Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3658

Incident date

May 4, 2019

Location

الجانودية, Al Ganoudia, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian or regime strikes struck the outskirts of the town of Ganoudia in the western countryside of Idlib. An unknown number of civilians including children were reported wounded on May 4th, 2019.

Pro regime sources said that the attacks targeted Al-Nusra Front in the area, killing and injuring a number of its members.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3538

Incident date

September 4, 2018

Location

الجانودية, al Janoudiya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and two others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al-Janoudiya in Idlib, on September 4th, 2018.

@almo3tasem91 tweeted “Two martyrs and a number of wounded civilians in the village of Al-Janoudiya as a result of being targeted by several air strikes by Russian warplanes.”

Local sources also said the attack led to severe damage in civilians’ properties as a result of the airstrikes.

Syria TV said “As for the town of Al-Janoudiya in the northern countryside of Jisr Al-Shughour, two people were injured and civilian property was badly damaged after being targeted by six air strikes by Russian warplanes.”

@SyriaCivilDefe said that the area was hit with six air strikes by Russian aircraft “which resulted in the injury of two people, and damage to public property.”

Russian forces and the Syrian regime were both blamed for the attack. While a pro-regime one said that Syrian Air Force targeted what they described as terrorists spots in Al Janoudiya with two raids, Sputnik  reported from a Russian military source that they conducted airstrikes on areas in Idlib on the same day.

@now_damascus tweeted “The Syrian Air Force has targeted locations of terrorist groups in the town of Al-Janoudiya in the countryside of Jisr Al-Shughour, with two air strikes, in conjunction with missile strikes targeting the same location.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The moment raids hit al Janoudiya, 4th Sept 2018. (via Sputnik)

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
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3537

Incident date

September 4, 2018

Location

فريكة, Freika, idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed, and another injured in Freeka town in Idlib, as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on September 4th, 2018, according to local sources.

Syrian TV reported that “a civilian was killed and his son was seriously wounded in Russian air strikes on the village of Freeka in Idlib countryside.” Macro Media Center identified the victim as Ahmad Mohammad al-Jaber, and said that his son Omar was injured in the incident.

However, Enab Baladi said that two civilians were killed in the attack. “According to the reporter of Enab Baladi in the Idlib countryside, the shelling killed three people in the city of Jisr Al-Shughour, and two in the town of Freeika in Idlib countryside.”

Sputnik reported from a Russian military source that “On the same day [September 4], four planes from the Russian air unit deployed at the Hmeymim Airbase carried out strikes on Nusra Front terrorist group targets in Idlib province with precision-guided munitions.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Muhammad Al-Jaber أحمد محمد الجابر
male killed
Omar Ahmad Al-Jaber عمر أحمد الجابر
male critical injury injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The bombing of Freika, 4th Sept 2018. (via Sputnik)

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
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS472

Incident date

February 3, 2017

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.904042, 36.726111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A confirmed US airstrike on a militant group reportedly linked to Al Qaeda also possibly killed or injured a number of civilians.

According to Step News, 12 or more members of new group Hai’at Tahrir al Sham were killed in a raid targeting a meeting on the edges of Sarmin.

As Step News explained, “Hai’at Tahrir al Sham was formed on 28th of the past month under the leadership of Abu Jaber al Sheikh and it includes many factions most notably Fatah al Sham Front and Nour al Din al Zanki movement, and came after the attacks carried out by the front on several factions in rural Idlib and Aleppo, notably Soukour al Sham which has recently come  under the banner of Ahrar al-Sham movement.”

While most reports said only fighters died, both LCCSY and Ara News also reported civilian casualties.

The Pentagon confirmed on February 8th that it had carried out the attack, though made no reference to civilian harm.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “February 3, 2017, in Sarmin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2475/S422 37SBV948575”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A unilateral targeted US strike targeted a meeting of a new militant group near Sarmin - but may also have caused civilian casualties (via Step News)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Sarmin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV948575
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • February 3, 2017, in Sarmin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2475/S422 37SBV948575

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Pentagon reports that “On Feb. 3, one U.S. strike killed 10 terrorists in a building being used as an al-Qaida meeting place.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS426

Incident date

January 6, 2017

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.99805, 36.78559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported unilateral US airstrike targeted and possibly killed Sheikh Yones Shoaib, aka Abu Hassan Taftanaz – a key leader of Fatah al-Sham. However his 15-year old son Hasan Younes Shoeaib also reportedly died, along with at least one other relative. The Syrian Observatory later questioned whether Sheikh Yones Shoaib in fact died.

