Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

YS149

Incident date

August 19, 2022

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Syria

Geolocation

36.370731, 37.520964 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine to seventeen civilians were killed, including five to six children, and 26 to 42 others were injured, including eleven children, as a result of missile fire which hit a “crowded” marketplace and residential homes and a school in Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria, on August 19th 2022. The missile fire was an alleged Syrian regime or SDF (PYD/PKK) action.  Local sources were reporting the event as the “Al Bab massacre” due to the high death toll.

One of the missiles hit the four way intersection known as Khamis Local Market in Al-Bab’s Al Sharqi neighbourhood, according to Syrian Network for Human Rights.

MMC reported that the death toll rose to 14 with up to 38 wounded including five civilians who remained unidentified.

One woman who was killed was allegedly displaced from Deir ez-Zor governorate. Another civilian reportedly killed, Tayseer Ramadan, was reportedly displaced from Maarat al-Numan. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that the area, Al Bab, has become “the last refuge for thousands of families that have been displaced by the regime forces and Russia and are living in an acute humanitarian crisis.”

MMC reported that the Director of the Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Farhad Shami said, “our forces have nothing to do with the bombing of the city of Al-Bab”, denying the responsibility of the PYD/PKK.  Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that six missiles hit the town of Al Bab and they have so far been unable to identify the source of the missiles. They believe that it is a result of either Syrian regime forces or by the Syrian Democratic Forces due to the location of the strike, coming from areas jointly controlled by both actors.

One volunteer from the Syrian Civil Defense reported, “everything is stained with blood, the smell of death is everywhere, the scene is very harsh, people, body parts and children, they are all people descending looking for their livelihood…it is clear that the criminal who bombed the city aimed to kill the largest number of civilians and children, because a missile targeted a school, and thank God, today is a holiday, otherwise the tragedy would have been greater.”

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohamed Jihad Ramadan
male killed
Tayseer Ramadan
Age unknown male brother of Mohamed killed

The victims were named as:

Iyad Al-Mustafa
Age unknown male killed
Juma Al Hamdan
Age unknown male killed
Zahraa Al Hamdan
Age unknown female killed
Mahmoud Al Suwid
Child male killed
Ahmed Al Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Yasser Zeidan
Child male killed
Mohammad Al Zaiter
Child male killed
Ahmed Elhayani
Age unknown male killed
Firas Al-Sloo
Age unknown female killed
Abdul Hamid Al Shelash
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Taha Abu Yasser
Age unknown male killed
Lhaled Havani
Age unknown male injured
Majed Maatramawy
Age unknown male injured
Mustafa Haj Hamdan
Age unknown male injured
Ibrahim Sheikh
Age unknown male injured
Ismail Al Nashif
Age unknown male injured
Izdihar Al Taha
Age unknown injured
Abdel Hamid Shalash
Age unknown male injured
Abdul Hakim Hussein
Age unknown male injured
Abdul Basit Al-Ezzo
Age unknown male injured
Abdul Karim Al Samou
Age unknown male injured
Laith Al Mahmoud
Age unknown male injured
Ali Mu'atal
Age unknown male injured
Muhammad Al Suwaid
Age unknown male injured
Bilal Al-Abdullah
Age unknown male injured
Hassan Shalash
Age unknown male injured
Abboud Al-Faki
Age unknown male injured
Amira Al-Faki
Age unknown female injured
Issa Al-Faki
Age unknown injured
Walaa Al-Faki
Age unknown injured
Elaf Al Faki
Age unknown female injured
Elaf Al Faki
Age unknown injured
Mays Maarawi
Age unknown injured
Mahmoud Birawi
Age unknown injured
Salma Huma
Age unknown injured
Abdul Hadi Al Hammadi
Age unknown male injured
Muhammad Al Tadfi
Age unknown male injured
Abdul Hadi Al Kadi
Age unknown male injured
Mustafa Hamdan
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Hazoum
Age unknown male injured
Ghabath Atabi
Age unknown male injured
Ali Mu'atal
Age unknown
Marwan Al-Khamis
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Marketplace, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 17
  • (5–6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    26–42
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, YPG

