Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3067

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported that two children were injured by an alleged Russian cluster bomb explosion in Anadan, Aleppo.

Step News Agency did not not specify the date of the event, and it has therefore been registered as taking place the day it was reported, February 22nd, 2018.

Currently, no further details are available.

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 (1) [ 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 February 1st - 28th 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3066

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Location

الأفتريس, al-Aftis, Damascus , Syria

Geolocation

33.51728, 36.40167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its fifth day, four civilians were killed and up to “dozens” more wounded as Russia, possibly in cooperation with the Assad regime, carried out airstrikes in al-Aftis, Damascus, local media reported.

All sources, who provided a death toll, reported that four civilians were killed.

While some, such as HalabTodayTV, referred to “a number” of wounded, Step News Agency said that the strikes had left “dozens” wounded.

Most reports identified Russia as responsible, including HalabTodayTV and Step News Agency. However, the event remains contested as Orient News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed both Russian and Assad warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ 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 February 1st - 28th 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
    4
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3063

Incident date

February 22, 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

According to local media, up to five civilians, including four women, were killed and several were left wounded as Russian and/or Assad-waged warplanes struck Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus.

Enab Baladi reported how “at least five people were killed today in the town of Hamuriya, in the center of the besieged area, by an air strike that hit a shelter.”

Most reports, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Damascus Media Center, agreed that the strike had resulted in five fatalities; four women and one man.

Only LCCSY reported four civilian fatalties.

Step News reported, among others, that the strike also had wounded several civilians, including children.

The same media, who blamed Russia, reported that the city had been struck by cluster bombs. Meanwhile, Wesal_TV and HalabTodayTV reported that Hamouriya had been struck by missiles “loaded with internationally prohibited napalm.” Wesal_TV  blamed the Syrian regime.

Generally, reports were conflicting in terms of culpability as blame was appointed to either the Syrian regime, Russia, or both across the reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4 women)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • One of the victims of the contested shelling in Hamouriya, Damascus, is being evacuated by the civil defence, February 22nd, 2018 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)

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 February 1st - 28th 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
    4 – 5
  • (4 women)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3062

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what was described as “endless” bombing of Douma, Damascus, up to 34 civilians, including children and women, were killed and dozens left wounded, as reported by local media, who blamed either the Assad regime or joint Assad/Russian forces.

As eastern Ghouta continued to be under heavy shelling, Smart News Agency reported how “the Syrian regime and Russia continue their intensive bombardment of various types of weapons on the eastern towns and villages of Al-Ghouta in the Syrian capital Damascus.”

The bombardement in Douma was described as particular heavy on this day. Smart News Agency said that the bombardment of residentital areas in Douma had been intense since the early morning hours.  Also, several media, such as Enab Baladi reported how “more than 150 rockets” had been launched in the city.

The death toll spanned from eight, as reported by al-Jazeera, to as many as 34, as reported by the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR).

Many sources reported that children and women were among the fatalities and in SN4HR’s final update, it reported that out of the 34 victims, seven were children and nine were women. SN4HR identified one of the female victims by name.

Also, several sources, such as Zaman al-Wasl and Hadi Abdullah, reported how “dozens” were left wounded, including children.

While no-one pointed exclusively to Russian culpability, several reports, such as Smart News Agency,  Enab Baladi and SN4HR, blamed joint Russian/Assad forces.

Though, some, including Hadi Abdullah and LCCSY, only blamed Assad forces.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Adult female member of Local Development and Small Businesses Office in Eastern Ghouta killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 34
  • (7 children9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    24

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Footage from Douma, Damascus, in the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes on February 22nd, 2018 (via al-Marshad)
  • The civil defence evacuating a wounded boy in the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes in Douma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage of one of the child fatalities, reportedly killed in the contested shelling of Douma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Ammaa94)
  • Bodybags of some of the many fatalities, reportedly killed in the contested shelling of Douma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Moaz al-Shamy)
  • The civil defence evacuating civilians in the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes in Douma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two child victims of the contested shelling in Douma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via LCCSY)
  • A rescuing team discovers the body of a child victim in the rubble following the contested shelling of Douma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Syrian Civil Defence)

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 February 1st - 28th 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
    8 – 34
  • (7 children9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    24

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3061

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Location

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51602, 36.35078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Aerial shelling of Ain Tarma, Damascus, carried out by Russian and/or Assad regime, killed up to six civilians and wounded at least three children, local media reported.

As shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its fifth day, sources reported about both airstrikes and the launch of explosive barrels in Ain Tarma, especially striking residential areas.

Baladi News and Enab Baladi reported that the strikes had resulted in civilian fatalities, reportedly respectively six and five killed.

Meanwhile, the remaining sources reported that the strikes had only wounded civilians of the town. Specifically, Smart News Agency reported three wounded, all children, which also was depicted on photos from the scene published by other sources.

Addtionally, Damas Press reported how “helicopter aircraft renews targeting of residential areas in the town of Ain Tarma with several barrels of explosives, causing several injuries among civilians, including critical injuries.”

Sources were not clear in terms of culpability, as blame was appointed to either the Syrian regime, Russia, or both across the reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • Civilians in the rubble following the contested shelling of Ain Tarma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Alaa al-Ahamad)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the contested shelling of Ain Tarma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Abo alhoda alhoms)
  • Victims of the contested shelling of Ain Tarma, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Ahmad Zhrani)

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 February 1st - 28th 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
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

RS3060

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.519286, 36.382427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to twenty people were killed and several left wounded as Assad and/or Russian warplanes struck Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

As the heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its fifth day, sources reported about renewed shelling of Saqba on February 22nd.

While no reports provided exact figures of the death toll in Saqba, all agreed that the strikes had resulted in civilian fatalities, for example, LCCSY and Sky News reported about “the fall of martyrs”.

However, the number of killed possibly reached 20 as reported by Enab Baladi, Sky News and Sabah News. The latter reported how “the number of victims in the city of Saqba alone [rose] to 24 martyrs”. However, as the sources provided general reporting from the past days of shelling in Saqba, it was unclear whether the figures, in fact, covered several days of strikes.

The number of wounded was likewise unclear. While the Civil Defence merely referred to “wounded”, Smart News Agency described that “many” were left injured. According to Sky News’ general reporting from the past days in Saqba, the strikes wounded “dozens.”

Sources were not clear in terms of culpability, as blame was appointed to either the Syrian regime, Russia, or both across the reports. Most reports, including Smart News Agency and LCCSY, however, pointed solely to Russian culpability.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 20
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The Civil Defence is evacuating victims in the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes in Saqba, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • The aftermath of the contested strikes in Saqba, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • The aftermath of the contested strikes in Saqba, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • The aftermath of the contested strikes in Saqba, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Damas Press)

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 February 1st - 28th 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
    2 – 20
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM118-C

Incident date

February 21, 2018

Location

Bangeeni, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.04072, 42.729703 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five people, including two reported civilians, were killed in a US military airstrike that hit in the vicinity of Jamaame, in Somalia’s Lower Juba region, international media reported.

According to a US Africa Command press release, a US strike on al Shabaab killed four members of the group.

VOA reporter Khadar Hared tweeted that two civilians were believed to be among the dead, killed in an airstrike at “Bangeeni village located about 8 km west of Jamame.”

A Somali government official also told VOA Somali that the strike killed five militants: “I can tell you that the airstrike hit a rickshaw and that five militants were killed. It was carried out by US drone, helping our intelligence forces on the ground.”

However the VOA report also said that “Somali officials said they were investigating the identity of those targeted. Some sources said two of those in the rickshaw were civilians traveling with three militants.”

US Africa Command later assessed that no civilians killed in the strike, noting: “NOT/ NOT CREDIBLE: Classified evidence captured at the scene proves story was incorrect,” according to a declassified assessment obtained by US investigative journalist Nick Mercer in 2019.

In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM  confirmed it had struck that day what it says were “al-Shabaab Fighters”, in the vicinity of Kobon, Somalia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–5

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the vicinity of Jamaame (0.06978, 42.748066). A subsequent FOIA response pointed to the nearby village of Kobon, for which the coordinates are: 0.03586, 42.704521. However, VOA reporter Khadar Hared tweeted that the strike took place in “Bangeeni village, located about 8 km west of Jamame.” The coordinates for Bangeeni are: 0.04072, 42.729703. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • The town Bangeeni between the Kobon and Jamaame

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces 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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Jamaame
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • Aug 1, 2019
  • NOT/ NOT CREDIBLE: Classified evidence captured at the scene proves story was incorrect,

Original strike reports

US Forces

U.S. Conducts Airstrike in Support of the Federal Government of Somalia


In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants on Feb. 21, in the vicinity of Jamaame, Somalia, killing four (4) terrorists.

We assess no civilians were killed in this strike.

U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region.

Together with other international partners, the United States is committed to providing Somalia, AMISOM and SNSF with support in the fight against violent extremist organizations.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–5

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3057

Incident date

February 21, 2018

Location

معراتة, Ma'rata, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.709304, 36.477785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One male child was killed and a number of others were wounded as an alleged Russian warplane struck the town of Ma’rata in the outskirts of Idlib, local media reported.

The child was identified by name by several sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Among others, the Civil Defense reported that the child was killed as a raid had struck civilian houses, adding that a team from the civil defense had tried to transfer the wounded to the nearest medical point.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The child Mohammed al-Tawil was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Ma'rata, Idlib, February 21st, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Ma'rata, Idlib, February 21st, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Ma'rata, Idlib, February 21st, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Remnants on the scene of airstrikes, allegedly carried out by Russia, Ma'rata, Idlib, February 21st, 2018 (via EMC)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Ma'rata, Idlib, February 21st, 2018 (via EMC)
  • The child Mohammed al-Tawil was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Ma'rata, Idlib, February 21st, 2018 (via SN4HR)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]