Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

SDF0007

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

الجرذي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 30th 2023, an alleged shooting by SDF military patrols hit civilians leaving a mosque in the town of Al-Jarthi al-Sharqi in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, Syria, killing between one and three civilians and injuring between eight and 12 civilians, including two children.

Sources report different accounts of the toll on civilians. Naher media, Zamanalwasl, and Shaam reported one civilian, a young man and teacher named Mohammed Hassan Al-Qataf, being killed by gunfire. Alaraby, Syriatv and the Facebook account of Alsaatizat also report on the death of a professor named Mr. Ayed Al-Obaid Al-Khaleej, reported as injured by Zamanalwasl and @kareemtebii twitter account. @avocat_ali twitter account is the only source reporting on three civilians being killed and eight others being wounded without identifying them.

Shaam and the Twitter accounts @DeirEzzore, @OrientNews, and @Mohab_Nasser2 report 11 civilians being injured, including two children. Alaraby, Syriatv, and Syriahr are the only sources reporting 12 civilians being injured. Nashitnews Facebook account identified five of the injured civilians as Younis Al-Ayed, Moaz Al-Ayed, Majeed Al-Ali Al-Dabish, Hamza Al-Nazim, and Hammam Abdul Karim Al-Akkash; while @kareemtebii twitter account identified Muhannad Khalaf Al-Murshid.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Twitter accounts @kareemtebii and @AljazeeraSouria reported that the attack took place in the town of Al-Jarthi al-Sharqi in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor as a result of gunfire against a group of worshipers as they were leaving the noon prayer from the Abu Ubaida Mosque. A tweet from @DeirEzzore specified that the shooting was occurring on the Main Street on the town.

The suspected attackers are alleged to be SDF military patrol, as reported by most of the sources including Alaraby, Zamanalwasl, and Syriatv, although responsibility has not been accepted explicitly.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hassan Al-Qataf محمد الكطاف
Age unknown Teacher killed
Ayed Al-Obaid Al-Khaleej عايد العبيد الثليج
Age unknown male Professor, some sources reported he was injured instead killed
Muhannad Khalaf Al-Murshi
Age unknown injured
Younis Al-Ayed
Age unknown injured
Moaz Al-Ayed
Age unknown injured
Majeed Al-Ali Al-Dabish
Age unknown injured
Hamza Al-Nazim
Age unknown injured
Hammam Abdul Karim Al-Akkash
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Location of confrontations between civilians and SDF forces in the town of Al Jarthi on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @nahermedia)
  • Location of confrontations between civilians and SDF forces in the town of Al Jarthi on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)
  • Mohammad Hassan Al-Qattaf, killed by alleged SDF gunfire on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @Rian_almasri)
  • "#SDF forces opened fire on children and civilians in Al-Jardhi in the #Deir ez-Zor countryside, killing three and wounding eight. This picture is taken from a video documenting the incident by a local source while people were leaving noon prayers today." (Image posted by
  • Al-Jardhi, east of Deir Ezzor | Two martyrs and (11) wounded, including a child and a girl, by SDF bullets, according to preliminary toll.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SDF opens fire on children in the town of #Al-Jardhi and commits a massacre in the town in front of the mosque. SDF follows in the footsteps of ISIS
  • #Urgent | Two dead and 11 injured, including children, by #SDF militia bullets in Al-Jardhi, east of #Deir_ez-Zor

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0009

Incident date

August 30, 2023

Location

عطالة, Attale, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilian men, Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, were killed when their car was reportedly struck with gunfire allegedly from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the village of Attale, in the southern countryside of al-Hasakah, at dawn on Wednesday August 30th 2023.

Ninesixthree reported the incident took place at the al-Arisha SDF checkpoint.

A Facebook post from a family member, Bashar al-Suliman, referred to the men as their cousins and said that Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan is known as Abu Thamer and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla as Abu Mustafa (fathers of Thamer and Mustafa).

According to a tweet from @alsharqia24news, these civilians were returning from Deir Ezzor and heading to the village of al-Haddadiya when they were killed. In the same tweet, @alsharqia24news reported that Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla were both members of the al-Hazeem clan.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan أحمد فتحي الروضان
Adult male killed
Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla أحمد ابراهيم العكلة
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @nahermedia)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @alsharqia24news)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by @alsharqia24news)
  • Ahmed Fathi al-Roudhan and Ahmed Ibrahim al-Okla, allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by Bashar Alsuliman via Facebook)
  • One of the civilians allegedly killed by SDF shootings in the village of Attale on August 30, 2023. (Image posted by Bashar Alsuliman via Facebook)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0005

Incident date

August 29, 2023

Location

العزبة, Al Ezba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 29 August 2023, at least one civilian was reportedly killed by sniper fire from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Al Ezba, located in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor.

