Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

R4543

Incident date

August 22, 2023

Location

بين بلدتي الشيخ بحر ومعرة مصري, between the towns of Sheikh Baher and Maaret, Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 22, 2023, at least four civilians were killed—and up to seven others were injured—in a series of alleged Russian airstrikes between the towns of Sheikh Baher and Maaret Misrin in Idlib, Syria.

Sources conflict about the precise number of civilians killed and injured by these strikes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three members of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham were killed and seven other militants were injured, in addition to the injury of five civilians, including two women. Shaam News put the number of militants killed at five, and added that there were “casualties among civilians, including women and children” without specifying how many. @alkhabour21 and @Mohab_Nasser2 were the only source that mentioned the death of civilians, with @alkhabour21 reporting that four civilians were killed and others were injured while @Mohab_Nasser2 reported that five civilians were killed and others were injured. Al Araby gave the highest report of civilian injuries, reporting that seven civilians were injured. Sources provided various other tolls for the militants killed, including Athr Press which identified six militants killed and four militants wounded while @MohamadDaba9966 identified five militants killed and nine others wounded.

According to Shaam News, the bombing struck several poultry farms that allegedly housed a Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham military installation. Athr Press added that the building was a headquarters which contained military and logistical equipment, including drones, and that the building was completely destroyed.

Sources allege that between three and six fighters affiliated with an Islamic fundamentalist organization were also killed. Independent Journalist Mohamad Dabaa identified three militants: Ahmed Mustafa Ghazal Abu Setif; Abdul Hamid Khalouf; Ibrahim Marwan Kharfan; and two foreign Turkic combatants.

According to Syrian journalist Jamil al-Hasan, the airstrikes displaced tent residents of Sheikh Bahr, with Syria TV specifying that the casualties from the strikes occurred in “Bir al-Tayyib” camp.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the airstrikes to Russian forces, with @mzmgr941 specifying that vacuum missiles were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture, IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4–9

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Mustafa Ghazal Abu Setif, reportedly a militant killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)
  • Ahmed Mustafa Ghazal Abu Setif, reportedly a militant killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @MohamadDaba9966)
  • Militants killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @MohamadDaba9966)
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • 7 civilian casualties, including two women, in air raids of the #Russian occupation warplanes on the #Sheikh_Bahr area in #Idlib countryside
  • Civilian casualties in Russian raids around Sheikh Bahr camps, and tent residents flee to agricultural lands

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture, IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4–9

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4536

Incident date

August 5, 2023

Location

الطريق الواصل بين عين شيب ومدينة إدلب, the linking road between Idlib and Ain Sheep, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 5th, 2023, three civilians were killed and seven injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on residences along a road which links Idlib to the village of Ain Sheeb. The strikes occurred between 11:02 a.m. and 11:11 a.m. local time.

According to Syria Civil Defence (SCD), the first strike struck a residential house, located on a farm along the road at 11:02 a.m. The attack killed Absi Muhammad Sami Balsha (54), his wife Ibtisam Suleiman (40), and their son Ahmed Balsha (17).

A second strike hit the same location at 11:04 a.m.

The third strike occurred at 11:11 a.m. and struck a nearby residence, while humanitarian and medical workers—including some affiliated with Syrian Civil Defense—were rescuing injured civilians, per SCD News. The Syrian Network for Human Rights independently reported that this final attack wounded one aid worker.

Seven people were injured in the strikes: Abd al-Rahman Jazairi; Yahya Kayali; Mohamed Sabreen; Muhammad Abbas Benshi; his wife, Raghad Noman; and Omar Jamali. This list of victims is corroborated by Violations Documentation Center, Hdhod News, SCD News, and multiple independent reporters, among other sources. According to the Violet Organisation, the leader of its Idlib ambulance team, Abdul Aziz Natour, also sustained a minor injury.

