Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RUK079

Incident date

March 24, 2022

Location

вул. Академіка Павлова, 120, “Нова Пошта”, “Nova Poshta,” 120 Akademika Pavlova Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.006708, 36.315684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On March 24th, Russian troops allegedly launched shells from the Black Sea, striking a residential area in Kharkiv, killing six people and wounding at least another 15.

According to 24 Channel News, Russian forces fired upon a civilian area in which already exhausted civilians had gathered for humanitarian aid. Tweets from various users, including @eoin_mc_Sweeney and @maria_avdv described a scene in which civilians were waiting in lines for food and water, and called the Russian strike a “war crime”. Kharkiv Regional Administrator Oleg Sinegubov was quoted as saying,”In Kharkiv, in the area of Akademika Pavlova Street, the Russians fired long-range weapons at the Novaya Poshta post, near which Kharkiv residents were receiving humanitarian aid. According to preliminary data, 6 civilians were killed, another 15 were injured, and they were hospitalized in medical facilities. The number of victims is being determined.” Suspilne News provided the highest casualty count that six civilians were killed and 17 others were wounded.

A vast array of photographic and video evidence exists that captured the strike, including local security cameras according to Twitter user @cliffordlevy. Kh.depo.ua and censor.net conducted interviews with local witnesses who confirmed the death of civilians, but were not certain of an exact number.

Glavred.info reported that later in the night and in the morning on March 25th, Russian forces shelling the airport and the Metro supermarket. leg Synegubov, the head of the Kharkiv OVA, stated that a total number of 54 shelling, including artillery shells and mortar shells from rocket firing systems hit Kharkiv.

The majority of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strike to Russian forces. However, two sources, Perviy Kharkovskyi – presumably Ukrainian Telegram channel with a clear pro-Russian stance,  and Kharkov Nash, a Ukrainian Telegram channel based in Kharkiv with local correspondents in the city, posted on Telegram speculation over who carried out the strike based on the type of weapon used – both stating that grad missiles are only used by Ukrainian forces, without directly accusing Ukraine of carrying out the attack. A tweet from @informatsia_obstanovka reported that rockets of the Uragan system with cluster elements carrying hundreds of pieces of debris were part of the attack and other source referred to “long range missiles” being launched from the Black Sea.

This incident has ACLED’s reference code: UKR54069 and Bellingcat’s reference code: CIV0533.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Naval bombardment
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Humanitarian aid distribution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–17
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Russian long-range weapons have hit civilians near a post office in Kharkiv, killing 6 and injuring 15, says the region's administrator, Oleg Sinegubov. The residents were queuing to receive humanitarian aid, he added. CNN could not independently verify the death toll.
  • Image showing what looks to be a rocket embedded in the road following Russian shelling of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by @eoin_mc_sweeney)
  • Image showing what looks to be a rocket embedded in the road following Russian shelling of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by @eoin_mc_sweeney)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead civilians killed by alleged Russian naval bombardment of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by Informatsia_obstanovka via Telegram)
  • Dead civilians killed by alleged Russian naval bombardment of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by Informatsia_obstanovka via Twitter)
  • Blood from victims following Russian shelling of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by @informatsia_obstanovka)
  • Image showing what looks to be a rocket embedded in the road following Russian shelling of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by @informatsia_obstanovka)
  • Dead civilians killed by alleged Russian naval bombardment of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by @maria_avdv)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video shows moment when Russian forces shelled civilians in Kharkiv when they queued for humanitarian aid today. At least 6 people were killed and 15 were wounded. Another war crime on Putin's long list of war crimes.
  • 03/24/2022. In Kharkiv, in the area of Akademika Pavlova Street, Russians fired long-range weapons at the Novaya Poshta post, near which Kharkiv residents were receiving humanitarian aid. According to preliminary data, 6 civilians were killed, another 15 were injured and hospitalized.
  • Image showing what looks to be a rocket following Russian shelling of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by 24tv.ua)
  • "In Kharkiv, in the area of Akademika Pavlova Street, Russians fired long-range weapons at the Novaya Poshta post, near which Kharkiv residents were receiving humanitarian aid," Oleg Synegubov said. "According to preliminary data, 6 civilians were killed, 15 more were wounded, and were hospitalized in medical institutions. The number of victims is being determined. This is another war crime of the Russian occupiers!"
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian shelling of humanitarian aid line in Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by Kh.depo.ua)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian shelling of humanitarian aid line in Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by ATN News)
  • Graphic image of the dead civilians killed by alleged Russian naval bombardment of Kharkiv on March 24, 2022. (Image posted by Nashemisto.dp.ua)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Nadiya Yaninovych
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Natalia Romanchak

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention strikes in the vicinity of a branch of “Nova Poshta” (“Нова Пошта”) on Akademika Pavlova Street (вул. Академіка Павлова) in the city of Kharkiv (Харків). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, Airwars has narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 50.006708, 36.315684.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[36.315684,50.006708],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.31586659681017,50.00674741753218],[36.315871560191994,50.00647946079667],[36.31630089267853,50.006484245751466],[36.31628352084286,50.006749012508436],[36.31586659681017,50.00674741753218]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.316898980129,50.007211553343154],[36.31653913498201,50.0069898532918],[36.31691138858287,50.006745822556354],[36.31728116049345,50.0069898532918],[36.316898980129,50.007211553343154]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[36.31478995503085,50.00619179929521],[36.31499345366615,50.006078554547685],[36.31523169596963,50.00624283909369],[36.31503067902602,50.00634651351811],[36.31478995503085,50.00619179929521]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    @Informatsia_obstanovka

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    @SuspilneKharkiv

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Naval bombardment
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Humanitarian aid distribution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–17
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT077

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

مخيم الشاطئ, Al Shati Refugee Camp, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.533701, 34.448318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two people were reported injured and a large number of fishing vessels were destroyed in an alleged naval bombardment by the Israeli navy on the Al Shati ‘Beach’ refugee camp to the West of Gaza City.

Al Jazeera first reported the bombardment around 9.30 a.m. local time on Saturday 15 May 2021, which targeted buildings in the refugee camp. Multiple sources confirm that a large number of fishing vessels were destroyed by fire as a result, alongside the two persons injured.

Several sources also reported building damage from naval bombardments on the shores of the Deir Al-Balah area in the Central Gaza Strip. All of the sources attributed the strikes to Israel.

On May 15th, the IDF released the following statement: “Last night, the IDF attacked a number of Hamas terror organization senior officials, in an apartment used as terror infrastructure in the area of the Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The details are under review.

The Hamas terror organization deliberately uses Gazan civilians as a way to shield and cover its hostile operations. The IDF takes all possible precautions to avoid harming civilians during its operational activities.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Shati refugee camp (مخيم الشاطئ), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.533701, 34.448318. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Israeli Military

[12:06, 5/15/2021] IDF News Desk: IDF:

Last night, the IDF attacked a number of Hamas terror organization senior officials, in an apartment used as terror infrastructure in the area of the Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The details are under review.

The Hamas terror organization deliberately uses Gazan civilians as a way to shield and cover its hostile operations. The IDF takes all possible precautions to avoid harming civilians during its operational activities.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4302

Incident date

March 21, 2021

Location

قاح, Qah, Idlib , Syria

Geolocation

36.299148, 36.739667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and between one and two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian missile strike in the vicinity of Qah and Salwa towns the afternoon of March 21, 2021.

Multiple sources, including Syrian Civil Defense and Reuters, reporting that the strike was ” a surface-to-surface missile.” Idlib EMC stated that “Russian battleships on the Syrian coast, with a ground-to-ground missile, targeted the town of Qah.” Other sources referred to the strike as a ballistic missile or a long-range missile. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at the time, “it is not known yet if the missile was fired by a warship near the Syrian coastline or from the Russian base in Hmeimim.”

The location struck was identified as being near internally displaced persons camps and Jisr Press specifically reported that the missile landed near Atmeh Camp. Step News reported that ” a long-range ballistic missile fell on the headquarters of the 23rd of the Sham Legion,” a Syrian opposition faction, and the civilian and animals injured and killed were close to the vicinity. The area struck was also identified by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as being “a military headquarters of opposition faction”  but that the area contains “a large number of refugee camps which host displaced people” and is near the “Syria border with Iskenderun region.”

According to Syrian Civil Defense, the strikes resulted in ” the serious injury of a civilian and the death of a number of livestock.” Jisr Press reported “the death of a large number of livestock and the injury of a shepherd in the aforementioned area. It is reported that he later died of his injury.” A tweet from @dr_aalassad identified two civilians as being injured and Al Modon news reported that the strike “resulted in the injury of a child who was grazing sheep in the area.”

Images posted by SCD Idlib show animals that were killed in the airstrike and White Helmets inspecting the area. A video posted by @Step_Agency and images posted by other sources show the smoke cloud in the sky following the strike.

Syrian Civil Defense attributed the strike to regime and Russian forces, while all other sources identified the strikes as being Russian, from the Russian base in Hmeimim, or from Russian battleships.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Qah (قاح). According to research conducted by @obretix, the exact location of this strike is: 36.299148, 36.739667. Cross referencing evidence from audio-visual material from sources, we can confirm this location.

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, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY008

Incident date

December 21–22, 2019

Location

المنطقة الواقعة بين سات زينب وعقربا, Area between Sat Zaynab and Aqraba, Rural Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.437222, 36.361828 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three people were killed in alleged Israeli strikes between Sayyida Zainab and Aqraba on December 21-22, 2019. Sources are conflicted as to whether those killed were militants or civilians.

Local sources reported that Israeli missiles – either launched from a ship in the Mediterranean or via an airstrike – landed on the Sayyeda Zainab area of rural Damascus on December 21st-22nd, 2019, killing General ‘Haj Ali’, who was believed to be a leader in the ranks of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and his entire family. The Iranian Fars News Agency, however, denied reports that General Haj Ali had been killed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “Israeli missile strikes south of the capital Damascus, killed at least three people of non-Syrian nationalities, where they are likely to be Iranians who were killed by fall of a rocket on the area between Sayyida Zainab and Aqraba south of the capital Damascus yesterday evening, and information about more casualties were reported.” However, this source did not specify if those killed were militants or civilians.

The Times of Israel also identified three people killed in the strikes, referring to them as “non-Syrian fighters”.

According to Step News, “The local (Ein Al Furat) network, which specializes in Iranian affairs in Syria, also mentioned that the targeting resulted in the killing of General Haj Ali, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard militia, and his entire family, as a result of a missile from the Israeli warship that targeted his house in Al Sayyeda Zainab neighbourhood in Damascus countryside.”

However, Sputnik Arabic wrote that the Iranian press agency Fars News had denied claims that General Haj Ali had been killed in strikes: “General Ali Hajizadeh is in good situation, and the news that he was killed is pure lies. The news that Haji Zadeh was killed in an Israeli raid on Syria yesterday is a rumour that was reported by some malicious Arab media, and it was re-published on social media via opposition channels.”

Fars News furthermore posted photos that were allegedly showing General Ali Haj attending Friday prayers on December 27th, 2019. Many articles have quoted General Hajizadeh since the alleged incident, including a profile done by the Middle East Eye that refers to him as the “Iran’s drone mastermind” and “the new Soleimani”.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, who told Fox News they don’t comment on foreign media reports of airstrikes.

The incident occured between 10:00 pm and 1:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • 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
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Several sources reported that General "Haj Ali", commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, was killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Sayyeda Zainab area in the night of December 21st-22nd, 2019 (via Ain Al Furat).
  • Despite reports that General Haj Ali was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the night of December 21st to the 22nd, 2019, the Iranian press agency Fars News reported that the General was alive, publishing photos of the General attending Friday prayer on December 27th (via Fars).
  • Despite reports that General Haj Ali was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the night of December 21st to the 22nd, 2019, the Iranian press agency Fars News reported that the General was alive, publishing photos of the General attending Friday prayer on December 27th (via Fars).

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area between Sat Zaynab (السيدة زينب) and Aqriba (عقربا), in the southern countryside of Damascus (دمشق). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates between these two points are: 33.437222, 36.361828.

  • Reports of the incident mention the area between Sat Zaynab (السيدة زينب) and Aqriba (عقربا), in the southern countryside of Damascus (دمشق).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • 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
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr209

Incident date

August 31, 2019

Location

عرقوب, Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.468889, 45.763889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A few local language social-media sources suggested that US strikes, reportedly including a naval bombardment and at least one air strike, had targeted “terrorist groups”, possibly AQAP, in Arqoub in Abyan governorate, on August 31st 2019, killing “dozens”. Some suggested that the “terrorists” were amongst or affiliated with pro-government forces. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Though a number of Twitter sources, such as @AAlzabli and @kamal_ALNumani, reported a naval bombardment, similarities in wording appeared to suggest that they were re-posts of a single source. Similarly, both sources that alleged a US airstrike, @nasseralgda and @maherhasan17, shared very similar wording. Since a number of differing sources suggested a US strike of some kind in the area, however, this event is presently assessed as likely.

The alleged strike came a few days after an Emirati air campaign in southern Yemen from August 28th-29th 2019, apparently in support of secessionist militias, which reportedly focused on Aden and the Abyan governorate. Late on August 29th, sources suggested that Emirati strikes were being conducted in the Arqoub area.

In a statement at the time, the Emirati foreign ministry said that its strikes had targeted “terrorist militias”, though others indicated that the actions were targeting the pro-government Yemeni military. AQAP militants have been previously reported to have fought alongside, and sometimes integrated into, Yemeni government forces. Given this, it is possible that the event reflects a late Emirati strike.

On October 4th 2019, a US Central Command spokesperson told New America that no US military strikes had been conducted in Yemen since June 24th 2019. It is, however, possible that an undeclared strike was conducted by the CIA, or was part of a clandestine US military action.

Given the description of “dozens” killed, minimum alleged militant deaths has been set at twenty-four.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    US Forces, United Arab Emirates Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    24

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Arqoub (زنجبار‎) area, for which the generic coordinates are:13.468889, 45.763889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

On October 4, 2019, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) replied to an email inquiry from New America confirming that “the last strike conducted by CENTCOM in Yemen was 24 June.” Per that statement, there were no CENTCOM strikes in Yemen in September 2019.

The lack of strikes in September makes it more than three months since the last U.S. military counterterrorism strike in Yemen, according to New America’s research. However, it is possible that the United States has conducted covert non-military strikes, and in recent years there have been a small number of strikes attributed by media reports to the United States that CENTCOM has denied conducting

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    US Forces, United Arab Emirates Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    24

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY003

Incident date

July 1, 2019

Location

أشرفية صحنايا, Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.433659, 36.245227 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 16 civilians, including two to three children and a woman, were reportedly killed and 21 to 50 others were injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes that targeted several military sites in the Damascus countryside after midnight on July 1st, 2019, according to local sources.

The strike resulted in the first significant reported civilian harm from recent Israeli actions, with five named civilians locally reported killed – despite several hundred declared airstrikes against Iranian and Hezbollah forces and the Assad regime in recent years.

According to Free Deir Ezzor Radio, an Israeli missile (possibly launched by a naval vessel) killed a number of civilians when its impact shattered the glass windows of a house in Sahnaya. The Syrian-regime affiliated SANA News claimed that four civilians were killed, including a baby, in addition to 21 others injured, also including children. Numerous other sources also cited 21 as the number wounded in the attack.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights provided the names of five civilians killed: Elaf Ratib Bakri Pasha, baby girl; Abdulrahman Anas Abdulrahman Al-Bayat, child; Anas Abdulrahman Al-Bayat, man; Ratib Mustafa Bakri Pasha; Rama Imad Yahya Arnavut, female.

Homs News also reported the names of 20 people injured and treated at Hisham medical clinic: Aya Al Shouli 15 years old; Bassam Fares Al Eid Al Omar 60 years old; Mohammad Shaheen Omar 24 years old (seriously injured); Rami Shaheen Omar 48 years old (seriously injured); Hamad Hatoush 23 years old; Hiba Hartoush Al Omar 1 month old
Nour Khaled Omar 24 years old; Ahlam Al Ali 19 years old; Abd Al Rahhman Al Khaled; Houssin Al Sheikh; Ghayth Kalhous 16 years old; Nofal Ali; Imad Khaled 24 years old; Mohammad Abd Al Kareem 15 years old; Ziyna Ma’rouf; Abd Al Majeed; Ghofran Dakak 13 years old; Yazan Za’yter 13 years old; Fayha’ Ayoub 30 years old; Ahmad Al Sheikh; Narjas Mheiyedeen

News agency AFP said that six civilians including three children died, along with nine “mostly foreign pro-regime fighters.”

The New York Times, citing an anonymous Syrian government official, placed the civilian fatality toll as high as 10: “Another figure close to the Syrian government who was briefed on the strikes and who requested anonymity to discuss secret military information put the total death toll from the attacks higher, saying that at least 16 had been killed, including five Syrian Army personnel, one Iranian and 10 civilians and that 49 others had been wounded.” People’s Dispatch reported that 16 civilians, including a child, were killed and 21 others were wounded.

Meanwhile, Step News alleged that “twelve civilians were killed, including four people from one family,” and that about “50 people, including children and infants, were injured by Israeli airstrikes targeting several positions of the Syrian regime and its pro-Iranian militias.” The same source named two locations in discussion of the incident, referring to casualties in Sahnaya and Jdaidt Artouz. However other sources did not cite civilian harm in Jdaidt Artouz.

NFAC, and other sources named two of those killed as “Rateb Mustafa Bakri Pasha and daughter Elaf Rateb Bakri Pasha”, referring to Mr Bakri Pasha as a doctor. Enab Baladi News stated that among those killed were “displaced citizens from the neighbouring city of Darya.”

@zamanalwsl, and other sources, also reported that “a whole family (father, mother and baby) were killed” in the attack, while another source named “Anas  Al Bayat, his baby son Abdul Rahman, and his wife, Rama Arna’out” as among the fatalities.

SANA quoted a military source who reported that their “air defenses intercepted hostile missiles fired by Israeli warplanes from the Lebanese airspace towards some of our military positions in Homs and the surroundings of Damascus.” The news agency added that “due to the pressure which resulted from the explosions which occurred in the sky over Damascus, material damage was inflicted on a number of civilians’ houses in Sahnaya town as the glass of the houses was shattered causing injury to a number of people.”

The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights was the only source that expressed uncertainty, reporting that it was unknown whether the casualties were caused by Israeli shelling or the remnants of the Israeli missiles.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry later accused Israel of “heinous aggression” according to the Guardian: “Israeli authorities are increasingly practising state terrorism,” the foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the official Sana news agency on July 2nd. “The latest heinous Israeli aggression falls within the framework of ongoing Israeli attempts to prolong the crisis in Syria,” it added.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the Israeli military had declined to comment on the Syrian claims of civilian deaths, telling its reporter. “We are not commenting on foreign reports.”

According to Masra Al Arabia, the Syrian official media reported that “the Syrian air defenses responded, after midnight, to enemy missiles launched by the Israeli occupation forces at some military sites in Homs and the vicinity of Damascus, killing a number of civilians, including a child, and wounding others in the town of Sahnaya in the southern countryside of Damascus.” A military source told the Syrian News Agency (SANA) that the Israeli warplanes launched their missiles from Lebanese airspace.

SANA’s correspondent pointed out that 4 civilians were killed, including a one-month-old child, and 21 were wounded, including children, in Sahnaya town in Damascus countryside, as a result of the aggression, noting that the wounded were transferred to hospitals where they received the necessary treatment.

EA Worldview News pointed out that the neighborhood of Sahnaya, where the civilian casualties reportedly occurred, is only a few hundreds yards away from the Mezzeh base. Other sites reportedly struck by Israel that night – though with no known associated reports of civilian harm – included Mezzeh military airport, Dimas, Ksoua, Qatana and Khan Al Sheikh. The Times of Israel added that one of the locations struck was “a hangar likely storing advanced weaponry or other military equipment” outside of Damascus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation released a statement condemning the attack “that grossly violate the sovereignty of Syria”.

The incident occured after midnight.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Elaf Rateb Bakri Pasha ايلاف راتب بكري الباشا
Child female Other source named her 'Elas' killed
Rateb Mustafa Bakri Pasha راتب بكري الباشا
Adult male doctor killed

Family members (3)

Anas al-Bayat أنس البيات
Adult male killed
Abdul Rahman عبد الرحمن البيات
Child male Baby, 7 months old killed
Rama Arna’out راما أرناؤوط
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Aya Al Shouli آية الشولي
15 years old female injured
Bassam Fares Al Eid Al Omar بسام فارس العيد
60 years old male injured
Mohammad Shaheen Omar محمد شاهين
24 years old male Seriously injured injured
Rami Shaheen Omar رامي شاهين
48 years old male Seriously injured injured
Hamad Hatoush مادة حرتوش
23 years old male Or Hamada Hartoush injured
Hiba Hartoush Al Omar هبة حرتوش
1 month old years old female injured
Nour Khaled Omar نور خالد
24 years old female injured
Ahlam Al Ali احلام العلي
19 years old injured
Abd Al Rahhman Al Khaled عبد الرحمن الخالد
Age unknown injured
Houssin Al Sheikh حسين الشيخ
Age unknown injured
Ghayth Kalhous غيث كحلوس
16 years old injured
Nofal Ali نوفل علي
Age unknown injured
Imad Khaled عماد خالد
years old male 24 injured
Mohammad Abd Al Kareem محمد عبد الكريم
15 years old male injured
Ziyna Ma’rouf Abd Al Majeed زينة معروف عبد المجيد
years old injured
Ghofran Daqaq غفران دقاق
13 years old injured
Yazan Za’yter يزن زعيتر
13 years old injured
Fayha’ Ayoub فيحاء ايوب
30 years old injured
Ahmad Al Sheikh احمد الشيخ
Age unknown injured
Narjas Mheiyedeen نرجس محي الدين
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 16
  • (2–3 children1 woman2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    21–50
  • 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
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Hezbollah, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–9

Sources (66) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Israeli airstrikes struck the Syrian regime forces in Damascus countryside on July 1st (via Euphrates Post).
  • Alleged Israeli airstrikes struck the Syrian regime forces in Damascus countryside on July 1st (via Euphrates Post).
  • Alleged Israeli airstrikes struck the Syrian regime forces in Damascus countryside on July 1st (via Euphrates Post).
  • Alleged Israeli airstrikes struck the Syrian regime forces in Damascus countryside on July 1st (via Euphrates Post).
  • Alleged Israeli airstrikes struck the Syrian regime forces in Damascus countryside on July 1st (via Euphrates Post).
  • Video showing the moment of impact when a missile struck the Syrian regime forces in the countryside of Damascus on July 1st (via Euphrates Post).
  • Medics tending to the civilians who were wounded by alleged Israeli airstrikes in Sahnaya town in the countryside of Damascus on July 1st (via SANA).
  • Medics tending to the civilians who were wounded by alleged Israeli airstrikes in Sahnaya town in the countryside of Damascus on July 1st (via SANA).
  • Video of alleged Israeli missiles on July 1st (via SANA).
  • Video Caption Translation: "Four civilians, including an infant, were killed by Israeli shelling of the Damascus and Homs governorates" (via RT Arabic)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An infant casualty following the airstrike (via @HoseinMortada)
  • Image translation The names of wounded people from Hisham medical clinic Aya Al Shouli 15 years old Bassam Fares Al Eid Al Omar 60 years old Mohammad Shaheen Omar 24 years old (seriously injured) Rami Shaheen Omar 48 years old (seriously injured) Hamad Hatoush 23 years old Hiba Hartoush Al Omar 1 month old Nour Khaled Omar 24 years old Ahlam Al Ali 19 years old Abd Al Rahhman Al Khaled Houssin Al Sheikh Ghayth Kalhous 16 years old Nofal Ali Imad Khaled 24 years old Mohammad Abd Al Kareem 15 years old Ziyna Ma’rouf Abd Al Majeed Ghofran Dakak 13 years old (via @dania_saaty)
  • Translation: “Treating the wounded as a result of the Israeli aggression in the city of #Sahnaya #Damascus” (via @jamlyyyyy).
  • Rateb Mustafa Bakri Pasha (left) was killed alongside his daughter Elaf Rateb Bakri Pasha were killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Ashrafiyat Sahnaya on July 1st, 2019 (via Baladi News).
  • Image Caption Translation: "The martyrdom of a family as a result of the aggression last night on the town of Sahnaya and the martyrs are Anas al-Bayat and his son the baby Abdul Rahman and his wife Rama Arna’out" (via @0pL7NYrCA4SYZ3U)
  • Caption Translation: "Martyr Abdul Rahman, seven months who was martyred in # Sahnaya yesterday by the Zionist raids on the countryside of Damascus" (via @wasem258).
  • Rateb Mustafa Bakri Pasha was killed alongside his daughter in alleged Israeli strikes on Ashrafiyat Sahnaya on July 1st, 2019 (via NFAC).
  • Elaf Rateb Bakri Pasha was killed alongside her father in alleged Israeli strikes on Ashrafiyat Sahnaya on July 1st, 2019 (via NFAC).
  • Image of alleged Syrian regime air defence responding to alleged Israeli airstrikes on Ashrafiyat Sahnaya on July 1st, 2019 (via Masra Al Arabia).
  • Syrian regime air defence reportedly responded to alleged Israeli airstrikes on Ashrafiyat Sahnaya on July 1st, 2019 (via Masra Al Arabia).
  • Image of alleged Syrian regime air defence responding to alleged Israeli airstrikes on Ashrafiyat Sahnaya on July 1st, 2019 (via Masra Al Arabia).
  • ImageSat International
  • ImageSat International
  • Photo taken on July 1, 2019 shows an inside view of a damaged building in the suburb of Damascus, Syria. A total of four civilians, including an infant, were killed on Sunday night as a result of a series of Israeli strikes targeting areas in Syrian capital Damascus and the central province of Homs, said state news agency SANA. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
  • Photo taken on July 1, 2019 shows an inside view of a damaged building in the suburb of Damascus, Syria. A total of four civilians, including an infant, were killed on Sunday night as a result of a series of Israeli strikes targeting areas in Syrian capital Damascus and the central province of Homs, said state news agency SANA. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
  • Photo taken on July 1, 2019 shows an inside view of a damaged building in the suburb of Damascus, Syria. A total of four civilians, including an infant, were killed on Sunday night as a result of a series of Israeli strikes targeting areas in Syrian capital Damascus and the central province of Homs, said state news agency SANA. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
  • Image from @QalaatAlMudiq
  • The wounded being evacuated following alleged Israeli strikes outside of Damascus on July 1, 2019. (Image posted by Ynet)
  • The wounded being treated following alleged Israeli strikes outside of Damascus on July 1, 2019. (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (أشرفية صحنايا) for which the generic coordinates are: 33.433659, 36.245227. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 16
  • (2–3 children1 woman2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    21–50
  • 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
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Hezbollah, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–9

Sources (66) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3645

Incident date

May 2, 2019

Location

بسقلا, Bsaqla, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and others seriously injured as Bsqala in Idlib was targeted with explosive barrels and naval bombs on May 2nd 2019.

According to local source Step News, “Russian and Syrian warplanes and helicopters” operated over villages and towns in Idlib, striking a bakery and a kindergarten in Basaqla and killing one civilian. Syria.liveuamap reported that the incident took place in the morning.

Several other sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that the civilian who was killed was a child.

SN4HR, Smart News and a number of other sources claimed that the attack on Basaqla was carried out by helicopters of the Syrian Regime and added that the strike was carried out with explosive barrels.

According to Smart News, six others were wounded, although Syria.liveuamap claimed that a total of seven others were wounded.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdullah Musa محمد الموسى
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense forces carrying one of the wounded victims of an alleged Russian barrel bomb that struck Basqala on May 2nd (via Syria.liveuamap).
  • An alleged Russian airstrike hits Bsaqla, May 2nd.
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bsaqla, May 2nd. (via Sada news)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bsaqla, May 2nd. (via Sada news)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bsaqla, May 2nd. (via Sada news)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bsaqla, May 2nd. (via Sada news)
  • Image of a Russian warplane bombardment of the town of Basqla in rural Idlib on May 2nd 2019. (via @NewsCountryside)

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, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3627

Incident date

April 27, 2019

Location

Al Latamnah, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Hamah Now reported that “a civilian was injured by Russian air strikes on the town of Al Latamina, north of Hama.”

Multiple other sources reported Russian strikes on the city.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it had “monitored more Russian air strikes in the town of Al Latamina in the northern suburbs of Hama, where Russian helicopters fired two missiles each on, after Russian warplanes had targeted the town with four air raids”

According to Step, there had been “a bombardment with rocket launchers from the Russian camp south of Halfaya city targets the town of Al Latamina”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'A third Russian raid on the city of Al Latamina,'
  • Translation: 'Russian warplanes targeted the outskirts of the city of Al Latamina in the northern suburbs of Hama with air raids.'
  • Translation: 'Russian warplanes targeting the vicinity of the city of Al Latamina in the northern suburbs of Hama'
  • 'Russian warplanes bombard the city of Al Latamina in the countryside of Hama'
  • 'Air raid of Russian Aggression on the outskirts of the city of Al Latamina in the countryside of Hama'
  • 'The first moments of the air raids targeting residential neighborhoods in the city of Al-Latamina'
  • Russian raid on the city of Al Latamna on April 27th, 2019. (via @4Moq3mep7QbgEdT)
  • Russian raid on the city of Al Latamna on April 27th, 2019. (via @4Moq3mep7QbgEdT)
  • Russian warplanes targeted the outskirts of the city of Al Latamna in the northern suburbs of Hama, with air raids on April 27th, 2019 (via @IdlibPlus).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]