Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS210

Incident date

May 7, 2016

Location

احتيملات, Ahtemlat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.56556, 37.25067 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including up to 5 children died in a reported night time Coalition strike at Ahtemlat in Aleppo governorate. Graphic images showed the bodies of at least two infants being recovered.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR activists were informed that no less than 4 IS including a commander were killed by aerial bombardment by the U.S led coalition warplanes during the last 24 hours around the strategic town of Dabiq, the aerial bombardment also killed 6 civilians including children. No less than 12 IS were killed by aerial bombardment targeted Dalha and Hor areas in the northern countryside near the Turkish borders.”

In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “May 7, 2016, near Ahtemlat, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Given the well documented nature of this event – and the existence of a video showing casualties – Airwars continues to assess this event as likely.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Al A’maq agency (ISIS propaganda): 1 person and 5 children killed following US strikes on the village of Ahteimlat in the northern Aleppo countryside (via Ibrahim al masry)
  • Translation: The result of US raids on the town of Ahteimlat in the northern Aleppo countryside: one person killed and 5 others injured, all muslims, by US raids on Ahteimlat in the northern Aleppo countryside (via AlWalaa’ and al Bara’a)
  • Translation: 5 children and one woman killed and livestock destroyed following coalition bombing of the town of Ahteimlat (via Syria-Rebels).
  • Translation: 5 civilians killed including children in coalition bombing on the village of Ahteimlat which is under Daesh control.
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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ahtemlat, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports for May 6th-7th 2016 that “Near Mar’a [Aleppo governorate], three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL command and control node, and ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS792

Incident date

May 6, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that five civilians were killed in alleged Russian raids on a park in Al Bab.

According Al Jisr TV, Russian warplanes killed five civilians in Al Bab. Qasioun and Nasaem News also blamed Russia. Other sources did not identify who was responsible.

Baladi News also reported the incident and said that “warplanes and helicopters targeted the general park in Al Bab. Five were killed and dozens wounded and this is the initial death toll.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI236

Incident date

May 5, 2016

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Many local sources claimed that Coalition aircraft struck civilian homes in a nighttime attack on Tal Afar city west of Mosul, resulting in 17 deaths including 12 children and 3 women.

The Coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the city.

Later local source named one of the child victims.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male (via @Afar.tribes.Champions) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (12 children3 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]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Rescuers search for survivors of a lethal alleged Coalition strike at Tal Afar, May 5th 2016 (via NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the children bodies on the floor that killed in an alleged coalition strike at Tal Afar, May 5th 2016 (via NRN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a little boy who was killed by an alleged coalition strike at Tal Afar, May 5th 2016 (via NRN)
  • An image shows an injured little girl who survived from an alleged coalition strike at Tal Afar, May 5th 2016 (via NRN)
  • An image shows an injured child who survived from an alleged coalition strike at Tal Afar, May 5th 2016 (via NRN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the children bodies on the floor that killed in an alleged coalition strike at Tal Afar, May 5th 2016 (via NRN)
  • A picture of the victim named (Mohand) who killed in an alleged coalition strike at Tal Afar, May 5th 2016 (via @Afar.tribes.Champions)
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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF713286
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • May 5, 2016 in Tall Afar, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2948/CI236 38SKF713286

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports for May 4th-5th 2016 that “Near Tal Afar, one strike struck an ISIL weapons facility.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (12 children3 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

RS787

Incident date

April 30, 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

Local sources reported up to 20 civilian casualties and 24 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting al-Jneina, Deir ez-Zour.

According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Muhiy al Razouk and his three children” died in a Russian airstrike on Al Jneina. LCSSY also named the victim and said two of his relatives were killed and four other civilians critically wounded. It also attributed the incident to Russia.

In a video by JisrTV and a tweet by 81alhariri the incident was also reported and attributed to Russian warplanes. Other sources also mentioned the incident but did not say who was responsible.

The Syria Newsdesk reported the following: “20 civilians were killed and others were wounded today as a result of warplanes carrying out several raids on Al-Jeiy’a village under the control of the Islamic state, West Deir al-Zour.

Abu Wassim al-Dairi from Deir ez-Zor News Network said aircraft argeted the village with rockets killing at least 20 civilians, including children, and wounded dozens more who were taken to medical points in the region for treatment. The bombing also reportedly caused the complete destruction of four houses and the burning of another three, in addition to  physical damage to properties.

Orient News also reported the incident. It said that “warplanes on Sunday evening committed a massacre in the village of Al-Je’ah in the western countryside of Deir al-Zour, killing dozens and wounding many, while enabling IS control over strategic locations in the vicinity of Deir al-Zour military airport.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Muhiy al Razouk
Adult male killed
Child of Muhiy al Razouk
Child killed
Child of Muhiy al Razouk
Child killed
Child of Muhiy al Razouk
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 20
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • From 1:30: a description of the alleged Russian airstrikes in al-Jneina (via Jsir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 20
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS771

Incident date

April 27, 2016

Location

حي ‫‏بعيدين‬, Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2361737, 37.1832275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several sources reported alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighbourhood of Bei’deen, which led to the death of one or more civilians including a child.