Al-Marsad 80 and the Syrian Opposition Air Traffic Tracking Observatory reported that Russian forces launched the attack; on August 5th, two Russian Su-34 fighter jets left Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia to conduct raids across Idlib governorate. The Violations Documentation Center was the only source that accused the Syrian regime of carrying out the airstrikes.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also suggested that the farm housed the headquarters of a local faction of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

The incident occured between 11:02 am and 11:11 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Absi Muhammad Sami Balsha بسي بن محمد سامي بلشة
54 years old male killed
Ibtisam Suleiman ابتسام بنت احمد سليمان
40 years old female killed
Ahmed Balsha أحمد بن عبسي بلشة
17 years old male killed

Family members (2)

Muhammad Abbas Benshi محمد عباس بنشي
male injured
Raghad Noman رغد نعمان
female wife of Muhammad injured

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Rahman Jazairi عبد الرحمن جزائري
Age unknown injured
Yahya Kayali يحيى كيالي
Age unknown injured
Mohamed Sabreen محمد صابرين
Age unknown injured
Omar Jamali عمر جمالي
Age unknown injured
Abdul Aziz Natour
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Civil defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Aerial photography showing the moments when Russian warplanes carried out air strikes targeting farms, buildings, and civilian homes, on the road between Idlib and Ain Sheeb, today, Saturday, August 5, killing 3 civilians (a man, his wife, and their son) and wounding 6 people, including a woman.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The first moments of our teams' response to Russian air raids targeted farms, buildings, and civilian homes, on the road connecting the city of Idlib and Ain Sheeb, today, Saturday, August 5, killing 3 civilians (a man, his wife, and their son) and wounding 6 people, including a woman.
  • Civil defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @Shadi_Alhasan_)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @YeniSafakArabic)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @YeniSafakArabic)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @YeniSafakArabic)
  • Victims of alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @YeniSafakArabic)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by @mohamed_owaid)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by Yaya via Facebook)
  • Absi Muhammad Sami Balsha and his son Ahmed Balsha, killed by alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by Muhammad Absi Balsha, son of Absi, via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by Mahio via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdel Aziz, a paramedic injured by alleged Russian strikes near Idlib on August 5, 2023. (Image posted by Kutaibasayed, via Facebook)

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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4504

Incident date

March 11, 2023

Location

الاتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.133794, 36.841879 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person, a man, was killed and between one to five other civilians, were injured after mortar shelling attributed to both the Syrian regime and Russian forces hit the outskirts of the city of Atarib, in the western countryside of Aleppo on Saturday March 11th 2023.

It’s unclear as to whether the man reported killed, Mustafa Talib, was a civilian, with a divided number of local sources indicating that he was a civilian, whilst others, such as Afrin Post, reported that he was a member of the “terrorist organisation Hay’at Tahir al-Sham”. The number of civilians injured ranged in reports from one, a woman, reported to be injured by the Afrin Post. It also reported that four other militants were killed alongside Mustafa Talib.  However, other reports indicated that all of the four or five injured were civilians, including a child and a woman.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–5

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • "A person was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of #Aleppo, today, Saturday, March 11." The White Helmets reported from the incident (Image via Twitter)
  • "A person was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of #Aleppo, today, Saturday, March 11." The White Helmets reported from the incident (Image via Twitter)
  • "A person was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of #Aleppo, today, Saturday, March 11." The White Helmets reported from the incident (Image via Twitter)
  • "A person was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of #Aleppo, today, Saturday, March 11." The White Helmets reported from the incident (Image via Twitter)
  • Mustafa Talib, reportedly killed as a resuly of a Russian or Syrian regime mortar shell. He is disputed between sources as a civilian or militant (Image via @Omar_Madaniah / Twitter)
  • Orient News report on the death of Mustafa Talib, killed "during its bombing of Atarib" (Image via @OrientNews / Twitter)
  • "The names of the casualties as a result of the artillery shelling that targeted the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo" (Image via @Almohrar1 / Twitter)
  • "A young man was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo today, Saturday, March 11, at noon." (Image via @abdalazezketaz / Twitter)
  • The Afrin Post reported that the man who was killed was a member of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Image via Afrin post)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the outskirts of the town of Al Atareb (الاتارب). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 36.133794, 36.841879.

