Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

R4373

Incident date

August 16, 2021

Location

بلشون, Balshoun, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A least one man was killed and one to two other civilians were killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Balshoun on August 16, 2021. Sources are contested as to whether the man killed was a civilian or a belligerent.

The correspondent for @HalabTodayTV reported that a civilian was killed in artillery shelling by the regime forces. @Step_Agency added that another civilian was also wounded in the strikes.

Both @mohmad_rasheed and @IdlibPlus identified “others” as being injured in the strikes but did not provide a number. Arab Turkey News reported that two other civilians were injured in the strikes.

@Jv5As provided names of the victims of the strikes: Basel Harmoush was killed and the Ibrahim Khaled Harmoush was injured.

A Facebook post by Nidal Qaddour alleged that Basel Harmoush was an “official of the checkpoints of the terrorist Al-Nusra Front, nicknamed Abu Hammam”. However, all other sources that reported on the incident referred to all of the victims of the incident as civilians.

The location of the strikes was identified by various sources as both the Al-Rami checkpoint and/or civilian homes in Balshoun.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the regime. However, @mohmad_rasheed blamed both the regime and Russia while @ibrahim78197182 identifies only Russia as being responsible for the strikes. Various sources identified a guided missile or a Krasnopol missile as being used.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Ibrahim Khaled Harmoush ابراهيم خالد هرموش
injured

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
    1–2
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of Basel Harmoush, killed in strikes on the town of Balshoun on August 16, 2021. (Image posted by @Jv5As)
  • Image of Basel Harmoush, killed in strikes on the town of Balshoun on August 16, 2021. (Image posted by Nidal Qaddour via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of Basel Harmoush, killed in strikes, and the location of the strikes on the town of Balshoun on August 16, 2021. (Image posted by Samer Khaled 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4305 IRS007

Incident date

May 3, 2021

Location

الفوعة, Al Fu'ah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.967389, 36.681596 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed and up to 11 others, including five children to six children and three women, were wounded in an alleged Iranian or Russian drone strike on a weapons depot near the Al-Furousiya camp for the displaced, in the vicinity of the town of Al-Foah on May 3, 2021. However other sources blamed the casualties on a weapon malfunction.

According to Euphrates Post, “an Iranian drone targeted a weapons depot of the Ahrar al-Sham faction, near the Al-Furousiya camp for the displaced, in the vicinity of the town of Al-Foah, north of Idlib. The targeting resulted in the killing of three civilians, including two children, and the wounding of others, some of them seriously.” Their reporting also identified “the death of two members of the same faction” and that the strike resulted in extensive damage, including “several houses were razed to the ground, and many tents in the camp were damaged.”

Step News reported that “the explosion killed a woman and injured eight other civilians, including five children, in an initial toll” and that some were in a “dangerous condition.” In addition, “there were deaths and injuries among the “Uzbek” and the ranks of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, amounting to approximately 14 soldiers, including two dead from “Ahrar Al-Sham” and 2 others whose identities were not known.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified “the death of two fighters and a woman who was passing by the site of the explosion, while six other people from the camp, including women and children, sustained injuries.” The Syrian Civil Defense put the numbers at “a woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women” while @Sy24ria identified four civilians as being killed.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified two of the civilians killed: 25-year-old woman, named as Fahimeh Khaledeh Shehadah, and man, named as Alaa Muhammad al Mesleh. 

A post from Maher Naser Diab on Facebook identified the names of those injured: Zarifa Al-Ahmad (F), Fatima Al-Muhaimid (F), Ali Al-Dakhil (M), Nayef Al-Haled (M), Alaa Asry Al-Kassar (M), Ahmed Deeb Al-Jasem (M), Wafdiya Ahmed Al-Hussein (F), Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hayer (M), Muhammad Fawaz Al-Awad (M). The material damage from the explosion included more than 50 tents destroyed and more than 30 sheep were killed.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with Step News reporting that one source said that “it it was caused by a technical failure in manufacturing that led to explosions” while another claimed “a Russian drone was flying in the targeted area, and it is expected that it bombed the place with guided missiles.” Zaman Al Wasel News and Euphrates Post attributed the explosion to an Iran drone. Other sources also reported that it wasn’t clear whether the explosion resulted from an aerial attack or a malfunction. An image posted by @NagiNajjar seems to show an aircraft flying near the camp around the time of the strikes.

Geolocation of the incident was completed by @obretix.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fahimeh Khaledeh Shehadah
25 years old female killed
Alaa Muhammad al Mesleh
Age unknown male killed
Zarifa Al-Ahmad
Age unknown female injured
Fatima Al-Muhaimid
Age unknown female injured
Ali Al-Dakhil
Age unknown male injured
Nayef Al-Haled
Age unknown male injured
Alaa Asry Al-Kassar
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Deeb Al-Jasem
Age unknown male injured
Wafdiya Ahmed Al-Hussein
Age unknown female injured
Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hayer
Age unknown male injured
Muhammad Fawaz Al-Awad
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Iranian Military, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    10

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • Two huge explosions occurred in weapons depots belonging to the "Uzbek" factions affiliated with the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, and another for the Ahrar Al-Sham faction, today, Monday, near the Equestrian camp in Kafraya, north of Idlib.
  • Reliable sources have told SOHR that the explosion which occurred near al-Furousiyyah refugee camp in al-Fu’ah area in the north-east of Idlib was caused by an explosion in a warehouse belonging to jihadi groups, where shells and IEDs are manufactured.
  • Photo shows damages to a number of IDP tents in al Furousiya Camp near Kafrayya town in North Idlib governorate caused by a massive blast of unknown sources and type near the camp on May 3, 2021. (Image by Ahmad Rahhal via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women, this afternoon, Monday, May 3, as a result of an unknown explosion at a place for raising poultry southwest of the town of Al-Foua in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women, this afternoon, Monday, May 3, as a result of an unknown explosion at a place for raising poultry southwest of the town of Al-Foua in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women, this afternoon, Monday, May 3, as a result of an unknown explosion at a place for raising poultry southwest of the town of Al-Foua in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women, this afternoon, Monday, May 3, as a result of an unknown explosion at a place for raising poultry southwest of the town of Al-Foua in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and others were wounded, most of them women, in an unknown explosion near the Equestrian camp in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Edlib Media Center via Facebook)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and others were wounded, most of them women, in an unknown explosion near the Equestrian camp in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Edlib Media Center via Facebook)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and others were wounded, most of them women, in an unknown explosion near the Equestrian camp in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Edlib Media Center via Facebook)
  • Caption translation: The Equestrian Club camp explosion, west of the town of Al Foah. (Images posted by @NagiNajjar)
  • Caption translation: The Equestrian Club camp explosion, west of the town of Al Foah. (Images posted by @NagiNajjar)
  • Caption translation: A large unknown explosion near the Equestrian Club camp, northeast of Idlib So far, the death of a woman and the wounding of a number of civilians, as a preliminary outcome (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: A large unknown explosion near the Equestrian Club camp, northeast of Idlib So far, the death of a woman and the wounding of a number of civilians, as a preliminary outcome (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: A large unknown explosion near the Equestrian Club camp, northeast of Idlib So far, the death of a woman and the wounding of a number of civilians, as a preliminary outcome (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: A large unknown explosion near the Equestrian Club camp, northeast of Idlib So far, the death of a woman and the wounding of a number of civilians, as a preliminary outcome (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: The young Alaa Muhammad Al-Musleh, from the displaced in the village of Qubeibat in the northern Hama countryside, rose to the equestrian camp near the town of Al-Fu'ah, northeast of Idlib, as a result of the explosion that happened a short while ago (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib Photography: Nour Al-Shami (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Caption translation: The death toll from the explosion that occurred in the Al Furousiya camp, southwest of the town of Al Foah in Idlib countryside, has risen to four. (Image posted by @AlaaHattabAlaa)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by Enab baladi)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by Enab baladi)
  • Geolocation of an alleged strike on an ammunition warehouse on May 3, 2021. (Images posted by @obretix)
  • Geolocation of an alleged strike on an ammunition warehouse on May 3, 2021. (Images posted by @obretix)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Fu’ah (الفوعة). According to research conducted by @obretix, the exact location of this strike is: 35.967389, 36.681596 . Cross referencing evidence from audio-visual material from sources, we can confirm this location.

