Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS3443

Incident date

June 10, 2018

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9976603, 36.7856598 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten civilians, including five to seven children and one woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Nour Children’s Hospital and civilian homes in the town of Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on June 10th, 2018, according to local sources.

Edlib Media Center initially reported “four martyrs: three children and a man, as a result of military aircraft targeting the town of Taftnaz with rockets.”

The death toll quickly raised, with the Syrian Network for Human Rights reporting that “at least 11 civilians, including four children and a woman, were killed as Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles on the vicinity of Al Nour Children Hospital in the west of Taftanaz town in Idlib governorate northern suburbs, on June 10, 2018.” Orient News reported that the air raids also targeted civilian homes.

According to Shorouk News, a source in the Syrian Civil Defence stated that six people were killed and that more than 25 were wounded in an initial toll. @HadiAlabdallah reported “dozens of wounded.” @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that their teams were recovering the bodies of victims and evacuating the wounded.

The Violations Documentation Center of Syria reported the names of nine victims and posted a photo of an unidentified male. Six of the victims were part of the Al Sattouf family, among which Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Al Sattouf and his wife Shaimaa Abdullah Al Sheikh, two girls that were nieces of Abd Al Rahman Al Sattouf and two boys.

Morek City reported that “the twins of Jubran Al Sattouf” were also killed. It is, however, possible that one of the victims who the VDC identified as Shahed Jobran Al Sattouf (7) or Ghalia Jobran Al Sattouf (2) died alongside their twin sibling.

Syrian Reporter wrote that Al Nour Children’s Hospital was severely damaged and out of order after “three Russian aviation raids”.

Nearly all sources blamed the Syrian regime, but the Local Coordination Committees of Syria blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia, while Syrian Reporter blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Al Sattouf
35 years old male born in Morek killed
Shahed Jobran Al Sattouf
7 years old female born in Morek, niece of Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Al Sattouf killed
Ghalia Jobran Al Sattouf
2 years old female born in Morek, niece of Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Al Sattouf killed
Mou'tasem Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Al Sattouf
9 months years old male born in Morek killed
Nabeel Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Al Sattouf
3 years old male born in Morek killed
Shaimaa Abdullah Al Sheikh
Adult female wife of Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Al Sattouf killed
Son/daughter of Jubran Al Sattouf 1
Child died alongside twin sibling killed
Son/daughter of Jubran Al Sattouf 2
Child died alongside twin sibling killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Abd Al Wahhab Sheli
Adult male killed
Ruba Bashir Barad
Child female killed
Ayman Hikmat Zedan
Adult male paramedic killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (5–7 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25–30
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • Image of Al Nour Children's Hospital which was struck by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Taftanaz on June 10th, 2018 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on June 10th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Child walking over rubble after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on June 10th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Civilians in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on June 10th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Damaged car after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on June 10th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Destruction in the town of Taftanaz after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Footage of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in Taftanaz, June 10th, 2018 (via Qasioun News Agency).
  • Damage in Al Nour Children's Hospital in Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2018 (via Qasioun News).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes caused severe damage to Al Nour Children's Hospital in Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on June 10th, 2018 (via Qasioun News).
  • Damage in Al Nour Children's Hospital in Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2018 (via Qasioun News).
  • Al Nour Children's Hospital in the town of Taftanaz was severaly damaged in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2018 (via Qasioun News).
  • Damage in Al Nour Children's Hospital in Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2018 (via Qasioun News).
  • Damaged door of Al Nour Children's Hospital in Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2018 (via Qasioun News).
  • Footage of victims being pulled from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taftanaz, June 10th, 2018 (via @HadiAlabdallah).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz on June 10th, 2018 (via @Ahmadmuaffaq).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taftanaz, June 10th, 2018 (via @SufianSamarrai).
  • Man showing his damaged car after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on June 10th, 2018 (via @Ahmadmuaffaq).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz on June 10th, 2018 (via @apdalrhmah).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Unidentified victim of alleged Russian or Syian regime airstrikes on Taftanaz, June 10th 2018 (via VDC Syria).
  • Ayman Hikmat Zedan, a parademic, was reportedly killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on June 10th, 2018 (via Abdo Ghazal).
  • Morek City reporting the names of the Al Sattouf family victims who were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taftanaz on June 10th, 2018. The Al Sattouf family was originally from Morek (via Morek City).
  • Moatasem Abdel Rahman Al Muhammad Al Sattouf and Nabil Abdul Rahman Al Sattouf were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taftanaz on June 10th, 2018 (via Radio Morek).
  • Footage of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taftanaz on June 10th, 2018 (via Halab Today TV).

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (5–7 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25–30
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3446

Incident date

June 10, 2018

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81374, 36.60964 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children from the same family were killed and a woman injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib, Syria on June 10th, 2018, according to local media sources.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that “Russian airstrikes targeted the city of Ariha in central Idlib countryside, resulting in the fall of martyrs and wounded civilians.”

@SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that “Two girls martyred and another woman was injured, after an airstrike by the regime forces on the city of Ariha, south of the city of Idlib, and the civil defense teams managed, after a work that lasted for more than 3 hours, to pull out bodies of the martyrs from the rubble of their destroyed house and complete search and rescue operations.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights named the two girls reporting that “The girls, sisters, Zahraa Sarmini and Amina Sarmini were killed as Syrian regime warplanes fired several missiles on al Sharqi neighborhood in Ariha city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on June 10th, 2018.”

Ariha Today said the raids were undertaken with Sukhoi-22 and that the strikes caused destruction to civilians’ houses.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Zahraa Sarmini زهراء سرميني
14 years old female killed
Amina Sarmini أمينة سرميني
5 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • "Two girls martyred and a woman was injured, after an air strike by the regime warplanes on the city of Ariha, south of Idlib, and civil defense teams managed, after three hours to extract the martyrs from the rubble of their destroyed house and complete search and rescue operations."
  • "Al-Assad warplanes bombard the cities and towns of Binnish, Ram Hamdan, Taftanaz, Ma`rat Misrin and Ariha in the countryside of Idlib with several air strikes that led to martyrs and injured civilians."
  • "New martyrs in raids on the city of Ariha, Idlib, Syria."
  • "Watch the regime's air strikes on the city of Ariha, in Idlib countryside."
  • "The regime's warplanes target with missiles the city of Ariha, in the southern countryside of Idlib."
  • White Helmets volunteers rescuing civilians after an alleged Russian or regime raid on Ariha in Idlib, on June 10th, 2018 (via SCD)
  • White Helmets volunteers rescuing civilians after an alleged Russian or regime raid on Ariha in Idlib, on June 10th, 2018 (via SCD)
  • White Helmets volunteers rescuing civilians after an alleged Russian or regime raid on Ariha in Idlib, on June 10th, 2018 (via SCD)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime strikes on Ariha, Idlib on June 10th, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime strikes on Ariha, Idlib on June 10th, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime strikes on Ariha, Idlib on June 10th, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime strikes on Ariha, Idlib on June 10th, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime strikes on Ariha, Idlib on June 10th, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime strikes on Ariha, Idlib on June 10th, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime strikes on Ariha, Idlib on June 10th, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Syria Civil Defense volunteers rescuing civilians after a raid on Ariha on June 10th, 2018 (via Ariha Today)
  • Syria Civil Defense volunteers rescuing civilians after a raid on Ariha on June 10th, 2018 (via Ariha Today)
  • Syria Civil Defense volunteers rescuing civilians after a raid on Ariha on June 10th, 2018 (via Ariha Today)
  • Syria Civil Defense volunteers rescuing civilians after a raid on Ariha on June 10th, 2018 (via Ariha Today)

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3441

Incident date

June 10, 2018

Location

رام حمدان, Ram Hamdan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians including a child were killed and eight others injured, some of whom are in critical conditions, in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Ram Hamdan in Idlib, Syria on June 10th, 2018 according to local sources.

Step News said that victims include a child (girl), a woman and a man. Also Syrian Civil Defense reported that the injured include two children and five men. One of the victims was identified as Majd Abu Bakr, male, age unknown. Issam Abo Aziz posted a picture of Majd and commented “The martyr,  Majd Abu Bakr was killed by a raid from the Russian warplanes of hatred on Ram Hamdan today. May God have mercy and forgiveness for you.”