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    @SyriaCivilDefe

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    @SyriaCivilDefe

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–5

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4476

Incident date

October 16, 2022

Location

كفرجنة, Kafr Janna, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes in the countryside of Azaz and Afrin, specifically the town of Kafr Jannah and Qatma, resulted in the death and wounding of civilians in addition to the death of up to six militants and the wounding of up to 12 militants.

@shaamnews reported that Russian airstrikes hit the countryside of Azaz and Afrin, killing and wounding Syrian National Army members and civilians. Shaam News was the only source that directly mentioned civilian casualties while others reported that “people” were killed without specifying if they were civilians or militants.

Shaam News also published a statement from the Ministry of Defense in the “Syrian Interim Government” which stated that “The warplanes of the criminal regime this morning, Sunday, October 16, 2022 AD, at eight o’clock, the military and civilian buildings in the regions of Afrin and Azaz, north of Aleppo governorate, with five air strikes that led to the deaths and injuries, most of them civilians. The areas that were targeted this morning include millions of civilians who were displaced due to the crimes of the Assad regime and its allies from the separatist and sectarian terrorist militias.” Shaam put the casualties at two SNA members killed and others wounded.

The Step News Agency correspondent reported that Russian warplanes took off from Hmeimim base in the northern countryside of Latakia and carried out 6 air raids with vacuum missiles against camps of the Turkish-backed opposition factions in the towns of Kafr Jannah and Qatma, resulting in two deaths and more than 7 wounded, with the destruction of a camp and several military vehicles in the vicinity of the building.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published that the death toll rose to three, including a fighter under the age of eighteen, and the injury of eight others. However, @SyriawatanNews put the casualties at six killed and 12 wounded among  “Suqur Al-Sham” members.

@Almohrar1 provided names of those injured and killed: Akram Derai, Ibrahim Muhammed Zureik, Abdel Hamid Zein El Din, Amin Hammadi Sattouf, Yusuf Masra Ibn Ibrahim, Mustafa Hamada Satouf, Elias Abdullah bin Ghalib, Bashar Al-Asi bin Samir, Ali Abras bin Muhammad, Khaled Hajj Musa Ibn Musa, Abdul Qasim bin Ahmed, Ubadah Hajj Darwish bin Abdul Qadir (Dead), Abdul Qahar Al-Asi bin Imad (Dead). Almglawy posted on Facebook that Suqur al-Sham Mujahideen member Youssef Ibrahim Al-Masrou was also killed.

@ly26935212 reported that the airstrikes caused outbreaks of fire in the area. All of the sources that reported on this incident attributed the strikes to Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected targets
    Al Qaeda/HTS, Free Syrian Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–12

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Step News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Step News)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @idleb_online)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Russian Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriawatanNews)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Najdat567)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Najdat567)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Najdat567)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @Sharqya_reporte)
  • Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Al Mohrar News)
  • Abdul Qahar Imad Al-Assi, an alleged militant killed by Russian strikes on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @allaith12345)
  • Ubadah Haj Darwish, an alleged militant killed by Russian strikes on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by @omaralabas1)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Russian Airstrikes in the vicinity of Kafr Janna on October 16, 2022. (Image posted by Omar via Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected targets
    Al Qaeda/HTS, Free Syrian Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–12

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS153

Incident date

October 13, 2022

Location

مخيم كويت الرحمة, Kuwait Al Rahma camp, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.481828, 36.908128 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two people were killed and up to 14 others, including women and children, were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces shelling of Kuwait Al-Rahma camp in the countryside of Afrin on October 13, 2022.

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that two civilians were injured by shelling on Kuwait Al-Rahma camp in the countryside of Afrin. The Civil Defense added that they evacuated two families from the camp to a safe place.

@shaamnews tweeted that there were dead and wounded from artillery shelling that came from areas under the control of the SDF. @mzmgr941 put the casualty toll at two young men killed and 14 others wounded, adding that the Al-Jolani Authority (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) attacked the ambulances that were transferring the wounded.