Sources (81) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (94) [ collapse]

  • Up to fourteen people were killed when missiles hit Al Bab centre including a busy marketplace on August 19th 2022 (Image via EuphratsPostNews / Facebook)
  • Up to fourteen people were killed when missiles hit Al Bab centre including a busy marketplace on August 19th 2022 (Image via EuphratsPostNews / Facebook)
  • Up to fourteen people were killed when missiles hit Al Bab centre including a busy marketplace on August 19th 2022 (Image via EuphratsPostNews / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported from the damaged marketplace after reportedly rescuing fourteen bodies, and more than 30 wounded civilians (Image via Facebook)
  • Local source Alkhabour2011 reported on the destruction after up to fourteen civilians were reportedly killed when missiles hit the Al Bab marketplace (Image via Facebook)
  • Local source Alkhabour2011 reported on the destruction after up to fourteen civilians were reportedly killed when missiles hit the Al Bab marketplace (Image via Facebook)
  • Local source Alkhabour2011 reported on the destruction after up to fourteen civilians were reportedly killed when missiles hit the Al Bab marketplace (Image via Facebook)
  • Local source Alkhabour2011 reported on the destruction after up to fourteen civilians were reportedly killed when missiles hit the Al Bab marketplace (Image via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • MMC reported "The first moments of the location of the missile shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods and popular markets in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo" (Images via Facebook)
  • HalabTodayTV reported "The number of victims of the bombing on the market of the city of #Al-Bab, east of #Aleppo, has risen to 14, and more than 30 wounded" (Image via Facebook)
  • Up to fourteen civilians were reported killed after contested missiles hit Al Bab marketplace on August 19th 2022 (Image via Sham)
  • Up to fourteen civilians were reported killed after contested missiles hit Al Bab marketplace on August 19th 2022 (Image via EMC / Facebook)
  • Tayseer Ramadan was reportedly killed by a missile strike on Al Bab on August 19th 2022 (Image via MMC / Facebook)
  • @SyrianCoalition reported that civilians were crowding around blood donation centers after the "Al Bab Massacre" (Image via Twitter)
  • @SyrianCoalition reported that civilians were crowding around blood donation centers after the "Al Bab Massacre" (Image via Twitter)
  • @SyrianCoalition reported that civilians were crowding around blood donation centers after the "Al Bab Massacre" (Image via Twitter)
  • Up to 42 people were reported wounded including many children after the Al-Bab Massacre on August 19th 2022 (Image via @abuhuzaifa_ / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    @DeirEzzorNow reported Civilian casualties were caused by missile shelling from areas controlled by the "regime and SDF" that targeted a popular market in the city of #Al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo (Image via Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that their teams treated the injured and retrieved the bodies after the "Al Bab Massacre" on August 19th 2022 (Image via Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that their teams treated the injured and retrieved the bodies after the "Al Bab Massacre" on August 19th 2022 (Image via Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that their teams treated the injured and retrieved the bodies after the "Al Bab Massacre" on August 19th 2022 (Image via Facebook)
  • Sham News reported from the scene as the death toll rose after the "Al Bab Massacre" on August 19th 2022 (Image via Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Pictures from the #Al-Bab_massacre that took place this morning, with the bombing of the regime forces and the SDF on the popular market." (Images via @shamnews / Twitter)
  • "Pictures from the #Al-Bab_massacre that took place this morning, with the bombing of the regime forces and the SDF on the popular market." (Images via @shamnews / Twitter)
  • "Pictures from the #Al-Bab_massacre that took place this morning, with the bombing of the regime forces and the SDF on the popular market." (Images via @shamnews / Twitter)
  • "Pictures from the #Al-Bab_massacre that took place this morning, with the bombing of the regime forces and the SDF on the popular market." (Images via @shamnews / Twitter)
  • "Exclusive photo from SNHR showing the damage caused by the missile strike on the main road in the area known as al Khamis Local Market in al Bab city." (Image via SNHR)
  • "Exclusive photo from SNHR showing the damage caused by the missile strike on the main road in the area known as al Khamis Local Market in al Bab city." (Image via SNHR)
  • "Exclusive photo from SNHR showing the damage caused by the missile strike on the main road in the area known as al Khamis Local Market in al Bab city." (Image via SNHR)
  • "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • "SOHR activists have confirmed that the number fatalities in today’s artillery attack on an outdoors market and residential neighbourhoods in Al-Bab city, which is controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy faction, has jumped to seven civilians, including children, as well as the injury of 23 others" (Images via SOHR)
  • Destruction after the "Al Bab Massacre" on August 19th 2022 where up to fourteen people were killed (Image via @Syriacivildefe / Twitter)
