Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS191

Incident date

November 26, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the main street of Maarat Al Nu’man.

Orient News interviewed three witnesses to the attack (featured below). “The Russians carried out five raids killing around six people and injuring many. They were all civilian passers-by,” states a civil defence worker, while a resident complains “This is the main high street busy with people. There are no terrorists and no Daesh here.” A second resident notes: “Five killed! If Turkey brings down one of their planes, it’s not our fault. Here there is a school, people were killed and injured here.“

Smart News alleged a ‘double tap’ strike, citing eyewitness Malek Sourani: “After the first raid we went to the place of the rocket to see whether we could help the injured – so some civilians and civil defence had gathered. The warplanes returned and repeated their attack which has led to the occurrence of a large number of martyrs and wounded.”

VDC has named five victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Ayham Abdul Lateef Twaish (via VDC)
  • Ali Abdulrahman al Bedawi (via VDC)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Ma'arat al-Nu'man, Nov 26th (via SPC)
  • The aftermath of the airstrike on Ayham Abdul Lateef Twaish, Nov 26th (via maara media center)
  • A video: 'The cry of pain after a massacre in Maarat al-Nu'man in rural Idlib' (via SPC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports that “On November 23-26, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed 134 combat sorties engaging 449 objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah and Deir-ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Incident Code

CI146

Incident date

November 25, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A high-ranking officer with the Iraq Army was the reported source for a highly contested claim – most likely Daesh propaganda – that French aircraft had bombed a school in Mosul, allegedly killing 28 pupils.

According to German news agency DPA, Brigadier-General Thanon Sabawi from the Second Division of the Iraqi Army claimed that “French aircraft today bombed Fatima Zahra Primary School in the eastern area of Mosul, in Zuhoor region, killing 28 pupils and wounding five others.”

The explosive claim led Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawki Allam to condemn France: “This French military operation that targeted innocent civilians, children, is a mark of shame on France. It is no less abhorrent than the way terrorist organisations target innocents.”

The Nineveh Reporters Network challenged the claimed attack, insisting that ‘there has been no Coalition strike in Mosul for the past three days.’ MNB also described the claim as Daesh propaganda, while an Iraqi official told Shafaaq there was “no truth as reported by some media about the killing of a number of pupils in an aerial bombardment of a primary school by French aircraft.”

France subsequently confirmed that its aircraft had carried out a 9.30pm airstrike near Mosul the evening before, on November 24th, telling Middle East Eye that “At 19:30 French time [21:30 local time] four Rafale fighter jets from an aircraft carrier stationed in the eastern Mediterranean, along with some US aircraft, dropped 20 bombs on an IS command centre“ at nearby Tal Afar.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    28
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

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

For November 25th-26th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL checkpoint and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    28
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS189

Incident date

November 25, 2015

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to three civilians were reported killed and several others injured (“most of them women and children”) in an alleged Russian air raid with vacuum missiles on the town of Jisr al Shughour, according to Radio Alkul. The local media organisation additionally reported that “The town was also struck by more than 50 rockets from Joreen camp [regime-controlled] which led to the death of one man and one woman.”

SHRC named one victim of a Russian strike. It also names four additional civilians killed by the regime.

The VDC also named another man as having been killed in the town, but blames “regime air forces’ shelling of Rabea Adawiye school.” Syria Net instead blamed the school attack on Russia, saying it killed one person and injured eight.

All4Syria blamed both the regime and Russia, noting: “Field sources reported that Russian aircraft flew over the countryside of Idlib in flocks, and carried out raids on the city targeting one of the city’s mosques and Rabea school, nearby houses and the city centre, killing three civilians including Abdel Halim Mohamed Sulaiman (44 years old.) Also wounded were more than a dozen civilians, including two women and three children in the school. This was followed a few hours later by regime forces stationed in the Goren camp in Hama targeting most of the city’s neighbourhoods. This killed two civilians and wounded others. Among those killed were Nasser Mohammed Bakri (45 years old) and his wife Susan (36 years).”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment an airstrike hit Jisr al-Shughour, Nov 25th (via JMC)
  • The Civil Defense attend the scene of an airstrike in Jisr al-Shughour, Nov 25th (via Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib Governorate)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports that “On November 23-26, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed 134 combat sorties engaging 449 objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah and Deir-ez-Zor provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS151

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five non-combatants – including a woman and child – were reported killed and more than five people injured in an alleged Russian airstrike targeting the town of Khan Shaikhoun.

The Shaam News Network said three civilians were killed in the raid, while the Union of Hamas rebels reported that four people died. The VDC put the death toll even higher, at five.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, a Russian rocket was launched next to Ahmad Al Ta’an School. The school and surrounding houses were reported partially destroyed.

The Violations Documentation Center named five victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Hiam Salloum al-Abd Adult female killed
  • Husam Jamal Faraj Child male listed under Lattamna, but VDC states he was killed at Khan Sheikhoun killed

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child1 woman3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The Syrian Civil Defense Idlib Khan Shikhun Center Directed a young man from the rubble as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • An image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child1 woman3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS150

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

News media reported that three or four children were killed – and more than 20 injured in Russian warplanes allegedly struck the Abu Alaa Al Ma’ari Elementary School for Boys in Ma’art Al-Nu’man. One video appears to show Russian aircraft over the city that day.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the warplanes struck during school hours in the morning, when hundreds of pupils were present. Both SN4HR and The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three. The Observatory also reported that no less than 15 non-combatants were injured and that the death toll was predicted to rise.

SN4HR put the number of injured even higher at least 20 and said many were students. One witness told Baladi News: “We’re at a school here. Russian planes came and bombed. Three kids in 10th grade were killed, and there are many cases of severed limbs.  Putin, Bashar what have these kids done to you?“

The VDC named three victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Qosai Mahmoud Fatouh Child male aged 12 years killed
  • Tahseen Yehya al-Sabouh Child male aged 15 years killed
  • Tahseen Yehya al-Sabouh Child male aged 14 years killed

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Almarra today report: "Abu Ala'a Middle School was bombed today by a Russian Airplane which killed three students and wounded more".
  • Voiceover: "My camera documents alleged targeting by Russian aviation of a children's school in the city of Ma'rat al-Nu'man in rural Idlib"
  • Al Jazeera TV reported that three children were killed and five injured in an alleged Russian air strike on a school in the town of Ma'arat al-Nu'man in the countryside of Idlib
  • Maarah Media Center - Monitoring Russian military aircraft in the sky of Maarat al-Nu'man city
  • The Syrian Civil Defense Idlib - 2015.11.15 The moment the bodies of the children were recovered in the school of Abi Alaa al-Maari in the city of Maarat al-Nu'man
  • Photo of the victim Qussai Fattouh
  • Photo of the victim Tahseen al Sabbouh

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS144

Incident date

November 12, 2015

Location

الغارية, Al Ghariya, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.39332, 36.65067 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven non-combatants were reported killed – including one child and a woman – in alleged Russian (or possibly Syrian) airstrikes and Assad ground artillery attacks on Eastern Al Ghariya.

Shaam News reported that warplanes hit a school, noting that Assad’s forces also targeted the town with artillery shells following the raids. The Syrian Network blamed Assad regime aircraft, noting that “government warplanes shelled a civilians’ gathering next to one of the water wells in western Ghareya town.”

The Violations Documentation Center has named seven victims have been named, and they also listed an unidentified adult male, but the image is the same as the one used in the listing for Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal. Additionally, VDC named another adult, male. He was listed under the name of another village, but in accompanying notes it says he was killed in East Ghariya.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Ali Mostafa al-Faleh Al Ghaneem Adult male killed
  • Ahmad Mohammad al-Saraheen Child male killed
  • Mahmoud Mohammad al-Saraheen Adult male killed
  • Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal Adult male killed
  • Aisha Ismail Al Ghaneem Age unknown female killed
  • Rifa’at Bahij Al Ghaneem Adult male killed
  • Omer Ibraheem Ayyash Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child1 woman5 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ali mostafa al Gonaim

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Ghariya (الغارية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.39332, 36.65067. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has reported carrying out strikes in Dara’a governorate between November 11th-12th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child1 woman5 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Incident Code

RS120

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4561111, 40.9190941 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that 71 civilians including nine or more children killed – and more than 100 people injured – when alleged Russian warplanes launched two airstrikes on the market in Al Bukamal. It added that more than 20 shops were destroyed and that a mosque, park and school were damaged while an ambulance burned.

The Violations Documentation Center put the death toll at least 48, including one woman and 11 children.