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this allegation of civilian harm, though claimed it to have been an attack on ISIS. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.” In May 2020, the Pentagon declared this as a US action.

According to Enab Baladi at the time of the event, “A drone belonging to the international Coalition led by the United States, carried out a raid on the town of Taftanaz in the countryside of Idlib this afternoon, caused the deaths of Shoaib and his son, a 15-year-old and his relative, former member of the Nusra Front, Mohamed Kamal Shoaib (Abu Omar).”

Shaam News said that Shoaib’s home was targeted by a drone in the attack, and that along with the three deaths several unspecified people were injured. Baladi News said that land next to the house was targeted.

Syria analyst Charles Lister – pointing out the increase in US attacks on al Nusra, noted: “Nusra/JFS’s decision to operate as a mass movement – in the open and embedded as one component of a broader armed revolution has laid it out as intrinsically vulnerable to (a) air attack and (2) external infiltration.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

In May 2020, in its annual report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US civilian casualty event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Younes Shoeaib
15 years years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via Jisir TV)
  • Sheikh Yones Shoaib (Abu Hassan Taftanaz), a leading figure in the "front Fateh Sham" (via Enab Baladi)
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition providing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated this event to 35.9976603, 36.7856598. In June 2019 the Coalition provided 37SCV004860 as the MGRS for this event.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Taftanaz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCV004860
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2019

  • Jan. 6, 2017, near Taftanaz, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 6th-7th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Idlib, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.” However given that strikes on al Nusra are generally unilateral US actions, this may not refer to this incident.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS425

Incident date

January 3, 2017

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.18525, 36.72251 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major US airstrike on an al Nusra Front headquarters – a unilateral action – killed a significant number of militants. However, up to 26 Free Syrian Army prisoners held in the building were also reported killed, along with three children.

The US admitted responsibility for just one civilian death three years later.

Fatah al Sham blamed the international Coalition at the time, with spokesman Abu Anas al-Shami saying in a statement: “The headquarters targeted by the international coalition a short time ago are a main headquarters for that area and contains a number branch offices, leading to the killing of the brothers.”

Given that the target was al Nusra, this was thought most likely to be a unilateral US action. The Coalition’s spokesman Colonel John Dorrian later confirmed that the attack “was a US strike.”

As the Pentagon’s own spokesman Peter Cook also noted: ““Al-Qaida’s foreign terrorist fighter network used this headquarters as a gathering place, and their leaders directed terrorist operations out of this location. As you know, al-Qaida remains committed to carrying out terrorist attacks against the United States, our interests, and our allies and friends. We will continue to take actions to deny any safe haven for al-Qaida in Syria. We will not allow al-Qaida to grow its capacity to attack the United States or our allies around the world, and these strikes demonstrate that commitment.”

AFP cited the Syrian Observatory as saying that “Among the dead were leading members of the group formerly known as al-Nusra Front, who had been holding a meeting.” Almost all sources also reported civilian fatalities.

Idlib Media Centre reported “Civilian martyrs and wounded including prisoners, due to Coalition warplanes shelling a Fatah Al-Sham building in Samara.” Shaam News reported that the strikes “killed around 40 – the majority of whom are prisoners who were detained by Fatah Al-Sham.” Qasioun said the attack occurred at 3.55pm and injured “dozens.”

According to Al Khaleej, “44 were killed including 26 prisoners of the Free Syrian Army, 15 members of Fatah Al-Sham and three children and it’s not known whether the children were prisoners, or children of Fatah Al-Sham members.”

A local activist told Airwars the following: “Al-Nusra Front still denies the existence of civilian [prisoners] in its headquarters. But families were able to recognise a number of the bodies who were previous detainees and missing people, which confirms that the headquarters was transformed into a prison recently.” One of those victims – 10 year old Haytham – was reportedly being held on theft charges when he was killed.

However Al Souria insisted that the facility was not a prison, and that more than 20 members of Al Nusra were instead killed.

Syrian Revolution has named the four prisoners as killed. In addition, a local activist provided Airwars with five additional names of reported civilian fatalities.

On March 4th 2017 the Coalition claimed it did not have enough information to determine whether civilians died in the raid, noting: “Jan. 3, 2017, Sarmada, Syria, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details of strike to assess its credibility.”

However in January 2020, the Coalition conceded one civilian death in the event, noting: “January 3, 2017, in Sarmada, Syria, via media report. US aircraft conducted an airstrike against an Al Qaida facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of the strike. 306/CS425 37SBA952069”.

In May 2020, the Pentagon also included this event in its annual civilian harm report to Congress.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Wael Yasin
Age unknown male From Kafr Dyan killed
Adnan Mohammed Suleiman
Age unknown male From Ebien killed
Hajj Ibrahim Abdul-Aziz Jalloud
Age unknown male From Sarmada killed
Hassan Mohammed Bakir
Age unknown male killed
Majdi Alolo
Age unknown From Maarat Misrin
Hussein Shahhoud Sharif
Age unknown From Al-Atarib
Abdullah Al-Teyyawi
Age unknown From Ziyara, Sahel Al-Ghab
Ahmad Al-Haji
Age unknown From Dana
Haytham
10 years years old male From Al-Taman’a village in Khan Sheikhoun killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children26 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • Exact moments the alleged Coalition airstrike hit Sarmada. (via Hona Syria Hona Idlib)
  • White Helmets removing charred bodies from the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Idlib, 1st Jan 2017. (via White Helmets)
  • Prisoners were killed in Al-Nusra prison which was targeted near Sarmada: Wael Yasin, Kafr Dyan Adnan Mohammed Suleiman, Ebien Hajj Ibrahim Abdul-Aziz Jalloud, Sarmada Hassan Mohammed Bakir.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures for members of the front who were killed at the quarter in Sarmada. (via @fadihussein8)
  • Coordinate of the place bombed (via a private message with Airwars)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via a private message with Airwars)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via a private message with Airwars)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via a private message with Airwars)
  • One of the civilians killed (via a private message with Airwars)
  • Hassan Mohammed Bakro (via a private message with Airwars))
  • One of the civilians killed (via a private message with Airwars)
  • One of the people killed (via a private message with Airwars)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the people killed (via a private message with Airwars)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the people killed (via a private message with Airwars)
  • Translation: In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Most Graceful From your brothers in the Court in Sarmada Allah said in his Quran “ And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, Indeed we belong to Allah , and indeed to Him we will return. Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.” Al-Baqara, verses 155-157. We give out condolences to Fateh Al-Sham and the families who lost their loved ones in the Court’s prison and we tell them that we ask Allah to accept their martyrs, heal their wounded and forgive our and your sins. And we would like to clarify the following points: 1- The court’s prison is totally separated from the brothers’ buildings of Fateh Al-Sham head quarter because the place is a long way at the top of the mountain and contains rooms separated from each other and a few months ago, we used two rooms and between these room and the rooms of the brothers in Fateh Al-Sham a distance onlookers can distinguish by looking, and it is clearly signed and reads “ Dar Al-Qada’a” (meaning the court). Nevertheless, the coalition despite their knowledge and investigations did not distinguish between a militant and a civilian as they believe they’re all terrorists. 2- Dar Al-Qada’a (the court) only deals with urgent and important cases such as murder, theft, kidnapping and when there’s an allegation of a big amount of money which is put in place to serve the people and insure their safety and this has been put in place for a couple of months now and is known by all the Muslims because we left the old place which was a school in order to keep people safe and not to give excuses. However, the murderer's’ hand still reaches everyone and doesn’t distinguish anyone. 3- Usually, the number of prisoners a couple of months ago reaches more than a 100, but there were only 24 at this time. May Allah accept those who were killed and heal those who were wounded. 4- Everybody knows that we have been and we are still looking to establish a private place for the court and a prison, we won’t leave this but we completely understand what people are going through and we know their urgent needs. 5- No-one can deny the huge effort the courts are doing in keeping order and minimising chaos in our society. Many offenders wouldn’t do anything fearing punishment. And yet, we do not ask for compliments or gifts in return (A very poetic sentence which means people do the things without asking for a thank you or a reward. AT) May Allah forgive those who offended, hurt or gossiped about others. We here do not deny our shortcomings, perfections is only for Allah, and we do not deny our brothers’ efforts in other courts and we highlight that it is a very important side of worship which helps strengthening our Muslims’ community. May Allah have mercy on everyone. We ask Allah to forgive our sins and treats us with his mercy and justice not by our deeds. Allah blessings and peace of our prophet Mohammed and his family. Wednesday 6/4/1438 (Muslim Caldnder) 4/1/2017 Stamp: Dar Al-Qada’a Sarmada Documentation office. (via a private message with Airwars)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the people killed in the air strike (via Sputnik)
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the town level at 36.18553, 36.72231.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Sarmada, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBA952069
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017
  • Jan 2, 2020

  • January 3, 2017, in Sarmada, Syria, via media report. US aircraft conducted an airstrike against an Al Qaida facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of the strike. 306/CS425 37SBA952069

  • The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details of strike to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 2nd-4th the Coalition publicly declared no strikes in Sarmada. However unilateral US airstrikes on al Nusra are not reported by the Coalition.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children26 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS355

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.1169382, 36.5147781 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two combatants were killed by an airstrike in Idlib, according to local sources.

Baladi Network initially reported that a car carrying civilians was hit with three missiles, “leading to the burning of the car and the charring of the bodies of two people.” Images posted by the outlet showed a large fire and a burnt car.

However, other outlets, including Syria News Desk and Step News Agency identified the two victims as members of the Fatah al Sham Front, and not civilians.

“International coalition kills members of Fatah al Sham with a drone in the countryside of Idlib,” wrote Step News Agency.

Network of the Holy Defense identified the two as “leaders in Jahbat al Nusra Alaa Ayoub and Mustapha Ze’itar.“

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alaa Ayoub
Age unknown male Some sources claim he is a leader in Jahbat al Nusra killed
Mustapha Ze’itar
Age unknown male Some sources claim he is a leader in Jahbat al Nusra killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 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
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: A drone targets a car near the town of Kafr Tkharim in the Idlib countryside which led to the death of the two leaders in Jabhat al Nusra Alaa Ayoub and Mustapha Ze’itar.
  • Translation: They ignore the sectarian militias…. International coalition planes target a car belonging to the Syrian resistance killing two fighters on Salfeen-Kafr Tkharim road in Idlib.

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.11694, 36.51477

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Kafr Takharim, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV7632299779
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Nov. 2, 2016, near Kafr Takharim, 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. 3073/CS355 37SBV7632299779

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 1st-2nd the Coalition reported no strikes in Syria.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Published on Nov 3rd: In the past week, France reports carrying out 17 air strikes in Iraq and Syria: 16 strikes in Iraq, including 13 in support of ground troops in the Mosul region of Mosul, and one strike in Syria. Task Force Wagram has carried out 37 missions

‘Point de situation des opérations Armée française – Opérations militaires·Thursday, 3 November 2016 Actualités des opérations conduites par les armées françaises au Levant, en Irak et en Syrie (opération Chammal) et dans la bande sahélo-saharienne (BSS – opération Barkhane). OPÉRATION CHAMMAL Lancés le 17 octobre dernier, les combats pour la reprise de Mossoul demeurent au cœur de l’actualité des forces de la coalition. 3 fronts se répartissent du secteur Sud vers Qayyarah en passant par l’Est jusqu’au nord-ouest de Mossoul. Après les forts gains territoriaux des premiers jours de l’offensive, les progressions des troupes irakiennes se réduisent. La résistance de Daech se fait plus marquée, à base de tirs de mortier ou de véhicules piégés. Par ailleurs, en se repliant, les terroristes laissent derrière eux un terrain systématiquement pollué par des mines ou des engins explosifs improvisés. La dépollution ou le « nettoyage » des zones conquises participe donc au ralentissement de la progression. Cette période permet une nécessaire régénération des forces engagées et un re-complétement logistique. 1. La bataille de Mossoul au cœur de l’activité de la force Chammal Depuis le début de la bataille de Mossoul, l’activité de la force Chammal a progressivement changé de physionomie pour intensifier le soutien aux troupes combattantes au sol : les frappes aériennes se concentrent dans la partie nord-ouest des abords de Mossoul tandis que l’artillerie française fournit son appui dans le Sud de Mossoul. Depuis le 17 octobre, 75 frappes aériennes ont été réalisées dont 63 sur Mossoul – ce qui représente 84 % des frappes. La TF Wagram a conduit pour sa part 96 missions depuis la base de Q-West. Le pic d’effort au déclenchement des opérations est significatif tant pour les frappes aériennes que pour les missions de l’artillerie. 2. Activités aériennes et appuis feu Cette semaine l’activité aérienne est restée soutenue avec 98 sorties aériennes (air ou marine). Ces sorties ont permis de conduire 17 frappes aériennes dont 13 en appui des troupes au sol dans la région de Mossoul contre des pièces d’artillerie ou des positions renforcées de combattants. L’activité de la TF Wagram s’est maintenue cette semaine avec 37 missions qui se répartissent entre celles de destruction d’objectif (15), d’éclairement de nuit pour dévoiler et gêner les mouvements de Daech (20) ou d’interdiction pour entraver les progressions de l’ennemi (2). 3. Réorganisation du GAN Le prolongement du déploiement du groupe aéronaval jusqu’à la mi-décembre en Méditerranée orientale a été décidé par le Président de la République afin de maintenir la capacité d’intensification des frappes dans cette période clef commencée avec l’offensive en direction de Mossoul mi-octobre. Dans une logique de régénération et d’action dans la durée, la composition du GAN a été réorganisée : la frégate américaine USS Ross a quitté le GAN et la frégate anti-aérienne Cassard a été relevée par la frégate de défense aérienne Forbin le 1er novembre.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Map detailing French strikes for this week.

#Chammal : 17 frappes cette semaine en Irak et en Syrie, 30 objectifs détruits

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 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
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS111

Incident date

August 11, 2015

Location

اطمه, Atimah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.3093144, 36.6781997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US airstrike on a Jaish al-Sunna ammunition depot in the night also killed at least eight non-combatants in the village of Atmeh, it was widely reported. According to accounts, a number of civilian homes were damaged or destroyed in secondary explosions. Graphic images showed significant damage at the scene.

Five young girls were among the dead.

Their mother, older brother and 2-year old sister Nariman [who later died] were hospitalised, while their grandfather complained to local reporter Hadi al-Abdallah “Are these girls terrorists? Are they carrying machine guns? May God take revenge!” Three other victims were named as Latifa Yasin (aged 55), her 21-year old son Yousef Yasin and her 17-year old daughter Fatima Yasin.

The Coalition initially denied that it had carried out the strike, telling Daily Sabah that “CJTF-OIR forces were not conducting air operations in the area“. However in a written statement on August 12th, “further research” led to an announcement that the Coalition had carried out a “deliberate airstrike” in the area. Locals insisted that the town was under the control of Jaish al-Sunna, a Sunni Islamist faction the US has not previously targeted.

CENTCOM issued an extensive denial of civilian casualties from the incident in early September 2015, telling Buzzfeed that: “A credibility assessment based on the evidence available determined that there was no evidence of civilian casualties that occurred as a result of Coalition airstrikes. As a part of the credibility assessment, imagery taken the day after the strike (12 Aug) was used to look for damage to any houses within a one kilometre circle around the target. A collapsed roof would be easily visible on this imagery, but there was no damage noted to any buildings surrounding the target, and there was no evidence of a collapsed roof. Additionally, open source imagery from social media showed a large amount of weapons in the destroyed target building, the only building damaged in the strike. Such weapons storage would not be in a dwelling with children, so it was determined that there were no civilians or children in the target building.”

CENTCOM’s assessment appeared to be based solely on aerial imagery. Buzzfeed contacted rebels on the ground in Atmeh who insisted that homes had been destroyed in the attack, providing photographic evidence to reporters Mike Giglio and Munzer al-Awad.

A United Nations spokesman urged the Coalition to limit the risks to civilians from its actions: “From the beginning of the use of airstrikes by certain countries in Syria, we have called on all those involved to ensure their greatest efforts to avoid any type of civilian casualties.”

In an Amnesty assessment of the event published in October 2016, the human rights group cited eyewitness Talha al-Amouri, a resident of Atmeh and brother-in-law of the six slain children’s mother: “I was about 50m away when the air strike happened… Five missiles fell in total. The first fell 10m away from the house, the second and third fell on and next to the house and the last two fell on the building used by Jaysh al-Sunna. We own the building and Jaysh al-Sunna is using it to produce mortar shells but they don’t pay us rent… We found the women quicker under the rubble; the children took a while to find. The [dead] children [of my brother and sister-in-law] had shrapnel injuries. The neighbours had no such injuries but their heads had exploded.”

Concluding that the US was indeed responsible for the civilian deaths, Amnesty stated: “The attack appears to have been directed at a military target, and to have struck and destroyed it, but to have also destroyed neighbouring homes and killed nine civilians within them. As such, the attack may have been disproportionate. The existence of two civilian homes a mere 15m from the military target should have necessitated precautions necessary to minimize risk of loss of civilian life and destruction of civilian objects.”

A CENTCOM spokeswoman noted at the time that ”We are aware of the reports surrounding Atmeh and are looking into them.“

However CENTCOM later told Buzzfeed that it had concluded “there was no evidence of civilian casualties as a result of coalition airstrikes.” [see above]. And responding to a query from Airwars, Centcom stated on October 27th 2015 that “After careful review and based on the best available evidence” it had found that “allegations of civilian casualties by the Coalition were unfounded and deemed not credible.”

The Coalition formally announced its findings on Atimeh four years later. In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “Previously Assessed Non-Credible Report: As part of our CIVCAS process in order to maintain transparency and accuracy, we constantly review our tracker to ensure proper release of information. We saw this case had not been previously listed so it is being listed now.  1. August 11, 2015, in Atimah, Syria, via self-report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 68 37SBA923201″.

It also classed Airwars’ own assessment of the event as a duplicate of the above, noting: “2. August 11, 2015, in Atimah, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation are duplicates of those in allegation 68 (Not Credible, published in this report). 2809/CS111 37SBA915208”.

The incident occured at 20:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Fatima Al Amouri
9 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
Hayat Al Amouri
8 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
Amina al Amouri
6 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
Asia al Amouri
5 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
Marwa al Amouri
4 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
Nariman al Amouri
2 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri, died two weeks after the date of the strike from her injuries killed
Ali al Amouri
5 years old male son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri injured
Wife of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri
Adult female injured
Mrs. Latifa Houssein [or Yassin]
55 years old female displaced from Areeha killed
Fatima Yassin
17 years old female Latifa's daughter killed
Youssef Yassin
21 years old male Latifa's son and an armed opposition member from al Fateh Army. He was visiting his family for treatement after he was injured in Sahl al Ghab killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (6–7 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–12
  • 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
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • A family photo showing 6 of 7 children killed in a likely US airstrike August 11 2015 (SN4HR)
    A family photo showing 6 of 7 children killed in a likely US airstrike August 11 2015 (SN4HR)
  • The Al A'mouri home, where five kids were killed in an alleged coalition strike, and to the right the al Sunna Army HQ [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • A report by journalist Hadi al Abdallah interviewing the grandfather of the 5 children killed in the alleged coalition bombing. Subtitled in English
  • Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged coalition raid on Atimah, Idlib. [Via: Baladi News Network 11th August 2015]
  • The exact location of the shelled house. [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • The two locations that were shelled, one civilian home and Al Sunna Army military HQ [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • More images of both Al Amouri house and Al Sunna Army Headquarters following the shelling. [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic: The bodies of the Al Amouri children killed in the shelling. [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic: Survivors -but injured- from al Amouri family [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • An interview by the journalist Hadi al Abdallah with a leader in Jaish al Sunna explaining what happened.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Atimah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBA923201
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • Previously Assessed Non-Credible Report: As part of our CIVCAS process in order to maintain transparency and accuracy, we constantly review our tracker to ensure proper release of information. We saw this case had not been previously listed so it is being listed now. 1. August 11, 2015, in Atimah, Syria, via self-report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 68 37SBA923201

  • Duplicate Reports: The following reports were found to be duplicates of previously assessed Coalition actions. 2. August 11, 2015, in Atimah, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation are duplicates of those in allegation 68 (Not Credible, published in this report). 2809/CS111 37SBA915208

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

A confirmed US airstrike, with a CENTCOM spokeswoman noting at the time that ”We are aware of the reports surrounding Atmeh and are looking into them.“

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (6–7 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–12
  • 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
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (24) [ collapse]