  • “Everything is stained with blood, the smell of death is everywhere, the scene is very harsh, people, body parts and children, they are all people descending looking for their livelihood, at this moment, I already knew what the meaning of a bite dipped in blood." One Syrian Civil Defense volunteer (Image via Syrian Civil Defense / Twitter)
  • “Everything is stained with blood, the smell of death is everywhere, the scene is very harsh, people, body parts and children, they are all people descending looking for their livelihood, at this moment, I already knew what the meaning of a bite dipped in blood." One Syrian Civil Defense volunteer (Image via Syrian Civil Defense / Twitter)
  • “Everything is stained with blood, the smell of death is everywhere, the scene is very harsh, people, body parts and children, they are all people descending looking for their livelihood, at this moment, I already knew what the meaning of a bite dipped in blood." One Syrian Civil Defense volunteer (Image via Syrian Civil Defense / Twitter)
  • “Where did my son go, did he die or live??….there are many questions I encountered today while responding to the bombing that targeted the popular market in the city of Al-Bab," one mother told a Syrian Civil Defense Volunteer (Image via Syrian Civil Defense / Twitter)
  • The death toll according to the Syrian Civil Defense (Image via Twitter)
  • First responders after the "Al Bab Massacre" on August 19th 2022 (Image via @samerdaboul6 / Twitter)
  • "Initial images of the missile attack on the city of Al-Bab" (Image via @Jabalybaraa / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Initial images of the missile attack on the city of Al-Bab" (Image via @Jabalybaraa / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A photo of a child killed by a missile strike which has become known as the "Al Bab Massacre" on August 19th 2022 (Image via @jabalybaraa / Twitter)
  • Two young children reportedly killed in the "Al Bab Massacre"(Image via @Omar_Madaniah / Twitter)
  • Baladi News showed the destruction after the "Al Bab Massacre"
  • Baladi News showed the destruction after the "Al Bab Massacre"
  • "Pictures of wounded children, except for 15 martyrs, most of whom are children, and wounded, whose number exceeded 33, including 8 cases of amputation by missiles of the internationally authorized crime" (Image via @bkdadaksa / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of man carrying body part of one of the civilians killed during the "Al Bab Massacre" (Image via @almo3tasem91 / Twitter)
  • A child reportedly killed during the "Al Bab Massacre" on August 19th 2022 (Image via Abo Hareth / Facebook)
  • "The martyr of the Al-Bab massacre today, for those who know him, the news of his family is in Al-Bab Hospital" (Image via Saker Al Jazrawi / Facebook)
  • "Moved to God's mercy #Ahmed_Taha_Abu_Yasser, succumbed to his injuries as a result of the bombing that targeted the city of Al-Bab in the name of Al-Arouj. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return" (Image via Al Oruuj clan / Facebook)
  • "Moved to God's mercy #Ahmed_Taha_Abu_Yasser, succumbed to his injuries as a result of the bombing that targeted the city of Al-Bab in the name of Al-Arouj.
  • "Moved to God's mercy, the child Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Suwayd as a result of the bombing" (Image via Shareef / Facebook)
  • "The martyr, God willing, Marwan bin Muhammad Ali Khamis Al-Abrash, the funeral prayer at the Osama bin Zaid Mosque at three o’clock" (Image via Al Bab countryside / Facebook)
  • "The martyr, God willing, Ahmed Hayani" (Image via Al Bab countryside / Facebook)
  • "The martyr, God willing, Ahmed Hayani" (Image via Al Bab countryside / Facebook)
  • "The death of the child Yasser Zeidan as a result of the bombing" (Image via Al Bab countryside / Facebook)
  • "Praying for the funeral in Zamzam mosque after the afternoon prayer. Burial in the northern cemetery" (Image via Al Bab death / Facebook)
  • "The martyrdom of the child Muhammad Khalil Zuaiter" (Image via Al Bab Death / Facebook)
  • "The head and members of the local council of al-Bab city, the mayor of al-Bab, and the city’s attorney general, with the participation of the representative of the Syrian National Coalition, perform the duty of condolences to the families of the martyrs of the al-Bab city massacre, and check on the wounded in the city’s hospital." (Al Bab puls / Facebook)
  • "He passed away to the mercy of God Almighty, the martyr, God willing, Firas Mustafa Sabri Al-Sallo, succumbed to his wounds as a result of a missile attack this morning." (Image via AL Bab pul / Facebook)
  • "The child Marwan Al-Khamis from the city of Tadef, one of the martyrs of today" (Image via Al Bab puls)
  • "The names of the martyrs who were martyred this morning as a result of a missile attack on the city" (Image via Al Bab puls / Facebook)
  • "The names of the martyrs who were martyred this morning as a result of a missile attack on the city" (Image via Al Bab puls / Facebook)
  • "The martyrdom of the two young men, “Tayseer Ramadan” and his brother, “Mohamed Ramadan,” from the displaced people of the city of Maarat al-Numan, as a result of the missile shelling that targeted the city of al-Bab a while ago." (Image via Yusuf / Facebook)
  • "The martyrdom of the young man (("Mohamed Ramadan))" of the displaced from the city of #Maarat_al-Numan as a result of the missile shelling that targeted the city of #Al-Bab a while ago" Image via Malek Abo Yazan / Facebook)
  • "To God, the matter before and after belongs to God and to Him we shall return. The martyr, God willing, Iyad Ibrahim Al-Mustafa, may God have mercy on you and give patience to your family" (Image via Iyad Madmoud / Facebook)
{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[37.520964,36.370731],"type":"Point"}}]}

