Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS398

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

معرسة الخان, Ma’arasta al Khan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.38032, 37.0744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’arasta al Khan, according to the Shaam News Network.

SNN said that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tal Rifaat and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a number of civilians were killed by Russian airstrikes targeted Ma’arsta al-Khan in the northern countryside,” but did not give casualty figures.

Additionally, the White Helmets said that there were airstrikes on Ma’arasta al Khan, but only said they were carried out by “warplanes“. They published a video showing members of their team putting out fires on the Ma’arasta al Khan road.

The Qasioun News Agency published a video showing a “huge fire” following alleged Russian strikes.

Jisr Satellite Channel and Aleppo Countryside Ma’arasta Khan also attributed the incident to Russia.

However, according to Fresh Syria, the regime was responsible: “Four civilians were killed and several others wounded on Saturday morning, when regime helicopters dropped three explosive barrels on the village of ‘Mararasta Khan’ in the countryside north of Aleppo, according to our correspondent.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    'The civil defence moving martyrs and wounded following raids by warplanes on the village of Ma’arasta Khan in the Northern Aleppo countryside.' (via, The White Helmets)
  • Huge fires as a result of alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids on 16th January 2016. (via, The White Helmets)
  • More footage of the fires which continued into the evening due to their scale. (via, Qasioun News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS399

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to the Shaam News Network.

SNN said that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tal Rifaat and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded.

The White Helmets published a video showing their teams rescuing victims “after Russian raids“, but did not provide any further information.

Alburaq Media Institution also posted a video showing the aftermath of what they said was a Russian strike. Testimony on camera says: “The Russian warplanes targeted the town of Hayyan which resulted in two deaths, a man and a woman, and as you can see here the targets were civilian homes, there is no presence of Daesh or FSA here, only civilians.”

Aleppo Media Centre and Tel Rifaat@Reefhalab also alleged that Russia was responsible.

These victims were also named by Mare’e Media Office and @abualghorabaa, though neither source said who was responsible for the “shelling“.

They were also named by Damascus Center for Human Rights, but they said that they were killed by “indiscriminate shelling of the Russian airline“.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammad Ahmad Siraj
Adult female killed
Khawla Mohammad Siraj
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the incident showing the devastation to the local infrastructure and a civilian causality. (via, The White Helmets)
  • An interview with a local civilian talking about the alleged Russian raid on Hayyan. (via, Al Burqa Media Institution)
  • More footage showing the damage to the infrastructure and civilian homes. (via, Aleppo Media Centre)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS396

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

الطعوس, Al Tao'ous, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.98333, 37.8 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 10 civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Tao’ous near Dayr Hafer, according to local sources – though one source points to possible involvement by the Assad regime.

Syrian Press Center reported that nine civilians died and dozens more were injured in Russian strikes.

Step News Agency also blamed Russia, saying that warplanes had targeted a gathering of “Harakat” (fuel burners), killing nine people and injuring many more.

Massar Press put the death toll at 10, also attributing the incident to Russia.

However, there was a suggestion from Halab Today that the regime may have been involved as they referred to  “Syrian-Russian Coalition aircraft” targeting a group of “oil burners“.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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 strikes between 11-15 January.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS397

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian strike in Palmyra when the car he was driving was hit.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes “believed to be Russian” carried out several intense raids which targeted areas in “al-Qaryatayn city in the southeastern countryside of Homs and other areas in the city of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of Homs.” It said that there were casualties, but did not provide numbers.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Meshaal Sayer al Thalji
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

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 strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS395

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.151494, 37.707842 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to three civilians including one child were killed and seven others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr Hafer, according to local sources.

Other sources also said Russia was responsible for the death of two young men.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Satouf al-Aswad
Adult male killed
Son of Jasem al-Kordi 
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

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 strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS393

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including two woman and a child were alleged killed in a Russian airstrike on Zamalka, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. However Step News and others said the town also came under attack from heavy artillery fire.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Muhi Eddin
Adult male killed
Aysha al-Bukaei 
Adult female killed
Ahmed Dubie
Child added later by Syria2011 saying they had died of their injuries in ‘artillery shelling’: killed
Fatima Tayfur
Adult female added later by Syria2011 saying they had died of their injuries in ‘artillery shelling’: killed
Sheikh Suhail
Adult male added later by Syria2011 saying they had died of their injuries in ‘artillery shelling’: killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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 strikes between 11-15 January.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS394

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52815, 37.95495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians including one child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one person died and others were injured in an attack by warplanes believed to be Russian. Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center as having died “due to Russian air forces shelling“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Son of Hasan al-Taha al-Hamdouni
Adult male killed
Son of Jomea Nebo
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

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 strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS392

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

ماير, Mayer, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.38711, 37.0245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians were allegedly killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mayer, according to local sources.

In a news roundup, Shaam News said two non-combatants died in a raid by Russian warplanes, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a person was killed when warplanes believed to be Russian bombed areas in the town of Mayer in the northern countryside of Aleppo.“

The Violations Documentation Center named one victim as Ahmad Mohammad Qasem. However the pro-regime Aleppo Today described him as a combatant: “The killing today of a field officers in the Free Syrian Army Ahmed Mohammed Qasim, nicknamed ‘Haji Meyer’ along with a number of militants, after targeting by Russian fighter jets of their headquarters in Mayer.” All 4 Syria also said he was a military commander.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

 Ahmad Mohammad Qasem
Adult male has been described as a combatant killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

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 strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]