Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS011

Incident date

October 7, 2014

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.59539, 39.128559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of sources reported that a named civilian male as being killed in a coalition strike on Slouk near Ar Raqqah. The sources mention another male [CS010] but it’s not clear if the incidents are linked. One of the sources claims both males were ISIL members but the rest of the sources say they were civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salama Mohammad Al Thiab
Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Tweet claiming that Salama Mohammad al Thiab and Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho [incident CS010] are daesh members from al Hamam. The tweet reports their death in air raids. 7th October 2014
  • Raqqa Media Office reports the death of Salama Mohammad al Thiab and Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho [incident CS010] 7th October 2014.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Civcas reported from coalition airstrike in Slouk, Raqqa province. No further information on time or location. The coordinates for ( سلوك ) Slouk are: 36.59539, 39.128559

  • ( سلوك ) Suluk

    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 Suluk, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 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

The coalition has confirmed activity in the area for October 7th-8th 2014, noting that “Two airstrikes northwest of Ar Raqqah successfully struck an active ISIL training camp and associated ISIL fighters.” However it has denied any non-combatant casualties.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS006

Incident date

September 28, 2014

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Report of one civilian death as a result of coalition strike. Currently one source only.

In July 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible based on no evidence of civilian harm: “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.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed strikes in the vicinity of Ar Raqqah for September 27th-28th 2014: “U.S. and partner nations conducted airstrikes on four ISIL-held modular refineries and an ISIL command and control node north of Ar Raqqah; although we continue to assess the outcome of these attacks, initial indications are that they were successful.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS007

Incident date

September 28, 2014

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The US (possibly with Jordan and/or the UAE) bombed grain silos near Manjib. While CENTCOM insisted that the grain facilities were occupied by Islamic State forces, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that only civilians – workers at the silos – had been killed, although militants were also wounded.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights [which did not record any civilian deaths] the silos and associated facilities were still producing vital food for nearby residents: “If these mills were damaged, it would mean that 650,000 people will be unable to get bread.”

In an apparent reference to the Manbij incident, a declassified CENTCOM file published in September 2015 noted that “An initial review of a strike during the initial deliberate strikes in Syria prior to 29 September on the area IVO grain silos in Idlib had been conducted, determined not to have been ClVCAS.” The review then concluded that “No further inquiry [was] required.”

In July 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event as non-credible based on a lack of available information: “Sep. 28, 2014, near Manbij, 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.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video purporting to Show rubble of school in day time. Posted by Inghimassi Biftikhar (a pseudonym) a Syrian who appears to live in the Eastern countryside of Aleppo and who is from the opposition.
  • More images of school rubble. Posted by Inghimassi Biftikhar.
  • Image of the alleged strike (via SN4HR)
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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • 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. From May 2015 CENTCOM document: A review of BDA imagery did not credibly determine that civilians were present at the site. Open source images presented as casualties from the strikes actually came from previous GoS strikes.; caused the collapse of a resideNe nearby, killing 13

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed responsibility for the event: “Two airstrikes struck an ISIL training camp and ISIL vehicles within a vehicle staging area adjacent to an ISIL-held grain storage facility near Manbij. The storage facility was being used by ISIL as a logistics hub and vehicle staging facility,” an official report noted.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS002

Incident date

September 25, 2014

Location

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5044792, 40.74354 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that six unnamed civilian males were killed in a Coalition airstrike on Al Hassakah. It said it had obtained the news via the Syrian Network for Human Rights, though that original report cannot presently be traced.

In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as Non-Credible, saying there was too little information for it to make a determination: “Sep. 25, 2014, near Al Hasakah, Syria, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (6 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Hasakah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Strikes in the vicinity were reported by the coalition for September 24th-25th 2014: “U.S. military forces and partner nations, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, attacked ISIL terrorists in Syria today, using a mix of fighter and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct 13 airstrikes against 12 ISIL-controlled modular oil refineries located in remote areas of eastern Syria in the vicinity of Al Mayadin, Al Hasakah, and Abu Kamal and one ISIL vehicle near Dayr az Zawr, also in eastern Syria.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (6 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SOM019b

Incident date

June 23, 2014

Location

Kuday, Lower Jubba, Somalia

Geolocation

-1.58059, 41.620049 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least eight civilians were killed and as many as eight were wounded when fighter jets attacked the Somali village of Kudah, 160 kilometres southwest of Kismayo, a woman who had fled the village following the attack told the Kenyan group Journalists for Justice.