Halab Today correspondent said “four civilians [were] wounded in my neighborhood as a result of the aerial bombardment of the Russian air force”. LCCSY reported that one child was killed and one woman injured “after Russian planes target Bei’deen neighbourhood with an air raid”.

Smart News agency also reported the incident, but did not identity who was responsible or state the death toll.

Orient News reported the death of 25 civilians in a number of neighbourhoods and blamed Russia, explaining that “Russian aircraft [with] guided missiles targeted the residential buildings in my neighborhood, ‘Bustan Al-Qaser and Kallaseh’ in the city of Aleppo”, as well as the “neighborhoods Bei’deen and Alsakhur and Marjeh, and Tareek Al-Bab and Salheen and the  Ard Al Hamra “, which led to casualties among civilians.”

Baladi news also reported that the neighborhoods Bei’deen, Karam Altarab, Bab al-Nasr, and Bab Al-Hadeed had been targets of “artillery and missile and aerial bombing, leading to “martyrs and wounded”. It did not say who carried out the raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A man is pulled from the rubble after an alleged Russian airstrike on several Aleppo neighbourhoods, April 27th 2016 (via Baladi news)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS770

Incident date

April 27, 2016

Location

أبلين, Ibleen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.716111, 36.519167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and four civilians including at least one child died in airstrikes on al Zawiya mountain, Idlib according to local sources – though only one source identified the warplanes responsible as Russian.

Zaitoun News reported that four children were killed and five persons were wounded in an alleged regime strike on Ibleen village in Mount Zaweya, the southern countryside of Idlib. In the article the White Helmets director of the city of Jericho is quoted, saying “the raids killed four children who did not exceed the age of five years”. The director added that “the aircraft raided villages Mahmpel and Nabi Ayoub and Joseph in al Zawiya Mountain.”

Step News agency also reported the incident, saying that “regime warplanes targeted Mhambel, Ibleen, and Nabi Ayoub summit, and these raids results in death of three civilians in Ibleen, one of them a child.”

In tweets by 3ajel-Ksa and Ali_l2xx7, Russia was blamed for the incident that allegedly killed “four people from one family.”

LCCSY named one of the victims, saying that “child Mouhammad Raqi al-Aasi was martyred due to an airstrike on #Abilin village in Idlib.” The name of the child was also mentioned in a tweet by Jesr News.

Al Jazeera said that two died and tens were injured in airstrikes on al Zawiya mountain. It did not say who was responsible. Shaam News Network said “a child was killed and four others wounded as a result of Russian aviation aggression targeting the streets of the village of Ibleen rin Al Zawiya mountain this Tuesday evening with vacuum missiles.” Activists told the network that the victims were all from the same family and that the death toll was likely to increase due to the seriousness of injuries.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three, though did not identify the warplanes responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • Child being rescued by the civil defense after airstrikes targeted the city of Ibleen, Idlib (via Zaitoun News)
  • Airstrikes reportedly targeting the city of Ibleen, Idlib
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim receiving treatment after airstrikes that reportedly targeted the city of Ibleen, Idlib (via Ali_l2xx7 Twitter)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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

CS206

Incident date

April 24, 2016

Location

كفرغان, Kafr Ghan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.630992, 37.182584 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Daesh-linked Al A’Amaq Agency reported the deaths of four civilians “in an American bombing on the village of Kafr Ghan in Souran in the northern Aleppo countryside.” Other news agencies also reported the deaths of civilians in an alleged Coalition event.

Syria News, while making no mention of civilian casualties, reported that “International coalition planes target a booby-trapped car belonging to Daesh in the village of Kafr Ghan in the northern countryside at the same time as battles are raging between the rebels and IS.” ARA said three VBIEDs were destroyed by the Coalition befoer they could reach their targets.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Martyrs in a coalition warplane raid on the village of Kafr Ghan in the northern countryside.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 23rd-24th the Coalition reported strikes in Aleppo governorate near both Manbij and Mar’a: “Near Manbij, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and an ISIL anti-air artillery system. Near Mar’a, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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

LC029

Incident date

April 23, 2016

Location

القصارات, Al Kassarat, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.764181, 22.639990 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including one woman died and up to seven more people were wounded in strikes on Derna, according to local media. The source Alnabaa reported “12 raids”, while some other sources reported that barrel bombs were dropped.

LNA posted a video of its forces dropping a bomb on a ‘terrorist ammunition store’ in the sports city area of Derna. It further reported strikes near the Poppy Farm, the Turkish company hangar, on a gathering of fighters near south of Bab Sheha and a location at the foot of the mountain.

While the official LNA site did not mention civilians casualties, various local sources reported that three people dead and seven others were injured. Ajwa named the location of the incident as Al-Kassarat near the Dhahr al-Hamr area in the South of the city, putting the death toll at three with seven more wounded.

According to Libya Panorama one woman was killed.

The names of the dead were given as Mohammed Musab Shalawi and Masoud al-Ghaithi, a local imam, while the third body couldn’t be identified.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Kassarat (القصارات), allegedly located within the city of Derna (درنة‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Derna are: 32.764181, 22.639990.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (16) [ collapse]