Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

LQ060

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

ورشفانة, Wershafana, Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

32.55048, 12.981661 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Facebook sources reported “indiscriminate” shelling of Wershefana, 45km from Tripoli, with a BM-21 Grad.

According to one source, Amany El Weshahy, the attack displaced civilians from the area. However there were no reports at the time of civilian harm.

The War is Boring blog also reported artillery shelling but with Chinese GP1 laser-guided ammunition which was it said was first misidentified by Libya Times as a Raytheon Excalibur.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3908

Incident date

July 16, 2019

Location

عين الباردة, Ain Al Barde, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Ain Al Barde, Idlib, on July 16th.

Jisr Media Centre stated that “five civilians were injured in four air raids by more than 12 missiles targeting the city of Jisr al-Shoughour and its environs in the village of Ain al-Barde and’ Ashbark’.”

Two other sources reported the airstrike, but did not cite civilian harm.

One source named the Syrian regime as the belligerent responsible for the attack, while another named both the Syrian regime and Russian forces in reporting the incident. One other source did not positively attribute blame for the attack.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Ain Al-Barda now.
  • Translation: Several air strikes this morning carried out by warplanes on the city of Jisr Al-Shughour and the village of Ain Al-Bared, leaving five civilians injured.
  • Several airstrikes by warplanes on the city of Jisr Al-Shughour and the village of Ain Al-Bared on July 16th, 2019, leaving five civilians injured. (via @IdlibPlus)

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK011

Incident date

February 26, 2022

Location

вул. Бучми, 40А, Харків, 40a Buchma Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.026307, 36.364638 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 26th 2022, one elderly woman was reportedly killed when an alleged Russian forces artillery strike hit a residential nine storey building with the address of 40a Buchma Street, in Kharkiv.  20 other people were rescued and two were reportedly taken to hospital, injured.

Redpost.com reported that there was destruction of the “bearing wall of the staircase and flights of stairs from the 2nd to the 7th floors, building structures of apartments on the 4th, 5th and 6th floors were damaged.” It reported that the elderly women died as a result of the destruction that was caused by the artillery fire, who lived on the 5th floor.

The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office announced an investigation into the incident based on a violation of the laws and customs of war related to premeditated murder (part 2 of article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The time of the incident was reported from 21.00 to 22.50.

The incident occured between 9:00 pm and 10:50 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • "22:50 Kharkiv. Buchma street." (@666shambala / Twitter)
  • "Yesterday, February 26, on the street. Buchmy, 40A at about 21:00 fired at a multi-storey residential building." (Image via Objective News)
  • "In Kharkov, the Russian military shelled the Saltovka area. Enemy fire destroyed the house. Shelling hit the house on Buchma Street. The entrance was damaged the most." (Image via 24tv)
  • "In Kharkov, the Russian military shelled the Saltovka area. Enemy fire destroyed the house. Shelling hit the house on Buchma Street. The entrance was damaged the most." (Image via 24tv)
  • "On February 26 at 21:20, number 101 received a message that as a result of enemy artillery ammunition hit a residential 9-storey building on the street. Buchma, 40a, in Kharkov, the bearing wall of the staircase was destroyed. The building structures of apartments on the 4th, 5th and 6th floors were damaged." (Image via Nv.ua news)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Destruction after an alleged Russian projectile hit Buchma Street on February 26th 2022 (Image via Newsroom)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the building of 40A on Buchma Street (ул. Бучмы) being struck, for which the generic coordinates are: 50.026307, 36.364638. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM081

Incident date

July 23, 2017

Location

Galcayo, Mudug, Somalia

Geolocation

6.771437, 47.42839 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A suspected al Shabaab associate who once lived in the US was arrested during a mission in Somalia, a US Africa Command spokesperson told AP. It was a Somali-led mission with “limited tactical advisory support” from the US, spokesperson Jennifer Dyrcz said.

The suspect, identified as Abdirizak Tahlil, was accused of “facilitating the use of improvised explosive devices in Somalia” and was being held by the Somali government, Dyrcz added. He had reportedly been granted status as a lawful US permanent resident and had lived in the country between 2006 and 2009.

Somalia Newsroom said it was reportedly a “joint” operation between Somali intelligence agents and Puntland and Galmudug forces, with tactical advisory support from the US.

Four other al Shabaab suspects were arrested in Galcayo, Somalia Newsroom added. However it noted that some local reports were claiming that Abdirizak’s brother – a Galmudug politician – alongside a Galmandug security official, were insisting Abdirizak Tahlil was innocent, blaming Puntland forces and the US for his arrest. Tensions had increased between the two regions following a US strike in September 2016 which killed up to 22 members of local friendly  Galmudug forces. The region’s officials claimed that Puntland had given incorrect information to the US, causing the strike.

Somalia Newsroom noted that Abdirizak was however sentenced to death by a Puntland military court in 2013 for possession of explosive material, but was allegedly released after a new regional president agreed to a prisoner swap.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Galcayo/Galkayo, for which the coordinates are: 6.771437, 47.42839.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Somali Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK015

Incident date

February 28, 2022

Location

вул. Велика Кільцева, Velika Kiltseva Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.927556, 36.435033 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 28th 2022, an alleged Russian forces rocket and artillery hit 130 Velika Kiltseva Street in Kharkiv. As a result one civilian was reportedly killed and one to two civilians were injured.

Five civilian cars were reportedly set on fire, as a result of the shelling.