Initially, the Syrian Civil Defense reported “One martyr and eight injuries, including five men and two children, so far, as a result of five air strikes by regime forces warplanes on the town of Ram Hamdan in the northern countryside of Idlib. Civil defense teams have rescued the wounded and pulled out bodies from the rubble. ”

Later, @RFS_mediaoffice said that the death toll from the airstrikes reached three. “The death toll from the Syrian regime’s warplanes targeting # Ram_ Hamdan town, in the eastern Idlib countryside, increased to three.”

According to @JinaShashaah “a raid with several missiles targeted Ram Hamdan, Idlib countryside, this morning.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Majd Abu Bakr مجد ابو بكر
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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

Sources (22) [ collapse]

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3444

Incident date

June 10, 2018

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma'arat Misreen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’arat Misreen on June 10th, 2018, according to local sources.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that there were “martyrs and wounded civilians as a result of raids by the military aircraft of the regime and Russia on the cities and towns of Taftanaz, Ma’arat Misreen, Binnish, Ram Hamdan and the church of Bani Ezz north of Idlib.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “about 29 people were injured in the air raids on Binnish, Taftanaz, Ta’oum, Ma’arat Misreen, Ram Hamdan, Ariha, and Kanisat Bani Ezz, and the death toll is expected to rise because there are some people in a critical situation.”

Syrian Reporter wrote that “a civilian was killed and others were wounded in the town of Ram Hamdan and Mazare’ Brouma near the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside, after violent raids by the Russian air force.”

It is unclear how many civilians were killed and/or injured specifically in the city of Ma’arat Misreen on June 10th, 2018. Whereas some sources, such as Qasioun News, blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes, Syrian Reporter blamed Russia. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria pointed to both Russia and the Syrian regime as the belligerent.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3447

Incident date

June 11, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Latamna, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed, and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes and/or shelling on Al Latamna in Hama, Syria on June 11th, 2018, according to local media sources.

According to @Step_Agency, “one person was killed and others injured as a result of the artillery and missile shelling that targeted the city of Al Latamna, north of Hama.”

@MediaCenterFR reported that 36 artillery and missile shells which originated from the Russian camp and the Zlin checkpoint fell on the city of Al Latamna, however @IdlibPlus  blamed the Russian warplanes that targeted the area with many raids.

The National Council of the city of Al Latamna page said that Zaher Ahmed Al-Mahmoud, aged 28,  was killed. Hamdo Awad Assariqibi was also named injured in this attack.

Step news correspondent reported that “the Russian camp based in the south of Halfaya targeted this morning of Monday, June 11th, the city of Al Latamna  with high-explosive missiles, which led to killing a man and wounding a number of other civilians.” The source said that most of those injured are civilians, meaning that some combatants might have injured in the strike.

Al Jazeera blamed the Syrian regime for the killing of a civilian and injuring others after targeting a center for relief items distribution in Al Latamna.

Syria Watan news, affiliated with the Syrian regime, said that “Terrorist groups targeted  army points in the town of Halfaya with several rocket-propelled grenades, and the army units responded to the missile sources in the area of Al Latamna in the northern suburb of Hama.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Zaher Ahmad al-Mahmoud al-Salem زاهر أحمد المحمود
28 years old male killed
Hamdo Awad Assariqibi حمدو عوض السراقبي
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Image of Hamdo Awad al Siraqbi, injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against al Latamna on June 11th, 2018 (via @ala_alkhalif)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Zaher Ahmed Al-Mahmoud was killed in airstrikes on Al Latamneh in Hama on June 11th, 2018 (via The National Council in the city of Al Latamna).

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3448

Incident date

June 12, 2018

Location

التمانعة, al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A child was killed when a cluster bomb from a previous Russian shelling on al Tamana’a in southern Idlib, Syria  exploded on June 12th, 2018.

Edlib Media Center reported on Facebook that ” A child from the town of Sinjar was killed by a cluster bomb explosion from previous bombing on farms of Al-Tamana’ah town in the southern suburb of Idlib.”

SMART News reported from locals that the child “found a cluster bomb while harvesting grass in a farm town, and exploded in it and led to his death immediately.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1766

Incident date

June 12, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported one civilian killed and an unspecified number of people injured after the village of al Soussa was shelled.

