Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

September 2, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM402

LOCATION

Xerta Sheikh Mohamed Rage Center, about 500 meters south of Dumaaye village, Mudug, Somalia

Somali state media reported that 167 al-Shabaab militants were killed by Somali airstrikes in collaboration with “international partners” near Harardhere town on September 2, 2023. al-Shabaab instead identified those killed as four inmates in a prison, adding that seven others were injured, while a local source attributed the airstrike to the US military. @HarunMaruf quoted

Summary

First published
September 2, 2023
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 belligerents
US Forces, Somali Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
0–167
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2022

Incident Code

CS1976

LOCATION

سجن الصناعة, Al Sina'a Prison, Al Hassakah, Syria

Between January 20th and January 26th 2022, Islamic State militants (ISIS) attempted to take control of Al-Sina’a prison in Gweran neighbourhood in Al-Hasakah, Syria. The prison, managed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), by some reports held between 3000 to 5000 individuals associated with ISIS, including “hundreds” of so-called ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ – the

Summary

First published
January 20, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
Civilians reported injured
1–10
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
24–374
Belligerents reported injured
2–200
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2021

Incident Code

TI065

LOCATION

قرية سكينة, Medical center in the village of Sakina, Nineveh, Iraq

At least eight people were killed, including four members of the medical staff at a hospital and four fighters of the Sinjar Resistance Units who were receiving treatment at  a hospital, and four others were injured in alleged Turkish strikes on Al-Askiniyah Hospital in the village of Sakina in Sinjar district on August 17, 2021.

Summary

First published
August 17, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
4
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Suspected target
Iraqi militias (PMUs)
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 10, 2021

Incident Code

TI056

LOCATION

جبل غارا, Mount Gara, Duhok, Iraq

Thirteen Turkish nationals being held captive by the PKK in a location close to village Siyane in the Gare/Gara region in northern Iraq were killed – either during an alleged Turkish airstrike, or executed by the PKK, according to conflicting Kurdish and Turkish sources. There was however broad agreement that some of those killed were

Summary

First published
February 14, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 13
(7–13 men)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, YPG
Suspected target
Other
Named victims
12 named
Belligerents reported killed
3
Belligerents reported injured
3
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2021

Incident Code

RS4313

LOCATION

سجن قرية القاسمية, Al Qasimia village prison , Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that between 20 and more than 30 prisoners were killed and others injured in alleged Russian, Iranian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al Qasimia village prison in Aleppo’s western countryside in Syria on January 17th, 2020. @yamenhm11 tweeted ” A massacre of more than 30 prisoners as a result of Russian

Summary

First published
January 17, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 30
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1835

LOCATION

هجين , Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition night time airstrike targeted a prison killing a number of prisoners, according to local media sources. Most sources report that among the victims were both ISIS and civilian prisoners. According to Furat FM, at least 11 members of ISIS were killed. Among others Orient News, Smart News and Step News Agency reported however

Summary

First published
November 13, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1383 ISSY001

LOCATION

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Daraa, Syria

Up to 27 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Shajra in western Daraa. According to Daraa Martyrs Documentation Center, 32 “mostly civilians” were killed when positions of Jaish Khalid bin Walid, a Salafi jihadist group, were targeted. The report claimed that the Coalition launched a long-range missile, which “targeted the

Summary

First published
August 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 27
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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, Israeli Military
Suspected target
Other
Belligerents reported killed
5
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr033

LOCATION

الصعيد, Said, Shabwa, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that, at dawn on March 4th 2017, one or more US strikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Said district, Shabwa governorate.  Some reports indicated that the strikes killed or wounded AQAP members. According to several social media sources, a US drone strike targeted a car carrying suspected AQAP militants in the

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS425

LOCATION

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

A major US airstrike on an al Nusra Front headquarters – a unilateral action – killed a significant number of militants. However, up to 26 Free Syrian Army prisoners held in the building were also reported killed, along with three children. The US admitted responsibility for just one civilian death three years later. Fatah al

Summary

First published
January 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
Al Qaeda/HTS
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 29, 2015