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Iranian Military, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    10

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1952

Incident date

October 22, 2020

Location

جكارة, Jakara, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.148757, 36.388092 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were allegedly killed and one injured in a unilateral US airstrike on Jakara near the Turkish border.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented more human losses, as a result of the US air strikes on a ‘dinner’ in the village of Jakara in the countryside of Salqin near the Syrian border with the Iskenderun Brigade, where the death toll rose to 22, including 5 civilians, and 17 jihadist leaders and elements.”

The source further stated: “Among the dead jihadists, 11 former leaders of Tahrir al-Sham, 5 of whom were of non-Syrian nationalities, and one of the dead was a leader of the ‘Islamic State’ before joining the organization at a later time, all of whom were killed by targeting an American drone for a banquet.

It is noteworthy that the death toll is expected to rise due to the wounded, some of them in serious conditions, in addition to the information about the dead others.”

@asseraaalsham listed four victims that supposedly weren’t members of Hurras Al Din/Al Qaeda and tweeted: “America is lying when it says we have targeted an Al Qaeda meeting.”

Yahoo News reported: “‘US Forces conducted a strike against a group of Al-Qaeda in Syria (AQ-S) senior leaders meeting near Idlib, Syria,’ said Major Beth Riordan, the spokeswoman for United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

‘The removal of these AQ-S leaders will disrupt the terrorist organisation’s ability to further plot and carry out global attacks threatening US citizens, our partners and innocent civilians,’ Riordan said in a statement.

She did not specify the number of deaths from the strike.”

Shaam News wrote: “The sources pointed out that among the dead was the prominent security host in the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, Samer Souad, who is the owner of the targeted farm, in addition to his two brothers, Amer and Ibrahim, as well as the former leader of the organization, Abu Talha al-Hadidi, the former emir of the Badia sector, was killed in the strike.

Among the dead was the leader, ‘Hammoud Sahara’, a former emir of the Aleppo sector, and another security officer in the organization from the city of Aleppo, nicknamed the Jordanian, in addition to a figure called ‘Abu Ahmad Zakur’, and a civilian from the sheikhs of the Al-Aqidat clan from Deir Ezzor called ‘Abu Hassan Shash Al-Saleh Al-Hamad.’

The sources pointed out that there are charred bodies whose identity has not been customarily identified, at a time when information indicates that the meeting was at a dinner prepared by the security authority at the authority, ‘Samer Souad’, in his addition to a farm in the village of Jakara in the countryside of Salqin.”

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Dhiban
Adult male from the village of Al-Owina from Al Ghab killed
Ahmed Jarrah
Adult male notable of the Samatiyya clan killed
Abu Hassan Shash
Adult male sheikh of the al-Aqeedat clan, from the village of al-Khuwari, east of Saraqib killed
Abu Hassan Shash
Adult male Khaldoun Abu Jaafar injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    10–17

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alleged dinner scene before and victim of US drone strike on Jakara on October 22nd, 2020 (via Shaam News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jakara (جكارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.148757, 36.388092. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.14875, 36.38808

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    10–17

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1950

Incident date

October 15, 2020

Location

عرب سعيد, Arab Saeed, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.960982, 36.529044 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child and a humanitarian worker were reported killed, in addition to two leaders from Al Qaeda affiliated Hurras Addin group, and other civilians reported injured after a US drone allegedly struck two cars simultaneously in Arab Sa’eed town, west of Idlib in Syria on October 15th, 2020. On October 29th, the organisation Bonyan announced that one of their volunteers died of her injuries sustained in the attack.

