Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISSY004

Incident date

November 12, 2019

Location

المزة, Al Mazza neighborhood, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.497253, 36.236975 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and ten others, including a child, were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on a family home in Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019, according to local sources. One source also reported that Syrian regime missiles reacting to an Israeli air attack also hit nearby homes.

The government’s Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the airstrike targeted the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, Akram Al Ajouri. His son Mu’az Al Ajouri was reportedly killed, along with another person named Abdullah Yousef Hassan. Mu’az Al Ajouri’s daughter Batoul was reported injured. And according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Mu’az Al Ajouri’s wife was also injured.

Times of Israel identified “Ajouri’s bodyguard was the other man killed, Hebrew media reported”.

Further sources said that Akram Al Ajouri and his wife were injured in the attack; while others said he was not present in the building at the time of the explosion that took place in the early hours of Tuesday November 12th. According to SANA, the incident occurred around 4:14am.

SANA reported that the explosion caused by the airstrike was strong and that “the building targeted was heavily damaged and windows of nearby buildings and a number of cars were shattered.”

Free Deir Ezzor Radio, however, reported that “in an attempt to respond to an Israeli raid, a rocket fired by the regime forces landed on one of the residential buildings in Al Mazza neighbourhood of western villas near the Lebanese embassy”, reporting a number of killed and wounded people. No other source made this claim.

Step News Agency reported that the strikes targeted Iranian militias: “Israeli shelling targeted several missiles in a residential building where Iranian militias are stationed in Mazza area in Damascus. The initial toll is about 10 dead and several wounded.” It is unclear if these reported fatalities are civilians or belligerents.

Israel Hayom identified the location of the building struck as being near the Lebanese embassy in the western Al-Mazza area of Damascus, adding that “it is not known if it has any connection to the embassy to which it is adjacent”.

The combatant status of both Mu’az Al Ajouri and Abdullah Yousef Hassan was somewhat unclear – with both pictured in uniform prior to their deaths, and Mr al Ajouri given military honours at his funeral (though this may instead have reflected his father’s own status within Islamic Jihad.) However, no other sources identify either men as being a member of a militant organization.

The incident occured at approximately 4:14 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mu'az Al Ajouri
Adult male killed
Batoul Al Ajoura
Child female injured
Wife of Mu'az Al Ajouri
Adult female injured
Wife of Akram Al Ajouri
Adult female injured

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Yousef Hassan عبد الله يوسف حسن
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–10
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–2

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • Images for an unknown explosion in Mazzeh - West Villas (EuphratesPost)
  • Aftermath of the attack
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neigbourhood in Damascus, November 12th, 2019 (via SANA).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Free Deir Ezzor Radio).
  • Building on fire after alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Free Deir Ezzor Radio).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Free Deir Ezzor Radio).
  • Rubble after alleged Israeli strikes on the house of Islamic Jihad leader Akram Al Ajoura in Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Free Deir Ezzor Radio).
  • Edited photo of Abdullah Yousef Hassan, who was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Khan Danoun Refugee Camp).
  • Edited photo of Abdullah Yousef Hassan, who was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Khan Danoun Refugee Camp).
  • Abdullah Yousef Hassan was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Damascus' Al Mazza neighbourhood on November 12th, 2019 (via Khan Danoun Refugee Camp).
  • The funeral of Moaz Akram Al Ajouri, who was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via Sleman Al Ajouri).
  • The body of Moaz Akram Al Ajouri at his funeral, who was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via Sleman Al Ajouri).
  • Moaz Akram Al Ajouri was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via Sleman Al Ajouri).
  • Translation: “The first scenes after the attack on the house of the leader of the "Islamic Jihad" group called "Akram Al Ajouri" in the Mazza area of Damascus” (via Zaman Al Wasl).
  • Translation: “Official source: The explosion at dawn today, Tuesday, in the Al Mazza area, west of Damascus, was caused by an Israeli bombardment of the house of the Palestinian leader in the Jihad Movement, Akram Al-Ajouri, killing his son Moaz and another person, wounding civilians and extensive material damage (# SANA)” (via @Maher_mon).
  • The damaged residential house after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via @Maher_mon).
  • The day after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Mazza neighbourhood in Damascus on November 12th, 2019 (via @Maher_mon).
  • Image of the building destroyed in alleged Israeli strikes on Damascus on November 12, 2019. (Image posted by Ynet)
  • Exact location of alleged Israeli strikes on Damascus on November 12, 2019. (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the western area of Al Mazzeh (المزة) neighbourhood. Reviewing audio-visual material we have narrowed down the location of this strike, west of Rahman mosque (جامع الرحمن) to the following coordinates: 33.497253, 36.236975.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the western area of Al Mezzah (المزة) neighbourhood.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Reviewing audio-visual material we have narrowed down the location of this strike, west of Rahman mosque (جامع الرحمن).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged satellite imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material.

    Imagery:
    Euphrates Post

  • Tagged panoramic stitch of audio-visual material.

    Imagery:
    SANA

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–10
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–2

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC227a

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

مطار الكفرة, Kufra Airport, Kufra, Libya

Geolocation

24.191796, 23.326588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and one or two reported injured by an explosive remnant of war in Kufra.

Al Wasat said: “Two youths were injured when a shell exploded in the airport neighborhood in the southeastern city of Kufra on Thursday evening, local sources said.

The sources said that the shell was a remnant of the war in the region during the past years, and the explosion wounded two young Omar Saad al-Shamekh and Marei Mohammed al-Sabbagh, who were immediately rescued to the city hospital for treatment.

The same sources pointed out that the two young men have been amputated in the limbs because of the force of the missile explosion, and need urgent surgical intervention.”

Libya’s Channel provided a different account of events: “One person was killed and another injured in the city of Kufra, as a shell exploded left over from the clashes that took place in the city during the past years.

According to the reporter from Libya’s Channel in the city that the two citizens were severely injured by the explosion, and severed limbs, and after being transferred to the hospital, one of them died and the other was given the necessary assistance, explaining that they were trying to remove the shell from its place so as not to harm others, and during the attempt to remove them exploded and transported And then to the city hospital.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Saad al-Shamekh
Adult male injured
Marei Mohammed al-Sabbagh
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Kufra Airport (مطار الكفرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 24.191796, 23.326588. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3970

Incident date

July 28, 2019

Location

مزرعة التنور, Mazra’et Al Tanour, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two women and a man were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Mazra’et Al Tanour near the cities of Al Latamina and Kafar Zeita in Hama governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of other civilians was reported injured.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee wrote that “two women died and others were injured as a result of the Russian warplanes targeting the city of Kafar Zeita in the northern countryside of Hama Governorate.” According to Shaam News Network, civilian farms near Kafar Zeiter were targeted. Other sources identified the location as agricultural land in Mazra’et Al Tanour.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that “two women, Mrs Safya Hussein al Jawalik and Mrs Nisreen Abdul Razzaq al Akroub, [were] killed as fixed-wing warplanes which we believe were Russian fired missiles on Mazra’et al Tanour west of Kafar Zeita city in Hama governorate northern suburbs, on July 28.”

@ala_alkhalif reported “the death of the young man Hussein Mahmoud Al Nabhan as a result of the Russian raids on agricultural lands between Kafar Zeita and Zakat.”

@QasiounNewsAR tweeted that regime warplanes targeted the cities of Al Latamina and Kafar Zeita.

According to Sputnik News, “the Syrian-Russian warplanes raids resulted in the destruction of several headquarters and sites of the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham and Army of Glory, including weapons and ammunition depots in the city.”

While most sources blamed Russia for the strikes, a few sources pointed to the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Safya Hussein al Jawalik صفية حسين الجواليك
30 years old female wife of Khaled Ali Al Shahrour killed
Nisreen Abdul Razzaq al Akroub نسرين عبد الرزاق العكروب
26 years old female wife of Safwan Al Jawalk killed
Hussein Mahmoud Al Nabhan حسين محمود النبهان
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “The death of the young man Hussein Mahmoud Al Nabhan as a result of the Russian raids on agricultural lands between Kafar Zieta and Zakat this morning” (via @ala_alkhalif).
  • Hussein Mahmoud Al Nabhan was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mazra’et Al Tanour on July 28th, 2019 (via @ala_alkhalif).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3874

Incident date

July 7, 2019

Location

قسطون, Qastoun, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to twelve civilians including at least six from the same family were reported killed in artillery shelling on Qastoun, Hama, on July 7th.