According to a tweet from an activist from the local area, Saleh Al-Muhya Al-Atiq was allegedly killed by SDF snipers stationed in Al Ezba. A tweet from @HamamIssa7 mentioned “civilian casualties” in Al Ezba from SDF heavy weapons but did not specify how many and whether they were killed or injured. The incident is amongst reports that the SDF fired heavy artillery on the village of Al Ezba.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh Al-Muhya Al-Atiq صالح المحيى العتيج
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Saleh Al-Muhya Al-Atiq, killed by alleged SDF sniper fire in Al Ezba on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0004

Incident date

August 29, 2023

Location

الحصين, Al Haseen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

A young girl was killed during clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Deir Ezzor Military Council in the village of Al Haseen on August 29, 2023.

@DeirEzzore tweeted that a seven year old girl was killed by a stray bullet during clashes in the town of Al Haseen. @nahermedia identified the little girl as “daughter of Shaheen Al-Khalif” while a Facebook post from Tigris named the girl as Sabah Salfeej Al-Shaheen Al-Khalif Al-Hamad but stated that she had been injured.

The majority of sources attributed the bullet that killed the young girl to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) while others referenced her death as a result of clashes between the SDF and Deir Ezzor Military Council.

A tweet from @almohrarmedia2 specified that the shooting occurred at an SDF checkpoint in the village. According to Araraby News, members of the Deir Ezzor Military Council had attacked the SDF checkpoint and the SDF had transferred reinforcements to confront them.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

daughter of Shaheen Al-Khalif ابنة "شاهين الخليف"
7 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (13) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

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

Tribal Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0003

Incident date

August 29, 2023

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 29th, 2023, up to three civilians were reportedly killed as a result of ongoing clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Deir Ezzor military council in the town of Jadid Akidat, east of Deir Ezzor.

Sources @DeirEzzore, @nahermedia, @OrientNews and Mhmad Alseed only reported on the death of Basil Muhammed Al-Salem (Basil Al-Raouj), with at least one source referring to him as a child while others refer to him as a young man. Local sources Euphrates Post and Syria TV News reported the death of two civilians, with Euphrates Post mentioning that “Basel Al-Akla and Ibn Muhammad Salem Al-Hilal” were killed. It is unclear if these are two different people, as both names contain elements of Basil Muhammed Al-Salem’s full name and no other sources mention these full names. A Facebook post from Mhmad Alseed added that “the burial will be tomorrow morning in the village of Jadid Akidat.”

All sources agreed that the death of the civilian/s was as a result of clashes between the SDF militia and the forces of Deir Ezzor military control, with some sources directly attributing the civilian casualties to the SDF. @alsharqia24news stated that “Basil Muhammed Al- Salem was killed by a stray bullet.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Basil Muhammed Al-Salem
Age unknown killed
Basel Al-Akla
Age unknown killed
Ibn Muhammad Salem Al-Hilal
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (0–1 children0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (11) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

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

Tribal Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (0–1 children0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0002

Incident date

August 29, 2023

Location

زغير جزيرة, Zaghir Jazira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured as part of a violent clash between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Deir Ezzor Military Council in Zaghir Jazira on August 29, 2023.

Both gender and name are unknown, while no other identifying information about the civilian casualty has been reported in the sources. The clash took place on 29 August, with the use of machine guns and hummers. One source, Rasputin Press, noted that the SDF opened fire on demonstrators in Zaghir Jazira, which led to the “clan forces” responding, resulting in damage to a military hummer and the withdrawal of the SDF patrol.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

YPG Assessment:

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

Tribal Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

SDF0001

Incident date

August 29, 2023

Location

الشيفية في غرانيج, Al Shayfiyyah in Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were injured in crossfire allegedly between the SDF and Deir Ezzor Military Council on August 29th, 2023 in the Al-Shafiyyah area of Granij, a town east of Deir Ezzor.

Naher Media (@nahermedia) stated the injured were farmers, with Euphrates Post (@euphratspost) identifying one as Ibrahim al-Hamid al-Abd al-Hay, a young man.

Euphrates Post alleged the civilians were struck by stray bullets fired either by the Deir Ezzor Military Council and their tribal allies, or the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), while multiple local sources attributed the shooting to the SDF directly. The men were near the SDF checkpoint, located by the Sycamore (Al-Jamizan) bakery at the entrance to the town.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim al-Hamid al-Abd al-Hay
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The young man Ibrahim Al-Hamid Al-Abd Al-Hay injured by a bullet during clashes in the town of Gharanij on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by @ADAMGRAYZO21829)
  • A civilian injured by a bullet during clashes in the town of Gharanij on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by Alsaityat via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by a bullet during clashes in the town of Gharanij on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by Alsaityat via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by a bullet during clashes in the town of Gharanij on August 29, 2023. (Image posted by Alsaityat via Facebook)

YPG Assessment:

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

Tribal Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Tribal Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM400

Incident date

August 25, 2023

Location

in the vicinity of Basra, between Afgoye and Bal’ad towns, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Five al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed by operations carried out by Somalia government forces and international partners in the vicinity of Basra, between Afgoye and Bal’ad towns on August 25, 2023.

@HarunMaruf quoted state media who reported that government forces in collaboration with international partners carried out a second operation that resulted in the killing of five militants. @HarunMaruf pointed out that the casualty numbers reported by state media have not been independently confirmed.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (1) [ collapse]