Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM120

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

Kamsuuma, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.2499, 42.770876 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

AFRICOM said that it had carried out a strike on “al Shabaab fighters in the vicinity of Kamsuuma” on March 12th. It made no mention of civilian harm.

The US had already carried out ten strikes since the start of the year, a US Africa Command spokesperson confirmed to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) at the start of April, which had recorded only six strikes based on press releases from the Command.

The spokesperson provided details on the strikes BIJ had not recorded: “The second took place on March 12 and targeted al Shabaab fighters in the vicinity of Kamsuuma. However, due to unanticipated cloud cover, the strike was aborted in mid-air.”

The spokesperson said this was still included in their official strike count. This suggested that a missile may in fact have been released during the action – and was then ‘cold shifted’ to a safer location. There was no mention made of civilian harm from this strike.

In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM  confirmed it had targeted on this date what it says were “al-Shabaab Fighters”, in the vicinity of Kamsuuma, Somalia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the vicinity of the village Kamsuuma for which the coordinates are: 0.2499, 42.770876. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces

Via email from Africom to BIJ, April 4th, 2018:

“U.S. forces conducted an airstrike on March 12 targeting al-Shabaab fighters in the vicinity of Kamsuuma, Somalia. However, due to unanticipated cloud cover, the strike was aborted in mid-air.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3244

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

طعوم, Ta'um, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

35.973078, 36.748697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several alleged Russian or regime airstrike wounded an unspecified number of civilians in Ta’um, sources on the ground reported.

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian and Assad warplanes targeted the city of Idlib several raids focused on Al Muthaf area and Souq of Hal, wounding civilians. The city of Taftanaz was also hit by a similar air strike on a kindergarten that left six martyrs and  wounded, and the shelling also hit the towns of Bnesh, Ma’aret Misrin and Ta’um town, causing many civilian casualties”.

Abdalghany.alaryan1 said that regime aircraft struck civilian homes in the town, while tweeted a video of buildings burning following an alleged Russian strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Watch the first moments of the targeting of the Russian air force to the town of Ta’um in the countryside Idlib, Ghouta burning .. Idlib burning …"

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3243

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

معرة مصرين, M'ret Misrin, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes on M’ret Misrin, according to the Shaam News Network, who blamed both Russian and the regime.

However, @IdlibPlus and @HalabTodayTV reported “several raids”, but neither named the belligerent or mentioned civilian harm.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3242

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

بنش, Bnesh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.958429, 36.711587 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Bnesh, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Sources reported mass destruction to civilian homes, according to local media.

@MOAZALSHAMY regime said that airstrikes left “martyrs and wounded”.

@IdlibPlus Photos published images “showing the magnitude of the destruction caused by air strikes carried out by warplanes on the town of Benish in rural Idlib this morning [March 12th]”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bnesh, 12th March 2018. (via @IdlibPlus)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bnesh, 12th March 2018. (via Syrian Reporter )

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3240

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

منطقة المتحف وسوق الهال, Al Muthaf and Souq Al Hal areas, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.945833, 39.016667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded, when alleged Russian or regime airstrikes struck Al Muthaf and the Souq Al Hal areas in Idlib city, local media reported.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian and regime warplanes targeted the city of Idlib several raids focused on the Al Muthaf area and Souq of Hal, wounding civilians.”

The Smart News agency also reported “wounded civilians”, blaming the regime.

@HalabTodayTV tweeted that there were four raids.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al Muthaf and Souq Al Hal areas, 12th March 208. (via Smart News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3239

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and ten civilians including four children were killed, while as many as 50 were wounded in airstrikes on Zamalka, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The White Helmets were among some sources putting the death toll at four, with dozens more wounded. However, the Violations Documention Centre named eight fatalities (four adults males and four children).

SCDrifdimashq went further and named ten victims, reporting that, “10 civilians were killed and 50 civilians, including women and children, were injured in the shelling of residential areas in the town of Zemlka by 10 raids by Russian and Syrian warplanes, including four rocket attacks, four high-impact drone rounds and more than 12 heavy-caliber mortar rounds.”

