Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1193 CS302

Incident date

August 26, 2016

Location

الادخار, Raqqa: Al Idkhar, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between five and nine civilians including one child died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime of the US-led Coalition was responsible. Several reports said that strikes occurred near the Yahya Sports Club.

The Smart News Agency, Ara and Syria Mirror blamed the Coalition. Syria Mirror reported that “international coalition warplanes launched three raids on neighbourhoods in the city of Raqqa, on the al Thakana and al Idkhar areas and the area around Al Nawawi mosque. Nine civilians died and others were wounded. Three members of ISIS were reportedly also wounded; two of them were transferred to the city of Mosul for treatment, and the third remains in the National Hospital in Raqqa.”

However, other sources, including Shaam News Network and Step News Agency, attributed the strikes to Russia. Step said that there were two strikes at midnight.
Al Jisr cited the IS media agency Al A’amaq, which claimed that the raids were carried out by Russia and “targeted the homes of civilians”. Activists said that the raids “hit the targeted savings area, resulting in the death of seven civilians and wounding of 20 more, including women and children.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – who put the death count at six and also blamed Russia – identified the following victims: Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash and his daughter Elisar Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash.

One source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death count at five, said that the Assad regime was responsible.

A number of other sources did not identify the warplanes responsible.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Child female daughter of Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash was killed alongside his daughter Elisar in alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, August 26, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damaged vehicle after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damage after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damage after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damage to civilian property after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damaged buildings after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (24) [ collapse]