Al Soussa Youth reported that one person was killed and two others were injured when the house of al-Matar al Luqman was struck. The source also stated that an Iraqi family was wounded, although the report did not specify the number of family members that were harmed in the attack.

The report listed the houses that were targeted in the shelling: the house of Hamid al-Salbi, the roof of al-Khaleef al-Mushrif, the house of al-Matar al-Luqman, a property of Habshi al Salbi, the farm of Hamed al Sabli, the shops of Rafe’ al-Ghannam, a shell near the house of Hamdan al-Salem, two shells near al-Ghannam mosque and one near the house of Fallah al Douman.

The report did not identify a culprit. When an individual in the comment section asked whether the shells were being fired by the Kurds or by the regime, Al Soussa Youth replied, “both: the regime is shelling from al Bukamal and the Kurds from Dahrat al Baghouz”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that explosions that “shook the areas in the enclave controlled by Islamic State in the areas near al Soussa, caused by SDF shelling.” The Observatory also noted that there was “no information about casualties caused by the shelling”. Other sources, like Shaam News, also reported on “heavy artillery shelling” by the SDF without making claims of civilian harm.

It is important to note that the SDF is not believed to have had access to its own artillery in Deir Ezzor – making this a likely Coalition event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Reported destruction from Coalition strike (via al Soussa Youth)
  • Reported destruction from Coalition strike (via al Soussa Youth)
  • Reported destruction from Coalition strike (via al Soussa Youth)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Soussa (السوسة), for which the coordinates are: 34.528889, 40.9675. Some sources report civilian casualties occurring “in Al Luqman house” after shelling

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018

  • June 12, 2018, near al-Soussa, Syria, via Airwars. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 12th, the Coalition reported that “On June 12 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of 10 engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For June 6th – 12th, France report that Task Force Wagram conducted 32 artillery shooting missions in support of the ongoing offensive in the Euphrates Valley. Additionally, 22 aerial sorties were conducted in support of local forces engaged on the ground; there were no strikes.

‘Point de situation des opérations ARMÉE FRANÇAISE – OPÉRATIONS MILITAIRES·THURSDAY, 14 JUNE 2018 CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie En Syrie, l’offensive contre les dernières emprises territoriales de Daech se poursuit.Menée par les forces démocratiques syriennes, coordonnée avec les forces de sécurité irakiennes et appuyée par la coalition, l’offensive a déjà permis de reprendre plus de 40 km2 de territoire à Daech. La progression est néanmoins ralentie par la menace importante que font peser les engins explosifs improvisés sur les forces engagées au sol. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation se poursuivent afin de finir de démanteler les cellules de production d’engins explosifs improvisés et les réseaux terroristes restants. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes La Task Force Monsabert conduit actuellement quatre stages au profit des soldats de la 6e division irakienne. Ils couvrent les domaines de formation respectifs suivants : utilisation de mortiers, fouille opérationnelle, recueil de renseignements, formation au combat. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate Les artilleurs de la Task Force Wagram demeurent engagés en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Depuis le lancement de l’offensive le 1er mai, ils ont d’ores et déjà réalisé 143 missions de tirs. Cette semaine, 32 missions de tirs ont été réalisées (bilan du 6 au 12 juin inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1802 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Sur la semaine écoulée, 22 sorties aériennes ont été réalisées en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 6 au 12 juin inclus), essentiellement des missions de recueil de renseignements ou de reconnaissance aérienne. Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8137 sorties / 1450 frappes / 2241 objectifs neutralisés.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1767

Incident date

June 12, 2018

Location

حسون الباشا, Hassoun al Basha village near Tal al Shayer, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.052499, 41.090841 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of up to twelve civilians (including at least three children) from the same extended family and up to eight more injured as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hassoun al Basha near Tal al Shayer.

According to a SANA reporter. Coalition bombardments on civilian houses claimed the lives of “12 civilians from Hassoun al-Basha’s family while injuring two others of the same family”.

This reporting was supported by several other media outlets, although Marsad al Hasaka, Step News Agency and An Eye on Al Hassaka both mentioned that the “massacre” took place after a civilian car was targeted.

