Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3321

Incident date

March 20, 2018

Location

سلقين, Salqin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.13951, 36.45413 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A ballistic missile from an alleged Russian battleship reportedly landed near the town of Salqin, Idlib countryside, on March 20th, 2018. Sources gave conflicting reports regarding civilian casualties.

@HadiAlabdallah reported that “a ballistic missile landed near Salqin city of Idlib countryside, coming from Russian battleships in the Mediterranean.” Step News Agency reported that there had been reports of human casualties.

@BonnieKipperman reported that the ballistic missile targeted the Safsafa camp and that “initial reports indicated a massacre of IDPs [Internally Displaced People]”, adding that “the sound of the explosion was heard in most of the liberated areas.”

@IdlibPlus stated that “a high-explosive surface-to-surface missile landed near the town of Salqin, causing no injuries.”

However, the Step News Agency said there were “reports of human casualties” but gave no numbers. It added that the ballistic missile was loaded with cluster munitions.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Salqin (سلقين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.13951, 36.45413. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]