Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMTr161

Incident date

April 11, 2018

Location

حضرموت, Hadhramout, Yemen

Geolocation

16.516794, 48.644553 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US strike took place in Hadhramout governorate on April 11th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson told Long War Journal, one of two declared actions on that date. At least one of the strikes targeted “an AQAP training camp in western Hadramawt governorate.”

There were multiple local reports at the time of airstrikes against AQAP in the mountainous Al-Sout area of western Hadramout at dawn on that day, though most sources assigned responsibility to the Saudi-led Coalition. Only one source gave information on casualties; ESISC (@EsiscTeam) tweeted that a US drone strike killed “several” terrorists. These reports are accounted for in event USYEMTr160. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Alleged images of the area appeared to indicate at least three distinct strike locations; a local source told Al-Arabi that four explosions were heard. According to local-language news outlets, including Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni and Al-Arabi, as well as a number of social media sources, drones or warplanes targeted AQAP in the Al-Sout area, which reportedly lies between Wadi Amad and Wadi Rakhiya.

Eyewitnesses told TVAden that they believed the planes to be American, and other sources, such as @barakish_net, assigned responsibility for the strikes to the US.  Others, such as Akhbar Al-Aan, however, suggested that warplanes of the Saudi-led Coalition conducted the strikes, or indicated that the belligerent was unknown. AQAP forces were reportedly active in the targeted area, according to multiple sources, having been forced out of nearby districts.

Though it is possible that this second strike was a part of event USYEMTr160 (multiple munitions were deployed, locally taken photographs show) this event has been created to account for the possibility that the report referred to a unique event.

There were no known local reports of a second unique strike in Hadhramout on April 11th.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Local sources variously attributed the strike to the US, Saudi-led Coalition, or unknown forces; the US later stated that they had conducted the strike in western Hadramout (Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni, April 11th 2018)
  • Strikes reportedly targeted AQAP forces in Al-Sout area, western Hadramout (Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni, April 11th 2018)
  • Though the US reported two strikes on April 11th in Hadramout, alleged images appeared to show at least three strike locations (Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni, April 11th 2018)
  • Akhbar Alaan reported that the raid was conducted by Saudi-led coalition aircraft, according to local sources (April 11th 2018)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Hadhramout (حضرموت) governorate, for which the generic coordinates are: 16.516794, 48.644553. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Hadhramout (حضرموت) governorate.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

In a major move toward transparency, US Central Command (CENTCOM) provided details to FDD’s Long War Journal on US air strikes against Al Qaeda’s branch in Yemen. Since early 2017, the military previously provided little information on the Yemen air campaign, typically providing only an aggregate number and limited detail on high-value target strikes.

In an email to LWJ, CENTCOM’s Major Josh T. Jacques disclosed the dates and locations of the last five months of strikes in Yemen. The information revealed that since the beginning of 2018, the US campaign against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen has focused on three governorates: Hadramout (eight strikes), Al Bayda (17), and Shabwa (three), demonstrating the eastern reach of the terrorist group.

Last year’s publicized strikes were concentrated in the central governorates of Al Bayda and Marib.

Location of US air strikes against AQAP and the Islamic State in 2018:

– Jan. 2018: Ten total strikes. The US conducted 8 strikes against AQAP in Bayda on Jan. 1, 3, 9, 12, 13, 20, 25, and 29. An additional strike against AQAP in Shabwah occurred on Jan. 26. An additional strike against the Islamic State occurred on Jan. 12 in Bayda.

– Feb. 2018: Six total strikes, all in Al Bayda governorate. Strikes occurred on Feb. 7, 11, 12, 16, and 24 (two strikes were conducted on Feb. 24).

– Mar. 2018: Seven total strikes, six of which occurred in Hadramout. Strikes occurred on Mar. 4 (two strikes), 5, 7, 8, and 13. An additional strike in Bayda occurred on March 29. [AQAP’s apparent entrenchment in eastern Yemen is concerning. In addition to the concentration of strikes in Hadramout, CENTCOM previously disclosed that AQAP operated training camps in the governorate as recently as April 2018, when they were targeted by American strikes.]

– Apr. 2018: Four total strikes, one each in Shabwah (April 26) and Al Bayda (April 23), and two in Hadramout (both on April 11).