@iHHDYROQMHnphnS identified that among the 14 injured were some in critical condition and @ShahbaPress added that children and women were among the wounded and @horryapress noted that IDPs live in the camp.

The majority of sources attributed the shelling to the SDF. However, @HalabTodayTV referred to the shelling as coming from “areas controlled by the SDF and regime forces”. Baladi News reported that rocket propelled grenades were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–14
  • 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
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • One of the civilians injured in strikes on Kuwait Al-Rahma camp on October 13, 2022. (Image posted by the Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Kuwait Al Rahma camp (مخيم كويت الرحمة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.481828, 36.908128. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

YPG Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–14
  • 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
    YPG
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS560

Incident date

October 12, 2022

Location

شيراوا, Sherawa district, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.466500, 36.887006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

36.464198, 36.866351 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map 36.410735, 36.862676 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three women, including a pregnant woman, were killed and children were injured in clashes between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Turkish forces-associated Levant Front in the Sherawa district of Afrin on October 12, 2022.

Hawar News reported that three women, including a pregnant woman, were killed and children were injured in the clashes, specifically artillery shelling and tanks, between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the Levant Front in occupied Afrin. A local source told Hawar that the casualties occurred in the villages of Burj Abdalo, Karzila and Ain Dara in Sherawa district, and that the pregnant woman named Fatima Mahmoud al-Abed that was killed was from the village of Karzila.

Al Khabour posted on Facebook that one of the women was killed by artillery shelling by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham on the village of Burj Abdalo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified a woman as being killed by “indiscriminate bullets and shrapnel” but did not specify which village in Sherawa district.

A video posted by Ahmad M. Ahmad shows the moment a shell fell on the home of a civilian in the village of Karzila.

Source were conflicted as to whether the casualties were caused by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the Levant Front, a Turkish proxy fighting force.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Mahmoud al-Abed
Adult female pregnant killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
    Turkish Military, Rebel Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of clashes between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the Levant Front in Afrin on October 12, 2022. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • What is happening since this morning in the city of Afrin and its environs is fierce battles between the armed factions affiliated with Turkey. Artillery shelling targeting the vicinity of the city of Afrin at these moments. Violent clashes in the villages of Shirawa district, extending to the outskirts of Afrin. - Violent clashes inside the village of Karzila/Krzyhel in Shirawa district. -According to a call I had with my parents inside the Jindires district, the sounds of violent clashes are heard from the south of the district, and the clashes are concentrated in the villages of Deir Ballut and Muhammadiyah. The video below shows the moment a shell fell on the house of a civilian in the village of Karzila / Karzyhel. "We wish safety to our people in the city of Afrin and its villages"

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the villages of Karzila (قرزيحل), Ayn Dara (عين دارة), and Burj Abdalo (برج عبد الله). The generic coordinates for Karzila are: 36.466500, 36.887006. The generic coordinates for Ayn Dara are: 36.464198, 36.866351. The generic coordinates for Burj Abdalo are: 36.410735, 36.862676. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the locations further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Rebel Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
    Turkish Military, Rebel Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4444

Incident date

March 23, 2022

Location

بلدتي معارة النعسان و كفرنوران, between Maaret Al Nassan and Kafar Nuran, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, farmers, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling between the towns of Maarat Al-Naasan and Kafr Nuran on March 23, 2022.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that two farmers were injured in artillery shelling by Syrian regime and Russian forces on agricultural fields between the towns of Maarat Al-Naasan and Kafr Nuran.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that the shelling occurred near the administrative border with Aleppo province.

