Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

April 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3378

LOCATION

أورم الجوز, Urma Al Jouz, Idlib, Syria

One woman was killed and several others were injured during alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Urma Al Jouz on April 1, 2018, local sources reported. The death of Fattoum Haj Hammoud was widely attributed to Russian forces, however, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the involvement of Syrian planes.

Summary

First published
April 1, 2018
Last updated
April 17, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1419

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A male civilian was killed as a result of US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local media reported. All tracked sources held the US-led Coalition responsible, referring to “bombing by International Coalition aircraft”. Airwars has limited information on the location of the incident.

Summary

First published
August 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2859

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

A woman was killed and more than 25 civilians were injured in air and artillery strikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Harasta. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids, with some sources also reporting that there had been fighting on the ground between factions. One source mentioned that there were

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS648

LOCATION

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria

One 15-year-old girl, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Abu Dhuhur, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However, according to Smart News Agency, the regime carried out a raid on the town.  

Summary

First published
February 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS680

LOCATION

زاكية, Zakiya, Damascus, Syria

A single source, Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, reported the death of Hatem Abu Mohammad due to “indiscriminate Russian warplane shelling“. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1553

LOCATION

المجاودة, Al Mojawedah/Al Aranessah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that one displaced woman was killed in a dawn raid on the home of Abbas Freih Al Salama in Al Mojawedah – though most sources did not identify who was responsible for the attack. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the warplanes responsible were “believed to be Russian”.

Summary

First published
September 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1375b

LOCATION

Raqqa: West of Mu'taaz street, Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one woman was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in the area west of Al-Mu’taz street in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS873

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center, reported one girl killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza. All4Syria and A_siba also blamed Russia, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not identify the culprit.

Summary

First published
June 7, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2018

Incident Code

CS1740

LOCATION

البوكمال, Near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a previously unknown event, the UK for the first time admitted that its forces caused civilian harm during an airstrike against so-called Islamic State. In a written statement to Parliament on May 2nd, UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson MP stated that “one civilian was unintentionally killed,” when a UK Reaper drone

Summary

First published
March 26, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
UK Military
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2019

Incident Code

RS3740

LOCATION

بنين, Benin, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and his child was wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the road between the village of Benin and Al Dana district on May 31st, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “Marwan Hussein al Ali, who was displaced from Eqerbat town in Hama

Summary

First published
May 31, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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 belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS938

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, one woman was killed and up to ten other civilians were injured from an airstrike on Kafr Hamra. The majority of sources reported that the strike was Russian, however, the Blog Amin News said that it was carried out by the Syrian regime. The source also said that ‘Syrian children were

Summary

First published
June 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2018

Incident Code

RS3270

LOCATION

كفر سجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria

One civilian, a 17-year-old male, named Mohammed Saif Al-Din Qassoum Al-Issa died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafar Sijna, according to local media. Sources said that several other civilians were wounded.

Summary

First published
September 9, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2014

Incident Code

CS012

LOCATION

كۆبانی, Kobanî, Aleppo, Syria

A Kobanî official reported that a civilian – an 87 year old woman – and six Kurdish fighters from the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in the besieged city.It was also reported that two hospitals in the town had been destroyed. According to Sky News Arabia, Kurdish sources said that

Summary

First published
October 15, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2019

Incident Code

RS3816

LOCATION

المنطقة الصناعية, Industry zone (Al Mantiq Al Sina’iya), Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and two to eight civilians, including at least one child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the industrial zone Al Mantiq Al Sina’iya, in the vicinity of Idlib, on June 18th, 2019, according to local sources. @syr_television reported that “one person was killed and three others

Summary

First published
June 18, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–8
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1467

LOCATION

Bab al Nasr, Aleppo, Syria

At least one civilian died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Bab al Nasr neighbourhood, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though several also pointed towards the Syrian regime. A number of other reports didn’t identify the culprit, saying that both Russia and the regime were carrying out strikes on Aleppo – including on Bab

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

May 10, 2018

Incident Code

CS1748a

LOCATION

Khatuniya, Al Hassakah, Syria

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Khatuniya. The Pentagon later reported this to have been a US action. According to CJTFOIR’s June 2019 civilian casualty report: “Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed

Summary

First published
May 10, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2019

Incident Code

RS3897

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

A woman was killed when an explosive barrel was dropped from a helicopter. Shaam claimed the attack was carried out by a Russian or Syrian regime aircraft. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Mrs. Samiha Mahmoud Abdul Razzaq al Dahrouj, from al Latamena town in Hama governorate northwestern suburbs, age 51, was killed as

Summary

First published
July 12, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 14, 2017

Incident Code

LC068

LOCATION

درنة الفتايح, Al Fatayah, Darnah, Libya

The LNA reportedly bombed in the Al-Fatayih neighbourhood in Derna near the Faculty of Agriculture, resulting in the death of one six-month-old child. According to Libya Al Khabar, “A child from the eastern Libyan city of Derna died on Friday [April 14th] after falling into a coma after an airstrike close to his family’s home”. Libya

Summary

First published
April 14, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 5, 2015

Incident Code

LC016

LOCATION

درنة, Darnah, Libya

One child died in an alleged LNA airstrike on Darnah, according to local media. The Libya Observer reported: “A baby from the Al-Harir family was killed in a dignity operation airstrike in Darnah. The airstrike targeted the Shabia apartment buildings causing extensive damage to Musa Al-Harir’s apartment and destroying cars parked on the street below.”

Summary

First published
May 5, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

CS288

LOCATION

الراطونية, Al Ratouniya, Aleppo, Syria

A reported Coalition strike in the Jazeera roundabout area of al Ratouniya village was said to have killed a 27-year old local named as Ziab the son of Obeid al Ziab. According to the Manbij Documentation Agency the body was recovered three days later: “The young man Ziab the son of Obeid al Ziab from

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1532

LOCATION

الميدعاني, Al Midani , Damascus, Syria

One civilian was killed and others were injured in airstrikes that struck Al Midiani town in Eastern Ghouta, Damascus. According to multiple sources, a series of three air raids were launched by warplanes – with LCCSY specifying the use of thermobaric missiles. An image posted by @SCDrifdimashq shows a victim of the airstrikes being carried

Summary

First published
November 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1575

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

One named civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, according to sources on the ground. @mahe35 and LCCSY reported that one civilian was killed in a Russian strike. One victim was named by @yasserdouma. It should be noted that while two sources attributed the civilian harm to Russia, the remainder didn’t identify the

Summary

First published
November 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI406

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Local sources said that civilians, including women and children, were killed or injured due to Coalition airstrikes on Rashad and Riad regions Sunday evening in Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk. Only once source, News of Iraq, claimed there were civilian casualties.

Summary

First published
January 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS445

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS compound, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian who was not observed near the target during the

Summary

First published
January 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2019

Incident Code

ISIR001

LOCATION

قاعدة الصقر, Al Saqar camp, Baghdad, Iraq

Local sources published conflicting reports about a major explosion at what appears to have been a weapons depot at Al Saqar Camp, in Baghdad on the evening of August 12th, 2019. One civilian was reportedly killed, while up to 30 others were reported injured. While no belligerent claimed responsibility, Israel was blamed by some as

Summary

First published
August 12, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
13–30
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 belligerent
Unknown
Suspected target
Iraqi militias (PMUs)
Belligerents reported injured
6
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS483

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Heavy airstrikes on Raqqa – reportedly by the Coalition – may have caused civilian casualties according to confused reports. According to Step News “international coalition raids target the grain silos, the finance building, the arts school and al Nai’m roundabout in the city of Raqqa a short while ago causing material and human losses as

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 12, 2018

Incident Code

YS021

LOCATION

عزاز, Azzaz, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died and three more were injured in an alleged YPG shelling of Azaz, local media reported. According to the Smart News Agency, “Three civilians were wounded in a rocket attack by Kurdish ‘protection units’ on the city of A’zaz, north of Aleppo, north of Syria. The Kurdish units, the backbone of the Syrian

Summary

First published
February 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
YPG
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS505

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, Sharqiya Voice, reported the death of one civilian in Raqqa. The source said: “A civilian was killed while he was on a waterway crosser [something used to cross the waterway though they’re not saying a boat] after being hit by shrapnel following an air raid targeting the city of Raqqa. He is

Summary

First published
February 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS553

LOCATION

الخاتونية, Khatouniya, Raqqa, Syria

A single source blamed the Coalition for the death of a woman and the injuring of four more civilians in the al Khatouniya and al Salhabiya areas. According to Smart News, “A local source said three raids affected the villages of al Khatouniya and al Salhabiya in the western countryside, killing a woman and wounding

Summary

First published
March 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2019

Incident Code

LC100a

LOCATION

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tarabulus, Libya

Mahmoud Shalbik, a 23-year-old university student from Tripoli, was reportedly killed during armed clashes in the Libyan capital. While most sources reported he was killed by stray bullet, UNSMIL said the “student at the University of Tripoli, Faculty of Economics, was killed at his home as result of incriminate shelling.” Abdulrahman Ghummied stated on Twitter:

Summary

First published
January 16, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade
Named victims
1 named
View Incident