– May 2018: One strike, in Shabwah on May 14.

– Jun. 2018: No strikes to date.

The US military has stepped up its counterterrorism campaign against al Qaeda’s branch in Yemen as well as the Islamic State since President Trump took office in 2017. Last year, the US launched 131 strikes (125 against AQAP and six against the Islamic State), nearly tripling the previous yearly high of 44 strikes in 2016.

At the current pace, the US will fall far short of that mark; there have been 28 strikes reported by CENTCOM in Yemen in the first five months of 2018.

This counterterrorism campaign has targeted AQAP’s infrastructure, including its training camps and media operations, which serve as a hub for al Qaeda’s global communications. The US has killed several mid-level AQAP leaders and media officials in its air campaign.

Despite suffering setbacks after seizing large areas of southern and central Yemen between 2015-2016, AQAP remains a persistent threat to both the embattled Yemeni government and US interests worldwide. AQAP still controls remote rural areas in Yemen and operates training camps. The group’s master bomb maker, Ibrahim al Asiri, who has engineered several bombs which have evaded airport security, remains one of the most wanted jihadists on the planet.

Note: This article was updated to include the dates and locations of Jan. 2018 strikes.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3397

Incident date

April 7, 2018

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.573836, 36.404789 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged chemical weapons attack, attributed to both the Syrian regime and Russia, reportedly killed between 42 and 100 civilians and wounded up to 1,200 others in the city of Douma, Damascus governorate, on April 7th, 2018, according to local sources.

Enab Baladi wrote that “after a ten-day truce in the city of Douma, the last opposition stronghold in Eastern Ghouta, Assad’s forces and their ally Russia resumed bombing the city with warplanes, using poison gas again, amid reports that negotiations over the fate of the city had reached a dead end.”

In an initial report, Shaam News Network said: “Assad and Russia targeted residential areas in the city of Douma in the eastern Gouta with high-toxic toxic chemical weapons. The city was hit by rockets and explosive barrels containing these materials, killing 75 martyrs and causing more than 1,000 cases of suffocation”.

However, a second report from Shaam pointed only to the regime, claiming that “Assad’s forces used containing chemical gas believed to be sarin on a number of cellars and shelters, resulting in the martyrdom of entire families and injuring more than 1,200 people suffering from suffocation”.

Douma Revolution initially reported 700 cases of suffocation. In a later post, the source reported “the death of more than 100 martyrs and the wounding of at least 1000 civilians until now”.

SyriaTV reported on a joint statement by the Syrian Civil Defense and the Syrian American Medical Association (SAMS), which stated that “at 7:45 pm on Saturday evening, after the regime forces launched massive attacks on the city’s neighbourhoods, more than 500 emergency cases arrived at the medical points, most of them women and children who suffered symptoms of ‘respiratory slip, central cyanosis, frothy emission from the mouth and the emission of an odor. They smelled like chlorine and had a corneal burn.'”

The injured civilians reportedly suffered from a slow heart rate, rough bronchial purrs and wheezing. Medical teams treated the injured with “free moist oxygen” and bronchodilators. The statement also stated that “while the injuries were exacerbated in several cases, four of them were placed on the automatic ventilation system for children, and the injury resulted in the death of 6 cases, one of whom was a woman who was observed to have convulsions and pinpoint pupils.”

According to the statement, Civil Defence teams reported that more than 42 deaths with the same symptoms occured in civilian homes. SCD volunteers were unable to retrieve the victims’ bodies due to a lack of protective suits and the severity of the smell.

The Syrian Violations Documentation Center of Syria reported that prior to the chemical attack, around 12:00 at noon, alleged Syrian warplanes targeted the Red Crescent center in Douma with guided missiles and barrel bombs, which put the center and remaining ambulances out of service completely. Then, according to the VDC’s explanation of events, the warplanes dropped barrel bombs on the city, “which caused obstruction of the movement of civil defence vehicles and rescue teams that took over the task of treating the injured after all ambulances in the city went out of service.”

According to the VDC, civilians were forced to go out to basements and take cover. The next bombing, which “was heavily suspected of using highly concentrated toxic gases as well as chlorine”, immediately killed 42 civilians.

A volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defence told the VDC: “When the chemical attacks began, the smell of chlorine was reaching downtown Douma. We could not immediately determine the location of the chlorine missile. The bodies of the dead on the streets and the wounded were bleeding to death, without the medical personnel being able to intervene due to their scarcity and the very large volume of cases. Later, we discovered the bodies that had suffocated due to toxic gases. They were in a closed place sheltering from the barrel bombs, which may have caused their rapid death as no one heard their screams. It seems that some of them were trying to reach an open location because we found their bodies on the stairs. ”

Around 7:30 PM, alleged Syrian warplanes targeted the ‘Martyrs Square’ near the Numan Mosque with missiles suspected of being loaded with toxic gas, reported the VDC. A doctor told the VDC that the symptoms he observed on patients “are not similar to the symptoms of chlorine. Chlorine alone cannot cause such symptoms because chlorine suffocates but does not disrupt nerves. There were symptoms of organophosphorus compounds of which sarin gas is considered. But there was also the smell of chlorine everywhere. ”

Based on the available evidence, the VDC concluded that “this attack in this sequence was programmed and deliberately inflicted as much damage as possible to the civilian population. By isolating them from the rapid arrival of rescue and ambulance teams, and then forcing them to seek refuge in a closed place to take shelter from the violent bombing of barrel bombs. After that, their closed places of residence were bombed with poison gas.”

On June 25th, 2018, the New York Times Visual Investigation’s team published their investigation into the incident, titled “How Bashar al-Assad Gassed His Own People”. The investigation focused on one building where a chemical weapon was dropped. Based on the visual evidence, the investigators counted 34 victims in the building, spread across two floors.

According to the investigation, the bomb, loaded with chlorine, was dropped from the sky by regime helicopters. Chemical weapon experts told NYT investigators that the symptoms of the victims – a frothy emission from the mouth and corneal burn – indicated the use of chlorine gas. A US official reportedly told the New York Times that chlorine and sarin were found in the victim’s blood tests. According to the video, when civilians smell chlorine, they try to find a higher location and pour water over themselves. According to the investigators, this explains why many of the victims in the Douma attack were found on staircases and water sources.

Flight spotters reportedly saw the helicopters leave Dumayr Air Base between 7:16 and 7:23 PM in the direction of Douma and circling around Douma between 7:26 and 7:38 PM, around the time of the attack, according to NYT.

In total, local sources identified the names of 36 victims, among which at least eight children.

Nearly all sources blamed the Syrian regime for the chemical attack, but some sources mentioned Russia as well. Hence, this event is graded as contested.

The incident occured between 7:30 pm and 7:45 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Walid Zuhair Raslan وليد زهير رسلان
Adult male killed
Sarah Hisham Al-Smadi سارة هشام الصمادي
female killed

Family members (6)

Heba Al-Sheikh هبة الشيخ
Child female killed
Judy Al Sheikh جودي الشيخ
Child female killed
Hasan Al Sheikh حسن الشيخ
Child male killed
Nada Al-Sheikh ندى الشيخ
Child female killed
Yusef Al-Sheikh يوسف الشيخ
Child male killed
Mahmoud Al-Sheikh محمود الشيخ
male killed

Family members (2)

Nour Naseer نور نصير
killed
Qamar Naseer قمر نصير
killed

Family members (2)

Israa Tohme إسراء طعمة
female killed
Rawda Tohme روضة طعمة
female killed

Family members (11)

Jouri Bakria جوري بكرية
female killed
Ali Bakria علي بكرية
male killed
Qamar Diab Bakria قمر دياب بكرية
female killed
Hanadi Bakria هنادي بكرية
female killed
Haitham Bakria هيثم بكرية
male killed
Muhammad Rateb Bakria محمد راتب بكرية
male killed
Hadeel Bakria هديل بكرية
female killed
Jouri Diab Bakria جوري دياب بكرية
Child female killed
Rahaf Bakria رهف بكرية
Child female killed
Rateb Bakria راتب بكرية
male killed
Muhammad Tawfiq Bakria محمد توفيق بكرية
male killed

Family members (4)

Hamza Hanan حمزة حنن
male killed
Jana Hanan جنى حنن
Child female killed
Asia Hanan آسيا حنن
female killed
Tuqa Hanan تقى حنن
female killed