The family members killed were originally from Al-Badriya village, and were killed while working in the agricultural lands between Qastoun and Badriya.

According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least six civilians from the same family, including two girls and two women, were killed as Syrian regime forces fired artillery shells while they were working on agricultural land between Qastoun village and al Sahen village in Idlib governorate western suburbs, on July 7th.”

ResalaPost and Zamanalwsl  mentioned Russian participation in the attacks on Idlib and Hama on that day. Three sources attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, while one source did not positively attribute blame.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Manhal Juma Al Mar'i منهل جمعة المرعي
27 years old male killed
Daughter of Jumah Al-Mar'i ابنة جمعة المرعي
female killed
Daughter of Jumah Al-Mar'i ابنة جمعة المرعي
female killed
Sister of Jumah Al-Mar'i شقيقة جمعة المرعي
40 years old female killed
Sister of Jumah Al-Mar'i شقيقة جمعة المرعي
43 years old female killed
Khaled Subhi Al-Mar'i خالد صبحي المرعي
22 years old male killed
Daughter of Abdul Salam Al-Ezzo بنت عبدالسلام العزو
Age unknown female From Al-Sahen village killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 12
  • (2 children3–4 women2 men)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “The moment the civil defence arrived to recover the victims of the warplane massacre in Qastoun in the Al Ghab Plain, west of Hama” (via @Damaskiagency).
  • Translation: “Six civilians of one family were killed and others were injured as a result of the Assad forces' shelling with rocket launchers on the town of Qastoun in the western Hama countryside. #Syria” (via @ibraheem890).
  • The image of this child was posted accompanied by the news of the killing of at least six civilians from one family in alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling in Qastoun in Hama on July 7th, 2019. (via @ibraheem890)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “A horrific massacre in which seven civilians were killed from one family from the village of Al-Badriya in the Idlib countryside, including two women, as a result of missile strikes by gangs of Al-Asadi criminals on the agricultural lands of the town of Qastoun in the Al-Ghab Plain in the western countryside of Hama ... and the number may increase due to the presence of some wounded in a critical condition” (via Abu Ibrahim Ta'ata').

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
    7 – 12
  • (2 children3–4 women2 men)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3868

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One girl was reported killed in airstrikes on Hass, Idlib, July 4th.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “the girl Hanaa Jamal al Sheikh Najib was killed as Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Hass village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on July 4th.”

Meanwhile other sources alleged “others injured”, with Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stating that “a female child was killed when barrel bombs were dropped by helicopters on Hass village – the death toll is expected to rise because there are people in a critical situation.”

Most sources attributed the attack to the Syrian regime using barrelbombs from helicopters. @SyrianCoalition named both Russian forces and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.

Halab Today TV said one woman was killed and other wounded.

7al reported: “The reporter confirmed the fall of a child and wounding dozens of civilians as a result of those violent raids that also destroyed many properties.”

A Orient News team reported coming under fire from Assad forces in Hass on the same day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hanaa Jamal al Sheikh Najib
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Caption: "The girl Hanaa Jamal al Sheikh Najib was killed as Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Hass village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on July 4th" (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Video caption translation: "The first moments to target the cities of Kafar Nabil and Hass in the countryside # Idlib with explosive barrels of Assad helicopters 4-7-2019" Video Translation: "Reporter confirmed that civilians killed in each town" (via Hadi Al Abdullah)

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
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3867

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Kafar Nabil as more than 10 aircrafts of the Syrian and Russian forces alternated bombing with explosive barrels and cluster missiles.

According to Edlib Media Center, the child was killed and others injured as cluster rockets struck a residential neighborhood.

Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that “Ahmad Mohammad Radwan al Damour was killed Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped tens of barrel bombs on Kafranbel city in Idlib.” Kafranbel live and Ahmed Al Haniny said he was an adult and “the third martyr and the last youth from the family of Ahmad Muhammad al-Damour during the course of the Syrian revolution.”

Macro Media Center specified that four others in addition to the child were injured, including a volunteer from the Syrian Civil Defense.

MMC posted pictures tagged: “The first moments of the targeting of the cities of Kafr Nabl and Hass in the southern countryside of Idlib with barrel bombs dropped from helicopters of the regime forces, which led to the deaths of martyrs and wounded civilians.”

