Civilian Casualties

دير شرقي, Deir Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

A young man was reportedly killed and another man injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Deir Sharqi in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate on December 17, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) identified the deceased victim as Abdul Rahman Khalil Al Jark (18). @MasarPressNet reported that regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on

Summary

(1 man)

1 named

معرشمشة, Ma’ar Shamsha, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

One civilian reportedly died in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Ma’ar Shamsha, southern Idlib countryside, around noon on December 17, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the victim’s name is Mohammad Abdul Razzaq Al Shahhoud. According to Al Jazeera, the attack had been “carried out by Syrian regime helicopters”. Facebook

Summary

(1 man)

1 named

الكنائس, Al Kana’es, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

A civilian was killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Kana’es on December 17, 2019. According to Syria TV, the casualty was caused “by aerial bombardment of the regime’s warplanes” while Shaam News mentioned that Russia and the regime carried out airstrikes and shelling in Idlib. No other information is available at

Summary

بداما, Bidama, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

Six civilians including three young girls, their mother and two women, all belonging to the same family, have been reportedly killed in alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian air or artillery strikes on Bidama in the western countryside of Idlib during the day on December 17, 2019. Local sources also claimed that in addition, a “large number”

Summary

Airstrike and/or Artillery

(3 children3 women)

5–12

6 named, 1 familiy identified

معصران, Ma’saran, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

Four to seven people, including a woman, were reportedly killed and between ten and seventeen civilians, including two children, injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the village of Ma’saran in the afternoon of December 17th, 2019, according to local sources. The day was referred to as “Black Tuesday” by the

Summary

Airstrike and/or Artillery

4 – 7

(1 woman2–6 men)

10–17

Causes of injury / death

7 named, 1 familiy identified

تلمنس,, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

Between six to ten civilians, all belonging to one family, were reportedly killed in what local media described as “a massacre” in Tal Menes in Idlib, in the evening of December 17th, 2019. Among the casualties were reportedly three children and at least three women. Dozens more were reported wounded. The incident was referred to

Summary

(3 children1–4 women3 men)

6 – 10

5–24

9 named, 1 familiy identified

معرشمارين, Ma’ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria

French MoD for December 11, 2019 – December 17, 2019

Original

Annotated

Report Date

December 17, 2019

Original Report

Web link

Notes

For December 11th - 17th, France report that Rafales carried out 20 sorties.

CHAMMAL

SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THÉÂTRE

L’opération Chammal, volet français de l’Opération Inherent Resolve, se poursuit. Les armées restent résolument engagées dans leur lutte contre l’organisation terroriste Daech.

Les avions français poursuivent leurs missions sur la zone d’opération Chammal, et le volet « conseil et formation » des forces de sécurité irakiennes se poursuit grâce à l’action des Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik à Bagdad. Cet appui contribue à la lutte contre Daech et participe à la sécurisation de l’Irak.

ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE

Durant le mois de décembre, dans le cadre du stage « enquête post-attaque », les sapeurs du génie de la Task Force Narvik ont formé l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) au prélèvement d’indices suite à une explosion fictive d’engin explosif improvisé. Cette formation s’inscrit dans le cursus intitulé : « Conseil en faveur de la lutte anti-terroriste ».

Une fois arrivé sur le site de l’explosion fictive, le groupe d’enquêteurs a dû définir un secteur de recherche en délimitant clairement la zone d’investigation. Les sapeurs du génie ont auparavant expliqué la procédure minutieuse à suivre afin de collecter les indices témoignant de la présence d’explosif, de matériel et d’activité humaine.

Ces indices ont ensuite été ramenés en base arrière pour une étude plus « approfondie » avec du matériel et des technologies scientifiques qui doivent permettre de reconstituer le dérouler de l’explosion.

Cette instruction dispensée par des spécialistes militaires français de la lutte contre les engins explosifs improvisés permet d’apporter les conseils nécessaires à l’optimisation de la lutte des forces armées irakiennes contre les attentats terroristes. Le personnel de l’Iraqi Counter Terrorisme Service (ICTS), formé par la Task Force Narvik dans le cadre de l’opération Chammal, intervient régulièrement sur les sites d’explosion liés aux attentats terroristes. Ils sont par ailleurs presque toujours en première ligne dans le combat contre Daech.

Ø Sorties air hebdomadaires (bilan du 11 au 17 décembre inclus)
Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la Coalition. Cette semaine, les Rafale engagés dans l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 20 sorties aériennes.

