Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1497

Incident date

October 23, 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

Two civilians – a father and his son or daughter – died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two victims (a child and his father) died when suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Ma’aret Al Numan city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, October 23, 2016.”

However, other sources blamed Russia. @ALAMAWI and @HalabTodayTV also put the death toll at two, including a girl.

But according to @RFS_medioffice, a father and his son died – though this source, as with a number of others, didn’t identify the culprit.

Muslm added that “a civilian died of his wounds following a previous bombing of the city of Maarat al-Nu’man”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A father, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Maarat al Numan, 23rd October 2016. (via ziadalasfr)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A son, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Maarat al Numan, 23rd October 2016. (via ziadalasfr)

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
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]