Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS450

Incident date

October 13, 2020

Location

غرب منبج, West of Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the villages of Umm Jalloud, Tal Sayada, Umm Adasat Al Farat, and Al Dundaniyya in Aleppo governorate on October 13th, 2020, according to Hawar News.

Hawar reported that: “The villages located on the front line west of Manbij city, including “Umm Jalloud, Tal Sayada, Umm Lens, and Al-Dundaniyya” are being bombed by the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries with heavy weapons and artillery, while the Manbij Military Council responds to the sources of bombing within the framework of the legitimate right to defence.”

The source added: “Clashes are still continuing until the moment this news is prepared, amid reports that civilians have been injured in the targeted villages.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes in the surrounding areas west of Manbij (منبج) city. These are the villages of Umm Jalloud (أم جلود), Umm Adasat Al Farat (أم عدسة الفارات, mistranslated as Umm Lens), Sayada (صيادة), and Al Dundaniyya (الدنينية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these locations are: 36.587966, 37.767906.

  • Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes in the surrounding areas west of Manbij (منبج) city. These are the villages of Umm Jalloud (أم جلود), Umm Adasat Al Farat (أم عدسة الفارات, mistranslated as Umm Lens), Sayada (صيادة), and Al Dundaniyya (الدنينية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS453

Incident date

October 22, 2020

Location

صيدا‎, Sayda, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.402080, 38.863921 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian male was critically injured in alleged Turkish or Turkish mercenary artillery strikes on the M4 road near the village of Sayda, Raqqa governorate, on October 22nd, 2020, according to local sources.

Correspondents for Hawar News reported that “[Turkish] mercenaries targeted civilians on M4 road by firing shells at the road and its surroundings; consequently, a citizen named Ahmed Ali Jumaa at 30 was wounded, after which he was transferred to a hospital in the city of Raqqa, and his condition was described as critical.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported two injured civilians, describing “a rocket attack by Turkish forces targeting a checkpoint of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), in Ain Issa area north of Raqqa, injuring two civilians who were near the checkpoint.”

According to ANF, “the artillery of the Turkish jihadist occupation troops struck in the immediate vicinity of the grain silos in Qizelî in the afternoon. The shelling on the village of Sayda, which marks the border between the occupation zone Girê Spî and Ain Issa, as well as on the center of the city and the international route M4, continues.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

30 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Ali Jumaa was injured in alleged Turkish strikes near the M4 road near Sayda village on October 22nd, 2020 (via Hawar News).
  • Translation: "The Turkish occupation and its mercenaries renew the shelling of Ain Issa and its countryside, seriously wounding a civilian" (via Hawar News).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sayda (صيدا‎) located in the vicinity of the M4 highway, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.402080, 38.863921. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS451

Incident date

October 16, 2020

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.391336, 38.875099 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Hatem Hazem, aged eight or 13 years old, died of injuries he sustained as a result of an alleged Turkey forces or Turkey-backed militants shelling on Ain Issa area and its camp, or the explosion of a mine according to local sources. Other eight civilians including a child and two men were also reported injured in this incident.

At first, Hatem was injured and taken to hospital. One of his legs was amputated, but he died later in a hospital in Raqqa. According to Rojinfo, ‘The young boy’s leg was amputated. He was also severely injured in the other leg and in various parts of the body, he was placed in intensive care at the hospital in the city of Raqqa where he lost his life despite the efforts of medical personnel to save him.’

Most of sources blamed Turkey forced and Turkey-backed militants for the incident, but @soheb20200 tweeted that Hatem was killed while he was herding the sheep when a land mine exploded.

The US embassy in Syria condemned death of the child as a result of ‘apparent artillery fire’, without attributing the incident to any party.

Some sources circulated a different name of they boy calling him Ahmed Hasan, Mihemed Hatem Hazem, Hatim Hazim Mihemed Hatim, Hatem Zaidan Al-Mastu and Hatam Zedan Alkhel. It is unclear which one is the correct name. Sources also gave him different age with some saying eight, and others saying 13.

Freeburmarangers said that ‘At 9:30a.m on October 16th, mortar rounds from Turkish forces fell near Ain Issa, north of Raqqa in northeastern Syria. One mortar landed in the midst of a herd of sheep, killing many sheep and injuring two men and a boy, Akmed Hassan. The men received minor wounds but shrapnel tore through the boy’s left leg just above the ankle, leaving his foot dangling and held on only by skin. Akmed also received a gash high in his right thigh and shrapnel penetrated his right chest cavity. He died later of his wounds. Akmed is the 11th child killed by Turkish forces in the Ein Issa area this year. We pray for a stop to these attacks, a withdrawal of the Turkish forces and their proxies, the Free Syrian Army, and help to get people back to their homes.’

Other results of the shelling reported were destruction and damage of some houses and the killing of a number of sheep.

@Servanenefrine described the shelling on Ain Issa that led to the death of the child as indiscriminate, and Rudaw said that according to ANHA, after the bombardment, Turkish drones were seen flying over the area.

The incident occured at approximately 9:30 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male From Bu Assaf tribe injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Kurdish Forces
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Shelling on Ain Issa, Tal Abyad district in Raqqa allegedly by Turkey or its Syrian militants on October 16th, 2020. (via ANHA).
  • Shelling on Ain Issa, Tal Abyad district in Raqqa allegedly by Turkey or its Syrian militants on October 16th, 2020. (via ANHA).
  • A child died of his injuries sustained as a result of a Turkey or pro-Turkey militants shelling on Ain Issa on October 16th, 2020. (via ANHA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hatem Hazem, a child died of his injuries sustained as a result of a Turkey or pro-Turkey militants shelling on Ain Issa on October 16th, 2020. (via ANHA)
  • Caption translation: Artillery shells fell on the Ain Issa city checkpoint, the silos and the houses of Al-Tahri. Two children were wounded, one of them was seriously injured, and they were taken to a hospital.
  • Caption translation: The child Hatem Hazem Dhu, aged 13, died of wounds he sustained this morning, and another child was wounded, during the Turkish forces' shelling of the vicinity of Ain Issa town, the M4 international road and Ain Issa camp.
  • US Embassy in Syria statement about the death of the chilld.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the fields surrounding the city of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) being struck. Researching audiovisual material, we have narrowed down the exact location of the blast to these coordinates: 36.391336, 38.875099.