Amnesty International senior crises advisor Donatella Rovera (@DRovera) tweeted a statement by the UN that two humanitarian workers and their driver were injured by shrapnel caused by the attack.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition deemed this incident credible and assessed that “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a vehicle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.”

Euphrates Post named the two Jihadi leaders killed as Abu Tharr Al Masri – possibly the main target of the attack – and Abu Yousuf Al Maghribi. The child has not been identified. A local source said the two men, and their companions, were killed in the attack but it is unclear if that refers to the child or to other people.

Shaam News Network said that the car was struck with a guided missile which completely burned the car.

Local sources blamed the Coalition for the incident. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said: “Two Arab jihadists and a child were killed this evening, after their car, Santa Fe, was targeted by a drone believed to be affiliated to the International Coalition on the road to Arab Said [Saeed], west of Idlib city. The fatalities’ bodies have been burned almost completely.”

However, Fox News reported from Maj. Beth Riordan, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command in a statement to that “U.S. forces conducted a strike against Al Qaeda in Syria in the vicinity of Idlib, Syria, Oct. 15. AQ-S continues to present a threat to America and our allies”, which means the attack was a unilateral US action.

On October 29th, Bonyan organisation announced in a Facebook post that one of their volunteers Dima Abdan died of her injuries sustained in the strike: “It’s with deep sadness we share that this morning our colleague, Dima, has passed of her injuries at a hospital in Turkey. Dima was seriously injured while she, and her colleagues, were on their way back from her humanitarian project location in Salqin city on 15th of Oct. The car was hit by shrapnel in Arab Saeed area.”

Shaam News Network also reported the death of the woman, writing that “she was seriously injured while returning and her colleagues from their work site in the city of Salqin to their homes in the city of Idlib on Wednesday morning. Thursday 10/15/2020 at 4:45 pm, as the vehicle of the organization that was carrying them in the Arab Saeed area was hit by many shrapnel.”

Also the Syrian Network for Human Rights said on October 19th that “Deema Mohammad Najdat Abdan, aged 25, and a member of the awareness team in Bunyan Organization, from Idlib City, died in a Turkish hospital due to severe wounds sustained on October 15th, 2020, when what we believe is a US-led Coalition drone fired a missile on a army vehicle transporting leaders of Huras al Din on Arab Saeed Road West of Idlib city,  as the van transporting the employees of Bunyan Organization passed by the vehicle, causing various levels of wounds for 5 members of the organization.”

The incident occured at approximately 4:45 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Dima Abdan ديمة عبدان
25 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known targets
    Al Qaeda/HTS, ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Caption: A Coalition's drone strike kills two leaders of Hurras Addin group.
  • Caption: Three unidentified persons were killed and some civilians were wounded as a result of the an international coalition drone strike on a car near the town of Arab Saeed, west of Idlib."
  • The car allegedly targeted by a US-led coalition drone in Arab Saeed in Idlib on October 15th, 2020 was totally burned and all those on board killed. (via EMC)
  • The car allegedly targeted by a US-led coalition drone in Arab Saeed in Idlib on October 15th, 2020 was totally burned and all those on board killed. (via EMC)
  • A SCD member seen trying to extinguish fire that broke out after an alleged US-led coalition drone strike in Arab Saeed in Idlib on October 15th, 2020. (via EMC)
  • Three people were killed as a result of the US-led coalition drone strike on a car near the town of Arab Saeed, west of Idlib on October 15th. (Via MMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption: "The death of the leaders of Hurras Addin Organization Abu Dhar al-Masri, Abu Yusuf al-Maghribi and their companions as a result of the targeting of their car by the coalition drone in Arab Said area a short while ago."
  • UN statement

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck at an intersection in the vicinity of Arab Saeed (عرب سعيد) town. According to one source, @obretix, the exact coordinates for this incident are: 35.960982, 36.529044. Reviewing audio-visual material from the case we can confirm this location to be accurate.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known targets
    Al Qaeda/HTS, ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4128

Incident date

November 2, 2019

Location

حزارين, Hizareen town, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.600002, 36.526 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hizareen the morning of November 2, 2019.

