Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMBi016

Incident date

February 24, 2024

Location

حي صوفان, Sofan, Sana'a Governorate, Yemen

Geolocation

15.399286, 44.194547 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by an alleged US-UK strike on the Sofan neighborhood of Sana’a on February 24, 2024.

Abdullah Ahmad Obaidi Al Rabi’i posted on Facebook that “on my way back home in the Sofan neighborhood, I encountered this missile strike by the American-British aggression occurring dozens of meters away in a densely populated residential neighborhood.”

According to @alharthalafari, the strike hit an insecticide factory which led to a fire and “civilian casualties”. Anadolu Agency quoted the Ministry of Public Health and Population of the unrecognized Houthi government who announced that “two civilians were injured as a result of the raids of the (American-British) aggression on the Al-Nahda neighborhood in the capital, Sana’a.” Yemen Data Project provided a similar casualty toll of two civilians injured.

US Central Command released a statement that “at approximately 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen….The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one- way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter.”

The UK Ministry of Defence announced: “Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager tankers, again participated in a deliberate coalition strike on Saturday 24 February against Houthi military facilities in Yemen which had been conducting missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. The RAF aircraft were allocated multiple targets located at two sites. Intelligence analysis had successfully identified several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions, at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles north-east of Sanaa. Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, notwithstanding the Houthis’ use of the old missile battery revetments to try to protect the drones.”

It is unclear if the US and/or UK statements are the same strikes which hit the Sofan neighborhood as the US and UK military did not provide a location.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Guardian news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Guardian news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @grantshapps

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sofan (سوفان) to the north of Sana’a (صَنْعَاء). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to find boundaries for the neighbourhood and to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Sofan are: 15.399286, 44.194547.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 24, at approximately 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. These strikes from this multilateral coalition targeted areas used by the Houthis to attack international merchant vessels and naval ships in the region. Illegal Houthi attacks have disrupted humanitarian aid bound for Yemen, harmed Middle Eastern economies, and caused environmental damage.
The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one- way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter. These strikes are intended to degrade Houthi capability and disrupt their continued reckless and unlawful attacks on international commercial and U.S. and U.K. vessels in the Red Sea, Bab AI-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
The goal of this multi-national effort is to defend ourselves, our partners, and allies in the region and restore freedom of navigation by destroying Houthi capabilities used to threaten U.S. and partner forces in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. These strikes are separate and distinct from the multinational freedom of navigation actions performed under Operation Prosperity Guardian.

UK Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

UK Military
Official source

Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager tankers, again participated in a deliberate coalition strike on Saturday 24 February against Houthi military facilities in Yemen which had been conducting missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

The RAF aircraft were allocated multiple targets located at two sites.
Intelligence analysis had successfully identified several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions, at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles north-east of Sanaa. Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, notwithstanding the Houthis’ use of the old missile battery revetments to try to protect the drones.
Previous RAF strikes, on 11 January and 3 February, had already successfully destroyed a number of buildings used to support drone and cruise missile operations at Bani, some fifteen miles west of Abbs airfield in north-western Yemen. Additional buildings at the Bani site had subsequently been confirmed as also being involved in the drone and missile activities there and were therefore targeted during this latest strike.
In planning the strikes, as is normal practice with such RAF operations, the greatest possible care was taken to minimise any risk of civilian casualties.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi015

Incident date

February 24, 2024

Location

شامير, Shamir, Taiz Governorate, Yemen

Geolocation

13.681626, 43.703559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and between six and seven others, including at least one child, were injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes on a telecommunications site in the Shamir area in the Maqbanah District on February 24, 2024.

Anadolu Agency quoted the Houthi Al-Masirah satellite channel which reported that “a citizen (civilian) was killed and 6 others, all from one family, were injured, as a result of the US-British aggression’s air strikes on the Shamir area in the Maqbana District in Taiz Governorate.” The Yemen Data Project reported that in addition to the civilian who was killed, seven others were injured.

The Human Rights Office in Taiz Governorate condemned the “American-British aggression coalition aircraft carried out this morning” which struck “the communications network in the Al-Aqhouz area”. The Human Rights Office and the Insan Organization for Rights and Liberties also provided the names of the victims. Saber Muhammad Amin Ghalib, between 22-25 years old, was killed and six others were injured: Rafiq Abdullah Muhammad Hassan, 16-18 years old, various body parts; Watheq Abdullah Amin Ghalib, 25-28 years old, seriously injured; Abdel Samad Muhammad Ahmed Ghaleb, 15 years old, fracture of the right foot; Hammam Fayed Amir Ghalib, 32-41 years old, various body parts; Ahmed Muhammad Ahmed Ghaleb, 23 years old, various body parts; Saqr Hamid Hamid Ghalib, 22-24 years old, various body parts.

