Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3688

Incident date

May 10, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians including a woman died and three others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to source on the ground.

The Step New Agency pointed to Russia and put the death toll at one civilian.

However, most other sources attributed the civilian harm to the Assad regime. For example, the White Helmets reported that “a man was killed and three others were injured, including a woman, in the town of Khan Sheikhoun this morning [May 10th], after the regime’s shelling with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy artillery targeted residential neighborhoods and civilians trying to escape and search for safer places.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least three civilians, including a woman, were killed as Syrian regime forces fired artillery shells on Khan Sheikhoun city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on May 10.”

In a separate post, the Syrian Network also said that regime warplanes  “fired missiles on the local market in Khan Sheikhoun city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, severely destroying several shops and their facilities, on May 10.” Baladi also claimed a market had been struck – but blamed Russia.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria said that the city had “been subjected to heavy shelling by warplanes and rocket launchers, in conjunction with a heavy flight of warplanes and helicopters.” It added that a woman and a man were killed and two men and a woman were wounded. According to LCCSY, there were “seven air strikes, in addition to 60 rockets and 20 artillery shells fired on the city”.

Some other sources reported the death of members of the Al Nusra front, including “the death of Mustafa Dahrouj one of the biggest criminals in Idlb”, according to @mhmdalywns56, who tweeted that the group’s headquarters in Khan Sheikhoun had been struck.

Afpar added:  “The forces of the regime and its ally Russia continue its heavy shelling since late April on the southern province of Idlib and neighboring northern Hama, controlled by the Sham Liberation Organization and other jihadi groups.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged regime shelling on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of alleged regime shelling on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of alleged regime shelling on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets come to the aid of a wounded civilian following an alleged regime artillery strike on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime airstrike on a market in Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of strikes in Idlib of Hama. May 10th. Exact location unidentified.
  • Mustafa Dahrouj, who was reportedly a commander in the Al Nusra front, was alleged killed in a strike on the group's headquarters in Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th.
  • Translation: "Martyrs and wounded due to the aerial bombardment Khan Sheikhoun, rural Idlib"
  • Footage of strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th 2019.
  • The aftermath if a strike on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th 2019.
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th (via Qasioun)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th (via Qasioun)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th (via Qasioun)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, May 10th 2019 ( via Qasioun)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (29) [ collapse]