Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS381

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 31 and 34 civilians including two to three children were killed – and up to 40 other people injured – in airstrikes on Maarat al Numan in Idlib, according to multiple sources. While all sources allege that Russia was responsible for the attack, initial reports by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime – though a subsequent report by the Network went on to say that Russia carried out the attacks.

The Shaam News Network reported on the three incidents that occurred in Idlib on January 12th (Maarat al Numan, Sarmada, Saraqib) and initially put the death toll in Maarat al Numan at 20 non-combatants, including media activists and members of the White Helmets, who were directly targeted by Russian bombing leading to the death of two and injury of five others, including “three in critical condition during the air raid that targeted their teams while trying to rescue the injured in Maart.

They reported that two raids targeted a row of residential buildings, followed by a third after the arrival of the ambulance crews and White Helmets, resulting in the death toll rising and exceeding 25. But a later report put the death toll at 33, including two media activists, one member of the White Helmets and two nurses and medical staff, along with 40 wounded.

Media activist, Abu Mohammed Aladalba, told AlHall that “at least 12 civilians were killed, and dozens wounded, following targeted the northern quarter of the city Ma’arat Al Nu’man the southern countryside of Idlib, high-explosive rockets.”

He explained that the White Helmets also “came under direct fire from the Russian aviation, during rescue operations, which led to the fall of 15 civilians, including members of the civil defence.”

But in brief initial reports the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that shelling by the Assad regime resulted in the death of 31, including two children. They added that an ambulance was also targeted.

However, a further report by SN4HR blamed Russia, putting the number killed at 32, including three children. They also reported that members of the White Helmets were killed.

Reporting on the three incidents in Idlib on January 12th, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the overall death toll had risen to 43, including 4 children and 6 women.

32 victims killed “in a massacre due to Russian air forces shelling at the same point twice after that the civil defence was present to provide aid after the first strike” were named by the Violations Documentation Centre, including three unidentified victims.

Unidentified 1 – adult, male

Unidentified 2 – adult, male

Unidentified 3 – adult, male

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male also named by SN4HR as a member of the civil defence, “killed on 12 January 2016, due to alleged Russian shelling while he was aiding injured people from previous shelling.” killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male died due to wounds sustained ‘about a week ago’. killed
Adult male named by SN4HR, “a paramedic, from Al Tramyse town in Hama, worked with Sham emergency team, married, a father of a child, died on 12 January 2016 due to alleged Russian shelling on Ma’art Al No’man in Idlib while he was aiding injured .people from previous shelling.” killed
Mohamad Abdul Kareem Joulak
Adult male “a paramedic, from Hass town in Idlib, worked for Sham Emergency Team, 45, married, was killed on 12 January 2016, due to alleged Russian shelling on Ma’art Al No’man city while he was aiding .injured people from previous shelling.” killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    31 – 34
  • (2–3 children32 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing civilian casualties in the aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrike. (via, Al Marra Today)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage showing a man trapped under a crushed car. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Ahmad al-Mandeel, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Hasan Hsain Nahhas, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Abdo Mohammad Arafat, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Ahmad Haydar, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Qusay Fawaz Naseef, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Mahmoud Asaad Khashan, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Sameer Mohammad Sdair, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Abdul Kafi al-Shayed, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Sameer al-Asfar, a member of the Civil Defence, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the exact moments the alleged Russian airstrike fell and the immediate aftermath including civilian casualties. (via, SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in Ma’aret Al Numan by an alleged Russian raid. (via, SN4HR)
  • An interview with a member of the White Helmets showing the destruction to civilian homes. (via, Hadi Al Abdallah)
  • The immediate aftermath of the raid on Ma’arat al Nu’man on 12th January 2016. (via, Al Ma’arat Al Aan Network)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mahmoud abu Yasser al Ghareeb, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC).
  • Sameer al-Asfar, a member of the Civil Defence, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sameer al-Asfar, a member of the Civil Defence, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    31 – 34
  • (2–3 children32 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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

Sources (26) [ collapse]