Incident Code

CS120

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A reported Coalition airstrike on a municipal stadium in Raqaa being used as a facility by Daesh may also have injured some civilian prisoners being held there. According to reports at least 8 alleged fighters died while the group’s local ’emir’ was injured. Claims were confused as to whether prisoners at the facility had escaped

Summary

First published
August 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely 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
Belligerents reported killed
8
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-217

LOCATION

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya

One man was killed in Tripoli by rebel forces after the rebels tried to confiscate his car and he refused. According to UN Report Source Page 82, the rebels had approached a member of the Tripoli brigade to try to confiscate their car, claiming it was government property, but left after negotiations without the car.

Summary

First published
December 14, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-206

LOCATION

تاجوراء, Tajoura, Tarabulus, Libya

At least one man died from injuries sustained during his detention in a rebel-controlled facility in mid-November 2011 in Tajoura according to the UN Report Source Page 82. A reported member of Gaddafi’s security agency was arrested at his father’s house on October 17, 2011 by rebels who did not have an arrest warrant and

Summary

First published
November 15, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-213

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

One man died after being severely beaten while being held in custody by the Independence Brigade rebels in Tawrga’a on November 2, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 82. A former Qadhafi soldier died on November 2, 2011 after being transferred to a hospital in Misrata. An initial autopsy report obtained by the victim’s

Summary

First published
November 2, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

October 25, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-209

LOCATION

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya

Two men died on October 25, 2011 after being detained in rebel custody in Tripoli on October 25, 2011 according to the UN Report Source Page 81. One man, a member of Gaddafi’s security forces, was arrested by the rebels on September 11, 2011 and held in the former Internal Security Agency building in central

Summary

First published
October 25, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-204

LOCATION

سرت‎, Western Sirte, Surt, Libya

At least 42 civilians were killed near the western Sirte frontline and were found on October 12, 2011 according to Elaph. According to Anis Faraj, a witness who claimed he shared a cell with those that were found dead, about 47 men were being held in a cell and they were taken to Musassim Gaddafi,

Summary

First published
October 12, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
42
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-203

LOCATION

الزاوية‎, Zawiya, Al Zawiyah, Libya

At least two men died from injuries they sustained after being detained by rebel forces at Judayem detention centre and later died in Al Zawiyah Hospital on October 9, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 81. Both men were arrested on September 17, 2011 in Al Zawiyah by rebel forces and taken to Judaism

Summary

First published
October 9, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-202

LOCATION

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya

At least 17 people were killed, including one man who was a soldier in Qadhafi’s forces, in Sirte by rebel forces around October 6, 2011 according to the UN Report Source Page 78. A Tawerghan living in an IDP camp was a relative of the soldier killed and was told about his relative’s death by

Summary

First published
October 6, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 23, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-149

LOCATION

خلة الفرجان, Warehouse in Khallet Al Furjan, Tarabulus, Libya

Between 63 and 170 prisoners were killed in the early evening in Yarmouk prison under the control of Gaddafi forces in a warehouse in Khallet al Furjan on August 23, 2011. According to the UN Report Source, in the early evening, prison guards at the facility threw between 6 and 8 grenades into the warehouse

Summary

First published
August 23, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
64 – 170
(4 men)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
63 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-145

LOCATION

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Aziziya Prison, Tarabulus, Libya

At least 25 prisoners were killed in Bab Al-Aziziyah prison on August 21, 2011 by Gaddafi forces according to Facebook posts from Al Mashashiya Youth and Shahd Omar. According to Al Mashashiya youth’s post, Ezz Al-Din Muhammad Hassan Al-Mashay, who was killed, and his father were arrested and detained for more than 20 days the

Summary

First published
August 21, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-144

LOCATION

غرغور, Gharghour, Tarabulus, Libya

At least 17 people were killed in the Gargur district in Tripoli by pro-Gaddafi forces according to BBC News. Human Rights Watch says that pro-Gaddafi forces were holding the dead in a building belonging to the Libyan Internal Security Forces and that they were physically tortured before they were killed. According to a doctor, half

Summary

First published
August 21, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident