The Unverified labels are a set of descriptive labels added by based on observations, and information and allegations by the source or person(s) in the content. These Labels cover types of incidents, weapons, parties of interest to SJAC or any other information that can't be immediately verified. However, any allegations must be at least partially substantiated before adding a label. For example, Shooting label shouldn't be added unless the content shows some evidence that shooting is taking/has taken place.
Unless otherwise noted individually, the following labels were added to the system in February 2014.
These labels are used to describe an incident that is taking place or has already taken place in a Bulletin (i.e. tagged with Content, Incident or Content, Post-Incident). It should not be used with Bulletins that show no incident (tagged with Content, Non-Incident).
The label "Type," without a sub-label, does not exist because all data related to Type must be associated with a sub-label.* Type labels consist of the 4 groups (with sub-labels).
Attacking or damaging buildings, shops, commercial, and/or personal properties. Attack was clearly not on humans but rather on objects, although humans may have been present in the attack.
Use this label only when the content includes evidence of an actual attack on property. For Incident, the footage should show the actual attack, and for Post-Incident the footage must show evidence (destruction, damage, etc) along with a claim or information about the incident.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPnKZ3GW4kE
Notes:
The type of property affects the 'Reliability' label that would be added to the Bulletin. For example, Some Evidence or Strong Evidence labels are commonly used when Cultural Property/Heritage, Humanitarian/IDP or Non-Military Facilities are added. However, when the attack is on a military facility, No Evidence label is more likely applied.
This label and its sub-labels shouldn't be added in cases of:
Attack on buildings or structures dedicated to religion, art, science, education or charitable purposes, and historic monuments, especially buildings or structures that are of historical or cultural significance (for example, ancient churches/mosques/religious buildings, or structures like قلعة الحصن or آثار تدمر).
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG_6jXDNNs4
Attack on informal or formal refugee/IDP camps.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qx5Fnuxp-A
Added on 2018-08-03
Attack on schools, attack on hospitals, bakeries, places of worship and other public facilities of infrastructure. Does not include residential buildings, private properties or belongings. The property should be seen in order for this label to be added.
In cases where an attack happened on a non-military facility as it was being used for military purposes:
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3_ALITlwcM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYx_He3dhqs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6xHoQt-hZc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4u2XlYQIGk
Attack on military infrastructure includes attacks on army buildings. It does not include residential buildings used for military purposes.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z-HqZ_n44M
The facility has to be an official military building. The next Label should be applied if a different facility is being used for a military purpose.
We add this label:
Otherwise, when the claim does not mention explicitly that the building is attacked because it is used militarily, we only add the parent Attack on property.
Added on 2019-10-04
This can include foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations, irrigation works, etc.
Added on 2019-09-24
Siege, blocking supplies, or any tactic falling short of an attack applied to groups of multiple persons or large groups as a whole. Often, collective punishments are systematic and part of larger policies directed by superiors.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz6VpExuM1Q
The incident involved humans.
If a minor seems to be involved in armed activities or if a minor is armed. (Minors are persons under the age of 18).
No Evidence should be added to cases when there's no clear evidence that the minor was recruited into an armed group. For example, the minor appears next to a group of armed fighters wearing a uniform. If the footage shows evidence of that, for example, the minor is clearly seen armed, Some Evidence should be added. Strong Evidence should be added when the minor is seen participating in hostilities.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z-HqZ_n44M [00:07]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7BRM9Q1pcw [00:42]
Infliction of physical or mental/psychological pain or suffering. This includes active maltreatment, such as forcing prisoners to remove clothing, or severe verbal abuse. It can also include cases of very poor detention conditions, solitary confinement, lack of adequate medical care, etc.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krjTdY4YrY8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bme39Ukp-M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOojiGG7FxY (Ex: for Forcing prisoners to remove clothing)
A person is detained, abducted, taken as a hostage or kidnapped. This Label indicates that a person is taken against his/her will, and it applies to combatants and civilians.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bme39Ukp-M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krjTdY4YrY8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kk7BjS2rpk
An armed group recruits a person to serve in its fighting force through force or threat of force. This label doesn't apply to the government forces.
Added on 2017-01-09
This Label is used for any public speaking, especially to groups of persons, that offends, threatens, or stirs or encourages violence against another group of people based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other traits.
Added on 2014-05-06
A person being killed, shelled or shot. This is different from Execution (see below) which is often when a captive is being executed -- as opposed to being killed by opposing forces during a clash.
The cause of death should be known to add this label. For example, the label shouldn't be applied when the source simply refers to the actor as "martyr".
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-xev5vknNQ
Carrying out of a death sentence on a person. This will include summary and other types of execution, usually when a person is a captive of opposing parties. Different from Killing (see above).
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ8r55aORxY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ownkin3IjfM
Physical disabling, disfigurement or inflicting a lasting damage to the body. It includes removal of organs or limbs, or causing blindness or paralysis.
This label is used for deliberately impairing (e.g. someone cut off another person's hand), and not when the impairment is a result of another incident (e.g. a person lost their leg as a result of shelling).
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBieNXMxrH0
Causing an indirect injury or death.
Notes:
This label can be added along with the appropriate Alleged Perpetrator label in cases where the actor died because they were prevented from getting medical aid. Killing labels shouldn't be added in such cases.
The same applies to cases of deaths caused by food shortages, lack of medical supplies, etc. This label can be added in conjunction with Collective Punishment in cases of deaths that were caused by sieges.
Same applies to cases of pregnancies that fail as a result of lack of food due to a siege, or due to a shock, for example from nearby shelling.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkYCe-HKCxU
Added on 2016-08-18
Mistreatment of dead bodies, such as stealing personal effects, mutilating, not informing the family of the actor or not returning the body to them.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpOXm7QYnuU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2UAElttdlA
Added on 2017-06-17
A grave, pit, or hole (filled or unfilled) where three or more dead people have been buried.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L5p0Ok3SUA
Anything involving a sexual act perpetrated against someone without their consent or against their will. Rape is a form of sexual violence, but so is for example forced sterilization. Sexual Violence can also be considered Torture, if for example carried out on detainees or prisoners. Forcing prisoners to remove clothes is Cruel Treatment, but not sexual violence. As sexual violence is a nuanced violation, additional sub-Labels may be added in the future.
Causing a pregnant woman to abort a fetus. For example, a fetus born dead because his mother was killed or injured as a result of shelling.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-g5z580wQY
Added on 2016-08-18
Any intentional action or force that causes severe physical or mental/psychological pain/suffering; often for a purpose. Torture is carried out by a person who has formal- or semi-formal authority over the person being tortured (who is under the torturer's control). Different from Cruel Treatment, which is less severe, and may not have the element of authority.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngZIiXpicAk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wj-oGIK4SQ (Graphic)
If you suspect that a human was being used as a shield.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krjTdY4YrY8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-NDo4x4iI
Any illegal demand for money or anything material.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HypT4qFZESI
Added on 2018-08-31
Theft or pillaging of property, with or without force, usually after an attack. Looting generally refers to theft of property by armed actors or civilians in the confusion or opportunity created by chaos after armed conflict or an attack or incident. Often looting is perpetrated by the attacking or conquering party.
This label should be only added when the footage is showing actual looting (i.e. with incidents), as finding evidence of looting is virtually impossible with post-incident cases.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDzw95S1dO4
The incident is about a military ("martial") action.
Airstrikes and explosives dropped by aircraft, including air planes and helicopters.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsVV_q6iKgo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPnKZ3GW4kE
A fight, clash, battle, or any exchange of fire. This label can be used with Bulletins that involve clashing or credible claims of clashing. This includes exchanges of fires, storming, ambushes, etc.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGPLt31oTnY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nopYZm2Pg8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13h2MqBrbYM
An explosion occurs, including explosions where the cause or source of the explosion is unclear.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcBw0KX0ruw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5lhtwCQufE
Artillery or explosives fired by ground-based long-range weapons, (like cannons, tanks, etc.)
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd8ystjjlis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8D-OIvsqD8
Firing using a weapon or gun.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYtlmLU1KNY
An attack or firing where there seems to be random shelling or shooting with no specific target; the attacker was not aiming towards any specific target. The label can also be added with weapons that are indiscriminate by design (cluster munitions, white phosphorus, etc) or due to their low-tech manufacturing, such as improvised weapons (barrels bombs, Hell Cannons, "elephant" rockets, etc).
