Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Incident Code

LQ054

LOCATION

درنة, Dhar al-Hamr, Darnah, Libya

Airstrikes hit residential homes in Derna, according to a local report. Libya 24 reported that the LNA bombed in the vicinity of Kasarah in Derna, striking houses belonging to the Burebihah family. The report did not mention whether civilians were inside at the time of the strike, or whether there were any casualties.

Summary

First published
August 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM243

LOCATION

Salagle, Middle Juba, Somalia

Local reports – including by the former head of Somalia’s national intelligence service – said that a senior al Shabaab figure was killed in Salagle. According to Mareeg, “al-Shabaab’s chief of security, Sheikh Jafar Ali Mohamud, and a few other members were killed” in an event at Salagle. Other actions were reported at nearby Sakow

Summary

First published
August 5, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2504

LOCATION

البويب, al Boueb, Hama, Syria

At least two civilians were injured in airstrikes against the village of al Boueb in the Shahshabo mountain in the western Hama countryside. Media blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. The “warplanes” which launched three raids on the vicinity were unidentified by some media. It was reported that the village “[is] inhabited by purely civilians

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

LQ038

LOCATION

بنغازي‎, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Alnabaa TV reported that a foreign aircraft conducted airstrikes in Ganfouda. Its source in the Benghazi Shura Council didn’t confirm any casualties. According to Alnabaa, Ganfouda has also been hit by artillery shelling in the early morning hours and civilian infrastructure was heavily targeted in the strike. Alnabaa suspected civilians in the buildings but couldn’t confirm

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2018

Incident Code

RS3325

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, Damascus, Syria

Two male civilians, including a journalist, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery strikes on a market in Douma, Damascus governorate, on March 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. Douma Revolution posted on Facebook that Fozdika shells were launched upon a popular market in Douma, leading to the death of Suhayeb A’yyoun

Summary

First published
March 22, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS4283

LOCATION

تلمنس, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians, initially reported as three, were killed and others were wounded in the town of Tal Menes after warplanes fired missiles into the town on the 21st of December. A series of news outlets as well as the Idlib Civil Defense confirmed the deaths. Orient Net, Al-Muharrer Network, and Stab News with their reporter

Summary

First published
December 22, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Civilians reported injured
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2019

Incident Code

RS3599

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafar Nbouda, Hama, Syria

One or two civilians were injured in alleged artillery strikes on Kafar Nbouda, local media reported. The majority of sources said that the Assad regime was responsible, though Russian actions were also reported within the vicinity. According to the Step News Agency, “an artillery bombardment by regime forces stationed at Camp of Bredig hit the

Summary

First published
March 11, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 29, 2015

Incident Code

LQ016

LOCATION

الظهير, Al Dahir, Surt, Libya

Unidentified warplanes reportedly carried out multiple airstrikes in the east, south and west of Sirte at midnight, local media reported. According to Akhbar Alaan, “unidentified warplanes launched air strikes on the Libyan city of Sirte targeting areas occupied by an ISIS in the south and west of the city, eyewitnesses said.” There were no known

Summary

First published
October 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS4291

LOCATION

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria

Russian warplanes launched substantial attacks upon various villages outside of Idlib on December 28th causing numerous civilian casualties. Shaam News, reporting on December 29th, stated that civilian casualties resulted from Russian airstrikes upon many villages, including Mhambel and Sarja.  No names, ages, or other pertinent information was released. The air raids were part of a

Summary

First published
December 28, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2019

Incident Code

RS3598

LOCATION

كفرزيتا,, Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian artillery or rocket strike on Kafr Zeita, according to sources on the ground. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that “two civilians were wounded as a result of artillery shelling targeting the town of Kfar Zeita in the northern suburbs of Hama.” Facebook page

Summary

First published
March 11, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2014

Incident Code

LC009

LOCATION

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya

A single source, Libya in Heart, reported that “nearly 20 people” died in alleged LNA airstrike in Sirte but did not specify if they were civilians. According to the source, Nearly 20 people were killed in the bombing of the Sirte air force in Libya. Eyewitnesses confirmed that ambulances were being heard heavily. After further

Summary

First published
December 20, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2016

Incident Code

USSOM063

LOCATION

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US reported two days after the event that it had conducted two “self-defence strikes” on September 5th against al Shabaab, killing four militants in total. According to an AFRICOM press release, the strikes hit near Tortoroow and were conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia after a Somali-led counter-terrorism operation came under

Summary

First published
September 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2020

Incident Code

LC282

LOCATION

طرابلس‎: عرادة, Tripoli: Arada, Tarabulus, Libya

Two civilians were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on the Arada neighbourhood of Tripoli. The Field Medicine and Support Center reported: “Today in the evening, 25-1-2020, the ambulance team of the Center for Field Medicine and Support assisted citizens Samir Musa and Ahmed Al-Ghazewi, who were lightly wounded after a shell landed in the Arada

Summary

First published
January 25, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
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 belligerent
Libyan National Army
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2020

Incident Code

RS4348

LOCATION

معردبسة, Ma’ardibsa, Idlib, Syria

One civilian reportedly died and two more – a woman and a child – were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian air or artillery strikes on Ma’ardibsa on January 22nd 2020. @yahya_kadaa reported however, that the death toll was nine. Local Coordination Committees if Syria reported: “At 15:46 a regime’s MiG-23 warplane raid targeted

Summary

First published
January 22, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
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

July 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2333

LOCATION

مراط,, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Al Hassaka Rasd reported: “The Russian air force targets with several air raids the vicinity of Deir Ezzor military airport, brigade 137, the cemetery area and the town of Mrat Foukani”. Other sources mentioned an unspecified number of wounded civilians but didn’t identify who carried out the strikes.

