Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1492

Incident date

October 21, 2016

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.814269, 36.31994 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians including up to five children – reportedly mostly from the same family – died and up to dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Among sources attributing the event to Russia were LCCSY and the Syrian Network for Human Rights; both put the death toll at seven of which four were children and three were women, according to SN4HR.

Rozanafm reported that “The Russian air force targeted the city of Jisr al-Shughur early today, with more than three air strikes, killing seven people, mostly from one family, injuring several other civilians and damaging homes.”

@urgent-live and @jesrNews reported that the Syrian regime dropped barrel bombs on the town.

Some other sources said that both the regime and Russia were responsible. Halab Today was one of these, and put the death toll at five children and two women.

Smo Syria reported that “Assad and the Russian occupation forces carried out three massacres in the village of Idlib in the town of Jisr al-Shughur, killing seven people – and killing seven more in the town of Marashmarin”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (4–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is carefully extracted from under a trapped building. White Helmets have success and he is taken to an ambulance following a strike on Jisr al Shoughour, Oct 21st (via White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of those killed in Jisr Al Shoughour, on 21st October 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • The extent of the material damage to buildings in Jisr Al Shughur following a strike on Oct 21st. (via spm_Syria)
  • A crater on the floor in Jisr Al Shughur following an airstrike. (via spm_Syria)
  • The extent of the material damage to buildings in Jisr Al Shughur. (via spm_Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (4–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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

Sources (21) [ collapse]