Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2085

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.374143, 36.601896 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as seven civilians were killed, and seven civilians were wounded, following an airstrike on Kafr Zita. Sources were confused as to who was to blame, some blamed Russian warplanes, others the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) blamed the Syrian-Russian alliance. 

There was also confusion as to how many casualties there were in the incident. Step News reported that two people were killed. SN4HR reported “ at least 3 civilians (2 children and a woman)”. However, Smart news reported that as many as seven were killed. The Violations Documentation Centre named three fatalities, and Basel Darweesh named another victim. 

According to Alaan news, civilians were buried under the rubble. There were allegedly, according to sources, some serious injuries due to the extent of the residential damage. 

Syria-mirror reported that “rocket-propelled grenades” were to blame, which struck residential communities.

Sources claimed that the three civilians named by VDC were been displaced to Kafr Zita northern Hama from Halfaya. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female killed
Child female killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Kafr Zita, 6th April 2017. (via Al Jazeera)

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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]