Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3616

Incident date

April 6, 2019

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that long-range high-explosive ballistic missiles struck the city of Jisr al-Shughour. Step News specified that ten missiles struck residential buildings and infrastructure in the city. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the strikes struck an area near the Mamoun Haj Yahya School in al Shamali al Sharqi neighborhood, severely destroying the school’s building, putting the school out of service.

While most sources said the event happened on April 8th, @AJA_Syria tweeted (on April 8th): “Pictures of the effects of the destruction caused by the bombing a few days ago on the city of Jisr al-Shughour”.

Mustafa Al Haj Yousif, director of the Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib,  said that two missiles struck another school called “Ruqiya bint Malik” in addition to a number of residential houses.

Some sources blamed Syrian regime forces while other sources blamed the Russian forces. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed both, reporting that Syrian-Russian Alliance forces were responsible for the attack.

Several sources such as Jisir TV claimed that the missiles were fired from Russian battleships stationed off the coast of Lattakia in the Mediterranean Sea, while others reported that the missiles were fired from positions of the regime forces in Tel Sheikh Yusuf or Henderat in Aleppo.

Most sources reported that 12 people were injured. Step News specified that among the wounded were 10 children, a woman and a young man, although the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the 12 wounded included a woman and nine children. Smart News was the only source that reported 14 children were wounded in addition to a woman, although it also published the statement of Mustafa Al Haj Yousif who claimed that 12 children and two women were injured in the attack.

Jisir Media center identified the victims.

Human Rights Watch said the attack on the hospital wounded 13 women and children. “On April 8th, two munitions struck a residential neighborhood about 60 meters from the school, blowing out the school’s doors and windows and wounding 13 women and children who were inside.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Anas Al Omar أنس العمر
Age unknown male injured
Adam Al Omar آدم العمر
Age unknown male injured
Bilal Omar بلال العمر
Age unknown male injured

Family members (4)

Fatima Haboub فاطمة حبوب
Age unknown female injured
Maryam Haboub مريم حبوب
female injured
Ahmed Haboub أحمد حبوب
male injured
Ghoufran Haboub غفران حبوب
25 years old female injured

Family members (2)

Jana Mohamed جنى محمد
female injured
Ali Mohamed علي محمد
injured

Family members (2)

Abdul Rahman Barakat عبد الرحمن بركات
male injured
Elaf Mohamed Barakat ايلاف محمد بركات
7 years old female injured

The victims were named as:

Abeer Mostafa عبير مصطفى
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • SIght of alleged Russian missile strikes on the city of Jisr al-Shughour on April 8th (via LCCSY).
  • SIght of missile strikes on the city of Jisr al-Shughour on April 8th (via @abuhuzaifa_).
  • Syrian Civil Defense carrying wounded children after missile strikes struck Jisr al-Shughour on April 8th (via @ShahbaPress)
  • Jisr al-Shughour before alleged missile strikes struck on April 8th (via Jisir Media TV).
  • Jisr al-Shughour before alleged missile strikes struck on April 8th (via Jisir Media TV).
  • Jisr al-Shughour after alleged missile strikes struck on April 8th (via Jisir Media TV).
  • Jisr al-Shughour after alleged missile strikes struck on April 8th (via Jisir Media TV).
  • Video showing destruction caused by alleged missile strikes
  • Video showing alleged shelling of long-range missiles on Jisr al-Shughour on April 8th (via Halab Today TV).
  • Video showing the aftermath of alleged long-range and high explosive missiles struck Jisr al-Shughour (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Destruction caused by alleged airstrikes struck Jisr al-Shughour (via @AJA_Syria).
  • Long-range missile attack on the town of Jisr al-Shughour (32 km west of Idlib city) in northern Syria on April 8th, 2019. Copyright SMART, published in the public interest.
  • Pictures of the effects of the destruction caused by the bombing earlier on the city of Jisr al-Shughour. (via @AJA_Syria)
  • Pictures of the effects of the destruction caused by the bombing earlier on the city of Jisr al-Shughour. (via @AJA_Syria)
  • Pictures of the effects of the destruction caused by the bombing earlier on the city of Jisr al-Shughour. (via @AJA_Syria)
  • Pictures of the effects of the destruction caused by the bombing earlier on the city of Jisr al-Shughour. (via @AJA_Syria)
  • The SCD’s ordnance disposal team found the remnants of a 300mm 9M55K Smerch cluster munition rocket and unexploded 9N235 fragmentation submunition in the yard of Walid Shaaban secondary school in Jisr al-Shughour after an attack on March 3, 2020. © 2020 Syrian Civil Defense. (Via HRW)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr092

Incident date

July 23, 2017

Location

جبل المراقشه, Jabal Al Maraqisha, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.561668, 46.134923 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that US airstrikes, or possibly US naval strikes, targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Al Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, late on July 23rd 2017. Other sources reported similar strikes in the area the previous night, though did not assign responsibility to the US. There were no known reports of civilian harm.

Twitter user @demolinari, a usually reliable source, indicated on July 23rd that there were reports of US strikes in the area. Some, such as @drwaheepsaad and @Sbyhy1, specified that strikes targeted locations in Al-Maraqisha including Mogan, Husn Saeed, and Al-Maroun.

The latter source, @Sbyhy1, stated late on July 23rd that there was “news of deaths”. Given this, Airwars has assessed that at least two militants were reportedly killed in the alleged strikes.

Earlier sources from the previous night, also describing attacks in the same area, did not assign responsibility to the US. These sources further suggested that strikes targeted the Al-Waddi district of Abyan, from the direction of Al-Maraqisha, and one, @AdenNowNews, reported “hundreds of deaths”. Since these reports did not assign responsibility to the US, they are not accounted for in a unique event.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention strikes in the Jabal Al Maraqisha (جبل المراقشه) area that includes the coastal portion to the south, allegedly targetting Mojan (موجان) at: 13.425116, 46.171369; Al Maroun (المرون), Malaj (املج), and Husn Said (حصن سعيد) at: 13.433773, 46.270462. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jabal Al Maraqisha are: 13.561668, 46.134923.

  • Reports of the incident mention strikes in the Jabal Al Maraqisha (جبل المراقشه) area that includes the coastal portion to the south, allegedly targetting Mojan (موجان), Al Maroun (المرون), Malaj (املج), and Husn Said (حصن سعيد).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr074

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Location

مودية, Northern outskirts of Mudiyah, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.929915, 46.079702 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US naval strike reportedly targeted an alleged AQAP site on the northern outskirts of Mudiyah town, Abyan governorate, on the evening of April 16th 2017. There were no reported associated civilian or militant casualties.

According to Aden al-Ghad, a missile exploded in Al Qassarat area, according to locals, but left no casualties. This was reportedly one of two US naval strikes in Mudiyah on the evening of April 16th, the other striking to the west of the town.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention two strikes on the outskirts of Mudiyah (مودية) town. One struck the Al Qassarat (الكسارات) area in the north, while another struck in the west, allegedly in the vicinity of a medical clinic. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Mudiyah town are: 13.929915, 46.079702

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr073

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Location

مودية, Western outskirts of Mudiyah, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.929915, 46.079702 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US naval strike reportedly targeted an alleged AQAP site on the western outskirts of Mudiyah town, in Abyan governorate, on the evening of April 16th 2017. There were no known reported civilian or militant casualties.

According to Aden al-Ghad, a missile exploded near a medical clinic to the west of the town, according to locals, but left no casualties. This was reportedly one of two US naval strikes in Mudiyah on the evening of April 16th, with a second missile reportedly landing in the north of the town according to Yafa News.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention two strikes on the outskirts of Mudiyah (مودية) town. One struck the Al Qassarat (الكسارات) area in the north, while another struck in the west, allegedly in the vicinity of a medical clinic. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Mudiyah town are: 13.929915, 46.079702.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr069

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Location

وادي الصنيف, Wadi Al Sanif, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.420207, 46.071511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US drone and naval strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in Wadi Al Sanif, in the Al Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, late on April 5th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Several sources, including AFP, reported that a US drone strike killed a local AQAP leader, Ahmed Ali Saana, while he crossed a bridge on a motorbike in Al Sanif.  According to Aden Lang, an anonymous Yemeni security official said that the strike took place on the night of April 5th.

Sources also reported that a US warship launched strikes in the same area, though the timing of the bombardment was unclear. There were no known reports of any casualties from the naval fire.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a motorcycle being struck on a bridge crossing Wadi Al Sanif (وادي الصنيف), for which the exact coordinates are: 13.420207, 46.071511.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr054

Incident date

March 30–31, 2017

Location

حناذ, Hanad, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.4720871, 46.6633046 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Some sources reported that US naval strikes targeted alleged AQAP targets in Hanad, in the Ahwar region of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 30th to March 31st.  There were no known reports of civilian or militant harm.

Multiple sources indicated that fire from warships off the Abyan coast also targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous Al Maraqisha area, including Mojan and Al Maroun, from March 29th to March 31st. Images of alleged US illumination shells were posted on social media the day after reported overnight March 29th to March 30th strikes.

This claimed event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, some fifty US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hanad (حناذ), for which the coordinates are: 13.4720871, 46.6633046. 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr059

Incident date

March 30–31, 2017

Location

سبخة, أحور, Salt marshes, Ahwar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.519256, 46.712837 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least a dozen US air and naval strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in an area of salt marshes south of Ahwar city, in the Ahwar directorate of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 30th to March 31st 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Several sources indicated that overnight naval and drone strikes targeted militants as they fled from earlier reported strikes against AQAP sites in or around Mogan, al-Maraqisha, on the Abyan coast. Al Itihad for example noted that “other raids targeted groups of terrorist elements in the Sabkha area while they were fleeing from the bombing that targeted their training camps in the areas of Mogan and Khobar Al-Marashshah In the district of Ahwar.”

There were no clear allegations of casualties from the reported strikes, though the now-deleted account @CombatTerrorism reportedly indicated that the militants “all died”, according to sources including Yafa News and Sahafanet. Airwars has, therefore, assessed that a minimum of two militants were allegedly killed in the strike.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the coastal salt marshes (سبخة), located within the Qaroub (علبوب) area, south of Ahwar (أحور) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ahwar are: 13.519256, 46.712837.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr052

Incident date

March 29–30, 2017

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.425116, 46.171369 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of Mojan, al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There were no known reports of civilian casualties.

Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha area, including Mojan and al-Maroun.  Images of alleged US illumination shells were posted on social media the day after the reported strikes.

According to one source, four AQAP militants were killed in the course of the shelling in al-Maraqisha, though it was unclear in which specific strike these casualties were alleged to have been killed. This claim has been accounted for in this entry.

Several local language social media sources also suggested that US ground forces were deployed in the area, variously described as a success and a failure by different sources, but no further information was available.

Late on March 30th, a few Twitter sources indicated that a naval bombardment was taking place in the area, possibly indicating that the strikes continued into the night of March 30th to March 31st.  These sources may constitute late reporting of the initial reported strikes.

The Mojan area was the target of several alleged US strikes in March 2017, including a reported special forces amphibious landing on March 2nd 2017.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@sanaawald, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mojan (موجان), for which the coordinates are: 13.425116, 46.171369. 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (31) [ collapse]