Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3135

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of three civilian men in the town of Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, following airstrikes, either carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime or both.

As a part of a larger aerial shelling of eastern Ghouta on March 1st, three civilians, identified by name, were killed in Hamouriya.

However, it should be noted that one of the victims, Mahmoud Hsain al-Homsi, died “due to wounds he sustained a few days earlier” as noted by the Violations Documentation Centre. This could possibly be in related to another tracked incident by in Hamouriya on February 25th, 2018, coded as R2911. But as this remains unclear, he will, as of now, be listed as a fatality on this date.

Several were reported wounded as well.

Reports were, however, unclear in terms of culpability. Some, including VDC and Twasul, identified the Syrian regime as responsible while Smart News Agency pointed to Russia.

Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.

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
    3
  • (3 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1733a

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

Near al Shaafah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.58024, 40.93739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike at Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to be a US action.

According to the OIR report, “March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this event to within 100 metres. This placed the event within Al Shaafah itself.

In May 2020 in its annual report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to be a US civilian harm event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table from DoD's annual civilian harm report to Congress, May 2020, listing additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria conceded for 2018.

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Near al Shaafa
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU777282
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 16, 2019
  • March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On March 1 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed a Daesh motorcycle and two weapons caches.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, les opérations se poursuivent. Les objectifs demeurent de défaire les dernières poches terroristes en Syrie et de sécuriser le territoire irakien. Poursuite des combats en Syrie En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes poursuivent leur effort contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie présentes sur les rives orientales de l’Euphrate, l’une située autour de Dashisha le long de la frontière avec l’Irak et l’autre dans la vallée de l’Euphrate à proximité d’Abou Kamal, autour de la ville d’Hajin. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, conduisant une vingtaine d’opérations par semaine, les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent la sécurisation du territoire. Ces opérations se concentrent autour des principales agglomérations, mais aussi dans le désert de l’Anbar où de nombreuses caches terroristes ont été récemment décelées et détruites. Retour progressif des réfugiés en Irak En Irak, la situation des populations civiles revient progressivement à la normale. Au cours des deux dernières semaines, principalement dans la province de Ninive, environ cent trente mille personnes déplacées ont rejoint leurs localités d’origine. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes En fin de semaine dernière, la Task Force Narvik a terminé un stage de quatre semaines au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Ce stage s’est déroulé du 6 février au 1er mars et a permis de former aux techniques d’infiltration une vingtaine de soldats irakiens appartenant à l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), unité d’élite des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Les principaux savoir-faire transmis ont été la lutte contre les IED, le combat en zone urbaine, les techniques d’infiltration et de reconnaissance dans la profondeur et le secourisme au combat. La Task Force Wagram en appui des opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées par les forces de sécurité irakiennes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, quatre missions de tirs ont été réalisées (2 missions d’interdiction et 2 missions d’éclairement – bilan du 28 février au 6 mars). Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram, a réalisé 1629 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations L’activité des forces aériennes françaises engagées dans l’opération Chammal se concentre sur l’appui aux forces démocratiques syriennes combattant dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Dans ce cadre, les aéronefs engagés dans l’opération Chammal ont réalisé cette semaine 30 sorties aériennes orientées sur l’appui renseignement aux forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 28 février au 6 mars). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7845 sorties / 1443 frappes / 2233 objectifs neutralisés.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 07-03-2018 | 12:00 Irak en Oost-Syrië In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 10 missies. Dat gebeurde boven de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië en de Iraakse provincie Al Anbar. Er werden geen wapens ingezet. Nederlandse instructeurs startten in Irak nieuwe cursussen aan Peshmerga, waaronder het beveiligen van grote gebieden en bataljonsstaf- en infanterietrainingen. De militairen verzorgen de opleidingen samen met collega’s van partnerlanden. In het trainingscentrum Menila ontvingen meer dan 50 cursisten een certificaat voor een voltooide cursus. Een Nederlands chirurgisch team opereert in een Amerikaans role 2 hospitaal in westelijk Irak. Het team werkt nauw samen met Britse medici.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Incident Code

RS3134

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

كفربطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514529, 36.374577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including a young girl, were killed and dozens were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

@saqbani1972adam, who reported that the strikes hit residential areas, said that three were killed and “dozens” were left wounded.

The three victims were identified by name by several sources. Among the victims was a young girl who was killed along with her father.

Additionally, a judge from eastern Ghouta was also killed by the strikes. Smart News Agency cited The Revolutionary Judicial Council in Damascus who on Friday, March 2nd, stated that one of its judges was killed in the bombing.

Four days after the strike, on March 4th, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported a fourth victim, as a man named Zaher Kharboutli, an activist in the relief field, who died on March 4th due to the wounds he sustained by the strikes on March 1st.

However, as his name is rather similar to the judge victim, Maher Kharbatli, it cannot be excluded that the reports are talking about the same victim. However, as of now, they will be counted as two separate victims.

Finally, it remains unclear who is to blame. The Violations Documentation Center attributed blame to the Syrian regime “and its affiliates” while Smart News Agency identified Russia as responsible.

Meanwhile, both Qasioun News and SN4HR attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male nicknamed Abu Adnan killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The girl Salam al-Dabbas was killed by the contested airstrikes in Kafr Batna, Damascus, March 1st, 2018 (via VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of Ali Dabbas and his daughter Salam Dabbas, both killed in the contested airstrikes in Kafr Batna, Damascus, March 1st, 2018 (via KafarBatna.Coordination)
  • Zaher Kharbotli was killed by the wound he sustained in the contested airstrikes in Kafr Batna, Damascus, March 1st, 2018 (via SN4HR)

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3132

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5112138, 36.3881891 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Warplanes, alleged to be Russian, wounded an unspecified number civilians as the town of Jisreen, Damascus, was struck with airstrikes.

Only two known sources reported about this strike. Smart News Agency reported, “wounded civilians with aerial bombardment likely to be Russian on the towns of Jisreen and Beat Sawa and Kafar Batna east of Damascus.”

Meanwhile, @SYR_REV_NEWS only reported about aerial shelling of Jisreen without identifying the responsible nor mentioning any civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3131

Incident date

February 28, 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

A single source reported “heavy air raids by Russian warplanes on the cities of Harasta and Zamalka in the eastern Ghouta, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians”.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3130

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514529, 36.374577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and injured due to airstrikes in Kafar Batna, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Mass destruction was caused by heavy shelling.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment raids struck Kafar Batna, 28th Feb 2018. (via Horran)

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
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3129

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5582404, 36.4335823 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and injured due to airstrikes in Al Shifonya, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Mass destruction was caused by heavy shelling.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ 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 type
    Airstrike
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3128

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55027, 36.39659 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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

Mass destruction was caused by heavy shelling.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by heavy raids in Mesraba, 28th Feb 2018. (via @Ghouta_GMC )

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
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]