Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

R4516

Incident date

May 30, 2023

Location

بزابور, Bzabor, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 15 year old boy was injured by alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bzabor in Idlib on May 30, 2023.

Local sources from the countryside of Idlib governorate told Zaman Al Wasl that 15-year-old Muhammad Malik Ahmed Haj Musa was wounded by Russian airstrikes on Bzabor village. The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) tweeted that a boy was injured by shrapnel from an airstrike which struck a home.

A tweet from @idleb_online referred to the site of the airstrike as belonging to a terrorist without providing any information on casualties while @​​ShaamNetwork tweets that the location is a “civilian house and agricultural land.”

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the victim was driving his motorbike by the home at the time of the airstrikes, and he was taken to the hospital for treatment for his injuries. A video posted by @anasanas84 allegedly taken by a Russian reconnaissance plane shows the motorcycle driving by a house at the exact time that an airstrike hit the building.

Abdul Karim, a volunteer with the White Helmets, described the home that was destroyed: “The family members who live in this house survived while they were working to harvest the mahaleb crop on their nearby farm, but they lost their memories of the haven that used to bring them together after the earthquake, and the walls that withstood that day, today they did not withstand the missiles, and the raids of the Russian warplanes destroyed it.”

Aljazeera (@ajmubasher) quoted the Syrian opposition air traffic tracking observatory as reporting that a Russian plane took off Tuesday at noon from Hmeimim base in Lattakia governorate and bombed the village of Bzabour in the Idlib countryside. North Press Agency identified high-explosive missiles as being used in the airstrikes. All other sources also attributed the airstrikes to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Muhammad Malik Ahmed Haj Musa 15 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • "Civilians were wounded by Russian air strikes on the village of Bzabour in Idlib countryside."
  • A house was not affected by the earthquake, but Russian warplanes destroyed it today, Tuesday, May 30, with an air strike on the village of Bzabour, south of Idlib, so that the war writes a new line in the narrative of oppressing the Syrians.
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A victim of alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A Russian reconnaissance plane documents the moment of the Russian raids today on the vicinity of the village of Bazabur in the southern countryside of Idlib At the time of the raid, a motorcycle was also shown, with a young man on board, who was slightly injured Also, mahaleb fruits appear on the roof of the targeted house
  • #Urgent The moment the air raids were carried out by the Russian occupation on the outskirts of the town of Bazabour, south of Idlib, and the planes are still in the air. 📌 Civilian injury as a preliminary outcome as a result of the raids, be careful
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @​​ShaamNetwork)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @​​ShaamNetwork)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @​​ShaamNetwork)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @​​ShaamNetwork)
  • A civilian was wounded in the initial outcome of the Russian raids on the town of Bazabour, south of Idlib
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @ajmubasher)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @ajmubasher)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @ajmubasher)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @ajmubasher)
  • A victim of alleged Russian airstrikes on Bzabor on May 30, 2023. (Image posted by @sawarqi47568)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS594

Incident date

May 17, 2023

Location

قرية جديدة, Jadeda village, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including at least one child, were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Jadeda village on May 17, 2023.

Rohani TV reported that Turkish forces bombarded Jadeda village, resulting in the injury of three civilians: Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa, his brother Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa, and Muhammad Salem Kamal. The director of the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa, Ibrahim al-Omar, told Rohani TV that their condition is stable.

North Press Agency also reported 3 civilians injured, and provided the age of two of the  victims : 17 year old Mahmoud Fawaz Al-Waqqa and 32 year old Kamal Mahmoud al-Wagaa (unclear if this is Muhammad Fawaz Al-Waqqa or Muhammad Salem Kamal listed above). According to a medical source at the Emergency Department at the Raqqa National Hospital, both Mahmoud and Kamal were immediately admitted into the operating room and were in critical condition. A cousin of the third victim told North Press that he and his cousin were grazing their sheep when they were struck by Turkish artillery.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred to those injured in Jadeda village as two “tunnel workers” and a 13 year old boy.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Muhammad Salem Kamal Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS591

Incident date

April 24, 2023

Location

قرية عين العبد, Ain el-Abd village, Al Hasaka, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two young girls and a boy were killed and two other children were injured, all of which were from the same family, by alleged Turkish shelling of the village of Ain al-Abd on April 24, 2023.

Hawar News reported that two young sisters were killed and two young brothers and a sister were injured by intense Turkish shelling of the village of Ain al-Abd at 18:00. Hawar added that the injured were taken to Martyr Legrin Hospital in Tal Tamr for treatment.

Hawar News also provided the names of the children killed and injured: Maryam Khader Aweys (10 years old) and Etidal Aweys (9 years old) were both killed, Abdul Aziz, Diaa and Zahra Khader Aweys were injured.

Just hours later, Hawar News reported that one of the children, Abdul Aziz age 8, died from the severe injuries he sustained in the shelling.

Journalist Abbas Abbas reported that the bombing also resulted in extensive damage to property, and fear among civilians living in the affected areas.

All of the sources attributed the shelling to Turkey.