Family members (2)

Ghada Hamo غادة حمو
Age unknown female killed
Amira Hamo أميرة حمو
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Shehab محمد شهاب
Age unknown male killed
Sarah Al-Samadi سارة الصمادي
Age unknown female killed
Walid Raslan وليد رسلان
Age unknown male killed
Fatima Karouq فاطمة قاروق
Age unknown female killed
Insaf Al Hallaq إنصاف الحلاق
Age unknown female killed
Sarah Al-Tabbakh سارة الطباخ
Age unknown killed
Amun Muhammad Daher آمون محمد ضاهر
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 100
  • (8 children15 women21 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    700–1200
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (58) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (92) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

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    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

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    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

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    The body of a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

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    The body of a young boy after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

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    The body of man, woman and child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • Injured children receiving medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured victims receiving medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • A victim in the hospital after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • Injured children receiving medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • A child getting medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • A child getting medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • An injured child in the hospital after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • An injured child in the hospital after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • A man in the hospital after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

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    The bodies of victims killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • The body of a child, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a civilian, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of civilians killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A woman and a child dead as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack in Douma on April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a boy after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).

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    Bodies of some of the civilians killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma Revolution).

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    Translation: Douma people bid farewell to their martyrs as a result of the Assad gangs bombing of Douma with missiles containing poisonous gases.

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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)

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    Civilians killed as a result of the chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (Via SCD).

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    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).

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    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).

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    Civilians on the floor after being injured or killed by an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
  • Children seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • Children seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • Children seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • Children seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child who looks terrified after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).

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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

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    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the city of Douma (دوما). Comparing audio-visual information from several sources, and confirming these against the investigation done by The New York Times, we were able to find the exact location at these coordinates:  33.573836, 36.404789.

  • The exact location of the alleged strike on a residential building in Douma (دوما).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Comparison of the landmarks identified by The New York Times investigation against satellite imagery available.

    Imagery:
    New York Times / Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    42 – 100
  • (8 children15 women21 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    700–1200
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (58) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1158

Incident date

July 4–5, 2017

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.06062, 41.03231 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 11 people and as many as 15, including three children and two women, were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the village of Tall al-Jayer, local sources reported.

Several described the deaths as a “massacre”. Two unidentified people were also reported killed not including the named civilians listed below. All nine sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Human Rights Watch later geolocated the event, noting the following in a detailed report: “On July 4 or 5, 2017, shortly after midnight, apparent US-led coalition airstrikes hit the compound of Zarkan Khalif Salem, a sheep trader in the village of Tal al-Jayer, al-Hasakeh, witnesses told Human Rights Watch. The strike hit the main house, killing a 90-year-old woman and a child, and wounding at least three other civilians. The family had been sleeping on the roof or on a nearby patio. Residents said that immediately afterward, a second strike hit a building nearby where Salem kept his sheep, killing about 40 sheep.

“Fifteen minutes later, a rescuer arrived by motorcycle. He went to get a pickup truck for the wounded, the rescuer’s brother said. When he returned 15 to 20 minutes later, the plane struck his pickup, killing him and 10 other civilians. The brother of another victim said that six of those dead in the second strike were rescuers, and the remaining five were members of the family being rescued. Witnesses provided the victims’ names.

“Human Rights Watch visited the site on February 9 and confirmed that three independent structures, including a house and vehicle, had been struck and partially destroyed. Satellite imagery reviewed by Human Rights Watch confirmed that between 10 a.m. on July 4 and 10 a.m. on July 5, 2017, there were three incidents corresponding to the witness statements.

“The imagery [see below] reflects the apparent detonation of two large air-dropped munitions destroying two buildings in the north part of the compound corresponding to the structure that witnesses said was the house. The detonation of two, possibly three, smaller air-dropped munitions destroying one building and severely damaging a second in the south part of the compound corresponded to the sheep’s location. And a third reflects a probable airstrike on a vehicle, with damage signatures consistent with the detonation of a small munition.

“Relatives and witnesses said there were no ISIS fighters among the house’s residents or ISIS bases nearby. They said the closest known military target was an SDF base 9 to 10 kilometers away.