The White Helmets reported: “One man was killed and another injured as a result of a Russian military air raid, targeting civilian homes in the town of Hizareen”. A tweet from @ramiswidfree added that “the civil defense teams rescued the killed man and took the injured man to the nearest medical point to receive the necessary treatment.”

A tweet from @QasiounAr reported “a civilian was killed and others wounded in a Russian raid on Hazarin.”

According to the Syrian Human Rights Committee, “In Idlib governorate, six people were killed, five of them by the Russian bombardment of the towns of Jabala and Hizareen”.

An image posted by @AleppoAMC shows the “destruction in civilian homes” as a result of the airstrikes on Hazarin.

A pro-regime source @signal7579 posted that “the Syrian Air Force destroys several Al-Qaeda outposts in Hazarin in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

All sources that reported on the incident attributed the airstrikes to Russia except the pro-regime source that attributed the strikes to the regime.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Hizareen, Nov 2nd (via White Helmets)
  • Image caption: A civilian was killed and others wounded in a Russian raid on Hazarin. (Image posted by @QasiounAr)
  • Caption translation: The effects of destruction in civilian homes as a result of the air strikes that hit the town of Hazarin in the southern Idlib countryside this morning. (Image posted by @AleppoAMC)
  • Caption translation: A man was killed and another wounded, as a result of an air strike by Russian warplanes targeting civilian homes in the town of Hazarin, south of Idlib, this afternoon, Saturday. The civil defense teams rescued the killed man and took the injured man to the nearest medical point to receive the necessary treatment. (Image posted by @ramiswidfree)
  • Caption translation: A man was killed and another wounded, as a result of an air strike by Russian warplanes targeting civilian homes in the town of Hazarin, south of Idlib, this afternoon, Saturday. The civil defense teams rescued the killed man and took the injured man to the nearest medical point to receive the necessary treatment. (Image posted by @ramiswidfree)

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
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4097

Incident date

August 31, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6155094, 36.5471898 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At lease one civilian was killed and another wounded due to artillery and rocket shelling by the Syrian regime and Russian forces on residential neighborhoods in Kafr Nabil, struck from camp in Al-Nimr hill near Khan Sheikhoun.

Baladi News reported “a civilian was killed and another wounded due to artillery and rocket shelling by the Assad regime and Russia forces camp in Al-Nimr hill near Khan Sheikhoun city, which targeted residential neighborhoods in Kafranbel city in southern Idlib countryside.”

Tweets from @hazaralrihawi and @FSLA2011, in addition to various other sources, identified one civilian as being killed in the airstrikes.

A post by KafarNabil identified the civilian killed as Ammar Hassan al-Burghul, approximately 46 years old.

Xber24 published that “activists told the “News 24” correspondent that the Syrian regime forces stationed at the Tat Al-Nimr checkpoint in Khan Sheikhoun targeted the city of Kafr Nabl with missiles, which resulted in the killing of three militants from the “Al-Nusra Front” organization and wounding others.

Most sources that reported on the incident refer to artillery shelling and bombing as occurring in Kafr Nabil. A tweet by @MasarPressNet referred to missile strikes while @kefranbil identified rocket propelled grenades as being used in the strike.

According to I24, this strike was “the first breach of the ceasefire announced by Moscow and which took effect on Saturday morning with the approval of Damascus.”

Shaam News also pointed out that the area struck was a residential neighborhood.

The majority of sources attributed the strike to regime forces. However, Baladi News blamed both Russia and the regime for the strikes and a tweet from @NEDAAPOST identified Russia as responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Hassan al-Burghu
46 years old years old male Age is approximate killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrike on a residential neighborhood in Kafr Nabil on August 31st (via Baladi News).
  • Caption translation: #Kafarnabel # The death of a martyr, God willing “Ammar Hassan al-Burghul,” as a result of the missile strikes on the city of Kafr Nabl a short while ago Approximate age: 46 years old May Allah accept him as a martyr Kafranbel / Mubasher Saturday 31/8/2019 (Image posted by KafarNabil)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1921

Incident date

June 30, 2019

Location

ريف المهندسين الأول, Rif Al Mouhandessen Al Awal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.094532, 36.961419 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A confirmed Coalition strike with high-explosive missiles against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on the afternoon of June 30th is also locally reported to have injured at least two children and two women, and killed a number of foreign AQ-linked fighters. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the strike was carried out at 4.20 pm, exactly.