The incident occured at 18:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the children injured by alleged Turkish shelling of he village of Ain al-Abd on April 24, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the children killed and injured by alleged Turkish shelling of he village of Ain al-Abd on April 24, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

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
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4510

Incident date

April 16–17, 2023

Location

الأبزمو, Al Abzimo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Around midnight on April 16-17th artillery fire wounded five civilians in Al-Abizmo, a town west of Aleppo. The victims consisted of a woman and her four children. Local news agencies were conflicted as to whether the strike confirmed the strike was conducted by the Syrian regime, Russian forces or Iranian militias.

A few of the local sources, including @akhbar, only mention one woman injured, while other sources reported that in addition to the woman, her four children were also injured, with a few sources only mentioning three children injured. Zaman Al Wasl mentioned that the woman and children were injured to varying degrees, and were taken to the hospital.

No deaths have been confirmed as a result of this bout of shelling. Shaam News alleged the shelling was conducted in retaliation for opposition activity: “Al-Assad’s forces responded, as usual, to their military losses by bombing civilian homes and residential neighborhoods, as they targeted the vicinity of the village of Al-Abzimo, west of Aleppo, with artillery shells”.

The majority of sources attributed the shelling to the Syrian regime. However, @Almohrar1 blamed Russian forces while @wa3ediq mentioned Iranian militias as being involved alongside the Syrian regime. The Syrian regime and its Russian partners have not yet made reference to the strikes.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Two of the children injured by artillery shelling in Al Abzimo on April 16, 2023. (Image posted by @alaskari_media_)
  • Remnants after an alleged Russian/Syrian regime/Iranian shelling of Al Abzimo on April 16, 2023. (Image posted by Euphrates Post via Facebook)
  • Damage to a home caused by shelling of Al Abzimo on April 16, 2023. (Image posted by @Sy_press_agency)
  • Damage to a home caused by shelling of Al Abzimo on April 16, 2023. (Image posted by @Sy_press_agency)
  • Damage to a home caused by shelling of Al Abzimo on April 16, 2023. (Image posted by @Sy_press_agency)
  • Damage to a home caused by shelling of Al Abzimo on April 16, 2023. (Image posted by @Sy_press_agency)

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4509

Incident date

April 9, 2023

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On April 9th, 2023, in the town off Sarmin, east of Idlib, multiple sources allege artillery fire from Syrian and/or Russian forces killed 15 year old boy Ibrahim Musab Al Haj Musa and injured between three to four others, including a six year old child named Malak Khalaf, a three year old named Abdul Salam Al Mustafa, and one and a half year old baby named Muhammad Al Mousa, the names being from the Syrian Civil Defense and Baladi News reports.

Ibrahim Musab Al Haj Musa dreamed of becoming a doctor or an engineer; multiple sources note that he had been born in Saraqib, and had been displaced by the war to live in Sarmin.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Syrian Human Rights Committee, and the Syrian Civil Defense, and other sources note that the artillery strikes affected residential areas and markets in Sarmin, and Twitter user @mzmgr941 stated the strikes were “targeting civilians exclusively”.

Syria Files alleged the artillery strikes came from Syrian regime forces based in Saraqib, the hometown of Ibrahim Musab Al Haj Musa. Twitter user @mzmgr941 reported the bombing of the city had escalated, and a number of reconnaissance planes hovered over the city, and blamed Syrian regime forces along with the Russian and Iranian occupation.

Multiple sources blame Syrian president Bashar Al Assad personally for the attack, claiming it was in reaction to an earlier strike from Israel, including @Omar_Madaniah and @k7ybnd99, a reporter for Television Syria. As the Syrian Civil Defense reports, this alleged strike occurred in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake in Syria, which has further devastated the lives of Syrians, and during the holy month of Ramadan, “[depriving] families of the joy of being reunited at the Iftar tables.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Ibrahim Musab Al Haj Musa 15 years old male killed
  • Malak Khalaf 6 years old injured
  • Abdul Salam Al Mustafa 3 years old injured
  • Muhammad Al Mousa 1.5 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • People mourning the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • People mourning the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • A child was killed and 4 others were wounded in shelling by Assad's militia on "Sarmin" east of Idlib

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The first moments of our teams' response to artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeted the city of Sarmin, east of #Idlib today, Sunday, April 9, killing a child and wounding 4 others, including an infant.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @Omar_Madaniah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @Omar_Madaniah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @Omar_Madaniah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • A displaced child was killed and others injured as the criminal Assad militia targeted the city of Sarmin, east of Idlib, with artillery shells.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

IRS015

Incident date

March 24, 2023

Location

قرية ذيبان, Dhiban, al-Omar field, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Friday March 24th, at 8:05 am, an Iranian militia allegedly launched rockets at Coalition forces at “Green Village,” an American base near al-Omar oil field east of Deir Ezzor. According to CENTCOM, the rockets missed the Coalition facility by approximately 5 km. Instead, they reportedly hit a house in Dhiban and injured two women and two children. There was no information published on the injured civilians.

CENTCOM released a statement that “On the morning of March 24th, at approximately 8:05 a.m. Syrian local time, 10 rockets targeted coalition forces at the Green Village in northeast Syria. The attack resulted in no injuries to U.S. or coalition personnel and no damage to U.S. equipment or facilities. One of the rockets missed the facility by almost five kilometers, striking a civilian house, causing significant damage and causing minor injuries to two women and two children.”

