Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CS197

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

A former Syrian table tennis champion and national coach named as Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban was reported by VDC as having died “Due to coalition air force’s shelling.” The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria later published a detailed obituary: “The teacher Mukhles Khreiban was martyred yesterday on Tuesday evening in the province of

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CI215

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A likely targeted operation in Mosul killed ISIL’s media chief in the city when his car was struck – but also reportedly slew his wife and five children. The nighttime attack reportedly killed Daesh ‘Media Minister’ Abdel Qader in his car in the vicinity of the city’s Saddam Hospital. However, according to NRN News, “his

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 children1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CI216

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In the third reported civilian casualty event of the day, seven civilians from the same family including children and women were reported killed after Coalition jets allegedly targeted an ISIL-occupied house but missed, instead striking the next door house. The attack reportedly took place in the Engineers neighbourhood of west Mosul, and the Daesh militants

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CI217

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In what may be the same incident as CI216 or CI218 – or a separate targeted killing operation – the US revealed three weeks after the event that a strike on an ‘ISIL finance emir’ had also killed a woman civilian. Three months later CENTCOM revealed two additional civilian deaths in the event. General Peter

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(0–2 children1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2016

Incident Code

CS196

LOCATION

كنان سلطان, Kinan Sultan, Al Hassakah, Syria

A civilian water worker was reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Kinan Sultan. According to Balad News, “A source confirmed that Coalition aircraft targeted drinking water tankers which led to the martyrdom of the citizen Ayman Khader Al Ali, who works on water transport in the southern rural areas Hassakah.” In their February

Summary

First published
April 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
District
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2016

Incident Code

USSOM049

LOCATION

Lower Juba, Somalia

This was the second of two strikes confirmed by the Pentagon on April 4th 2016. The attack was a “self-defence air strikes against al Shabaab fighters who posed imminent threats to US and partner nation forces in Somalia,” Department of Defense spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Michelle Baldanza told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Earlier on April 4th,

Summary

First published
April 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2016

Incident Code

USSOM048-C

LOCATION

Buufow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

At least four and up to 23 al Shabaab fighters were reported killed in a US airstrike at Buufow, near Janaaale. However more than three years later, one civilian fatality was also alleged. Two US actions on April 1st and April 2nd were later said to be “self-defence air strikes against al Shabaab fighters who

Summary

First published
April 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected belligerents
Amisom Military Forces, Somali Military Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
4–23
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2016

Incident Code

CS195

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A targeted airstrike on Daesh officials in vehicles outside the Al Nour mosque in Al Daraiyeh also killed up to five civilians and injured as many as 30 more. The US later admitted responsibility for the attack, noting: “near Raqqah, Syria, against ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three civilians were killed after entering

Summary

First published
April 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 31, 2016

Incident Code

USSOM047

LOCATION

Between Jilib and Kamsuuma, Middle Juba, Somalia

A US drone strike targeted a vehicle carrying three al Shabaab figures in southern Somalia. The attack hit in the early evening and killed a senior al Shabaab leader, Hassan Ali Dhoore, according to the Pentagon. There were additional reports that two other militants were killed alongside Hassan Ali Dhoore. There are currently no reports

Summary

First published
March 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

March 31, 2016

Incident Code

CS194

LOCATION

الصالحية, Sala Heya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians in an artillery strike near Sala Heya. Their December 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIL mortar system, it was assessed that three civilians were inadvertently killed by Coalition counter-battery artillery near the point

Summary

First published
March 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS745

LOCATION

المرج, Marj, Damascus, Syria

Shaam News Network reported that two civilians died in alleged Russian raids on Marj, eastern Ghouta. Baladi and All4Syria also said there had been “warplane raids” on Marj, but that there had been no reports of deaths or injuries. Neither said who had carried out the raids.  