Marsad al Hassaka, Euphrates Post and An Eye On al Hassaka, among others, published a list of the civilians killed and wounded:

Several sources later reported that Mohammed Hassoun al-Basha, initially listed as wounded as a result of the airstrike, died as a result of his injuries on June 13th at dawn. Multiple sources also reported that Khadija Hussein al Ali, aged thirty, died of her injuries.

Although most sources identified the location of the incident as Hassoun al Basha, a small settlement that is named after the family that inhabits it, others mention Abu Hamdah as the location where the family was harmed by an airstrike. Deir Ezzor Now said that the dead came from three family sub-units: the Hassoun al-Basha family, the Faisal family and the Hassan al-Basha family.

In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible, noting “After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The following month, Human Rights watch published a detailed study of the event: “On June 12, 2018, at approximately 9 p.m., several missiles hit a traditional one-story mud home in the small village of Tal al-Jayer, a survivor said. The strike killed 12 civilians, including 3 women and 6 children.

“Human Rights Watch visited the site on February 9. The village is in a remote area with houses far apart. The house that was hit was part of a compound with two other structures nearby where the rest of the extended family lived. The survivor said that the first missile hit the living room of the house, where the 12 people who were killed were seated:

“For a while I couldn’t hear or see anything, I was completely covered in dust. Then I heard crying. Children calling out, “baba, mama.” I slowly pulled myself out of the rubble, it took maybe less than an hour.

“A second missile hit the same structure approximately an hour and a half later, at the door of the room, the survivor said. He said he did not believe the second missile caused any deaths, but that it destroyed the house. “But when the second rocket hit, no one dared to come help us until the next morning,” he said. “Everyone was afraid of the planes.”

“Satellite imagery reviewed also showed an airstrike on the house between 10:30 a.m. on June 11 and 10:30 a.m. on June 12, 2018.

“In addition to the 12 civilians who died, at least 5 wounded were taken to al-Hasakeh National Hospital. The survivor provided the names of those wounded and dead.

“The survivor said that no family members at the compound were ISIS members. He and neighbors said there was no ISIS base in the village. ISIS fighters would pass through the village but did not maintain a permanent presence in the area. Earlier that evening, between 6 and 7:30 p.m., there were clashes near the house, but SDF forces had passed the house without incident, he said.

“He believed the strike may have been targeting an ISIS member’s home that ISIS forces sometimes used about 500 meters away. When he later discussed the strike with SDF officials, they said that the attackers may have had the wrong coordinates. “Our house and the house where the ISIS member was present are both mud houses,” he said. “But they were 500 meters away from each other on opposite sides of the road.”

“The UK authorities reported that an MQ-9 Reaper – an armed drone – had attacked an ISIS mortar position on June 12 in al-Shaddadi – an area in al-Hasakeh governorate that includes Tal al-Jayer – with a direct hit from a Hellfire missile, and coalition forces followed it up with a strike on a nearby building. The US reported that on June 12, three strikes near Shadaddi engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroying two ISIS fighting positions and three ISIS lines of communication.

“The US also acknowledged receipt of a civilian casualty report from Airwars regarding the incident and on April 22 the coalition told Human Rights Watch that it had opened a civilian casualty assessment into the allegation.

“The survivor said that two days after the strike he had complained to the local SDF headquarters about the strike and a looting incident afterward. He said he received a non-committal response that they would look into it. No member of the SDF or the US-led coalition had contacted him or visited the site of the strike to investigate, but he indicated that the SDF had returned a bag of grain from the looted supplies.

“He also filed with the Syrian government to obtain death certificates for those killed. On June 12, the Syrian government wrote a letter to the United Nations secretary-general and the UN Security Council criticizing the Tal al-Jayer attack and calling on the Security Council to condemn such attacks and take action to stop them.”

On July 2nd, the British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Defence denied involvement in the incident in an answer on a parliamentary question on whether RAF planes had been responsible for the civilian harm in Hassoun al Basha: “UK aircraft conducted a single strike on 12 June 2018. Ministry of Defence officials have cross referenced the village name with coordinates of that strike and established that they differ by approximately four miles and that the UK did not strike any buildings. Therefore, from the evidence available, we have no reason to believe that the UK was responsible for any civilian casualties on 12 June 2018.”