The White Helmets noted seven strikes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ahmad Jaaidani
Adult male killed
Ola Khadudeh
Child female killed
Mohammad Salmeh al-Awad
6 months years old male killed
Ammar Nouh
Adult male killed
Omran Kaadan
Child male killed
Firas Mnawer
Child male killed
Abu Abdo al-Wazeer
Adult male killed
Mohammad al-Baghdadi
Adult male killed
Mardya Al Mubkher
Age unknown female killed
Mohammed Al Hourani
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (4–5 children1 woman4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A wounded child in the aftermath of airstrikes, 12th March 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (4–5 children1 woman4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3238

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

جفتلك حج حمود, Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.837778, 36.310833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians were killed and as many as ten others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to Moscow on this occasion.

The alleged Russian missile caused destruction to civilian property.

Members of the Civil Defence teams worked to retrieve the bodies of the dead and rescue the wounded from the rubble.

Idlib Plus: Two air raids targeting “Jafatlek Haj Hamoud ” in the village of Jisr al-Shughour, it is noteworthy that the same area was targeted in the morning, killing two civilians and wounding ten others.”

Masar Press said that “two Russian rockets landed on the town of Jafatlek in the village of Jisr al-Shughour, killing two civilians and wounding several civilians.”

According to the White Helmets, there were “two martyrs and eight injured as a result of an air raid by the Russian warplanes targeted the village of Jafatlek Haj Hamoud north of the city of Jisr al-Shughur with several high-impact space rockets. The Civil Defense teams worked to retrieve the bodies of the martyrs and rescue the wounded.”

Baraa Al Jisry 3k

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Jamil Haj Hamoud
male killed
Riad Haj Homoud
injured
Sadiq Hajj Hamoud
male injured
Tarek Hajj Homoud
male injured
Julie Haj Hammoud
injured
Nour Haj Hamoud
injured

The victims were named as:

Elham Salmawy
Child injured
Samira Hussein
50 years old injured
Ahmed Halak
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–10
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Victims of the raid on airstrikes on Jisreen, 12th March 2018. (viaTareq Alraj
  • Victims of the raid on airstrikes on Jisreen, 12th March 2018. (via Jisr Al Shoughour deaths)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, 12th March 2018. (via @aboahmad1ahmad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, 12th March 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, 12th March 2018. (via IDLIB PLUS)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, 12th March 2018. (via Jisir Al Shoughour media centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, 12th March 2018. (via Baraa Al Jisry)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, 12th March 2018. (via Smart News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–10
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3241

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

35.99832, 36.78579 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three to six civilians including up to four children were reportedly killed and as many as 25 more wounded in airstrikes on a kindergarten in Taftanaz, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

Idlib Plus put the death toll at three civilians, including a child

@foadhasan471 reported that four children were killed in the raid, while the Violations Documentation Centre )who blamed the “Syrian government and affiliated militias”) and @IdlibPlus reported that only one child was killed. But @foadhasan471 said four of those killed were children – and more children were wounded.

However, the Shaam News Network said that six civilians died and others were injured in a strike “on a kindergarten”.

There was as many as four strikes on the vicinity leaving damage to civilian property and as many as 25 injured.

Enab Baladi said that the strikes coincided with “clashes erupted between the Liberation Army of Syria and the Liberation Front of Syria in Idlib province following a three-day lull.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jomaa Asaad Rahhal
Child male killed
Ahmad Mohammad Husniyeh
Adult male killed
Ahmad Fajr Bekdash
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–25
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian in the aftermath of airstrikes on Taftanaz, 12th March 2018. (via @alaaaldin455cdf)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian in the aftermath of airstrikes on Taftanaz, 12th March 2018. (via @foadhasan471)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian in the aftermath of airstrikes on Taftanaz, 12th March 2018. (via @foadhasan471)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian in the aftermath of airstrikes on Taftanaz, 12th March 2018. (via @foadhasan471)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian in the aftermath of airstrikes on Taftanaz, 12th March 2018. (via @foadhasan471)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Taftanaz, 12th March 2018. (via @IdlibPlus)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Jomaa Asaad Rahhal, killed in airstrikes on Taftanaz, 12th March 2018. (via VCD)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmad Mohammad Husniyeh, killed in airstrikes on Taftanaz, 12th March 2018. (via VCD)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–25
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]