“The coalition reviewed the strike following a report by Airwars, an independent civilian casualties monitor, and found on May 31, 2018 that “[a]fter a review of available information it was assessed that no coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.” However, local residents said they saw the planes attacking. No other force was conducting airstrikes in the region as Iraq only began unilateral strikes in April 2018, and the Syrian-Russian military alliance was not operating in that area at the time. On May 29, 2019, the coalition told Human Rights Watch that it had opened an assessment into the alleged attack.

“Family members and residents said that as of February 9, no official from the US-led coalition or the SDF had visited the site.”

The US-led alliance publicly declared no strikes in the governorate for this date, and in its own reassessment asserted that “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

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:

Family members (2)

Zarkan al Mashhadani
75 years old male killed
Zarkan al Mashhadani’s wife
90 years old female killed

Family members (3)

Othman al Aboud
Adult male killed
His wife Zakia al Zarkan
Adult female killed
Their daughter Fatima Othman al Aboud
Child female killed

Family members (2)

Ahmed al Makhlaf al Karkaz
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Makhlaf al Karkaz
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Hamid al Hajj
Age unknown killed
Jassim Al Aylan
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (3 children3 women2 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Human Rights Watch published the following locational information, based on satellite imagery analysis and witness interviews: GPS Coordinates: 41°1’56″E 36°3’38″N (MGRS: 37SFV 83039 92584) Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.06055, 41.03233

  • Satellite image taken July 5, 2017 of US-led coalition airstrike locations in Tal al-Jayer compound that killed 13 civilians. Damage analysis by Human Rights Watch; Imagery © DigitalGlobe-Maxar Technologies 2019; Sources: EUSI, Google Earth.

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 Tal al Jayer, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV8304192576
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • May 31, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

  • Jul. 4, 2017, near Tal al-Jayer, Syria, via Human Rights Watch 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. 2747/CS1158 37SFV8304192576

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition has not publicly reported any strikes in Hassakah for July 4th-6th

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (3 children3 women2 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM066-C

Incident date

September 28, 2016

Location

Jehdin, 30 km east of Galkayo, Mudug, Somalia

Geolocation

6.753766, 47.699407 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US  drone strike on September 28th killed at least ten members of a local friendly militia and not al Shabaab militants as the US had initially believed, according to local communities and an investigation by the Washington Post. Between three and 16 additional members of the Galmadug militia were injured.

At least one source, Al Jazeera, reported that the Somali government believed that 22 “soldiers and civilians” had been killed in strikes against northern Somalia. Others said that all of the up to 22 people killed were friendly forces.

According to the Washington Post, which published its investigation on November 10th 2016, “On Sept. 28, Puntland security forces were sent to investigate a ‘suspicious group,’ thought to be al-Shabab based on American surveillance imagery, according to the U.S. official. American forces accompanied the patrol as advisers, until they neared the unknown group. It was early in the morning, and visibility was limited when Puntland forces ‘started taking fire,’ said the U.S. official. They asked for air support, and the U.S. military launched the drone strike.

“Shortly after the attack, officials in Galmadug began accusing the United States of killing its own allies. They released images of government vehicles destroyed by the strike. There were protests in the streets. People burned American flags. In interviews with The Washington Post in a hospital in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, two survivors of the strike who belonged to the Galmadug forces described the way it had hammered their unit. ‘Small aircraft, sounding like flies, started hovering over us,’ said one survivor, Ali Adan Mohamed. ‘At about six in the morning the airstrike started, the aircraft fired three missiles. I believed that the U.S. was neutral, but now it seems to me that they have sided with one of two clans,’ he said.

“When Galmadug state officials heard what happened, they were furious with the Americans. ‘There is not any justification that could lead to such disaster,’ Minister Osman Ise Nur, the head of Galmadug’s security operations, said in a phone interview. ‘We were amazed with what has happened to our forces despite the fact that they were fighting al-Shabab.’

At first AFRICOM claimed to have killed al Shabaab fighers in the action, reporting that it had conducted a “self-defence strike” in Galcayo resulting in the deaths of nine alleged al Shabaab fighters. Somali forces were disrupting an IED making network when they were attacked by a group of al Shabaab fighters, it said. The US intervened to “neutralize the threat”.