US Central Command released a statement that “at approximately 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen….The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one- way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter.”

The UK Ministry of Defence announced: “Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager tankers, again participated in a deliberate coalition strike on Saturday 24 February against Houthi military facilities in Yemen which had been conducting missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. The RAF aircraft were allocated multiple targets located at two sites. Intelligence analysis had successfully identified several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions, at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles north-east of Sanaa. Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, notwithstanding the Houthis’ use of the old missile battery revetments to try to protect the drones.”

It is unclear if the US and/or UK statements are the same strikes which hit the Shamir area as the US and UK military did not provide a location.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Saber Muhammad Amir Ghaleb صابر محمد امين غالب
22-25 years old killed
Watheq Abdullah Amin Ghalib وثيق عبدالله امين غالب
25-28 years old injured
Abdel Samad Muhammad Ahmed Ghaleb عبدالصمد محمد احمد غالب
15 years old injured
Hammam Fayed Amir Ghalib همام فايد امير غالب
32-41 years old injured
Ahmed Muhammad Ahmed Ghaleb احمد محمد احمد غالب
23 years old injured
Saqr Hamid Hamid Ghalib صقر حميد حامد غالب
22-24 years old injured

The victims were named as:

Rafiq Abdullah Muhammad Hassan رفيق عبدالله محمد حسان
16-18 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Power Station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Human rights office in Taizz

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Human rights office in Taizz

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Human rights office in Taizz

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Guardiannews

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Guardiannews

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @grantshapps

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Shamir area (معان), potentially related to Shamir Alkadh (شمير القادح), allegedly located northwest of the Maqbanah district (مديرية مقبنة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to find boundaries for the area and to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Samir Alkadh are: 13.681626, 43.703559.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 24, at approximately 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. These strikes from this multilateral coalition targeted areas used by the Houthis to attack international merchant vessels and naval ships in the region. Illegal Houthi attacks have disrupted humanitarian aid bound for Yemen, harmed Middle Eastern economies, and caused environmental damage.
The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one- way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter. These strikes are intended to degrade Houthi capability and disrupt their continued reckless and unlawful attacks on international commercial and U.S. and U.K. vessels in the Red Sea, Bab AI-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
The goal of this multi-national effort is to defend ourselves, our partners, and allies in the region and restore freedom of navigation by destroying Houthi capabilities used to threaten U.S. and partner forces in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. These strikes are separate and distinct from the multinational freedom of navigation actions performed under Operation Prosperity Guardian.

UK Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

UK Military
Official source

Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager tankers, again participated in a deliberate coalition strike on Saturday 24 February against Houthi military facilities in Yemen which had been conducting missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

The RAF aircraft were allocated multiple targets located at two sites.
Intelligence analysis had successfully identified several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions, at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles north-east of Sanaa. Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, notwithstanding the Houthis’ use of the old missile battery revetments to try to protect the drones.
Previous RAF strikes, on 11 January and 3 February, had already successfully destroyed a number of buildings used to support drone and cruise missile operations at Bani, some fifteen miles west of Abbs airfield in north-western Yemen. Additional buildings at the Bani site had subsequently been confirmed as also being involved in the drone and missile activities there and were therefore targeted during this latest strike.
In planning the strikes, as is normal practice with such RAF operations, the greatest possible care was taken to minimise any risk of civilian casualties.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Power Station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM418

Incident date

February 15, 2024

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba region, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Two Cuban doctors, general medicine specialist Assel Herrera and surgeon Landy Rodriguez, were reportedly killed in a declared U.S. airstrike (possibly drone strike) conducted around 12:05am on the 15th of February 2024 in the town of Jilib, in the region of Middle Juba, Somalia. The militant group Al-Shabaab stated via Telegram that it had captured the two doctors on the 12th of April, 2019 in Kenya and further claimed that they were killed in an airstrike conducted by AFRICOM (United States Africa Command) which had struck a house in Jilib. The statement from Al-Shabaab also contained two photos which claimed to show the dead body of one of the two doctors.