Summary

First published
July 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2020

Incident Code

RS4374

LOCATION

بشنطرة, Bashantra, Aleppo, Syria

One person died and an unspecified number of others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Bashranta on January 28, 2020, according to local media. The Violations Documentation Center whether the person killed was a civilian. Both the Shahba Press and Zaiton Agency released reports of multiple civilians killed due

Summary

First published
January 28, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2020

Incident Code

RS4361

LOCATION

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched air strikes in the midst of artillery and missile shelling on the points of clashes and cities and towns and villages of Ma`rat al-Numan, Kafr Nubil, Saraqib, Jericho, Kafr Nabikh, Benin, Tlemans, Marshourin, Farkia, Dana, Sarjah, Rami, Khan al-Sabil, Bazpur, Dercenbl, Balchun, Ghadfa,

Summary

First published
January 25, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI338

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their March 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “Nov. 14, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS checkpoint it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when the vehicle

Summary

First published
November 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr012-C

LOCATION

منطقة ‎‎ال عتيق, Al Ateeq area, Shabwa, Yemen

Several sources reported that US airstrikes targeted AQAP militants in Wadi Yashbum, Shabwa province, at dawn on March 2nd 2017. Some local language Twitter sources reported that three areas of the Yashbum Valley had been targeted by US strikes simultaneously.  There were some allegations of civilian harm from the wider US campaign in the area,

Summary

First published
March 2, 2017
Last updated
May 12, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Prayer Space, Religious, Residential
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
4–8
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI135a

LOCATION

Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmat Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times Magazine, one civilian was killed and one injured by a Coalition airstrike on Qayyarah – both of them young children. The Coalition admitted the casualties in early 2020. Khan and Ghopal report the following: “Tibea Alla, a

Summary

First published
November 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr018

LOCATION

الغيل‎, Al Ghayil, Al Bayda, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike targeted the home of alleged AQAP leader and tribal sheikh Abdul Ilah al-Dhahab in Yakla, in the al-Qaifa area of Bayda governorate, at dawn on March 2nd 2017. There were no known reported casualties. Multiple sources suggested that al-Dhahab survived this strike, having been fighting with the

Summary

First published
March 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

December 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2829

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

High explosive missiles struck Lataminah, leaving several civilians wounded, according to local media. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or did not identify a belligerent. Only an unspecifiied number of civilians were reported injured, but there were no reports of fatalities. According to Arab48 News, there was a “heavy bombardment with missile launchers, without

Summary

First published
December 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM281

LOCATION

دوجووما, Dujuuma, Middle Juba, Somalia

Three Al Shaabab fighters were injured in a US airstrike near Dujuuma, according to both the Somali government and AFRICOM. A US military press release issued the same day stated: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab compound in the vicinity of Dujuuma, Somalia, Feb.

Summary

First published
February 23, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported injured
3
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2546

LOCATION

التمانعة , Al-Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians were reportedly injured by an airstrike, likely to be Russian, on the town of al Tamana’a in Idlib on September 27th, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian C25 planes for the raids. According to “Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town”, there were more than 18 Russian raids on

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
4
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr040-C

LOCATION

جبل نوفان, Jabal Novan, Al Bayda, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that US drone strikes targeted alleged AQAP militant positions in Novan, in the Qaifa area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of March 5th. There was one known report of possible civilian injury due to the strike. Local language Twitter sources reported that airstrikes targeted AQAP militants in the Novan mountains. The

Summary

First published
March 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2478

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Between zero and three civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Sarja in southern Idlib, according to local sources. Some sources, including Step News Agency, reported that the airstrikes struck the local headquarters of Ahrar Al Sham and three of those injured were militants. Other

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
0–3
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

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr053

LOCATION

جبل المراقشه, Jabal Al Maraqisha, Abyan, Yemen

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of al-Maroun, in the al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There are no known associated reports of civilian casualties. Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2477

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Khan Shikhoun, local sources reported. The injured included a young girl and a woman, according to Zaman Al Wasl.

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr075

LOCATION

مديرية مودية, Mudiyah District, Abyan, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in Qarn Amarim village, Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, on the evening of April 16th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Some social media sources reported (for example @Demolinari) that a strike had taken place against militants travelling in a car in

Summary

First published
April 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2019

Incident Code

LC133

LOCATION

الكريمية, Al Keramiya, Tarabulus, Libya

One child was allegedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling in Al Keramia area. FMSC reported: “A child was injured as a result of the armed clashes and treated by the medical team in a field clinic of the field medicine and support center.” Local reports of fighting point at the GNA or LNA as the

Summary

First published
May 3, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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, Libyan National Army
View Incident