Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1517

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and 18 civilians including one child and up to four women died and as many as 50 others were wounded in airstrikes on Saraqib, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the event.

The lowest estimate of civilian casualties, 2 killed, was reported by both the Syria News Desk and SLN News and the highest estimate of 18 civilians killed was reported by LCCSY. However, multiple sources stressed that these were only preliminary numbers and were likely to increase due to the amount of people in critical condition or still buried under the rubble.

Both the local school and market town was damaged in what was described by The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as “intense and violent bombing over areas in Saraqeb town”. According to The Syrian Network for Human Rights both shops and Al Sena’a School were damaged in the raid.

The majority of sources alleged that Syrian regime forces were responsible for the event, but LCCSY reported that Russia was to blame. Alsouria assigned responsibility to both the regime and Russia.

According to Syria News Desk, 12 raids were carried out against Saraqib.  Enabbaladi reported that 12 rocket-propelled grenades with high-explosive parcels struck the main market area.

Video footage published by SNN and Edlib showed the dropping of parachute rockets and the aftermath of the attack as emergency rescue crews helped the injured. Zaitonmag also published various images showing the structural damage caused by the strikes and the human cost that resulted.

According to @nors_study, the raids also struck, Al_Sinaa, Souq Al Malabis and Tal Al_Roman.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Saraqib (سراقب), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.859101, 36.797731. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 18
  • (1 child2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–50
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (27) [ collapse]

  • Al Sena’a School in Saraqeb, which was targeted by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes on 2nd November 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • Moments after the alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes targeted Saraqib on November 2nd 2016. (via Enabbaladi)
  • The aftermath showing damage to local shops which were targeted by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, 2nd November 2016, Saraqib. (via Alsouria)
  • The exact moment a parachute missile was dropped onto Saraqib, by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, 2nd November 2016. (via @Edlib Media) Center
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids which damaged the market and school in Saraqib. A civilian causality can also be seen in this footage. 2nd November 2016. (via SNN)
  • Wounded civilians are rescued just moments after the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Edlib SCD)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • A girl wounded by the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to the market in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Fires still alight in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Fires still alight in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty due to the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Many civilian casualties due to the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Fires still alight in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Result of the alleged bombing in Idlib published by Radio Alkul. (via RadioAlKul)

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 on November 2nd 2016 in Idlib.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 18
  • (1 child2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–50
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]