A CNN report on the incident, dated the 17th of February, quoted a response from AFRICOM spokeswoman Lennea Montandon who said that “the command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as available”. VOA News (Voice of America) reported on the 19th of February that Montandon did confirm that “an airstrike was conducted against Al-Shabaab on February 15th near Jilib”. Montandon also acknowledged that AFRICOM was “aware of reports of a strike alleged to have killed two civilians”. However, she added that there was “no further information” regarding the allegations. Furthermore, the report from CNN quoted an unnamed ‘U.S. defense official’ who “said that there was no credible evidence that there were any civilian casualties in the strike”.

AFRICOM released an official statement on the 28th of February that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command carried out an airstrike against the al-Shabaab terrorist group near Jilib, Somalia, on Feb. 15. U.S. Africa Command has assessed that one al-Shabaab militant was injured in this operation. The command is aware of the reports made by al-Shabaab of civilian casualties related to this strike. The command takes all reports of civilian casualties seriously. The command is conducting a review and will provide additional information as available.”

The strike was widely reported by a variety of media outlets. These included Anadolu Agency whose reporting, on the 17th of February, focused on the initial statement released by Al-Shabaab and the response from the Somali Ministry of Defense. Anadolu Agency’s report included the claim by Al-Shabaab that the US had been “deliberately targeting the prisoners for several months”.

Moreover, a series of online posts quoting the contents of the Al-Shabaab statement were made online by the Somali Guardian via X/Twitter, Caribbean News UK, and independent journalist Zakeriye Axmed, in addition to CTNSIS: a strategic counter-terrorism intelligence briefing service with a focus on East and Central Africa.

One article on the strike by Kenyans.co.ke, dated February 18th, reported the reaction of the Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel and the Cuban Foreign Affairs Ministry, who initially stressed the fact that the deaths of Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez, at the time, remained unconfirmed – a sentiment also repeated in a tweet posted by the Cuban embassy on February 18th. However, a tweet from @SomaliGuardian reported that “Cuban Ministry of Health contacts of families of two doctors held hostage by Al-Shabaab in #Somalia to inform them that they have been killed in an aerial bombardment”.

The report by Kenyans.co.ke contextually noted that the two doctors “came to Kenya following a 2017 health exchange programme where Cuban doctors arrived in the country to help fill gaps in county hospitals”. On the 17th of February, Garowe Online observed that there had been “concerted efforts to rescue the doctors including behind-the-scenes meetings involving government officials in Somalia, clan elders, Al-Shabaab, and the governments of Cuba and Kenya”.

The incident occured at approximately 12:05 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Assel Herrera
Adult male killed
Landy Rodriguez
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Source: @GaroweOnline
  • Source: Kenyans News
  • Source: Kenyans News
  • Source: @ZakeriyeAxmed

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @CTNSIS

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al-Shabaab

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command carried out an airstrike against the al-Shabaab terrorist group near Jilib, Somalia, on Feb. 15.

U.S. Africa Command has assessed that one al-Shabaab militant was injured in this operation.

The command is aware of the reports made by al-Shabaab of civilian casualties related to this strike. The command takes all reports of civilian casualties seriously. The command is conducting a review and will provide additional information as available.

The command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.

U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.

Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI883

Incident date

February 3, 2024

Location

منطقة السكك, Al-Sikak area in the city of Al-Qaim, Al-Anbar, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were reported killed and up to 15 others were wounded by declared US airstrikes on the Al-Sikak area in the city of Al-Qaim, Iraq early in the morning on February 3, 2024. Between three and five medical personnel in the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were also allegedly killed. Another 11 PMF members were also allegedly killed and 36 injured. US forces claimed that damage was also caused by a secondary explosion that occurred after the strike.

Two of the three civilians alleged killed were named, Abdul Rahman Al-Rawi and Sattar Al-Jughaifi, with most sources stating that they were not members of any militant group; including sources spoken to directly by Airwars researchers. However one source, Usama Al Ma’mouri, listed the two individuals under the caption ‘martyrs of the Anbar and Al-Tafuf Brigade’. Airwars has therefore included the individuals only in our maximum casualty range.