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Marketplace, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 17
  • (5–6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    26–42
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, YPG

Sources (81) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4476

Incident date

October 16, 2022

Location

كفرجنة, Kafr Janna, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes in the countryside of Azaz and Afrin, specifically the town of Kafr Jannah and Qatma, resulted in the death and wounding of civilians in addition to the death of up to six militants and the wounding of up to 12 militants.

@shaamnews reported that Russian airstrikes hit the countryside of Azaz and Afrin, killing and wounding Syrian National Army members and civilians. Shaam News was the only source that directly mentioned civilian casualties while others reported that “people” were killed without specifying if they were civilians or militants.

Shaam News also published a statement from the Ministry of Defense in the “Syrian Interim Government” which stated that “The warplanes of the criminal regime this morning, Sunday, October 16, 2022 AD, at eight o’clock, the military and civilian buildings in the regions of Afrin and Azaz, north of Aleppo governorate, with five air strikes that led to the deaths and injuries, most of them civilians. The areas that were targeted this morning include millions of civilians who were displaced due to the crimes of the Assad regime and its allies from the separatist and sectarian terrorist militias.” Shaam put the casualties at two SNA members killed and others wounded.

The Step News Agency correspondent reported that Russian warplanes took off from Hmeimim base in the northern countryside of Latakia and carried out 6 air raids with vacuum missiles against camps of the Turkish-backed opposition factions in the towns of Kafr Jannah and Qatma, resulting in two deaths and more than 7 wounded, with the destruction of a camp and several military vehicles in the vicinity of the building.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published that the death toll rose to three, including a fighter under the age of eighteen, and the injury of eight others. However, @SyriawatanNews put the casualties at six killed and 12 wounded among  “Suqur Al-Sham” members.