Furthermore, the label can be used with weapons that cause huge damage (volumetric weapons, Scud missiles) if the attacked area or the area these weapons are launched from can be verified as residential, or the targeted area is very close to an urban area. The label can be added if that was confirmed by the perpetrator of the attack, for example the fighters in a video say they are targeting a residential area.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5yuRDi35z0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubKHDbgWUUc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DJT1P_oo_A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nLoDxpNZwQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHPNhcUqo4s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4O0rD-n4W8
Notes on reliability with indiscriminate attacks and weapons:
Attacker killed him/herself to commit the attack, such as in a suicide bombing.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbUuTgOEVh0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_cJxPOszt0
Added on 2015-01-05
Using non-military facilities like schools, hospitals or places of worship for military purposes. Uses include training, storing arms or using these facilities to launch attacks.
Strong evidence can be added to videos that show places of worship (mosques, churches) or structures of historic and cultural importance (Al-Omawi mosque, Palmyra) being used.
Strong evidence can also be added to cases of other non-military facilities like schools or hospitals when the footage shows evidence of the facilities being used by civilians, and it can also be considered a case of using human shields. If it doesn't show evidence of the facilities being used by civilians, Some/weak Evidence can be added.
Added on 2017-10-14
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVdynzeZ_GE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SVMU1ZDFT0
This category of Labels is used to tag any types of weapons shown in the documentation, either as active components or causing effects.
Fighter and bomber aircraft. MiG, Sukhoi, F-16, etc.
Added on 2017-10-14
This label should be added with barrel bomb attacks even if it wasn't mentioned explicitly.
Added on 2017-10-14
Unmanned aerial vehicle.
Added on 2017-10-14
Expanding bullets which expand or flatten easily in the human body and exploding bullets are anti-personnel bullets which explode within the human body.
Added on 2015-10-07
Use this parent Label in cases where the explosive used is unidentified; otherwise use a sub-label. This Label can be used in conjunction with the Explosion Label.
An explosive charge concealed under the surface of the ground or a roadway, designed to be detonated by pressure, proximity of a vehicle or person, etc.
Added on 2015-05-21
Added on 2017-12-01
Reports show that barrel bombs are being used in parts of Syria. Barrel bombs are usually oil drums filled with explosives and metal shrapnel (such as nails) and/or oil and then dropped from the air (by helicopters or air planes).
As this weapon is ِindiscriminate by nature, Indiscriminate attack should be added when it applies. Helicopter should always be added with this label.
Explosive concealed in or under, or delivered via, an automobile.
Added on 2015-05-21
An improvised explosive device (العبوات الناسفة).
Added on 2015-10-07
Conventional munition that is designed to disperse or release explosive sub-munitions.
Added on 2015-10-07
A missile is a self-propelled, surface-to-surface, precision-guided munition system, as opposed to an unguided self-propelled munition (rocket).
Explosive ammunition that has been fired but has not exploded. It includes missiles, bombs, shells, cluster munitions, etc.
The label is used when the unexploded ordnance causes an injury/damage. For example, if the bomb was thrown and did not explode and then the remnants/ordnance exploded on people while they were being taken off for example, and they caused killing/injuries as a result.
Added on 2016-03-10
Indiscriminate attack can be added along with this label if the attack area is residential.
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ZrHI7npA0
Added on 2017-04-09
A type of ammunition designed to set fire to a target.
Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktILtD5TLZ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmX55f-YVvc
Added on 2016-09-11
Highly flammable sticky jelly used in incendiary bombs and flamethrowers, consisting of petrol thickened with special soaps.
Added on 2016-09-11
Munitions that contain White Phosphorus, an incendiary and toxic substance.
Examples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9OFm1CTTTY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-0NWXk6tQg
Added on 2016-03-10
Armed combat vehicles protected by armor such as Tanks, Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and Infantry fighting vehicles (IFV).
Main battle tanks such as T-55, T-72, etc.
Added on 2017-10-14
Armored Personnel Carrier such as BMP and BTR vehicles.