ِAl Baghdadi News reported that a young man named Abdul Rahman Khaled Al-Rawi was killed in the city of Al-Qaim, and Nisreen Al Mousawi reported that the bodies of two civilians had been recovered after the US strikes, Abdul Rahman Al-Rawi and Sattar Al-Jughaifi. According to Nisreen Al Mousawi, at the time of reporting, “there are a number of martyrs and wounded from the Al-Sikak area who have not been reached yet, and ambulances are rushing to the area.” Local sources including ِAbu Ibrahim Al Sabhani offered condolence messages to the family of Abdul Rahman Khaled Al Rawi for their loss, and a post by Journalist Ali Qais Al-Rawi included details that Abdul Rahman was born in 2004 and was a student at Al-Qaim Industrial Preparatory School in his 5th year of the electricity department.

Aِ tweet from @AzharJumaili provided details that more than 10 houses had been burned in the Al-Sikak area, and that 15 civilians were injured so far, including those that lived near the PMF base. A post from Waleed al Obeidi reported that 3 civilians had been killed and 11 had been wounded in Al-Qaim district.

Journalist Ali Qais Al-Rawi spoke with people in Al-Qaim who said that the airstrikes “were the most violent and powerful”. Local sources told Reuters that the struck neighborhood in Al-Qaim is a residential area that was being used by armed groups to store large amounts of weapons, and that the US strikes and secondary explosion caused widespread damage.

A Facebook post by Usama Al Ma’mouri included the names of three people who were identified as medical assistants of a brigade: nurse Qasim Mohsen Sajet, nurse Zulfiqar Talaat Abd, and nurse Abdullah Ibrahim Abdul Jabbar. Medical professionals are considered protected persons under international humanitarian law.

The post also included the names of seven others identified as members of the Anbar and Al-Tafuf Brigade operations: Atheer Jaber Salman, Abdul Abbas Abdullah Abbas, Safaa Hussein Majeed, Hussein Ali Ismail, Hamza Qati Radi Al-Jamali, Abdul Rahman Khaled, Sattar Al-Jughaifi. This contests the sources who reported that Khaled Abdul Rahman and Sattar were both civilians. A post from Bani Hajeem added the name Ajami Dhidan Al-Ghanimi to the list of militants killed while Ghaith Ayed added the names Shammar Kawam Al-Khader and Kazem Abdel Hamza Alwan Al-Aifari.

The ِInformation Directorate of the PMF released a statement that strikes resulted in the death of 16 and the injury of 36 others, and that the search was still ongoing for bodies. The statement broke the casualties down to their specific rolls in the PMF: Anbar Operations Mobile Headquarters and the 13th Brigade Support Battalion (seven killed and seven wounded), Logistics support headquarters (one wounded), artillery location (one killed and four wounded), armor location (three killed and ten wounded), Tank battalion location (four wounded), Two sites belonging to the 45th Brigade (11 wounded), Issam Al-Baldawi Medical Hospital (five killed).

The Assistant for Medical Affairs in the PMF also accused the US of “targeting medical detachments and hospitals belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces in the Al-Qaim district” and provided the names of those who were killed when hospitals affiliated with the PMU were struck: Qasim Mohsen Sajet, Zulfiqar Talaat Abd, Abdullah Ibrahim Abd al-Jabbar, Atheer Jaber Salman, and Abd al-Abbas Abd Allah Abbas.

The Iraqi government spokesman, Basem Al-Awadi, confirmed that the strikes resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including civilians, and caused “major damage” to homes and private property. In response, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the temporary Chargé d’Affairs at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Mr. David Burger, and issued an official memorandum of protest which denounced “the American aggression that targeted Iraqi security forces as well as civilian sites in the Akashat and Al-Qaim regions, which led to martyrs and injuries, including civilians, in addition to damage to residential buildings and property.”

US CENTCOM released a statement that at 4pm EST (12:00am in Iraq and Syria) “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces.”

A statement from the Department of Defense added that “National security officials said the facilities targeted in today’s strikes were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and were based on clear evidence that they were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel” and John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator was quoted as saying “The Department of Defense is in the early stages of battle damage assessment, but we believe that the strikes were successful,” adding the details that the strikes were against seven facilities utilized by Iran’s IRCG, three of the facilities were in Iraq and four of them were in Syria, and more than 125 precision-guided munitions were fired over the course of 30 minutes. According to Army Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II, director of operations for the Joint Staff, the strikes employed “multiple aircraft, including B-1 Lancers that flew from bases in the U.S.”