Summary

First published
March 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS746

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Shaam News Network reported that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a Russian strike in Douma: “Two civilians were martyred in Al Marj area in Russian raids and one was martyred and others wounded in Douma.” However, other sources report that this was a regime action. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
March 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2016

Incident Code

LQ028

LOCATION

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

According to its Facebook page, an LNA MiG-21 and a MiG-23 targeted an alleged terrorist headquarters in Qawarsheh and completely destroyed it. The strikes took place at 12:10. At 15:58 the MiG-21 reportedly struck two vessels 150km west off the coast of Benghazi. At 22:45 the helicopter formation targeted two boats and at 03:25 and

Summary

First published
March 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

March 27, 2016

Incident Code

CI209

LOCATION

وادي حجر, Wadi Hajar (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq

Four children were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Wadi Hajar to the south of Mosul, as a major military offensive to clear Nineveh of Daesh continued. According to NRN News, jets from the US-led alliance targeted the Daesh-held village which also led to civilian casualties. Responding to a request for clarification about possible

Summary

First published
March 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI208

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Eight civilians were reported killed after missiles of unknown origin struck the Al Noor quarter and Aisha mosque in western Mosul. NRN News published a detailed report: “Our Nineveh correspondent reports that four men, two women and two children were killed after the fall of a number of missiles on the neighbourhood of Al Noor

Summary

First published
March 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS743

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One unidentified civilian male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Activists told Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes targeted a bus carrying passengers from Damascus to Deir ez-Zor “near the third stop near Palmyra, which led to the death of one civilian and several wounded.” Syriapost1

Summary

First published
March 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS744

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named two civilians, Zahra Fihan, and her son Mohammad Abdullah al-Rashed, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Raqqa. The victims were also named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, which blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
March 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI207

LOCATION

Mosul, Tanak neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents told Airwars researchers that two entire families – 21 people in total – died as a result of alleged Coalition air strikes on their house in Tanak neighbourhood in East Mosul, on March 25th 2016. This was reported in an interview with two witnesses, Jassim Khalaf and Mohammed Sabri, on June 11th 2017.

Summary

First published
March 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2016

Incident Code

CS193

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in the Al Dar’iya area of central Raqaa, in an alleged Coalition strike. According to Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered, “International coalition planes yesterday targeted a weapons depot belonging to Daesh near Hod al Furat garage in Al Dar’iya area in the city centre of Raqqa which led to its total

Summary

First published
March 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI206

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in an airstrike near Qayyarah. Their November 2016 report noted: “near Qayyarah, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.” The event occurred near the beginning of operations to liberate Qayyarah

Summary

First published
March 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS742

LOCATION

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Hasreen, eastern Ghouta, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. According to the Shaam News Network, the raids were “launched by a Russian Sikhoi 24“. The network reported: “Activists said the shelling today focused on the

Summary

First published
March 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS740

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One young adult male civilian died in an airstrike on Palmyra according to local sources, though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Qasioun reported: Palmyra City was the target this morning of intensive raids by Russian aviation, amounting to about 35 strikes, in which aircraft

Summary

First published
March 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS741

LOCATION

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten civilians including four children died in airstrikes on Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources. Most reports blame the Assad regime. Shaam News said the strikes had been carried out by “Syrian and Russian planes”. It reported 20 injured non-combatants in addition to the ten killed. However, both Step News Agency and Baladi said that

Summary

First published
March 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(4 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI203

LOCATION

الثقافية, Mosul, cultural group area, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 15 civilians were claimed killed alongside 40 or more Daesh fighters, in an alleged Coalition air raid on Mosul. NRN News first flashed at around noon local time “the fall of dozens of civilians by bombings on both sides of the city. More soon.” In a later bulletin, the news agency said the

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 25
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
30–103
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS192

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident. The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
39 – 43
(5 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
60
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
12 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS739

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

According to two sources – Syria_Omar and Syrian Press Center – two power station workers died in a strike on plant in Maskanah. Syria_Omar reported: “Warplanes launched 12 air strikes on the city of Maskaneh on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of workers of the power plant in the city after the station targeted by

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS738 CS192

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident. The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
39 – 43
(5 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
60
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
14 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI203a

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmah Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times, seven civilian were killed and one injured by a Coalition airstrike on a railway station in Qayyarah. The two journalists provided Airwars with the following: “According to our reporting, the following occurred: When ISIS left a mortar

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS737

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

One civilian died in Talbisah while trying to defuse a Russian cluster bomb, according to multiple sources. Other reports said that both Russian strikes and regime artillery shelling killed a number of other civilians, though didn’t specify numbers. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Houssien Abdul Kareem Al Deheik, a 38-year-old trainer in

Summary

First published
March 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Incident Code

LQ027

LOCATION

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

In a separate incident to LC027, the LNA reported that it targeted ‘terrorist operation rooms’ with MiG-21s and MiG-23s in Qawarsheh. It also said it sunk two rafts 150 West of Benghazi at 22:45 and a vessel at 03:25. At 04:55 another vessel was reportedly targeted and destroyed.

Summary

First published
March 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident