Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS809

Incident date

May 12, 2017

Location

Khirbat Farms, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.06517, 39.04342 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an airstrike near the hamlets of Khirbat farms and Ruhayyat in Raqqa province.

Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians, not previously observed during the engagement, were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event between the two village, with Khirbat farms reported captured by the SDF the day before.

Local sources had reported fierce battles for control of Yarmouk, with Euphrates Post noting on the same day that “The separatist militias and with help of an aerial bombardment by international coalition aircraft secured control of Yarmouk Farms north of the city of Raqqa.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0391091178
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • May 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians, not previously observed during the engagement, were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, three VBIEDs, two ISIS oil storage tanks, two ISIS oil stills, two excavators, a front-end loader, an IED, and an ISIS staging area.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS705

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.44254, 40.92114 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 36 civilians including 14 children died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or the Iraqi air force were liable. The Coalition later took responsibility for 25 deaths.

In its reporting at the time Shaam News pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at 23, including five children, reporting that there had been “several rocket attacks on the vicinity of the Egyptian roundabout and the East School in front of the electricity company in the city.”

Euphrates Post also attributed the event to the Coalition – again putting the death toll at 23 which included 14 children, five women and four men, with dozens more injured. Its source reported that “At approximately 11:30 pm yesterday, the residential area in the vicinity of the Al Masriya roundabout at the end of Al-Maarri Street was hit by missiles and air strikes. According to eyewitnesses, this is the first time that the city of Al Bukamal has been targeted with these highly explosive missiles – thought to be land to land missiles. The targeted house belongs to one of the expatriates in the Gulf (Khalil al-Hamdan Abu Saif). His home had been occupied by Daesh who were using it as a headquarters and warehouse for weapons and equipment”.

Other sources put the death toll higher. For example, 811Syria, also blaming the Coalition, said that 26 Syrians died and four Iraqis. JisirTV put the number killed as high as 26 – and attributed the event to the Coalition. One source, AJA, referred specifically to “heavy American shelling”.

However, some other sources said that the Iraqi air force carried out the strikes: Al Jazeera, Shahba, Almo3tasem91, Orient and Yaqein referred to “Iraqi air raids” and “Iraqi warplanes”. Yaqein added “sources told us that ‘this attack is not the first carried out by Iraqi aircraft on sites inside Syrian territory.’”

Smart News Agency did not identify the culprit but said that “warplanes are likely to have launched several missile attacks on the vicinity of the Egyptian [al masri ] roundabout and the East School, opposite the electricity company”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that three members of IS were also killed.

In addition to those named sources reported the death of four member of a displaced Iraqi family.

On July 7th, the Coalition confirmed responsibility for this event. In a release, it wrote: “April 17, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via social media report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, it was assessed that 25 civilians were unintentionally killed and 40 were injured in adjacent structures by secondary explosions from the target building.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The incident occured around midnight.

  • The wife of Abdul-Jabbar Thabet al-Taweel Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25 – 36
  • (14 children5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid on Abu Kamal, April 17th/18th (via Sharqiya Voice)
  • A photograph from Abu Kamal during an alleged Coalition night raid, April 17/18th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Abu Kamal in flames, the aftermath of alleged Coalition airstrikes April 17/18th (via Euphrates Post)
  • An update from UCAbilAraby: "The coalition strikes against Da'ash in Syria last Sunday resulted in the destruction of 25 targets of IS near the Al-Raqqa, Deir Al-Zour, and ABu Kamal" (via @USEmbassySyria) [Tweet posted April 18th]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video still of a child civilian wounded by alleged Coalition strikes in Abu Kamal April 17/18th (via Shariqa Voice Facebook) [Original video no longer available]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video still of a child civilian wounded by alleged Coalition strikes in Abu Kamal April 17/18th (via Shariqa Voice Facebook) [Original video no longer available]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video still of a child civilian wounded by alleged Coalition strikes in Abu Kamal April 17/18th (via Shariqa Voice Facebook) [Original video no longer available]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video still of a child civilian wounded by alleged Coalition strikes in Abu Kamal April 17/18th (via Shariqa Voice Facebook) [Original video no longer available]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video still of a child civilian wounded by alleged Coalition strikes in Abu Kamal April 17/18th (via Shariqa Voice Facebook) [Original video no longer available]
  • Extensive material destruction in Abu Kamal, the impact of alleged Coalition airstrikes April 17/18th (via Sharqiya Voice)
  • The house of Khalil al Hamdan, reportedly targeted by the Coalition. According to the source it was occupied by IS and converted to a weapons store. The photo was taken before suspected strikes. (via Sharqiya Voice)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Abu Kamal (also known as Al Bukamal, البوكمال) in Deir Ezzor governorate. The coordinates for Abu Kamal are: 34,466049, 40,907593. The Al Masriya (دوار المصرية) roundabout at the end of Al Maari street (نهاية شارع المعري) is mentioned. The coordinates for the Egyptian roundabout are: 34.442177, 40.923112. Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 34.466049, 40.907593

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by secondary explosion(s), No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    25
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    40
  • Stated location
    near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU765129
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • April 17, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via social media report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, it was assessed that 25 civilians were unintentionally killed and 40 were injured in adjacent structures by secondary explosions from the target building.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 16th-17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle.”