A tweet from @Blal_Haj_Ahmad, a local reporter, stated that “more than 50 mortar and artillery shells” had been launched in the vicinity of the village of Maarat Al-Naasan., in conjunction with the flight of reconnaissance planes in the area.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to regime forces, with North Press Agency specifically blaming “Syrian government forces stationed in the 46th Regiment”. However, the Syrian Civil Defense and Enab Baladi New mentioned both the regime and Russia as being responsible for the injuries. Enab Baladi added that the town is close to the front lines between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the regime forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Impact from shelling on an agricultural field between the towns of Maarat Al-Naasan and Kafr Nuran on March 23, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1973

Incident date

December 3, 2021

Location

المسطومة, Al-Mastouma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.838709, 36.622450 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one young man was killed and between six and seven civilians, including up to four children, were injured in a declared US drone strike on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road on December 3rd, 2021. Sources are conflicted as to whether the young man killed was an active or former member of the Guardians of Religion Organization, an Al Qaeda affiliate group.

In a press briefing on December 6, 2021, the Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters “a senior leader with Hurras al-Din, which is an Al-Qaeda affiliated group, by the name of Musab Kinan was the person targeted and killed in a kinetic strike by U.S. forces near Idlib on the 3rd of December. It was a strike conducted from an MQ-9 unmanned aircraft. The initial review of the strike did indicate the potential for possible civilian casualties. They’ve [CENTCOM] launched a civilian casualty assessment report, which they have to do when they think there’s a potential and as far as I know that’s still ongoing. I don’t know what the results might be.”

Associated Press reported that at least four members of the Qasoum family were children – 16-year old Hiba Qasoum, 15-year old Batoul Qasoum, 12-year old Walid Qasoum and 10-year old Mohammad Qasoum. Fatima, 48, was also reported seriously injured in the strike alongside her husband Ahmed Qasoum who sustained light injuries. One source (@jabha_sy) reported different ages (included in brackets in victim details below).

The Middle East Eye (MEE) also reported on the Qasoum family, including an interview with father Ahmed Qasoum who told MEE that one of those injured was his 10-year old son: ““The motorcycle was going in front of me and I decided to pass it, when I got parallel to it, I felt a lot of pressure pushing the car to the left of the road….It was horrible,” Qasoum said. “We didn’t hear any sound of the explosion. The shrapnel hit the left side of the car, tearing through that side, which acted as a sort of filter for a lot of it.”

“My 10-year-old son has had a fractured skull and is now in a very serious condition in the intensive care at a hospital in Idlib. Doctors have told me that he would have nerves problems on his right side in the future,” Qasoum said, speaking to MEE via WhatsApp.”

Mr. Qasoum added that his 15-year old daughter was also seriously injured after shrapnel struck her head, and that it might take her a week to be able to walk again.

In an interview with Associated Press published December 6th, Mr. Qassoum said that he was driving 10km every day to visit the hospital where his son, Mahmoud, was being treated for his head injuries.

Step News Agency reported that the Qasoum family had been displaced from the village of Kafr Batikh after regime forces took control of the area.

@humam_isa identified the young man, “Musab Khaled Kanaan” (a first-year Turkish language student) as being one of the people killed by Coalition missile strikes on the Idlib-Al-Mastouma road, while Syrian Network for Human Rights and Shaam News referred to Musab as being a former Hurras al Din (Guardians of Religion) fighter.

A tweet from @SunaUnique reported that a drone struck a car traveling on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road, killing those inside, but didn’t specify how many were traveling in the car.

According to @Click_Syria, a drone alleged to belong to the Coalition struck a motorcycle belonging to a military official from the Guardians of Religion Organization and also hit a Santa Fe car passing by on the same road, the Ariha-Mastouma highway, injuring six people in the car. @syr_television added that the family of six people in the car were “lightly” injured. Euphrates Eye put the number killed at two and identified them both as Guardians of Religion.

Syrian Civil Defense put the number of injured civilians at five, including three women and a child.

A tweet from @FreshFM90MHZ referred to those killed and injured as being “civilians”.

A video posted by @syr_television shows the moment that the drone strike hit the motorcycle from the perspective of the car where the six family members were injured. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified that three missiles were involved in the attack.

@NotWoofers pointed out that this is the first time in a while in Idlib that there have been civilian casualties from a Coalition drone strike.

The Military Times reported that “the command [CENTCOM] would not say whether such operations will pause during the investigation” into civilian harm allegations.