LOCATION

As many as five civilians, including two women and a child, were killed and dozens of civilians, mostly women and children, were injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’ar Shmareen, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to multiple sources. The names of those killed and injured indicate several

Summary

Civilian infrastructure

School

3 – 5

(1 child2 women)

4–12

7 named, 2 families identified

بنش,, Binnish town, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

As many as three civilians, two children (siblings) and a woman, were killed and five family members, including a child and a woman, were injured in as many as six alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Binnish, Idlib Governorate on December 16th 2019, according to local media reports.

Summary

2 – 3

(2 children1 woman)

4–5

2 named, 1 familiy identified

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

Dozens of civilians were reportedly wounded as the result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on several locations in Idlib governorate on December 16th, 2019. Shaam News Agency reported that the airstrikes targeted the city of Ma’arat Al Numan and the villages and towns of Deir Al Sharqi, Al Haraki, Al Harman, Harran, Abumaki,

Summary

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

At least one civilian was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Jarjanaz, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to local reports. The Syrian Civil Defence reported on Facebook that “civilians were wounded by rockets targeting the Russian occupation air force, in the town of Jarjanaz, south of

Summary

1–2

كفروما, Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

One person was killed and several civilians wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafarouma, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. Iskenderun Arabic reported Russian aircraft struck the town four times between 20:38 and 20:55 on December 16th, 2019. According to the source, strikes on Kafarouma and the town

Summary

2–4

معرة النعمان, Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

An unknown number of civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes in Ma’rat Al Numan city, Idlib governorate, on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News Agency reported that “dozens of people were wounded” following Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on towns and cities across the Idlib countryside including

Summary

جزرايا, Jazraya, Aleppo, Syria

LOCATION

Up to two people were injured in up to four alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo Governorate, on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. SMART News reported that one person was injured by Russian aircraft. The Syrian White Helmets reported injuries following the strike. Shaam News said there had been no

Summary

0–2

Russian Military

بداما, Badama, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

One civilian was reportedly injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on the town of Badama, Idlib Governorate on December 16th 2019, according to local reports. @HalabTodayTV and @NagiNajjar reported that Syrian regime positions shelled the town and the area surrounding it. @HalabTodayTV said a civilian was injured as a result. An unnamed source

Summary

Suspected target

Assad regime

Tal al-Ward, Tal Tamr, Al Hassakah, Syria

French MoD for December 6, 2019 – December 12, 2019

Original

Annotated

Report Date

December 12, 2019

Original Report

Web link

Notes

For Dec 4th-12th, French Rafales conducted 20 sorties.

CHAMMAL

SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THÉÂTRE

L’opération Chammal, volet français de l’Opération Inherent Resolve, se poursuit. Les armées restent résolument engagées dans leur lutte contre l’organisation terroriste Daech.

ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE

Ø La TF Narvik poursuit le stage de renseignement par la recherche d’indices
Durant le début du mois de décembre 2019, les militaires des services irakiens de lutte antiterroriste (Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS)) ont poursuivi leur stage de renseignement (Intelligence Collection Course [ICC]), dispensé par les instructeurs français de la Task Force Narvik, avec le module recherche d’indices. Cette instruction a permis de former les militaires au recueil d’éléments ciblés dans le cadre de la lutte antiterroriste.

Au début du scénario, une information est parvenue aux stagiaires indiquant une potentielle présence de terroristes et le module a débuté par la fouille d’un bâtiment. À l’intérieur, les formateurs français avaient soigneusement dissimulé des preuves de présence humaine comme des mégots de cigarette, des documents d’identités ou encore des cartes SD d’appareils multimédias contenant des informations utiles. Les militaires de l’ICTS ont eu vingt minutes pour fouiller les moindres recoins de chaque pièce afin de récolter le plus d’éléments possible. Ils ont ensuite pris en photo ces indices et les ont regroupés méticuleusement. Ceux-ci feront par la suite l’objet de comptes-rendus écrits avant d’être étudiés afin de confirmer ou d’écarter la piste terroriste.

L’objectif principal de ce module est d’acquérir les techniques nécessaires au recueil et à l’analyse du plus grand nombre d’indices afin de remonter les filières de Daech. Les militaires de l’ICTS peuvent ainsi effectuer en toute autonomie une fouille de bâtiment, y compris après un combat contre des groupes armés terroristes.

Engagé dans le cadre du pilier formation de l’opération CHAMMAL, ce stage trouve toute son utilité auprès de l’ICTS qui est régulièrement déployé en première ligne dans le combat contre Daech. Les savoir-faire militaires français permettent ainsi d’optimiser la lutte antiterroriste et de maîtriser la capacité d’action des forces armées irakiennes.

