Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS2057

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Location

ريف حلب الغربي, Various location in western Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.200000, 37.600000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were killed, including four children and two women, and as many as eight others were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on various villages in the Western part of Aleppo’s countryside, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or “unknown warplanes”.

According to sources Kafrnah, Khan al-Asal, Babsaka, Sarmada, the town of Dara ‘Azza and Urum al-Kubra were all struck in the raid. Al Jazeera added that the towns were overcrowded with displaced peoples.

Baladi News said that there was significant damage to property in the vicinity.

A local source, Motaz Khatab, tweeted that rocket-propelled grenade launchers struck the countryside. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nawal Abdel Hasib
Age unknown female daughter of Bashar Saleh al Bashir killed
Yahiya
Child killed
Ahmed
Child male killed
Abdul Hai Abu A’bbai
Child male killed
Hasnaa Abu A’bbai
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the airstrikes in various villages in the Western Aleppo countryside, 2nd April 2017. (via Halab Today TV)

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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS657

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Location

الصفصاف, Al Safsaf and Hunaida, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.831167, 38.634195

Airwars assessment

Sources told the Smart News Agency that warplanes “likely” belonging to the Coalition “bombed the villages of Hunaidah and Al Safsaf Al Wasatani and Altahani west of the city of Raqqa, killing two civilians and injuring nine others”.

But Melody-fm-syria blamed the Syria Democratic Forces, saying they used rocket-propelled grenades on Hunaida, killing four civilians including one woman and injuring 13 more.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–13
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Safsaf, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike. (1275)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 1st – April 2nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight barges and five fighting positions; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”
For April 2nd - April 3rd, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–13
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS658

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.882222, 39.048611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Smart News Agency, Khelafa and Syriapc, five civilians including three children died and three others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ratla village and Al Akeirshi village. The injured were reportedly treated at a nearby field hospital.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ratlah, 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. (1276)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 1st – April 2nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight barges and five fighting positions; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”
For April 2nd - April 3rd, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI597

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Location

several neighbourhoods in West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to 25 civilians were killed and between 23 and 26 injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

Fareek Al-Morasleen said on Facebook that US airstrikes and artillery had led to the casualties. The other source did not say who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–26
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 31st- April 1st the Coalition reported: “Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two fighting positions, a VBIED, a sniper weapon system, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged three supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed 12 ISIS mortar teams, four ISIS tactical units, two ISIS heavy machine gun teams, and an ISIS sniper team.“
For April 1st-2nd the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed three rocket-propelled grenade systems, three fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, an artillery system, a weapons factory, and a VBIED factory; damaged seven supply routes and five fighting positions; and suppressed 12 ISIS mortar teams, four ISIS tactical units, and an ISIS sniper team.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–26
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr064

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Location

أحور, West of Ahwar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.519256, 46.712837 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported airstrike targeted alleged AQAP militants to the west of Ahwar town, Abyan governorate, on April 1st 2017.  There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Some sources reported that the strike came alongside an additional two actions on a farm to the east of Ahwar (USYEMTr063), indicating that the strike took place early on April 1st. According to the Aden Times, the strike targeted “locations where al-Qaeda groups gathered”.

Sources varied in assigning responsibility to a particular belligerent. Some described the strikes as US or American, while others indicated that Arab coalition aircraft “backed by US drones” were responsible. Airwars has therefore assessed this strike as “contested”.

This reported strike took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP, starting in early March 2017. On April 3rd 2017, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, since February 28th 2017, 70 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes in the west of Ahwar (أحور) town, for which the generic coordinates are: 13.519256, 46.712837. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2049

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Location

الغسانية, Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8142663, 36.2616084 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three civilians were killed – including one woman – and several others were wounded, as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, local media reported.

There were no specific figures regarding wounded civilians published.

The strikes allegedly occurred at noon, and included surface to surface missiles, according to Al Jazeera.

There are no other details at this time.

The incident occured around midday.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (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 (10) [ 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 April 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI598

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to 25 civilians were killed and between 23 and 26 injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

Fareek Al-Morasleen said on Facebook that US airstrikes and artillery had led to the casualties. The other source did not say who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–26
  • 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, Unknown

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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 31st- April 1st the Coalition reported: “Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two fighting positions, a VBIED, a sniper weapon system, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged three supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed 12 ISIS mortar teams, four ISIS tactical units, two ISIS heavy machine gun teams, and an ISIS sniper team.“

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–26
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr065

Incident date

April 1–2, 2017

Location

الشبيك, Al Shubayka, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.665188, 46.812263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US drone strikes reportedly targeted a large gathering of alleged AQAP militants near Al Shubayka, north of Ataq in Shabwa governorate, at around midnight from April 1st to April 2nd 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Several sources reported that the strikes targeted a meeting of AQAP leaders in Al-Shubayka village, on the outskirts of Ataq, with illumination shells fired in the area to track the militants. For example Salmashad reported that “air strikes targeed al-Qaeda members in the village of Al-Shabik, north of Ataq, Shabwa governorate, after intelligence was obtained suggesting a meeting of the leaders of the organization.” The same source claimed that the attack continued against alleged AQAP militants fleeing the village by car, though no known sources mentioned the number of militant casualties, if any.

Some sources, for example Yafa News, described the strikes as preventing an attack by militant vehicles on nearby Ataq airport, though the reasoning for these reports was unclear.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP, beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd 2017, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, since February 28th 2017, 70 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • US drone strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in and near Al-Shubayka, north of Ataq, overnight from April 1st to April 2nd 2017. Areas hit by missiles were visible the following day. (@ali_bin_aidaros, April 2nd 2017)
  • US drone strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in and near Al-Shubayka, north of Ataq, overnight from April 1st to April 2nd 2017. Illumination shells were reportedly fired in the area by US forces. (@demolinari, April 2nd 2017)
  • US drone strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in and near Al-Shubayka, north of Ataq, overnight from April 1st to April 2nd 2017. Illumination shells were reportedly fired in the area by US forces. (@adenlang, April 2nd 2017)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike in the vicinity of Al Shubayka (الشبيك) village, for which the generic coordinates are: 14.665188, 46.812263. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (24) [ collapse]