Arabi21 News also quoted Director of Operations for the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Douglas Sims, who stated that the strikes were “very successful, which led to large secondary explosions resulting from strikes that hit their weapons.” An unnamed American official also told Arabi21 that the US targeted “a small number of “dynamic targets” that appeared as the mission began, including a surface-to-air missile site and drone launch sites.”

The incident occured between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (0–2 men3–5 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–15
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known targets
    Iranian military, Iraqi militias (PMUs)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    36

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (41) [ collapse]

  • A plane takes off from an unidentified location, as the U.S. launches airstrikes on targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in the screen grab from a handout video released on February 2, 2024. US Central Command via X/Handout via REUTERS
  • Security forces inspect a damaged car at the site of a U.S. airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq February 3, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer
  • Shell casings in al-Qaim, Iraq February 3, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer Acquire Licensing Rights
  • A destroyed building is pictured at the site of a U.S. airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq February 3, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer
  • Destruction from US airstrikes on a PMF site. (AP)
  • "With hearts that believe in God’s will and destiny, I extend my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha, narrator A. The death of their son as a result of the bombing of the city of Al-Qaim"
  • Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha Al-Rawi, reportedly a civilian killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِOmar Abed Husein via Facebook)
  • Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha Al-Rawi, reportedly a civilian killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِAl Boumahal Clan via Facebook)
  • Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha Al-Rawi, reportedly a civilian killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِNashwan Al Mohammed via Facebook)
  • Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha Al-Rawi, reportedly a civilian killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by @Iraq.nanoa via Twitter/X)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِAl Sharqiya TV)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِAl Sharqiya TV)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِAl Sharqiya TV)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِAl Sharqiya TV)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Images taken in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Remnants in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Remnants in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • A member of the "Islamic resistance mujahideen in Anbar" who was reportedly killed by US strikes on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by Ghaith Ayed)
  • Some of results of American strikes at AlQaem town on the border between Syria and Iraq

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. - At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (0–2 men3–5 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–15
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known targets
    Iranian military, Iraqi militias (PMUs)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    36

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1997

Incident date

February 3, 2024

Location

البلعوم, Al Bal’oum in Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 3rd, 2024, one woman was reported injured while she was at home following a series of US strikes conducted on Al-Baloum neighborhood, in al-Mayadeen city, east of Deir Ezzor, in areas reportedly controlled by Iranian militias. The attacks were carried out at around midnight/at dawn, according to local reporting. Sources also reported a number of Iranian militia members and Syrian regime soldiers were killed and injured in the attacks.

Naher media reported that US strikes targeted several locations controlled by Iranian militias, lightly injuring a woman. @DeirEzzore on Twitter/X added that the woman was wounded “as a result of shrapnel flying from one of the militia positions targeted by coalition aircraft” led at dawn on February 3rd. Local sources often refer to US actions in Syria as ‘Coalition’ actions, given the longstanding presence of Coalition forces following the war against ISIS.

The source further said that the victim was injured while she was at home in Al-Baloum neighborhood, Mayadeen city. @asdaslm9 also reported on the woman’s injuries following the raids.

Euphrates Post further explained that an American air strike reportedly hit Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps militia leader Abu Al-Abbas’s villa, located close to Al-Baloum roundabout, in Mayadeen city, though the source did not link the attack to any civilian casualty.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), quoting a military statement, said the Syrian regime condemned US aerial attacks “on a number of sites and towns in the eastern region of Syria, near Iraqi borders, leaving many civilian and military martyrs, injuring others and causing huge damage to private and public properties” at dawn on February 3rd. The source did not add further details regarding the identification of the civilians harmed nor the locations of those strikes. No further information was available at this stage.

Despite local reporting referring to alleged US strikes conducted on multiple locations at dawn on February 3rd, sources did not always provide sufficient detail to distinguish where the militant casualties occurred. As such, Airwars aggregated the following militant death toll estimations in its ranges. In total, the estimated number of combatants killed was estimated between two and 19 while the number of injured varied between eight and 19. The casualties included Syrian regime army members as well as  Iranian militias militants Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Among those killed during the strikes, Naher media identified “Shalash Maher Mandil” described as an Iranian militia militant from Deir Ezzor. @DeirEzzore posted an obituary of the combatant and said he was killed on February 3rd by an American bombing conducted “west of the monastery”. @DeirEzzore identified Ali Shawish, a Syrian regime lieutenant from Homs as a second combatant killed by American strikes, and posted a picture of the man in military uniform.