Added on 2017-10-14
Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qBKxtxk3rM
Added on 2020-05-20
Gunnery and cannons used for shooting projectiles to various distances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWLE9cJN8F8
Added on 2017-10-14
Improvised artillery pieces such as "Hell cannon" (جهنم). Improvised mortar and rocket artillery pieces are included in this label.
The weapon itself doesn't have to be improvised to apply this label. For example, this label can be added when improvised shells are used with a conventional weapon.
Added on 2017-10-14
Added on 2017-10-14
Katyusha, Grad, etc.
Added on 2017-10-14
Surface-to-air missiles (SAM) or machine-guns, Man-Portable Air-Defence System (MANPADS). Shilka, مدفع م.ط.
Added on 2017-10-14
Added on 2019-01-10
RPG, Konkurs, Kornet, TOW, Javelin, MILAN, B9.
Added on 2017-10-14
Mostly personally operated weapons; pistols, rifles, light machine-guns and explosives such as grenades.
Long-distance targeting and long-range rifles.
Machine guns that are usually operated by more than one person. For example, PKS or PKM. Heavy Machine-guns mounted on the ground on vehicles such as DShK (دوشكا).
Chemical, gas, non-traditional, looks unfamiliar or suspicious. (Smoke includes color, smells funny, people showing uncommon side effects, people dying for no obvious reasons or wounds.)
A toxic chemical contained in a delivery system, such as a bomb or shell.
Added on 2016-03-10
Chlorine is used as a chemical warfare choking agent.
Added on 2016-03-10
Riot control agents that cause pain, burning or discomfort and are used by security forces to control demonstrations or riots.
Added on 2015-09-07
Added on 2017-12-14
These labels apply only when something has taken place that involves a violation or other potential offence -- for example, a shooting on a demonstration, torture, killing, etc. (i.e., tagged with Content, Incident or Content, Post-Incident), or contain a related Actor whose role is Injured Party or Alleged Perpetrator. Tag the Bulletin or Actor with these labels to point to the Alleged Perpetrator and Injured Party in case there is evidence of their roles, or a claim of their roles.
Injured Party and Alleged Perpetrator labels can be added for fighters when there is an "injury" to a fighter (detention/capture, killing, wounding, etc.), even if there is no evidence of a violation, or if it is clear a violation didn't take place (e.g. we clearly see a fighter was killed during clashes).
This group of Labels is used to describe the affiliation(s) of persons involved in a Bulletin, or to describe an Actor. NOTE: the label "Affiliation," without a sub-label does not exist (because all data related to Affiliation must be associated with a sub-label).
Seems affiliated with pro government /is pro government but can't determine if it belongs to a government force or not. Or pro government civilians or off-duty government officials, NGOs.
Pro-government but unknown military affiliation. This also applies to non-combatant (civilians) who identify as pro-government but are not members of government forces of Popular Forces/Shabiha.
Allegations of عوايني، مخبر، فساد.
Palestinian militias fighting on the side of the government.
Added on 2016-08-18
Content shows that the person belongs to official Syrian government forces, including Syrian Army, security forces, 4th division, etc. Currently, includes Police (although we may add a separate Label for this).
Members of the Armed forces, like Land, Air or Naval forces, Military Police, military intelligence services like Military Intelligence (المخابرات العسكرية) and Air Force Intelligence (المخابرات الجوية).
This label can be added with airstrikes when the alleged perpetrator is pro-government.
Includes civilian police service, Criminal Security Department, traffic police, etc.
Civilian intelligence services (Mukhabarat) like General Directorate of Intelligence (State Security, إدارة المخابرات العامة, أمن الدولة), Political Security (الأمن السياسي).
Added on 2017-05-27
These are persons who are not government personnel (i.e., not employed by the government) but are part of either formal/organized Popular Defence Forces or less formal but organized 'Shabiha' groups.
Affiliated with Jabhat al-Nusra (Al-Nusra Front جبهة النصرة ﻷهل الشام) or Al-Qaeda in Syria.
Added on 2016-02-20
Affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS); also known as ISIL, the Islamic State, or داعش.
Seems affiliated with pro-opposition / anti-government. Civilians, activists, and rebels who seem to be against the government. Opposition groups include FSA (Free Syrian Army) and other Islamic leaning groups if apparent in data. If known, please apply further sub-Labels.
ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra are NOT Pro-Opposition.
Free Syrian Army (الجيش الحر), a known brigade belonging to this loose grouping.
Pro-opposition but unknown military affiliation. This also applies to non-combatant (civilians) who identify as pro-opposition.
Members of Syrian Kurdish political parties such as PYD. This label applies to civilians/non-combatants only.
Added on 2016-08-16
Such as forces affiliated with the YPG. These are forces of Syrian origin, located and fighting on Syrian territory, and mostly composed of Syrian Kurds.
Former members of the Syrian Armed Forces or other state security who have left their positions and declared allegiance to another party. This does NOT include members of the armed forces who refused to fire or refused orders --- that is insubordination, not defection.
The Actor's last known affiliation should be added with
Defectedlabel if the current affiliation is unknown.
If the affiliation does not fall under Pro-Government, Pro-Opposition, or other Syrian affiliations. In other words, forces or parties from other countries who are not members of Syrian armed groups.
The International coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Added with sub-labels on 2016-08-29
Or حزب الله forces, from Lebanon.
Member of the Iranian Guard or Iranian forces present in Syria.
Such as Peshmerga or Kurdish armed forces or groups from Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan) or Turkey.
Any other third party (non-Syrian) in the conflict. An example of Third Party, Other would be Russian mercenaries fighting with the Syrian Army; but NOT (for example) a Chechen fighter who belongs to ISIS.
Iranian, Iraqi, and other Iran-sponsored militias fighting in support of the Syrian government.
Added on 2016-08-29
Added on 2016-08-29
Affiliation is unclear, unknown; can't tell from content. This shouldn't be added when the affiliation is simply not provided.
Militias that belong to local tribes.
Added with sub-labels on: 2017-04-20
The militia isn't fighting on either side of the conflict or its affiliation is unknown.
The militia is affiliated with a group other than the government forces.
The militia is fighting on the government's side.
This label can be used with other civilian political groups which the above labels aren't applicable to.
Added on 2016-12-23
This label can be used with other armed groups which the above labels aren't applicable to.
Added on 2016-12-23
Person is armed (carrying weapon(s)).
Person is unarmed (not carrying weapon(s)).
Persons who are NOT members of armed forces, militias, armed groups, or any type of organized combat group. Noncombatants are not participants in armed conflict. Usually, they are normal citizens, who do not seem to have an official position with a fighting or armed force. Note that noncombatants can be Armed (for example, a civilian father using a gun to protect his young children).
Injured Party only
A combatant (fighter, member of armed group or forces) who is in capture and is not in a fighting position. Usually considered a "prisoner or war."
Injured Party only
Known to be or appears to be old -- over 55 years of age.
Injured Party only
An individual who has a journalism duty and an official affiliation (and usually media credentials). This Label does not include citizen journalists or activists.
Injured Party only
Red Cross or Red Crescent, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), or other humanitarian organizations; also doctors and other medical personnel in the armed forces, with Red Cross/Crescent, ICRC, or from other countries or aid organization working if they are working with a conflict party. This Label does NOT apply to civilian medical personnel.
This label can be applied only if the person was actively using his/her medical knowledge as humanitarian or medical aid worker (practicing medical personnel) and if there's information that the person was treating persons in connection to the event (detention, attack, etc.).
It's also important to note whether the person was displaying symbols (either on clothing, helmets, vehicle, building/tent, etc.) identifying him/her as medical or humanitarian.
Known or appears to be under the age of 18.
When actors appear to be non-Syrian or their dialect is not Syrian.
This label is not used with Palestinian refugees in Syria.
Injured Party only
Injured Party only
Person of religious standing, usually an official or formal role. For example, imams, sheikhs, priests, etc. playing mediator roles between armed groups, or visiting prisoners in detention centers. Also cultural personnel.
Injured Party only
Military or civilian, person who is physically ill or disabled.
Injured Party only
Shows marks for wounds that can be the result of previous armed engagement, attacks, torture, etc. This label is used in the following scenarios:
This label shouldn't be used when a person dies of his/her wounds after a short period of time, for example, a couple of days or a week.