Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4428

Incident date

February 9, 2020

Location

ابين سمعان, Abin Samaan, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to twelve civilians, including two women and six children, were killed and up to twenty civilians injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Abin Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on the night of February 9th to February 10th, 2020, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center said that three of those killed belong to the same family, a father and his two daughters.

Numerous reports about the numbers of dead and wounded changed rapidly. Director of Media for Civil Defense, Ibrahim Al-Laith, told Smart News that nine people had died and at least thirteen were hurt, including five women and four children. Shaam News reported a total of twelve dead while both the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed nine deceased and over twenty wounded.

Omar Hallaq at Atarin Hospital reported having two dead and seven wounded brought to his hospital, while other victims were transported to other local medical centers. One name was released, and the victim was identified as Lujain Ramez Rashid. A complete list was released later the following day and the dead were identified as the following: Muhammad Mustafa Masoud, 50; Youssef Berro, a year and a half; Ola Masoud ; Muhammad Masoud ; Muhammad Hajj Hamdo; Tabarak Ghaly, 15 years ; Mrs. Fatima Dunya, 30; Abdul Rahman Khalasi, 30; Lujain Ramez Rashid. 

Civil Defense journalist Hamzah Taifousif noted that Russian warplanes specifically targeted the homes in the village of Abin Samaan.

Edlib Media Center reported the use of barrel bombs.

All sources blamed Russia for the airstrike, with the exception of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which pointed at the Syrian regime.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Muhammad Mustafa Masoud
50 years old killed
Ola Masoud
killed
Muhammad Masoud
killed

The victims were named as:

Child female killed
Youssef Berro
1.5 years old killed
Muhammad Hajj Hamdo
Age unknown killed
Tabarak Ghaly
15 years old killed
Mrs. Fatima Dunya
30 years old female killed
Abdul Rahman Khalasi
30 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (6 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Man carrying the body of a baby girl after Russian airstrikes on the village of Abin Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on February 9th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Killed man after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Abin Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on February 9th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Search operation after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Abin Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on February 9th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abin Samaan in Aleppo on February 9th 2020 (via Etilaf).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abin Samaan in Aleppo on February 9th 2020 (via Etilaf).
  • A civilian injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on Abin Samaan in Aleppo on February 9th 2020 (via Etilaf).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man under the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abin Samaan in Aleppo on February 9th 2020 (via Etilaf).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A child was killed as a result of missile strikes by Russian warplanes on the town of Abyan Samaan, noting that the child was displaced from the town of Qalaat Al-Madeek, Hama." (via SMART)
  • "Lujain Ramez Rashid, from Qal’et al Madiq in the western suburbs of Hama governorate, one of victims were killed in the massacre took place as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Ebeeb Sam’an village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on February 10th." (via SNHR)
  • SCD volunteers responding after an airstrike on Ebeen Sam’an village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on February 10th. (via SNHR)

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (6 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]