Concerns were raised almost immediately, though AFRICOM initially denied it had erred. It told the Bureau in an email on September 29th: “We have seen reports alleging non-combatant casualties as a result of this defensive strike. We have assessed all credible evidence and determined those reports are incorrect.”

However, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said the next day that the US would in fact investigate the reports. US Africa Command then confirmed in an email to the Bureau that a formal assessment had been initiated.

On November 15th AFRICOM issued a revised statement, asserting: “A group of armed fighters attacked a PSF-led patrol in early daylight. PSF forces returned fire in self-defense, but were unable to subdue the attack or withdraw without suffering casualties,” read the statement. US forces conducted a strike “at the request of PSF forces and based on their own assessment of the situation”.

The new press release added: “U.S. forces lawfully and appropriately used force to defend the PSF element in response to the attack by the local militia forces against that U.S.-partner force.”

Somali officials claimed that the US killed a total of 22 local soldiers and civilians. Galmudug region’s Security Minister Osman Issa blamed intelligence forces in the Puntland region for giving the US incorrect information. The two regions had clashed on a number of occasions.

Somalia’s government then requested an explanation from the US. A government statement read: “The cabinet requests the US government give a clear explanation about the attack its planes carried out on the Galmudug forces.”

According to the Washington Post, the US ambassador to Somalia met with the president of Galmudug and local officials who claim an apology was given. The US has never publicly confirmed this. The US Mission to Somalia did however issue a press release on October 11th which said the ambassador had met with Somali officials in Mogadishu.

The press release added that the US “seeks to improve its communication and collaboration with Galmudug security forces and the Somali National Army to fight al-Shabaab”.

The incident occured at 06:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • (0–22 undetermined)
  • 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 targets
    Al-Shabaab, Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10–22
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3–16

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • Demonstrations against a US strike which killed up to 22 friendly US soldiers on September 28th 2016
  • Aftermath of a US strike on friendly forces in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Aftermath of a US strike on friendly forces in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Aftermath of a US strike on friendly forces in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Aftermath of a US strike on friendly forces in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Aftermath of a US strike on friendly forces in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Aftermath of a US strike on friendly forces in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Bodies of friendly forces killed in a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Bodies of friendly forces killed in a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Bodies of friendly forces killed in a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 (via Somalia News Room)
  • Protests against a a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Protests against a a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Protests against a a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Protests against a a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Protests against a a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Protests against a a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Protests against a a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Protests against a a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces arrive at hospital (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces arrive at hospital (via Somalia News Room)
  • Injured survivors of a US strike in Somalia on September 28th 2016 which killed up to 22 friendly forces arrive at hospital (via Somalia News Room)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted a base at Jehdin village, 30 kilometres east of the town Galkayo (6.771437, 47.42839). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of Jehdin village. The coordinates for the area 30 kilometres east of Galkayo are: 6.753766, 47.699407.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

U.S. Africa Command Completes Assessment on Galcayo Strike
U.S. Africa Command press release
By U.S. AFRICA COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, United States Africa CommandNov 15, 2016

On September 28, U.S. forces conducted a self-defense strike in Galcayo, Somalia, in support of a partner force, an element of the Puntland Security Forces (PSF), conducting counter-terrorism operations.
A group of armed fighters attacked a PSF-led patrol in early daylight. PSF forces returned fire in self-defense, but were unable to subdue the attack or withdraw without suffering casualties. At the request of PSF forces and based on their own assessment of the situation, U.S. forces conducted a strike to neutralize the threat to the PSF element, killing 10 armed fighters and wounding 3 others.
On October 4, U.S. Africa Command directed that an assessment be conducted to review the circumstances surrounding the strike and to evaluate if there were any civilian casualties as a result. The assessment reached the following conclusions:
Sufficient evidence was presented to conclude no civilian casualties were caused by the September 28 strike.
The armed fighters who attacked the PSF patrol at the time were believe to be part of al-Shabaab, but with further review it was determined they were local militia forces.
U.S. forces lawfully and appropriately used force to defend the PSF element in response to the attack by the local militia forces against that U.S.-partner force.
No U.S. forces were killed or injured as a result of this incident.
It is important to note that the United States is working with the government of Somalia, and our AMISOM partners, to counter the terrorist group al-Shabaab. This is a group that has killed and terrorized civilians, police, and military units across Somalia and its neighboring countries.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • (0–22 undetermined)
  • 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 targets
    Al-Shabaab, Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10–22
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3–16

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1193 CS302

Incident date

August 26, 2016

Location

الادخار, Raqqa: Al Idkhar, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between five and nine civilians including one child died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime of the US-led Coalition was responsible. Several reports said that strikes occurred near the Yahya Sports Club.