The incident occured at approximately 9:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (17)

Hassoun Pasha Al Ahmad
Adult male Also known as Hassoun al Basha killed
Shaimaa Faisal Hassoun Al Basha
Age unknown female killed
Remas Faisal Hassoun Al Basha
Age unknown female killed
Baidaa Faisal Hassoun Al Basha
Age unknown female killed
Inas Faisal Hassoun Al Basha
Age unknown female killed
Jamil Al-Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Mariam Khallouf El Hassan
Adult female killed
A’had Hassan Al hassoun
Age unknown male killed
Shahad Hassan Al-Hassoun
Age unknown female killed
Faisal Hassoun Al Basha
Age unknown male injured
Alaa Faisal Al Basha
Age unknown female injured
Mohamed Hassoun Al Basha
Age unknown male Originally listed as seriously injured killed
Ayesh al Basha
Age unknown female injured
Tarek Al-Muhaimed
Age unknown male injured
Duaa Tariq Al Mahaimed
Age unknown female injured
Fahad Hassan Al Hassoun
Age unknown female injured
Khadija Hussein Al Ali
30 years old female Originally listed as seriously injured killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 13
  • (3–6 children3–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 (47) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Four of the children allegedly killed in an airstrike on the village of Hassoun al Basha (via Hassaka Youth Union)
  • Children allegedly killed in an airstrike on the village of Hassoun al Basha (via Hassaka Youth Union)
  • Unidentified family allegedly killed in an airstrike on the village of Hassoun al Basha (via Hassaka Youth Union)
  • Mrs. Mariam Khalouf al Hasan, killed in an airstrike on the village of Hassoun al Basha (via Hassaka Youth Union)
  • Hassoun al Basha, allegedly killed in an airstrike on the village of the same name (via Hassaka Youth Union)
  • Unidentified child victim, allegedly killed in an airstrike on the village of Hassoun al Basha (via Deir Ezzor 24)
  • Unidentified child victim, allegedly killed in an airstrike on the village of Hassoun al Basha (via Euphrates Post)
  • Unidentified male victim, reportedly killed in a Coalition strike on a village neat Tal al Shayer, June 12th 2018 (via Deir Ezzor Now)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Hassoun al-Basha (via Marsad al Hassakah)
  • Reported injured victims of a June 12th 2018 strike near Tal al Jair (via Deir Ezzor Now)
  • Reported injured victims of a June 12th 2018 strike near Tal al Jair (via Deir Ezzor Now)
  • Reported injured victims of a June 12th 2018 strike near Tal al Jair (via Deir Ezzor Now)
  • Hellfire missile remnant from US-led coalition airstrike on Tal al-Jayer, Syria on July 12, 2018. © Private, via Human Rights Watch

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the farm or hamlet Hassoun al Basha (حسون الباشا), possibly in an area north of Tell al Shayer, for which the coordinates are: 36.052499, 41.090841 (or, according to the Military Grid Reference System: 37S FV 88 91). As this approximate location of the family home was indicated to an Airwars researcher by an activist, Airwars assesses that this is the location of the strike, even if no visibly destroyed buildings can be seen on satellite imagery taken on June 19, 2018 Human Rights watch in its own assessment suggested the following coordinates: “GPS Coordinates: 41°1’42″E 36°2’47″N (MGRS: 37SFV 82717 90999)”.

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
  • Stated location
    near south east Hassaka, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV883918
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 27, 2019

  • Jun. 12, 2018, near south east Hassaka, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 12th, the Coalition reported that “On June 12 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of 10 engagements against Daesh targets. […] Near Al Shadaddi, three strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed two Daesh fighting positions and three Daesh lines of communication.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Tuesday 12 June – a Reaper destroyed a terrorist mortar in eastern Syria…The following day [June 12th], a Reaper was again in action east of Al Shadadi; its crew spotted a mortar hidden in trees and destroyed it with a direct hit from a Hellfire, whilst a coalition aircraft then conducted a successful strike on the building nearby where the terrorist team, who had been operating the mortar, were seen to be hiding.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 13
  • (3–6 children3–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 (47) [ collapse]