On Facebook, Euphrates Post initially reported that three Iranian militia members were killed and others injured by an alleged drone strike in the outskirts of the city of Al-Mayadeen, east of Deir Ezzor. @DeirEzzore on Twitter/X estimated that two militias members were killed and five others injured. Three of those injured were described as Syrian fighters, members of IRGC. Naher media correspondent  reported that an American strike on the IRGC headquarters allegedly killed or injured three Afghans and three Iraqis. The source further stated that they were later transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital in Al-Mayadeen city. @DeirEzzore noted that the death toll was likely to increase, as “three army members” were in “a serious condition”, two of which from Deir Ezzor. SOHR said that 29 combatants were killed in Deir Ezzor and its countryside following US strikes – among which19 militia members either killed or injured in Al-Mayadeen. This number, according to SOHR,  includes members of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. SOHR added that some militants were reportedly still under the rubble in the city, fourteen hours after the attacks.

On Twitter/X, @nahermedia initially reported two American air strikes on February 3rd in Mayadeen, targeting IRGC bases in Al-Tammo neighborhood, and then, several minutes later, “more and more strikes now” conducted in the same city. Both posts were published at night shortly after midnight, local time. A video was published on February 3rd by Euphrates Post  recording several alleged US strikes conducted at night on farms in Mayadeen city, in areas described as ‘the most important strongholds’ of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards militia.

On February 3rd, Euphrates Post reported new ‘American air strikes carried out by warplanes’ targeting “Iranian positions close to Al-Rahba castle, Haidariyah and Al-Hashimiyeh”.  Among the areas hit, Naher media correspondent also listed the IRGC headquarters located near the “Ain Ali” shrine in Al-Quria desert, east of Deir Ezzor, and further strikes and raids: strikes conducted in Al-Mayadeen city: “two raids on headquarters in the Al-Tammu neighborhood, another raid on an Iranian militia headquarters near the old sheep auction”, and another raid “targeted a headquarters for the Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas militia in the Al-Baloum area, west and south of the city of Al-Mayadeen.”

In total, SOHR indicated that “26 vital positions of the Iranian militias” were hit by American strikes, including “positions in Al-Tamo Neighbourhood, Ain Ali Base, Al-Shably Neighbourhood, Al-Haidariya and grain silos (…) in Al-Mayadeen City”.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known targets
    Hezbollah, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–19
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–19

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • @nahermedia
  • @DeirEzzore
    @DeirEzzore
  • Source: @DeirEzzore
    source: @DeirEzzore

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

TAMPA, Fla. - At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known targets
    Hezbollah, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–19
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–19

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi014

Incident date

February 2, 2024

Location

مزارع الجار, ِAl Jar farms, Hajjah Governorate, Yemen

Geolocation

16.030247, 42.980695 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A farm worker was injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes on a farm in the “Al-Jar Farms” area in Abs District on February 2, 2024.

According to Jameel Ahmad, American-British fighter jets launched four airstrikes against former President “Ali Saleh’s farm in the “Al-Jar Farms” area in Abs District,” which was a farm that the Houthis had converted to grow produce but “there was no military site there.” Jameel Ahmad also spoke with a source who said that reconnaissance planes had flown over the area earlier in the day “as dozens of workers were present on the farm, and that most of the farmers were able to leave before the bombing, while one of the farmers was moderately injured”. Al Mashhad News and Yemen data project reported a similar casualty number, and Al Mashhad News quoted Houthi sources who said that the strikes did not hit any vital or sensitive targets.

Islamic Republic News Agency reported similar details that the US-UK jointly carried out strikes on the city of Abs in Hajjah Province, according to a Yemeni intelligence official, hours after a British vessel was hit off the western coast of Yemen.

US Central Command released a statement that “at approximately 4:40 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against four Houthi UAVs that were prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. forces subsequently struck and destroyed the UAVs in self-defense.” It is unclear if these are the same strikes which hit the farm as the US military did not provide a location.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, UK Military, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an alleged strike in the al Jar farms area (مزارع الجار) to the west of Abs (عبس). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the al Jar farms are: 16.030247, 42.980695.