@Almohrar1 provided names of those injured and killed: Akram Derai, Ibrahim Muhammed Zureik, Abdel Hamid Zein El Din, Amin Hammadi Sattouf, Yusuf Masra Ibn Ibrahim, Mustafa Hamada Satouf, Elias Abdullah bin Ghalib, Bashar Al-Asi bin Samir, Ali Abras bin Muhammad, Khaled Hajj Musa Ibn Musa, Abdul Qasim bin Ahmed, Ubadah Hajj Darwish bin Abdul Qadir (Dead), Abdul Qahar Al-Asi bin Imad (Dead). Almglawy posted on Facebook that Suqur al-Sham Mujahideen member Youssef Ibrahim Al-Masrou was also killed.

@ly26935212 reported that the airstrikes caused outbreaks of fire in the area. All of the sources that reported on this incident attributed the strikes to Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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
  • Suspected targets
    Al Qaeda/HTS, Free Syrian Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–12

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Step News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Step News)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Russian Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriawatanNews)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Najdat567)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Najdat567)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Najdat567)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Sharqya_reporte)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Al Mohrar News)
  • Abdul Qahar Imad Al-Assi, an alleged militant killed by Russian strikes on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @allaith12345)
  • Ubadah Haj Darwish, an alleged militant killed by Russian strikes on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @omaralabas1)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Russian Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Omar via Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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
  • Suspected targets
    Al Qaeda/HTS, Free Syrian Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–12

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI381

Incident date

December 30, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unnamed doctor at a local medical centre near Mosul told Iraqi Spring Media Centre that his facility had received 200 civilians over the preceding 24 hours, as a result of bombing and mortar shelling.

In related news, Kurdistan’s health minister told reporters that health facilities in the region had so far received 13,000 injured and sick people as a result of the assault on Mosul.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    200
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ 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 information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 29th-30th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed 11 ISIL-held buildings, five supply caches, three tactical vehicles, two mortar systems, two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a tunnel, an observation post, a research lab, a command and control node, an up-armored VBIED, two barges, and two artillery pieces; suppressed five mortar teams; and damaged 20 supply routes and two repeater towers.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    200
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS569

Incident date

November 21, 2022

Location

الحمره, Al-Hamra neighborhood in the center of Tal Tamr district, Tal Tamr, Syria

Airwars assessment

One young man, Abd al-Rahman Rashid Hassan, aged 17, was injured in a reported Turkish bombardment from a drone which hit the neighbourhood of Al-Hamra, in the centre of Tal Tamr district, Syria, on November 21st 2022.

ANHA and other local sources reported that the Turkish drone targeted a car or a military vehicle which was near a Russian forces base.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Rahman Rashid Hassan
17 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK019

Incident date

February 28, 2022

Location

Рогань, Rohan’, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.901727, 36.486292 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and another civilian was injured by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Rohan on February 28, 2022.

The Kharkiv Human Rights Group reported that in the village of Rohan, a residential building was hit by artillery shelling and caught on fire, resulting in the death of one person and injury of another person.

Army Inform News referred to those killed and injured as “men”.

There were no other details available about the victims or the location.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR54071.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • They hit two sleeping areas. Rohan and Oleksiivka. It is already known about 14 wounded and 3 dead Вдарили по двох спальних районах. Рогань та Олексіївка. Вже відомо про 14 поранених та 3 загиблих (Facebook post by Anna Annuschka)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rohan (Рогань), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.901727, 36.486292. 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 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK028

Incident date

March 3, 2022

Location

Малинівка, Malynivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.796854, 36.712781 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person, either a civilian or a militant, was killed by alleged Russian airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on the village of Malynivka in Kharkiv on March 3, 2022.

Liveuamap included a link that reported that one person was killed by airstrikes in Malynivka. 2day.kh.ua also reported that military warehouses were hit by airstrikes, and that “one death is known”. Neither source specifies whether the casualty was a civilian or a militant.