According to Step news, a total of seven injured people were evacuated including the two children and two women, in addition to the bodies of three men. Step News added in a later post that the number of casualties had risen to eleven people but did specify the number of dead or wounded or their combatant status.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights initially reported that eight commanders and fighters were killed but in a later post added that the number had risen to nine. According the source, the victims included two Algerians, two Tunisians, one Egyptian and a Syrian commander in addition to 14 wounded who attended a meeting when the building they were in was struck with rocket shelling. The source added that it wasn’t clear whether the shelling was carried out by the International Coalition or by Russian missiles.

Alarabiya reported: “The US-led coalition said Monday its jets carried out strikes in northwest Syria a day earlier that a monitor reported had killed eight extremists, including commanders, from an al-Qaeda-linked group.

‘This operation targeted AQ-S operatives responsible for plotting external attacks threatening US citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians,’ US Central Command said in a statement, using an acronym for Al-Qaeda in Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, earlier said six commanders were among the slain extremists from the Hurras al-Deen group.”

Among those killed militants were Abu Omar, Tunisian, and Abu Dujana, Algerian, leaders of the organization according to Mena Monitor. @jalaysalshuhada reported that Abu Omar was a Tunisian member of the Shura Council and a judge in the internal judiciary of the organization.

Mena Monitor added that among the wounded militants were Abu Yahya al-Masri and Abu Dhar al-Masri.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–9
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–14

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • A building was struck by a confirmed Coalition strike against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on June 30th (via Step News).
  • A building was struck by a confirmed Coalition strike against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on June 30th (via Step News).
  • A building was struck by a confirmed Coalition strike against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on June 30th (via Step News).
  • A building was struck by a confirmed Coalition strike against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on June 30th (via Step News).
  • A building was struck by a confirmed Coalition strike against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on June 30th (via Syria live ua).
  • A building was struck by a confirmed Coalition strike against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on June 30th (via Syria live ua).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abu Omar, Tunisian member of the Shura Council and a judge in the internal judiciary of extremist organization "Horras Al Din", was alleged killed in a Coalition strike in Aleppo on June 30th (via @jalaysalshuhada).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing bodies of stuck under the rubble caused by a Coalition strike in Aleppo on June 30th (via @jalaysalshuhada).

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.09453, 36.96142

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Aleppo, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCV1647596357
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Jun. 30, 2019, near Aleppo, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3218/CS1921 37SCV1647596357

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–9
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–14

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3702

Incident date

May 19–20, 2019

Location

كفرنبل , Kafar Nubul, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

According to numerous sources, a series of consecutive overnight strikes devastated a neighbourhood of Kafar Nubul from May 19th to 20th, killing 10 to 15 civilians, while injuring two to 20. While the majority of sources held Russia accountable for the bombardment, a minority did not positively attribute blame.

Women and children were named by many sources as the highest proportion of those killed and injured, with multiple sources reporting the death of seven children.

Young brothers Suleiman and Ibrahim al Ismail were reportedly killed alongside their pregnant mother, according to numerous sources. The sources named ten victims only.

While Edlib Media Center initially alleged four fatalities, the same source later stated that the figure had risen to 10, as understanding of the event unfolded. Multiple other sources claimed that there were at least 10 fatalities as a result of the bombardment. SyriaCivilDefense posted “The number of victims of the massacre of  Kafar Nubul rose to nine martyrs to the moment, after 10 air raids with high-explosive missiles on the residential neighborhoods of the city.”

