Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS348

Incident date

October 16, 2019

Location

رفح, Rafha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.671052, 39.143708 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

“Many” civilians died and “more than 50” were wounded in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Rafha village, local media said.

According to @ HiwaDilan_71, “Groups of gangs affiliated with the occupying Turkish state bombed a village inhabited by Arab citizens in Girê Spî. Many civilians have died, including more than 50 people hospitalized, including women, children and the elderly.”

@nazimodas posted footage of “a father whose son died in the bombing.”

Politika noted howitzer fire.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rafha (رفح), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.671052, 39.143708. 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
    5 – 10
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A father whose son died in the bombing."
  • Wounded civilians in Rafha village, Tal Abyad, Oct 16th (via Politika)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 10
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]