The Smart News Agency, Ara and Syria Mirror blamed the Coalition. Syria Mirror reported that “international coalition warplanes launched three raids on neighbourhoods in the city of Raqqa, on the al Thakana and al Idkhar areas and the area around Al Nawawi mosque. Nine civilians died and others were wounded. Three members of ISIS were reportedly also wounded; two of them were transferred to the city of Mosul for treatment, and the third remains in the National Hospital in Raqqa.”

However, other sources, including Shaam News Network and Step News Agency, attributed the strikes to Russia. Step said that there were two strikes at midnight.
Al Jisr cited the IS media agency Al A’amaq, which claimed that the raids were carried out by Russia and “targeted the homes of civilians”. Activists said that the raids “hit the targeted savings area, resulting in the death of seven civilians and wounding of 20 more, including women and children.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – who put the death count at six and also blamed Russia – identified the following victims: Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash and his daughter Elisar Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash.

One source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death count at five, said that the Assad regime was responsible.

A number of other sources did not identify the warplanes responsible.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash
Adult male killed
Elissar Al Shalash
Child female daughter of Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Karim Awad Al Shalash was killed alongside his daughter Elisar in alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, August 26, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damaged vehicle after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damage after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damage after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damage to civilian property after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).
  • Damaged buildings after alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa on August 26th, 2016 (via RBSS).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition 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
    5 – 9
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC003a

Incident date

June 2, 2014

Location

معمل أسمنت بنغازي, Benghazi Cement Factory, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.004722, 20.134444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and five civilians were reported killed in an alleged LNA airstrike on the cement factory in Benghazi.

Almasry Alyoum wrote: An Egyptian worker named, 35-years-old, from the village of Habalsa, a member of the Al Qusiya centre in Assiut, was killed on Monday afternoon in a bombing of a cement factory in Benghazi, Libya.

The sources added that “the bombing caused the death of five, including the Egyptian worker”, pointing out that “the body of the dead will reach the village of Habalsa, Tuesday, to his funeral to the last”

Assiut Facetook only reported the death of Mansur Abu Sada Jalal as a result of the airstrike.

Other sources mentioned LNA airstrikes in Benghazi but didn’t report civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mansur Abu Sada Jalal
35 years old male Via Al Masry Alyoum killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows damages reached out a civilian house in Benghazi followed an alleged LNA airstrike in Benghazi (source: @majjjedomar)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Benghazi Cement Factory (معمل أسمنت بنغازي), for which the coordinates are: 32.004722, 20.134444. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Benghazi Cement Factory (معمل أسمنت بنغازي), for which the coordinates are: 32.004722, 20.134444.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM025-C

Incident date

March 1–31, 2013

Location

Kol, near Bula Xawa, Gedo, Somalia

Geolocation

3.928658, 41.874032 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two airstrikes by an unknown belligerent hit the nomadic settlement of Kol, near the city of Bulla-Xama, in southwestern Somalia’s Gedo region, killing a mother and her two children and injuring five others, a young man who fled the settlement following the strike told the Kenyan group Journalists for Justice.

According to a report, Black and White, the two strikes happened at around noon on an unspecified date in March 2013, “killing a mother and her two children and 13 goats. Three other women and two children were injured.”

Currently, no further details are available, including the presumed target of the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Unnamed mother
Adult female killed
Unnamed 1
Child killed
Unnamed 2
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that two airstrikes targeted the nomadic settlement of Kol, near the town Bula Xawa. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the settlement of Kol. The coordinates of the town Bula Xawa are: 3.928658, 41.874032.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-214

Incident date

March 18–November 1, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Airwars assessment

One man was allegedly injured by a NATO airstrike while travelling in his car in Misurata.

Surt son posted two videos on Youtube of the young man telling his story how he was hit. In the videos he appears severely injured and burned.

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]