Kharkiv human rights group reported that shelling in the village of Malynivka caused a forest fire. Suspilne Kharkiv added that explosions were heard from the shelling, the windows were broken out of homes, and private houses were damaged.

2day.kh.ua attributed the airstrikes/artillery shelling to the “occupiers”, while other sources did not mention who was responsible.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR54154 and UKR52673.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Facebook post from MalinovkaOTG

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Malynivka (Малинівка), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.796854, 36.712781. 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK059

Incident date

March 15, 2022

Location

Золочів, Zolochiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Five civilians, including two women and a 19 year old boy, were killed and three others were injured in alleged Russian shelling of the village of Zolochiv on March 15, 2022.

Zolochiv village head Viktor Kovalenko told Suspilne News “Unfortunately, we have five dead – a 70-year-old grandmother, a 34-year-old woman, a 19-year-old boy and two men under the age of 40. The projectile hit the house, and all these people lived in the neighborhood and went out to put out the fire. At that time, it flew to the place where they were standing, and the explosion killed them all. Three more men who were standing nearby were injured. They were given first aid. We will send the two victims, who are in serious condition, to the Bohodukhov hospital.”

The Office of the Prosecutor General announced on Facebook that they would be investigating the civilian deaths based on “violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).”

In addition to damage to a home, Zolochiv village head Viktor told Suspilne News that an agricultural enterprise was damaged and shells hit the gardens in the Makarivka micro-district. The Office of the Prosecutor General added that a number of residential buildings and a car were destroyed and damaged in the shelling.

According to Suspilne News, the town of Zolochiv was shelled by one and a half dozen shells from a Uragan rocket systems from Kozacha Lopan. Gx.net.ua specified that the shelling was from Russian troops.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53458.

The incident occured at 13:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a home caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Zolochiv on March 15, 2022. (Image posted by Suspilne News)
  • Damage to a home caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Zolochiv on March 15, 2022. (Image posted by Gx.net.ua)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Solonytsivskyy.visnyk
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Office of the Prosecutor General

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
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM369

Incident date

January 25, 2023

Location

Xaradheere, Mudug, Somalia

Geolocation

4.654622, 47.855728 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared AFRICOM strikes near Xaradheere on January 25, 2023.

AFRICOM released a statement on January 30th that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 25, 2023. The strike consisted of two separate engagements in a remote area near Xaradheere, Somalia, approximately 396 km northeast of Mogadishu where Somali forces were conducting operations and when they were engaged by al Shabaab fighters. The initial assessment is the strike killed four al-Shabaab terrorists. Given the remote location of the operation, the command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Antiwar.com reported on the US strike, providing information found in the press release, as well as pointing out the difficulty in confirming information from AFRICOM due to the strict rules for media in Somalia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Xaradheere, for which the generic coordinates are: 4.654622, 47.855728. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 25, 2023.

The strike consisted of two separate engagements in a remote area near Xaradheere, Somalia, approximately 396 km northeast of Mogadishu where Somali forces were conducting operations and when they were engaged by al Shabaab fighters.

The initial assessment is the strike killed four al-Shabaab terrorists.

Given the remote location of the operation, the command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed.

The U.S. is one of several countries providing support to the Federal Government of Somalia in its ongoing campaign to disrupt, degrade and defeat terrorist groups. Rooting out extremism ultimately requires intervention beyond traditional military means, leveraging U.S. and partner efforts to support effective governance, promote stabilization and economic development, and resolve ongoing conflicts.

U.S. Africa Command is the defense arm of the U.S. whole-of-government approach with African partners -- diplomacy, development and defense. This three-pronged, or “3D” approach aims to increase cooperation and support for “partner-led, U.S.-enabled” solutions to shared security challenges, including violent extremism or terrorism.

Somalia remains central to stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to help give them the tools they need to defeat al-Shabaab, the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote greater security for all Africans. To view the U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Casualty reports, visit: https://www.africom.mil/what-we-do/airstrikes/civilian-casualty-report

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (2) [ collapse]