A report from Helsinki.org stated the following information: “On February 28, 2022, shells were fired along Velika Kiltseva Street in Kharkiv. As a result of the shelling, 5 passenger cars were on fire near the yard near the railing. 2 individuals suffered, 1 perished.”

Amnesty reported that “a third 300mm Smerch rocket salvo struck the area around a shopping centre and a car park in NE Kharkiv.” Amnesty also quoted a witness who said they saw two people severely injured in the area of the attack.

Kharkov Nash posted on Telegram that “it was a local “Grad” (multiple missile launcher); whether it was intentional or accidental” in reference to attacks in Kharkiv, but did not specify that this attack was Ukrainian sources or refer to the locations of the “Grad” attack.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code: UKR54214 and Bellingcat Code: CIV0084

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • "Damage in Kharkiv presumably from Russian MLRS or artillery fire." (Image via @RALee85 / Twitter)
  • "Damage in Kharkiv presumably from Russian MLRS or artillery fire." (Image via @RALee85 / Twitter)
  • "Damage in Kharkiv presumably from Russian MLRS or artillery fire." (Image via @RALee85 / Twitter)
  • Obriy, Kharkiv (Image via @karinanguyen_ / Twitter)
  • "The fire on Bolshaya Koltsevaya Street in Kharkiv (Horizon microdistrict) was eliminated. It occurred on the afternoon of February 28 due to shelling from the air. This was reported by the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in the Kharkiv region. "As a result of the shelling, five cars burned in the yard near the high-rise building. Two people were injured, one died," the rescuers said." (Image via 2day.kh)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention vehicles struck while parked on Velika Kiltseva Street (вул. Велика Кільцева) in the city of Kharkiv (Харків). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following coordinates: 49.927556, 36.435033.

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  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Truexanewsua

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Truexanewsua

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Truexanewsua

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ034

Incident date

August 29, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA self-reported MiG-23 strikes on “armed militias” in Ganfouda.

However, Benghazi News claimed on Twitter that three airstrikes had been deliberately aimed at civilian infrastructure.

Russia Today added that the bombardment led to a demonstration asking to lift the siege on Ganfouda. It also reported that “Libyan media sources said Monday that the Council of Elders of Misurata condemned the aerial bombardment of Qanfouda in a statement, saying it was ‘a crime committed by the forces of Hafter and foreign forces that support them against defenceless civilians.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK046

Incident date

March 10, 2022

Location

Золочів, Zolochiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.273048, 35.977971 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was killed and two other women were injured by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochiv on March 10, 2022.

Truexanewsua posted on Telegram that as a result of artillery shelling on Zolochiv, one person was killed and two others were wounded.

The head of the Zolochiv settlement community Viktor Kovalenko told Suspilne Kharkiv that “the shelling started today around half past eleven in the morning. In total, up to a dozen artillery shells fell in the village. A 56-year-old resident of Zolocheva died. The shell fell five meters away when she and her daughter were walking down the street. The 35-year-old daughter was taken to Kharkiv with a serious injury to her arm and back. There, she was already successfully operated on in the regional hospital. Then it’s her turn to hold on. On another street, an 80-year-old grandmother received a hand injury. Surgeons operated on her in our hospital – they removed the fragments, bandaged her hand.” Suspilne later added that the two injured women were hospitalized at the Bogodukhiv Central District Hospital.

Viktor Kovalenko added that two houses were completely destroyed, two houses were partially destroyed, the windows were shatter in the church, and the gas pup and power grid were damaged. Lesya Babkina Miroshnik, deputy editor of the local newspaper Zorya told Kharkiv Today that the power was planning to be restored in the near future.

According to Truexanewsua, the shelling did not stop all day long and attributed the shelling to Russian forces. Suspilne Kharkiv also blamed Russian forces for the artillery shelling, stating that it occurred between 10am and 11am.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53175.

The incident occured between 10:00 am and 11:30 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Power Station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • On March 10, one woman was killed and two others were injured as a result of shelling of Zolochev in Kharkiv region. Two houses and a church were also destroyed during the shelling, Viktor Kovalenko, the head of the Zolochiv settlement community, told Suspilno. "The shelling began today around half past eleven in the morning. In total, up to a dozen artillery shells fell in the village. A 56-year-old resident of Zolocheva was killed. The shell fell five meters away when she and her daughter were walking down the street. Her 35-year-old daughter was seriously wounded in the arm and her back were taken to Kharkiv. She was already successfully operated on there in the regional hospital. Then it's her turn to survive," Kovalenko said. On another street, an 80-year-old grandmother received a hand injury. Surgeons operated on her in our hospital, says the head of the community. "Two of our houses were completely destroyed, two more are more or less there, and we are helping their neighbors. In the church, the windows were broken from the explosions. The gas pipe was also damaged, but we have already repaired it. The electricity grid was also affected. We localized this one as well. situation - not yet completely, but we are working.
  • Damage to a home caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua)
  • Fire caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of person killed by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of person killed by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of person killed by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne Media).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by GX).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by GX).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of Zolochev on March 10, 2022. (Image posted by Truexanewsua).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zolochiv (Золочів), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.273048, 35.977971. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Power Station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ022

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Power plant, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.202222, 20.133611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA reported that it conducted airstrikes against ISIS in Benghazi. The Air Force targeted a field hospital and an ammuniton store in Sidi Faraj, a camp in Garyounis, ISIS centres in Sabri and Al-Leithi and various vehicles at the axis of the Safsafa project.

An UNSMIL report later noted that a power plant had been hit by an airstrike, and condemned the action against civilian infrastructure.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]