Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS491

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3680555, 40.1196671 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jneina, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported a death toll of four, including one woman, in an attack by “suspected Russian warplanes“.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said that there had been two Russian strikes and named some of the dead, while the Violations Documentation Center named three victims killed in Russian shelling.

At least two children were reported to be among the injured. 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mansour al-Badri
Adult male killed
Mohammd Mekhlef al-Erjan
Adult male killed
Siham al-Jaber
Adult female killed
Abdul Kareem Badri Hammadi
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district. The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1504

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Location

المرور, Al Mourour neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.946605, 39.0000916 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians, died following suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Mourour neighbourhood in the south of Raqqa city.

An unknown number of others were alleged wounded by local sources. According to Al Araby the strikes hit residential buildings in the area. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Drake Al-Ruwaiteh
Adult male killed
Wife of Mohammed Drake Al-Ruwaiteh
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Haj Abu Ali
Adult male killed
Wife of Haj Abu Ali
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Mouroor (المرور) in the city of Raqqa, for which the coordinates are: 35.946605, 39.0000916.

  • The neighbourhood of Al Mouroor (المرور) in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • 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 September 16th- 17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 39 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 26 fighting positions, two ISIS communications infrastructure items, two vehicles, engineering equipment, an IED, a logistics node, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED factory, and a VBIED; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed four fighting positions.”

For September 17th - 18th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 39 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 26 fighting positions, two ISIS communications infrastructure items, two vehicles, engineering equipment, an IED, a logistics node, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED factory, and a VBIED; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed four fighting positions" and "Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units, destroyed 44 vehicles and 13 fighting positions, damaged 13 supply routes and a VBIED, and suppressed two fighting positions"

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3932

Incident date

July 21, 2019

Location

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed and at least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the city of Mourek, Hama governorate, on July 21st, 2019, according to local sources.

@Step_Agency reported that “four civilians were killed and another injured when the city of Mourek in the northern countryside of Hama was targeted by air raids from the Russian airlines”.

@syr_television tweeted that “four displaced civilians were killed in an airstrike on Mourek in Hama countryside.” @HalabTodayTV also reported that four civilians were killed and added that an unknown number of others were wounded.

According to @OrientNews, five Russian and Syrian regime planes bombed Mourek and Kafar Zeita. @suriye_u_a_dr, among other sources, solely blamed Russia for the strikes.

@shabablatamni was the only source reporting artillery strikes, mentioning “artillery shelling of the Russian camp in the village of Kabaria on the city of Mourek in the northern Hama countryside.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1711

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.438611, 40.915556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Lawhat Bukmalna, “Coalition air strikes targeted several positions of Iranian groups in the city of Abu Kamal. There were reports of civilian deaths”.

Lawhat Bukmalna went on to report that the following sites were struck:

Near al Hajana

Near the school of Zeinab

The Tuweiba area

The Mosque of al Mustafa

The area of Dbei’aa

Al Hamdan, al Ghabra and al Sayyal.

The following were also listed as killed: “the family of Abdul Razzaq Al Mulla Rashid. More than 30 dead from Assad and Shiite militias”.

The same family was named by Souriyati, which likewise attributed their deaths to the Coalition.The source reported: “Coalition aircraft shelled Iranian positions located inside and around the city of Albu Kamal 10/01/2018. We learned from sources in the vicinity of Abu Kamal that US-led Coalition aircraft dropped leaflets demanding the forces of Hezbollah and Shiite militias leave the border crossing within a few days or else it will be subjected unprecedented shelling and annihilation”. It went on to report “bombing of several Iranian posiitons located in the city of Abu Kamal and its countryside”.

Baladi also said that “a whole family” was killed by the Coalition, as did Al Jisr TV

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Abdul Razzaq Al Mulla Rashid
Adult male killed
Unknown family member
killed
Unknown family member
killed
Unknown family member
killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'The International Coalition targets the headquarters of the regime forces and its militias in the city of Abu Kamal with dozens of air strikes during the past week.'
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU759124
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • 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

On January 9th-10th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, 26 strikes engaged 25 ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS vehicles, a fighting position and a logistics center.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS014

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An airstrike on a gas station near the Konoco gas refinery reportedly killed between three and four civilians.

A subsequent investigation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights later noted: “Around 7:00pm the international alliance warplanes targeted a gas station and an oil well in Deir Ezzor countryside which is located near Khasham town. the oil well is for Konico gas plant and it is three KM away from it. the shelling caused fires in a number of tanks. The airstrike killed three civilians who used to work in the oil trading field. Usually, many people come to this well to buy petrol and oil. Also we documented 11 injured including critical cases in addition to six who are still missing. Furthermore some ISIS military vehicles were damaged.”

