian on the town in the countryside of Hama, central Syria, the civil defence correspondent told Smart. The civil defence said that the aircraft launched raids on the town of Kafr Nbouda (50 km northwest of the city of Hama), killing a man and his wife and child, without mentioning the presence of wounded.”

Halab News reported “three martyrs and others stuck under the rubble following Russian raids on Kfar Nbouda in the Hama countryside.”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ 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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2075

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a residential neighbourhood in Hamouriya. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame. All sources blamed the Syrian regime except Smart who pointed to Russian warplanes. The shelling reportedly occurred in conjunction with many other raids on towns in the countryside of Damascus.

TRT Arabic tweeted that dozens were killed and injured following Syrian regime raids on Hamouriya. They also published photographs of injured children being treated in a medical facility. 

Hazem Alshami published footage of the exact moment the raids hit, and captioned the video “An airstrike with seven rockets from the cities of Sakaba and Hamouriya in eastern Al-Ghouta”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown killed
Child killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 8
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Hamouriya, 4th April 2017. (via Shehab)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Hamouriya, 4th April 2017. (via Shehab)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Hamouriya, 4th April 2017. (via Shehab)
  • Civilians are rescued in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Hamouriya, 4th April 2017. (via Shehab)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child awaits medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Hamouriya, 4th April 2017. (via TRT Arabic)
  • An injured child awaits medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Hamouriya, 4th April 2017. (via TRT Arabic)
  • An injured child awaits medical treatment in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Hamouriya, 4th April 2017. (via TRT Arabic)
  • The exact moment airstrike hit Hamouriya, 4th April 2017. (via Hazem Alshami)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 8
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

RS2074

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.519286, 36.382427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 18 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime – though the majority of sources pointed to Russia.

Four rockets were allegedly fired at one residential building, according to Aladehye.

There was disparity as to how many women and children casualties there were in the raid. Smart news reported that two children and four women were killed. Rfsmediaoffice put the number of children killed as high as 13 – they also blamed Syrian regime for the raids.

Smart News later reported that the number of casualties had risen to 17, “mostly from the family, “Khamis”, including seven women, one pregnant, and three children. One of them is a baby.”

Syriahr was the last to report, and suggested 18 had been killed in the raid so far. 

According to Raialyoum News 165 people were injured in the past two days in Eastern Ghouta alone, dozens of them being from Saqba.

Similarly Egy news reported this was the second day in a row the vicinity was struck by warplanes. @RevolutionSyria also reported “more than 200 air raids in two days [on Saqba], leaving dozens of martyrs and wounded”.

More than one source suggested that the death toll would likely rise due to the severity of many of those wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 18
  • (2–13 children4–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

  • Moments after the raid. Wounded civilians can be seen being dragged from the rubble in the aftermath of the incident, Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Abo Ayman)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Shrc)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Eldorar)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Eldorar)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Rfsmediaoffice)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child receives medical care in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Rfsmediaoffice)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child receives medical care in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Rfsmediaoffice)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Rfsmediaoffice)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 4th April 2017. (via Rfsmediaoffice)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 18
  • (2–13 children4–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS2073

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Location

عنجارة, Ainjara, Aleppo, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.2203271, 36.952976 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly woman was killed when her home in the agricultural neighbourhood of Ainjara, Aleppo was struck by missiles. Sources all reported that Russia was to be held accountable for this raid.

According to sources, others were also wounded.

Footage published by Smart News, shows the damage left behind and the remnants of the missile shell.

The woman’s son, Ahmad Talha, and her, husband Mohammad Talha, were both named by Smart. The son had planned to take his mother on a pilgrimage this year.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (4) [ 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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS662a RS2072

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Location

سلقين, Salqeen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.13951, 36.45413 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 37 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Salqeen – according to local sources. Up to 17 children and five women were allegedly killed in this raid on the residential neighbourhood. According to Euphrates Post, “four of them a family from eastern Deir Ezzor”. The number of dead was reportedly likely to rise due to the severity of some of the wounded.

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Many blamed Russia for the strikes, and others blamed the Syrian regime, however Qasioun News blamed the International Coalition for the raid; they were the only source to attribute blame to the Coalition.

Multiple sources such as Orient News, reported that warplanes “targeted a school, mosque and a popular market in the city of Salqeen”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights named al Rawda Mosque. Unayyapress amongst others, reported that residential buildings were also struck, trapping many civilians under the rubble. They added that more than one missile “targeted” the area “which led to the collapse of parts of buildings over the heads of its inhabitants”. Syria News Desk additionally reported that a clock tower was also caught in the raid and partially destroyed. 

The wounded were allegedly taken to medical facilities in other parts of Idlib. 

Multiple sources, including the Step News Agency, reported that vacuum missiles were responsible for the destruction on the vicinity.

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Child killed
Child male killed
Adult female killed
Age unknown male killed
Child killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Age unknown killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child female killed
14 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 37
  • (14–17 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Members of the White Helmets rescue wounded civilians from the rubble in the aftermath of an airstrike on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via White Helmets)
  • Members of the White Helmets rescue wounded civilians from the rubble in the aftermath of an airstrike on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via White Helmets)
  • Members of the White Helmets rescue wounded civilians from the rubble in the aftermath of an airstrike on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via White Helmets)
  • Rubble which once was a mosque, in the aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @ShahbaPress)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @ShahbaPress)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @ShahbaPress)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @ShahbaPress)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @DarAlimantv)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @DarAlimantv)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @DarAlimantv)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @DarAlimantv)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Salqeen, 4th April 2017. (via @ALAMAWI)
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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

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
    37SBA709024
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • Apr. 4, 2017, in Salqeen, 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. 3097/CS662a 37SBA709024

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 37
  • (14–17 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC067

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Location

الجفرة, Jufra air base, Jufra, Libya

Geolocation

29.203056, 16.0025 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported an LNA strike near Al-Jufra that allegedly killed a man and injured four Chadian citizens. However, the sources didn’t give information regarding whether the victims were civilians or not.

According to Ali Salim, “there was one dead and four Chadian wounded following night air raids on Al Jufra base.”

Ean Libya reported that there had been no civilian casualties, however, Libya Alaan reported that “the airbase was blown up by aerial bombardment on Tuesday night [April 4th], resulting in the injury of missile launchers who were there”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–4
  • 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
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda In the Maghreb (AQIM)

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image: Libya after February 17 uprising shows the aftermath of the airstrike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Jufra (الجفرة) air base. The coordinates for the Jufra air base are 29.203056, 16.0025.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–4
  • 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
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda In the Maghreb (AQIM)

Sources (7) [ collapse]