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US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. - On Feb. 2, at approximately 10:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), USS Carney (DDG 64) engaged and shot down one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damage reported.
Later that same day, at approximately 4:40 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against four Houthi UAVs that were prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. forces subsequently struck and destroyed the UAVs in self-defense.
Then, at 9:20 p.m. (Sanaa time), USS Laboon (DDG 58) and F/A-18s from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group engaged and shot down seven UAVs over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.

UK Military Assessment:

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

UK Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, UK Military, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI101

Incident date

December 28, 2023

Location

قرية كاركي, Karki, Sinjar District, Mosul Province, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Between 6 and 8 PM on Thursday, December 28th, 2023, at least five people were killed and two others injured after an alleged Turkish drone strike on the village of Karki in the Sinjar district of Mosul province. The civilian status of five of the men killed is contested within the sources.

Those killed were young men, originally from northern and eastern Syria; information on the wounded was not made available. Roj News, in conjunction with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Shingal District identified the deceased as follows: 21-year-old Ramadan al-Hammadi, originally from Raqqa; 24-year-old Shaheen Ali, from Kobani; 20-year-old Hussein al-Hussein, also from Raqqa; 23-year-old Ahmed al-Mohammed al-Ali, from Raqqa; and Raqqa-born Munir al-Bakour. al-Bakour’s age was not publicly declared.

There remains dispute regarding the circumstances of the strike. While the local administration in Sinjar reported those killed were working digging wells to provide water for the villages of Kora Samukiya, Al-Arbay News stated that the bombing was a deliberate strike targeting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Al-Araby claimed their source, members of Nineveh security, as saying the strike targeted “a group of Labor Party activists.” Al-Arbay also specified that the local Sinjar administration is “known for its association” with the PKK.

Haider Sheshu, a commander of local militia Ezidkhan Protection Units, stated that he was unsure “whether the dead were fighters or civilians.”

Roj News reported the belligerent bombed the area three consecutive times. All of the sources attributed the drone strikes to Turkish forces.

The incident occured between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (0–5 men)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Source: Roj News
  • Source: Roj News
  • Source: Roj News
  • Source: Roj News
  • Source: Hawar News
  • Source: Hawar News
  • Source: Hawar News

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 infrastructure
    Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (0–5 men)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–5

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS674

Incident date

December 28, 2023

Location

مركز غسيل الكلى, Dialysis Centre, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.054172, 41.262636 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On December 28th, 2023, a 65 year-old kidney patient identified as Ahmed Abd al-Rahman Khadr reportedly died as he could not access treatment, following the reported destruction three days earlier of a dialysis center hit by alleged Turkish air or drone strikes in Qamishlo city.

Rojava TV and Ibrahim Sheikho described Ahmed Abd al-Rahman Khadr as a former kidney patient who had been sick for more than two years. Sources both said he was Syrian, born in 1958 in Amuda, Al-Jazira district, and died as he could not access treatment following the destruction of the dialysis center. Ibrahim Sheikho posted a picture of the alleged victim on Facebook. Rojava TV claimed that he had undergone three dialysis sessions in the last two years. It further stated that the dialysis center had prior to the attack capacity to treat 70 patients and was equipped with only one emergency room with one device to provide dialysis treatment. No information was available as to where the victim died.

Qamishlo puls on Facebook alongside other sources reported that on December 25th 2023, alleged Turkish bombing in Qamishlo resulted in putting the “only dialysis center out of service”. Al Hafel on Facebook posted a video showing the damage to the building and piles of rubble – the source further claimed that the Syrian Democratic Forces are using hospitals and schools, such as the dialysis center, as “headquarters”, and that these buildings are hit by alleged Turkish drone strikes. Multiple sources reported that the oxygen plant in Qamishlo was also destroyed by alleged Turkish strikes on December 25th, 2023.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Abd al-Rahman Khadr أحمد عبد الرحمن خضر
65 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Denial of access to/destruction of objects indispensable to survival
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Source: Qamishlo puls
  • Source: Ibrahim Sheikho
  • Source: Ibrahim Sheikho
  • Source: Ibrahim Sheikho
  • Source: Ibrahim Sheikho

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an alleged strike on the Dialysis Centre (مركز غسيل الكلى), to the east of Qamishli (ٱلْقَامِشْلِي). As there is no information available as to where the victim died, the location accuracy for this incident is set to “nearby landmark”. The generic coordinates for the Dialysis Centre are: 37.054172, 41.262636.

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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Denial of access to/destruction of objects indispensable to survival
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]