Deir Ezzor 24 insisted none of those killed has linked to so-called Islamic State: “At exactly 10:20 in the morning Russian aircraft launched two raids in a row on the perimeter of the Martyrs Park, where the first strike (using two missiles) left some casualties. Five minutes after the first raid, when paramedics and residents had gathered, the warplanes launched a second raid targeting the same place with the aim of causing a higher number of civilian casualties.”

VDC has named some 40 victims.

The Syrian Network has named 22 additional victims.

Additionally, VCD lists eight unidentified victims including four female adults and four male children.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Mohammad Hamid Shaker al-Batleh Adult male killed
  • Ahmad al-Mdare Adult male killed
  • Habib Jomea al-Rwai Age unknown male adult or child according to SN4HR killed
  • Adnan al-Abd al-Amir Adult male killed
  • Farhan Ali al-Gdaib Adult male killed
  • Raed Anwar al-Haj Asi “al-Bargash” Adult male killed
  • Mohammad Walid al-Gozeh Adult male killed
  • Haseeb Haj Ahmad Adult male killed
  • Son of Hakoum al-Salman Child male killed
  • Iyad Kasra al-Knyaiher Adult male killed
  • Son of Jamal al-Haj Ali Age unknown male killed
  • Mahmoud Bassam al-Sharif Adult male killed
  • Yasin Abdullah al-Kasheer Adult male killed
  • Son of Abdullah al-Gafian Adult male killed
  • Son of Malis al-Naye Adult male killed
  • Zeeb Hosain al-Basheer Adult male killed
  • Hamoud Mustafa al-Kabe Adult male killed
  • Khaled Mohammad Anwar al-Bargash Adult male killed
  • Mohammad Walid Again Adult male killed
  • Abdulraheem Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs Adult male killed
  • Maddah Naser al-Hodhod Adult male killed
  • Yasin al-Eifan Adult male killed
  • Mohammad Walid Al Za’ein (Al Jouza) Adult male killed
  • Madah Nasser Al Hudhud Age unknown
  • Mahmoud Al Snais’s son Age unknown
  • Yassine Abdullah Al Aifan Age unknown male killed
  • Mohammad Jasem Al Maraa Al Ashaab Age unknown male killed
  • Khalaf Rafea Al Aifa Age unknown killed
  • Al Mraihi’s son Age unknown killed
  • Hani Hameid Al Batleh’s son Age unknown killed
  • Hani Hameid Al Batleh’s cousin Age unknown killed
  • Mohammad Al Barghash’s son Age unknown killed
  • Shash Al Karbouli Age unknown killed
  • Mohammad Asaad Ayed Al Mattroud Age unknown male
  • Hamad Samer Al Hamad Age unknown
  • Al Haji Ibn Mattbalji Adult male killed
  • Al Akhras Ibn Mattbalji Age unknown killed
  • Ziad Al Khaleifa’s son Age unknown male killed
  • Su’od Khuder Al Thamer Age unknown killed
  • Omar Al Homsi Age unknown male killed
  • Khaled Al Daheim Age unknown male killed
  • Khaled Ibrahim Al Bakheit Age unknown male killed
  • Sa’ad Al Eid’s son Age unknown killed
  • Adel Al Dagher’s sons Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48 – 71
  • (9–11 children1–4 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The remains of an ambulance, following alleged shelling by Russian warplanes, published by a media agency that belongs to ISIL
  • Footage showing the moment a strike hit Al Bukamal, Nov 5th (via derrevolutio11)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A dead child following the raid in Al Bukamal

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Dayr ez Zawr governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015: “Near Al-Muhasan (Deir ez-Zor province), a Su-34 bomber performed strike against terrorist training camp of the Jabhat al-Nusra. Terrorist training infrastructure, installations and constructions used by terrorists for keeping explosive devices were completely destroyed by direct hits of guided air bombs.”

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48 – 71
  • (9–11 children1–4 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS065

Incident date

October 21, 2015

Location

رسم حمام, Rasim al Hammam, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.41304, 37.15712 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians – a woman and two girls – were reported killed and ‘many wounded’ after an alleged Russian airstrike on a former school in which internally displaced civilians were said to be sheltering.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Scene of alleged Russian airstrike at Oct 21st 2015, which killed 3 civilians (via Syria Press Centre)
  • Video via the Russian MoD
  • Translation: warplanes causes massacre in Rasim Al Hamam by targeting school. (via revolutionari11)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate for October 21st-22nd 2015: “For the last 24 hours, the Russian Su-34, Su-24M, Su-25SM aircraft performed 53 combat sorties engaging 72 terrorist facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]