Limited local media coverage was noted by the Middle East Eye, who reported that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the armed group in control of Idlib, seized the Qasoum family car after the attack “under the pretext of checking the car’s papers”, and “prevented the media from filming the damage at the scene”.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Fatima Qarqour
48 years old injured
Muhammad Qasoum
10 (also reported as 15) years old injured
Heba Qasoum
16 (also reported as 30) years old injured
Batoul Qasoum
15 (also reported as 20) years old injured
Walid Qasoum
12 (also reported as 50) years old injured
Ahmed Qasoum
52 years old injured

The victims were named as:

Musab Khaled Kanaan
Age unknown male conflicted as to whether the young man killed was an active or former member of the Guardians of Religion Organization, an Al Qaeda affiliate group killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • A drone struck a car traveling on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road, killing those inside. (Image posted by @SunaUnique)
  • A drone struck a car traveling on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road, killing those inside. (Image posted by @SunaUnique)
  • Musab Khaled Kanaan, killed in an alleged Coalition drone strike on a car on the Idlib-Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by @humam_isa)
  • White Helmets observe the motorcycle struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets observe the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Blood of the victims on the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A White Helmet with remnants from the drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Remnants of the car destroyed by the drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • A White Helmet with remnants from the drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Blood of the victims on the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Blood of the victims on the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Blood of the victims on the car struck with a drone attack on the Ariha Al-Mastouma road on December 3, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Ahmed Qasoum was reported to be one of at least six members of the Qasoum family who sustained injuries after a US military strike hit a road in Idlib, December 3rd 2021. Image via Middle East Eye/Izzeddin Kasim.
  • "The wife of Ahmed Qasoum resting her broken leg after being injured in a US attack near Idlib on 3 December", Image via Middle East Eye/Izzeddin Kasim.
  • ""The shrapnel hit the left side of the car, tearing through that side," Ahmed Qasoum said", Image via Middle East Eye/Izzeddin Kasim.
  • Mahmoud Qasoum was was reported seriously injured in a US strike in Idlib December 3rd 2021. Image published by Associated Press/Ghaith Alsayed.
  • The Qasoum family, injured by a US strike in Idlib December 3rd 2021. Image via Associated Press.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention vehicles struck on the road between Ariha (أَرِيحَا) and Al Mastouma (المسطومة). Analyzing audiovisual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to the following coordinates: 35.838709, 36.622450.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[36.62245,35.838709]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.62225425243378,35.83975759353259],[36.62246346473694,35.83975759353259],[36.62246346473694,35.83991414682634],[36.62225425243378,35.83991414682634],[36.62225425243378,35.83975759353259]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0,"label":"B"},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.62222474813461,35.83912267978506],[36.62240445613861,35.83912267978506],[36.62240445613861,35.83925314192882],[36.62222474813461,35.83925314192882],[36.62222474813461,35.83912267978506]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0,"label":"C"},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.62228912115097,35.83863779360352],[36.62237495183945,35.83863779360352],[36.62237495183945,35.8391205054142],[36.62228912115097,35.8391205054142],[36.62228912115097,35.83863779360352]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0,"label":"D"},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.62249565124512,35.83899221742676],[36.62263780832291,35.83899221742676],[36.62263780832291,35.83907484361194],[36.62249565124512,35.83907484361194],[36.62249565124512,35.83899221742676]]]}}]}

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Middle East Eye

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Macro Media Center

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Macro Media Center

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

"A senior leader with Hurras al-Din, which is an Al-Qaeda affiliated group, by the name of Musab Kinan was the person targeted and killed in a kinetic strike by U.S. forces near Idlib on the 3rd of December. It was a strike conducted from an MQ-9 unmanned aircraft. The initial review of the strike did indicate the potential for possible civilian casualties. They've [CENTCOM] launched a civilian casualty assessment report, which they have to do when they think there's a potential and as far as I know that's still ongoing. I don't know what the results might be."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (34) [ collapse]