According to the NGO: “Kudah, June 23, 2014. An elderly woman who had fled from Kudah, 160 kilometres southwest of Kismayo, following an air strike and is now an IDP near Kismayo recalled an attack by fighter jets on the village which destroyed two homes, five (5) donkeys, killed eight (8) civilians and wounded eight (8) others. Many people in the village fled into the bush following the strike and most of the wounded died of their injuries for lack of medical care, she said.”

An AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) press release on June 23rd took responsibility for a strike on Kuday, noting that “AMISOM forces have conducted airstrikes in Anole and Kuday in the Lower Jubba region as part of a sustained effort to destroy Al Shabaab’s military capabilities… In Kuday, the airstrike killed more than 50 insurgents. AMISOM continues to up the pressure on al Shabaab with a view to liberating more areas in forthcoming operations.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    Amisom Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    50

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in Kudah or Kuday, 160 kilometres southwest of Kismayo, for which the coordinates are: -1.58059, 41.620049. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Amisom Military Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Amisom Military Forces
  • Amisom Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    Amisom Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    50

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM029-C

Incident date

November 1–30, 2013

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.494527, 42.777868 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five children from a single family were killed in the town of Jilib, in Somalia’s Middle Juba region, when their house was razed by aerial bombardment from an unknown belligerent (possibly Kenya), according to residents interviewed by the group Journalists for Justice.

According to the report, “A third set of strikes took place a few weeks later in November 2013, according to the residents. Around 1pm jets razed five (5) homes. In one house five (5) children from the same family were killed, two interviewees said. At another open farming area on the edge of Jilib town, one herder was injured.”

As of now, no further details are available, and the exact date of the event in November is unclear. Based on its known presence in the general area, the presumed target of the attack was al Shabaab.

The incident occured at approximately 1:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted five homes as well as a farming area on the edge of the town Jilib. The coordinates for the town of Jilib are: 0.494527, 42.777868. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kenyan Military Forces
  • Kenyan Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM026-C

Incident date

June 1–30, 2013

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.494527, 42.777868 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Drones and helicopters reportedly attacked outside the town of Jilib, in Somalia’s Middle Juba region, killing three people and seriously wounding seven, according to locals interviewed by the Kenyan group Journalists for Justice.

Of the three people killed, two were women and one an elderly man, and of those wounded, three were reportedly children.

As the report noted, “Seven people, including three children, were seriously wounded, two women died and one elderly man after drones and helicopters attacked their village. An elder who was present at all the strikes said ‘We agree there was al Shabaab in our town but the militia have no known base. In their response the KDF [Kenya Defence Force] attack settlements where civilians are the victims.”

While Journalists for Justice inferred KDF responsibility, the use of drones and helicopters also indicated possible US involvement.

Currently, no further details are available, and the exact date of the event in June is unclear.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Extract from original claim of civilian harm from Journalists For Justice report

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place near the town Jilib, for which the coordinates are: 0.494527, 42.777868. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kenyan Military Forces
  • Kenyan Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM025-C

Incident date

March 1–31, 2013

Location

Kol, near Bula Xawa, Gedo, Somalia

Geolocation

3.928658, 41.874032 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two airstrikes by an unknown belligerent hit the nomadic settlement of Kol, near the city of Bulla-Xama, in southwestern Somalia’s Gedo region, killing a mother and her two children and injuring five others, a young man who fled the settlement following the strike told the Kenyan group Journalists for Justice.

According to a report, Black and White, the two strikes happened at around noon on an unspecified date in March 2013, “killing a mother and her two children and 13 goats. Three other women and two children were injured.”

Currently, no further details are available, including the presumed target of the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Unnamed mother
Adult female killed
Unnamed 1
Child killed
Unnamed 2
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that two airstrikes targeted the nomadic settlement of Kol, near the town Bula Xawa. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the settlement of Kol. The coordinates of the town Bula Xawa are: 3.928658, 41.874032.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]