The correspondent of “Ain al-Furat” network, quoted by Eye of Euphrates, reported that Iranian militias fired seven missiles toward the American base in two waves, however they instead hit civilian homes in the town of Dhiban. Eye of Euphrates mentioned that there was “inaccurate information” regarding civilian casualties, and no other sources reported on civilian casualties.

The rocket fire was the latest response in what was ostensibly a tit for tat exchange. The rockets were launched in retaliation for US raids which were prompted in turn by a militia attack on a base in al-Hasakah. The militia attack left an American contractor dead and wounded five military personnel. Kurdistan 24 reported that the US military claimed responsibility for drone strikes targeting groups allied with Iran which it accused of launching the drone against the base in al-Hasakah at 13:38 on Thursday the 23rd.

Eye of Euphrates correspondents reported that Iranian militia have “mobilized their forces in the city and its countryside and evacuated most of their military headquarters while leaving some guards, as the militia leaders went to hide among the homes of the civilians”. They pinpointed militia leader movements to Al-Arbaeen Street in the city center and the Afghan “Fatemiyoun Brigade” militia to trenches and tunnels in Al-Haidariyeh area. Baladi corroborated this information, additionally noting that military sites at Al-Bukamal were evacuated. Militia casualties were treated at Al-Shifa Hospital, Al-Mayadeen and were brought in three ambulances.

The incident occured at 08:05:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Iranian Military
  • Suspected target
    US

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Iranian Military
  • Suspected target
    US

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS590

Incident date

March 20, 2023

Location

جنديرس, Jindires district, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four men from the same family were killed and three others, including a child with special needs, were injured when Turkish mercenaries alleged shot them during Newroz celebrations in Jandrisa district on March 20, 2023.

Local sources told Hawar News that the mercenaries of Ahrar al-Sharqiya opened fire on civilians in Jandrisa district while they were lighting a Newroz fire on the roof of their house, killed four people from one family and injuring three others.

Hawar News published the names of the civilians killed: Farah al-Din Othman (43 years old) – Muhammad Muhammad Othman (38 years old) – Muhammad Ismail Othman (18 years old) – Nazmi Muhammad Othman (53 years old). The three older family members killed were brothers, and the youngest was a son/nephew. Afrin News added that the minor Firas Abdo Khalil, 14 years old with special needs, was also injured in the shooting.

The Syrian Democratic Council identified the victims as a Kurdish family living in a refugee tent because they were displaced by the February 6th earthquake.

Ms. Rosheen Othman, the sister of the three brothers who were killed and the mother of the younger man killed, told the Syrian Democratic Council that she was hiding inside the tent during the attack with her son and she tried to prevent her son from exiting the tent, but he wanted to help his father and other relatives. He ran out and was shot in the heart, and died instantly.

Afrin News detailed that “Nazmi” was sitting outside near the fire when he was first assaulted and threatened, then machine gunned heavily until the rest of his family came out to help and they were hit in the chest and stomach, each victim sustaining 10-15 bullet wounds.

According to private sources who spoke to Hawar News, the injured and killed civilians were transferred to the “military hospital” in Afrin but the hospital refused to treat the injured so they were transferred to a hospital in the town of Atmeh, which is under the occupation of “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.”

Hawar News reported that following the massacre against the family, demonstrations against the Turkish military and its mercenary groups occurred in Afrin and the surrounding villages, with the protestors refusing to hold a funeral until the perpetrators of the massacre were held accountable. The “Military Police” announced that they had arrested the perpetrator – “Hassan al-Daba'”, the leader of the “Ahrar al-Sharqiya” mercenaries – however Hawar News speculated that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham was also involved. Afrin News named the perpetrators as “Omar Saleh Al-Asmar, born in 2000 AD, Habib Ali Khalaf, born in 2004 AD, Bilal Ahmed Al-Aboud, born in 2000 AD) with direct support and attribution from the so-called “Ali Khalaf / Abu Habib Khasham.”

The Syrian Democratic Council also documented connection between the mercenary group and Turkish forces, stating that “Jaish al-Sharqiya is one of main Turkish-backed terrorist groups controlling the Syrian district of Afrin…These militants benefit from training and equipment provided by the Turkish government. The militants are given money, weapons, and the authority to conduct activities by Turkish officials.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Firas Abdo Khalil 14 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of the victims of a shooting allegedly carried out by Turkish mercenaries near Afrin on March 20, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)
  • The victims of a shooting allegedly carried out by Turkish mercenaries near Afrin on March 20, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4505

Incident date

March 17, 2023

Location

افس, Afes, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.905004, 36.802975 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, a girl, and a woman were reportedly injured on March 17th 2023 after an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime machine gun fire or shelling hit the village of Afes, east of Idlib in Syria.

Two sources, the White Helmets and Baladi reported that a child was injured by Russian forces, and the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights reported that a woman was injured by Syrian regime forces.

There is no further information about these civilians at this time.

 

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Afes (افس), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.905004, 36.802975. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]