(Previous Incident Codes: R330RS381)

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