For April 17th-18th, the Coaltion reported: ” Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed four ISIS well heads, a command and control node and an ISIS vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25 – 36
  • (14 children5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R1672

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Location

جاسم, Jassem, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.991344, 36.060136 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported about a major incident in the city of Jassem, Dara’a, that reportedly killed up to nine civilians, including children and women, and wounded between two and 20. Several sources described the incident as a “massacre”.

Local reports varied, spanning between five to nine reported civilian casualties, while most said that five were killed.  For example, Step News reported that “five civilians were killed in an initial toll and others were wounded in the ranks of civilians, including women and children”. Meanwhile, Qasioun News reported that “The Russian fighter jets committed a massacre as a result of air raids on residential areas in the city of Jassim in the Jaidur area in the northern Daraa countryside, resulting in 7 civilian deaths and dozens of injuries, some of whom were seriously wounded and transferred to nearby medical points”,

Eleven of the sources, hence the majority, attributed the incident to Russia. These were among others  LCCSY, Syrian PC and Step News Agency. Meanwhile, five sources (SN4HR, SOHR, SNN  RFS and Muheet) blamed the Syrian regime. The remaining sources did not identify a cultprit.

LCCSY, SyrianPC and Dara Martyrs identified seven of the victims by name, listed below.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Hisham Mohammed Khaled Al-Hajji Age unknown male killed
  • Mohammed Khair Issa Al-Hajji Adult male killed
  • Mahmoud Fayez Hamza Al - Hajji Age unknown killed
  • Mohamed Kheir Ismail El Nasser Age unknown male killed
  • Ismail Hassan Hajjaj Age unknown male killed
  • Hamza Ismail Hajjaj Age unknown male killed
  • Mouhammad Ahmad Hennawi Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • News report about the lethal shelling of Jassam, Dara'a, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Al-Arabiya)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage from the immediate, chaotic aftermath of the contested aerial shelling of Jasssem, Dara'a (via Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Footage from the immediate aftermath of the contested aerial shelling of Jasssem, Dara'a (via SMO News)
  • Aftermath of the contested aerial shelling of Jasssem, Dara'a (via Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Aftermath of the contested aerial shelling of Jasssem, Dara'a (@sameer88967 twitter)
  • Mohammed Khair Issa Al-Hajji was reportedly killed by the contested airstrikes in Kassem, Dara'a (via Jaassemcity)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Jassem (جاسم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.991344, 36.060136. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS082

Incident date

June 19, 2015

Location

عربيد, Arbeed, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5716263, 39.1553539 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported 1am airstrike on the ISIL-occupied village of Arbeed was said to have killed two women at the home of Adel al Kharfan. Mr al Kharfan’s wife (a mother of six children) died along with her relative, the wife of Ismael al Kharfan and a mother of four.

Mr al-Kharfan’s son later told SN4HR: “We went back to our town to find our house completely destroyed and turned to rubble. There was shrapnel left from the rockets everywhere. We pulled out my mother’s body and that of my aunt Sara.”

Buzzfeed also later reported on the event, noting that “Khawla Yassin al-Ali, 47, spent her days taking care of her paraplegic husband in their village outside the border town of Tel Abyad. She was killed by a coalition strike on June 19, said her son, Mohammad Adel al-Kharfan. “We are farmers,” he said. “I don’t understand why they bombed my home.”

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khawla Yassin al-Ali (image courtesy of family/ Buzzfeeed News)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a house in the village of Arbeed (عربيد), Ar Raqqah, for which the exact coordinates are: 36.5716263, 39.1553539

  • Structural damage shown on satellite imagery (left: 18 May, 2014; right: 8 May, 2016)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Image indicating the location of the destroyed building

    Imagery:
    SN4HR

  • Before and after the building was hit

    Imagery:
    SN4HR

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 Arbeed, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA139473
    Military Grid Reference System

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.

Media
from belligerent (2) [ collapse]

  • Image showing exact location of the house that was targeted. [via: SN4HR report, 11th August 2015]
  • Images showing the aftermath of the alleged coalition shelling of the al Kharfan home. [via: SN4HR report, 11th August 2015]

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI005

Incident date

September 14, 2014

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3206914, 41.8641115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An internal CENTCOM review identified potential civilian casualties from a Coalition airstrike in “northern Iraq.” The only location for this date which matches is Sinjar. The incident was not previously tracked by Airwars.

According to a declassified CENTCOM document, “A review of FMV from a RECOIL feed revealed unknown individuals moving into a target area during a strike on PID ISIL fighters under SROE 001.”

A first stage review concluded “No CIVCAS determined“, citing local peshmerga reports that “all individuals engaged were ISIL forces”.

In an apparent contradiction, the Coalition reported the following in July 2017: “Sep. 14, 2014, near Sinjar, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.” It is unclear why Airwars was quoted as the source of reporting for this incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Sinjar (سنجار), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3206914, 41.8641115. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]