@modar28 tweeted: “10 aircraft (Russian and Assad) bomb the city of Kafr Nabl with more than 25 airstrikes, in conjunction with the flight of reconnaissance aircraft to ensure the destruction of all neighborhoods and neighboring villages, and dozens of martyrs and wounded, most of them children, women and elderly.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mohammad Radwan al Damour
37 years old male son of Subhiyyah killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–12
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Video covering the aftermath of an airstrike on Kafar Nabil on July 4th (via Hadi Alabdallah).
  • Smoke circling up from where an airstrike struck in Kafar Kabil on July 4th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Destruction caused by an airstrike that struck in Kafar Kabil on July 4th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Destruction caused by an airstrike that struck in Kafar Kabil on July 4th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Destroyed street after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @aboalhodaalhoms)
  • Destroyed building after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • Impact of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • People alking through rubble after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • Man walking through street after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • Bomb falling during Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @mousakhaled1976)
  • Impact of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @mousakhaled1976)
  • Impact of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @modar28)
  • Destruction after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @modar28)
  • Ahmad Mohammad Radwan al Damour, allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via Ahmed Al Haniny)

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–12
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM237-C

Incident date

July 3, 2019

Location

Iskushuban or Mareero, Bari, Somalia

Geolocation

10.170363, 49.847404 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a local source, heavy fighting near the port of Bari in Puntland killed two people and injured five others, including civilians. AFRICOM later declared that “no U.S. military strike took place on the alleged date or location.”

Radio Shabelle initially said that an airstrike by an unknown party had contributed to the violence – though did not blame it directly for the casualties.

“It is not clear what led to the shelling, and it is not yet known who carried out the airstrike. There was no immediate comment from the Puntland government regarding the shelling,” noted Radio Shabelle.

“There was fighting for several hours between Puntland forces and a militia guarding a migrant group operating there. Reports indicate that Puntland forces with armored vehicles attacked the militants who were based in the Marero area of ​​Bari region.

“At least two people were killed in the fighting, while five others were wounded, including civilians.”

Halgan Media – when tweeting a link to the Radio Shabelle story – claimed the strike on a location it gave as Iskashubun – had been conducted by US forces.

However in April 2020 US Africa Command explicitly denied responsibility, noting: “January 21, 2020, AFRICOM received a report from a foreign non-government organization claiming two (2) civilians were killed and five (5) injured as a result of a U.S. airstrike in the vicinity of Iskashubun, Somalia, on July 3, 2019. After review, the allegation was assessed to be unsubstantiated because no U.S. military strike took place on the alleged date or location.”

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
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1–5

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident gave conflicting accounts on the location where civilians were killed. Radio Shabelle reported that various places in Bari, northern Puntland, were bombed. There was heavy fighting in the Mareero area, the outskirts of the port town Bossaso, for which the coordinates are: 11.33052, 49.29675. At the same time it said that shelling took place in Iskushuban district. Halgan Media, only pointed to the town of Iskushuban as the location of a strike. The coordinates for the town of Iskushuban are: 10.28178, 50.23009. It is unclear where in Bari the civilians were killed and injured. The generic coordinates for the Bari region are: 10.170363, 49.847404. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Bossaso, Mareero and Iskushuban in the Bari region (borders of Bari marked in red)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • Apr 27, 2020

  • January 21, 2020, AFRICOM received a report from a foreign non-government organization claiming two (2) civilians were killed and five (5) injured as a result of a U.S. airstrike in the vicinity of Iskashubun, Somalia, on July 3, 2019. After review, the allegation was assessed to be unsubstantiated because no U.S. military strike took place on the alleged date or location.

Original strike reports

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces 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 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1–5

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3857

Incident date

June 29, 2019

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo , Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was reported injured in the explosion of a remnant of a cluster munition in Hayyan, Aleppo, on June 29th.

Step News agency alleged that “a child was seriously injured by a cluster bomb left behind by a former Russian military attack on the town of Hayyan, north of Aleppo.”

Shaam News claimed that he was hospitalised as a result of the explosion.

All sources stated that the cluster munition was a remnant from a previous attack by Russian forces. It is unknown when the munition was dropped.

Step News, JisrTV and other sources reported Syrian regime artillery shelling on Hayyan on the same day, resulting in civilian harm in a likely unrelated incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (11) [ collapse]