Three killed civilians were later named by the VDC.

According to SN4HR and VDC, a fourth non-combatant, from Al-Jurathi town, was killed in a related coalition airstrike nearby.

Prompted by the US State Department six months later, CENTCOM re-examined claims of civilians killed at Khesham. Weapon system video from the time was reviewed and air crews interviewed.

Investigators finally concluded that there was “Insufficient evidence to determine CIVCAS.” Yet at the same time, they admitted to “limited video analysis” and “ntermittent visual contact with the ground.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Ash-Shaher
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adnan Al-Abd Al-Eid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Ahmad Ali Al-Afien
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Hamza Hamoud Al-Ghazi
Adult male Listed by VDC, from Al-Jurathi town killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Insufficient evidence to determine CIVCAS. CFACC reviewed WSV. INTEL determined that the location was under strict ISIL control. The target was validated through the JTCB. Crews reported they did not observe any personnel on their targeting pod prior to weapon release. Given the limited video analysis available the CFACC assesses there is insufficient information to make a characterisation. Intermittent visual contact with the ground showed no personnel present in the target area. // CAOC conducted a deliberate strike on 16 Oct 14 on the Barghooth Crude Oil Collection Point

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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

Incident Code

CS053

Incident date

February 6, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A coalition airstrike allegedly killed four unnamed civilian males in the vicinity of Al Shadadi, according to VDC. The Step news agency reported multiple coalition strikes in the vicinity: “The Alliance today carried out a number of raids on ISIL targets south of Al Hassakah. Five missiles fell on the city of Shadadi followed by 8 more on the organisation’s barriers around Shadadi including barrier number 47 where 5 members were killed and a further 14 wounded, most of them in critical conditions. Other strikes targeted… the southern entrance to the city of Al-Hasakah.”

Another news site reported a major coalition raid, describing more than 20 attacks around Shadadi and adding that “there are reports that there have been civilian deaths.”

 

The incident was first reported on February 6, 2015 at 12:08 am by Step News.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Shadadi town ( الشدادي ), South Al-Hasakah Governorate, Syria. The location for the midpoint of Al Shadadi town ( الشدادي ) is: 36.056316, 40.730438

  • Al Shadadi town ( الشدادي )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 al-Shadadi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV558915
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition reported airstrikes in the vicinity on both February 5th-6th and February 6th-7th 2015, noting respectively that “Near Al Hasakah, an airstrike struck multiple storage and staging facilities” and that “Near Al Hasakah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL mobile oil rig.“

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS081

Incident date

June 18, 2015

Location

Road between Suluk and Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.2451039, 39.0351105 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were reported killed by the coalition when the car they were traveling in was struck.

According to SOHR, the vehicle was hit on the road between Ar Raqqah and Suluk. Sira Press reported: “Activists stressed that all those who were in the car were unarmed civilians and there were four of them and that aircraft targeted them near the town of Khaneez, which led to the martyrdom of everyone in the vehicle.“

Sira Press also claimed that the coalition “also targeted a primitive oil refinery east of the village of Alhderatt [south east of Ain Issa], even though the refinery belongs to civilians who have nothing to do with Daesh.”

In what may be a related incident, the Violations Documentation Centre named a civilian male as having been killed in ‘Coalition shellnig’ at Suluk, though gave the date of death as June 19th.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Mohaisen al-Khalifeh
Adult male VDC lists him as a civilian from Boulial and killed in a coalition strike on Suluk in Raqqa

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an area in the vicinity of the village of Khaneez (خنيز or خنيزر جنوبي), on the road between Suluk (سلوك) and Ar Raqqah, known as Route 6. The coordinates for the area on Route 6 that is West of the village of Khaneez (خنيز) are: 36.2451039, 39.0351105

  • Map showing Route 6 and the village of Khaneez (خنيز)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Multiple coalition strikes were confirmed in the vicinity. For June 17th-18th 2015, the coalition noted: “Near Tal Abyad, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL excavator.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2294

Incident date

June 20, 2017

Location

جبل ركبة المرزوق, Rakbat Al Marzouk Mountain, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.730327, 36.719055 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported that four civilians were killed – including a woman and a child – and seven others were injured, following an airstrike on Rakbat Al Marzouk Mountain. Smart News reported on this incident twice, and blamed Russia in both instances.

It added that the vicinity was under the control of ISIS.

According to the source, the planes “targeted the tents of nomads”, killing four of them. 

The shelling allegedly also killed a herd of 20 sheep.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]