Ø Sorties air hebdomadaires (bilan du 04 novembre au 12 décembre inclus)

Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la Coalition. Cette semaine, les Rafale engagés dans l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 20 sorties aériennes

Airwars launches new fundraising appeal

Published

December 11, 2019

Written by

Airwars Staff

Web link

Pioneering conflict monitor aims to raise at least £20,000 during holiday period

Airwars is launching its first public fundraising appeal in over two years as 2019 draws to a close – hoping to raise at least £20,000 during December for vital work tracking civilian harm in multiple wars.

Founded in 2014, Airwars is now monitoring civilian harm across six conflicts, and has recorded more than 51,000 locally alleged deaths. Admissions of more than 1,300 civilian deaths in Iraq and Syria by the US-led Coalition have been majorly driven by Airwars’ own findings. However resources remain a challenge – particularly since the organisation refuses funding from belligerents it is actively monitoring, like the US and UK.

Donations raised during December will be used for example to further investigate civilian harm claims from Russian, US-led Coalition, and Turkish strikes in Syria – and also to help launch upcoming Airwars public microsites on US counter terrorism actions and associated civilian harm in Somalia, Pakistan and Yemen – three heavily under-reported conflicts.

“Our emphasis at Airwars is on what civilians themselves say is happening to them during war,” says Dmytro Chupryna, head of fundraising. “We’re internationally respected for our rigorous approach, and continue to provide a vital counter-narrative to military claims that modern warfare causes little civilian harm. Yet despite our significant impact, our budget remains tiny. Public donations are much needed to help continue our crucial work.”

Please donate today

Airwars has released a fundraising video as part of the December campaign

▲ Part of the Airwars team in the London office, December 2019

LOCATION

Rojava Information Centre tweeted: “…On 9th December Turkish proxy forces attacked the surroundings of Zirgan (Abu Rasin) town with mortar and heavy weapons. One villager was killed in Tal al-ward”. No further details are currently available,.

Summary

Turkish Military

تل الورد غربي, Tal Al Ward, Al Hassakah, Syria

LOCATION

According to local sources, one civilian was reported killed when Turkish forces or Turkey-backed forces launched an artillery attack on Tal Al Ward in Tal Tamr town of Hasakah in Syria, on December 9th, 2019. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

LOCATION

Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Several civilians were reportedly wounded in an alleged YPH artillery shelling of Afrin, according to multiple local sources.

Summary

YPG

معصران, Ma’saran, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

One civilian was reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’saran, Idlib governate, on December 7th, 2019 according to local sources. The Syrian White Helmets said that a man in Maasran was injured following Russian airstrikes and barrel bombs that targeted the town. The report was published by several

Summary

Airstrike and/or Artillery

Unknown, Syrian Regime

بلشون, Balchoun, Mount Zawia, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

Between one and two men were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Balchoun, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib News Network said: “A man was wounded when Russian occupation warplanes bombed the outskirts of the town of Balshon in Idlib countryside.” Idlib Plus

Summary

1–2

كفرومة, Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

One man was reportedly wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governate on December 7th, 2019, according to local reports. Mohamad Rasheed said one man was injured in Kafrouma by Russian airstrikes and barrel bombs. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that Russian aircraft had

Summary

Russian Military

بلدة بليون, Balyoun, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

Between four and 11 civilians, including women and children, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market place in Balyoun village, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Around fourteen more non-combatants were injured. There are many conflicting reports about the number of civilian casualties. The Syrian

Summary

Civilian infrastructure

School

4 – 11

(2–4 children1–2 women)

13–14

8 named

LOCATION

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria

As many as two men were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Hass, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the Russian raids targeted “the towns of Kafr Nabl, Hass, and the vicinity of Kafruma and Ad-Dhahabiya in

Summary

كفرشلايا, Kafr Shlaya, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

As many as two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian White Helmets said: “A young civilian was injured and destroyed in civilian homes in the village of Kafr Shalaya, west of Jericho,

Summary

1–2

تلمنس, Talmans village, Idlib, Syria

LOCATION

As many as three civilians, one man, one woman and a child, were killed and as many as 14 others, including three women and a child, were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on a marketplace in the village of Talmans, Idlib Governate on December 7th, 2019 local media reported. According to

Summary

2 – 3

(1 child1 woman1 man)

4–14

2 named, 1 familiy identified

طريق بين عفرين وإعزاز، قريب من تقاطع قيبار, Road between Afrin and A’zaz, close to Qibar Junction, Aleppo, Syria

LOCATION

Up to three people were reported killed – one of whom was said to be a militant leader in the Ahrar al-Sham Movement which is affiliated with the Syrian National Army – in an alleged Coalition drone strike on their car on Afrin- Azaz road in Aleppo, Syria, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

Summary

Airstrike, Drone Strike

0 – 3

(0–3 men)

0–2

Belligerents reported killed

US-led Coalition

1–3