Substantial damage to civilian infrastructure is documented by many sources, with Step News claiming that the strikes deliberately “targeted infrastructure and hospitals”, and Jisr TV stating that 15 homes were destroyed. Many sources reported that Mariam Maternity Hospital in southern Idlib was out of service as a result of the raid, while Step News alleged the “destruction of the hospital”. Documenting the rescue mission, Syria Civil Defense poignantly reported “the destruction of a number of homes above the heads of the residents.”

In spite of the Russian-Turkish agreement, stipulating the cessation of shelling in the region, Step News reported that “Idlib and the northern city of Hama are under frequent air, artillery and missile attacks by the Regime and Russia, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries, and tens of thousands of displaced persons.”

One resident of the neighbourhood, speaking in a video released by Edlib Media Centre, stated; “my uncle was killed, and my cousin was injured. There are another seven to eight killed, and around 10 injured. There are no military bases here. There’s nothing … it’s all civilian.”

According to Syrianmosaic, the Russian ministry of defense stated that they attacked with raids terrorists in Kafr Nubul in the evening of the day when the incident took place.

The ministry said: “Al-Nusra Front terrorists tried to launch an attack on the Russian Hmeimim base by rocket launchers, and at eight o’clock yesterday evening, Idlib terrorists fired six shells.” “Russian reconnaissance means were able to locate this missile launcher on the western outskirts of the village of Kafr Nabl in Idlib Governorate, and the Russian Air Force destroyed this terrorist point with a specific strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ibrahim al Ismail إبراهيم الإسماعيل
Child male killed
Suleiman al Ismail سليمان الإسماعيل
Child male killed
Hiba Shahine هبة الشاهين
Adult female pregnant Wife of Husam Al Ismaeil and The mother of those children killed

Family members (4)

Razook Hammoud Al-Shaheen رزوق حمود الشاهين
Adult male killed
Omar Muhammad Al-Shaheen عمر محمد الشاهين
Child male killed
Enas Muhammad Al-Shaheen ايناس محمد الشاهين
Child female killed
Asma Muhammad Al-Shaheen أسماء محمد الشاهين
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Abdul-Ilah Al-Rahhal عبد الإله الرحال
Adult male killed
Sundus Bint Al-Amali سندس بنت العملي
Adult female wife of Muhammad Ahmad Al-Hanbat killed
Hanan Ibrahim Al-Hussein حنان ابراهيم الحسين
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (3–7 children2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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

Sources (59) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (48) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 19th/20th airstrike on Kafar Nabil (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 19th/20th airstrike on Kafar Nabil (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 19th/20th airstrike on Kafar Nabil (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • The devastation of residential structures following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The devastation of civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following the alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The devastation of residential structures following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The devastation of residential structures following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The devastation of residential structures following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The devastation of residential structures following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The devastation of civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrike on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Structural devastation following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Structural devastation following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Translation: "Idlib, Southern countryside: the evacuation of civilian victims from the rubble of houses in the city of Kafr Nabel, south of Idlib, after the Russian shelling of the area on 20/05/2019"
  • A short video documenting the air raids (via Anas Marawi)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shahba Press)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shahba Press)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shahba Press)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shaam News)
  • The devastation of civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shaam News)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shaam News)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shaam News)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shaam News)
  • The devastation of residential structures and civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shaam News)
  • The devastation of civilian infrastructure following alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil May 19th/20th (via Shaam News)
  • A video depicting the aftermath of the airstrikes. Translation: "at night after evening prayer, Russian planes started hitting the village including the neighbourhood. They hit with more than ten raids. Among the victims were my uncle and cousin and six others from the neighbourhood and there are around ten injured. “
  • A child sitting amid destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Kafr Nubul on May 19th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Kafr Nubul on May 19th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • A child sitting amid of destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Kafr Nubul on May 19th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • One of the victims of an airstrike on Kafr Nubul on May 19th, 2019. (via Abu Ibrahim Ta`ata`a)
  • One of the victims of an airstrike on Kafr Nubul on May 19th, 2019. (via Abu Ibrahim Ta`ata`a)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (3–7 children2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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

Sources (59) [ collapse]