  • Reports of the incident mention the fields surrounding the city of Ain Issa (عين عيسى) being struck. Researching audiovisual material, we have narrowed down the exact location of the blast.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged audiovisual material showing smoke from blast area.

    Imagery:
    Free Burma Rangers

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Free Syrian Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Free Syrian Army
  • Free Syrian Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Kurdish Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kurdish Forces
  • Kurdish Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Free Syrian Army, Kurdish Forces
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS449

Incident date

October 9, 2020

Location

قرية بوراز، كوباني, Al-Boraz village, Kobani, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two brothers, both children, were injured as a result of a Turkish or Turkey supported militants mortar shell on Boraz village in Kobani, Aleppo on October 9th, 2020 according to local sources.

The two children were identified by local sources as Muhammad Kamel aged 12, and his brother Mahmoud Kamel aged 14.

Ronahi reported that the two children were seriously injured and moved to hospital.

No further information is available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

12 years old male injured
14 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Two children were injured as a result of a shell by Turkey or pro-Turkey militants in Boraz village in Kobani, on October 9th, 2020. (via ANHA)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS449

Incident date

September 20, 2020

Location

عون الدادات, Awn al-Dadat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.633713, 37.936392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians including a woman were reported injured in the village of ِAwn al-Dadat in northern Manbij, Aleppo on September 20th, 2020 as a result of alleged Turkey or Turkey backed militants shelling.

Local sources named the two civilians as Maryam Al-Kadro aged 50 and Ali Al-Daher. It was also reported that also a house was burned as a result of the attack.

However, @NotWoofers said the a woman was injured with a shrapnel and moved to Manbej hospital.

No further information is available at the moment.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

50 years old female injured
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Maryam Al-Kadro was reported injured in alleged Turkish forces artillery attack on Awn Al-Dadat in Aleppo on September 20th, 2020. (via @ciyager2020).
  • Maryam Al-Kadro was reported injured in alleged Turkish forces artillery attack on Awn Al-Dadat in Aleppo on September 20th, 2020. (via @ciyager2020).
  • Awn Al-Dadat was allegedly attacked by Turkish forces artillery on September 20th, 2020. (via @ciyager2020).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Awn Dadat (عون الدادات), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.633713, 37.936392. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS448

Incident date

September 12, 2020

Location

شيراوا - برج القاس, Burj al-Qass -Shirawa, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported injuries in Burj Al Qass in Shirawa, Aleppo on September 12th, 2020 when “Turkish forces shelled with heavy artillery from their military bases stationed in the northern Aleppo countryside positions in the villages of Aqiba, Soghanka and Burj al-Qass in the Shirawa area within areas held by Kurdish forces.”

No further information is available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    YPG/SDF

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4520

Incident date

September 7, 2020

Location

أريحا , Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and up to 24 injured as a result of alleged Russian, Assadi and/or Iranian airstrikes on the town of Ariha on September 7th 2020.

One civilian killed in the strike was named as Saeed Zidan Abu Yarub Al Zaidan. @seerij80 reported that he had just graduated from Idlib University and Fajr Academy the day before the strike. Multiple sources put the civilian death toll at two.

Xber news reported that dozens had been injured. Sources reported that one child, one woman and a man with special needs were injured in the strike. The civil defense team worked to rescue those injured and secure the area. Orient news added that the death toll was likely to rise due to those injured being in critical condition.

The airstrikes hit residential areas, the Civil Defense Center and the Al-Hal market.

Multiple sources attributed the damage to alleged Regime and Russian airstrikes. Baladi news added that Iran also allegedly played a role in the strike.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Saeed Zidan Abu Yarub Al Zaidan سعيد زيدان ابو يعرب الزيدان
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–24
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Saeed Zidan Abu Yarub Al Zaidan, killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Ariha on September 7, 2020. (Image posted by @seerij80)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A civilian was killed, and 6 others, including a child and a woman, were injured, as a preliminary outcome, this morning, Monday, September 7, by artillery shelling by the regime forces targeting the city of Ariha in the southern countryside of Idlib. Civil Defense teams helped the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment." (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "the regime forces targeted the Civil Defense Center in the city of Ariha with artillery shelling, as a result of which a man with special needs was injured. Our teams worked to rescue him and secure the place." (@anasanas84)
  • Saeed Zidan Abu Yarub Al Zaidan, killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Ariha on September 7, 2020. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Saeed Zidan Abu Yarub Al Zaidan, killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Ariha on September 7, 2020. (Image posted by @mhmad_albkor)
  • "Civilians were wounded as a result of targeting the city of #Jericho by Assad's militias with artillery shells and missiles" @TvIdlib
  • "Civilians were wounded as a result of targeting the city of #Jericho by Assad's militias with artillery shells and missiles" @TvIdlib

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–24
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS095

Incident date

September 4, 2020

Location

العلوة , Alawa, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that three civilians were injured in alleged YPG strikes on Alawa village, Raqqa governorate, on September 4th, 2020.

Khabour wrote that “three civilians were injured by the bombing of the #PYD_PKK militia on Alawa village west of Tel Abid city, north of Raqqa.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (1) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (1) [ collapse]