Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4329

Incident date

January 21, 2020

Location

شنطرة, Bshantra, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one child was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Bashnarta, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020, according to local sources.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that a russian raid targeted the village at 12:42 PM, injuring the child Khaled Al Raslan. The Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo stated that “a child, Muhammad Raslan, was injured when an air strike was targeted in Bashnartah village in the western countryside of Aleppo”. As all sources only reported one child being injured, it is unclear if these are two different victims, or if these sources reported on the same boy.

The assault upon Bahnatra continues the pattern of Russian airstrikes targeting civilians and the death of women and children. The continued killing of non-combatants have left a swarth of burned-out homes and destroyed villages. Images supplied by local sources, largely through Edlib Media captured twisted metal and still smoldering fires well into the evening. The Syrian Civil Defense also documented destruction to an industrial facility that resulted from the airstrikes.

A Facebook post from FSLA.Ovecs put the time of the strikes at 12:42pm and attributed them to Russia, in addition to the other local sources that also pointed to Russia as the responsible party.

SCD Aleppo furthermore posted photos of the damage of an industrial facility.

The incident occured at approximately 12:42 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khaled Al-Raslan
Child male injured
Muhammad Raslan
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Damaged building after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Damage in an industrial facility after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • SCD Aleppo documented the destruction of an industrial facility after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • SCD volunteer photographed by another SCD volunteer in the damaged industrial facility after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • A building reportedly damaged in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • A building reportedly damaged in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • A building reportedly damaged in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • A building reportedly damaged in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • A building reportedly damaged in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • A building reportedly damaged in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bshantra, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS084

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511389, 36.864167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one child and one woman were killed in alleged YPG artillery strikes on the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate on January 20th, 2020. Up to five civilians, including two children, were injured, as reported by local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “the child Muhammad Mar’i and Mrs. Turfah Meqdeh were killed as Syrian Democratic forces fired shells on Al Shari’ya neighbourhood in Afrin city in the northern suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on January 20.” The Syrian Civil Defence reported the death of the child Mohamed Buraei and Tarfa Maqdah. As all sources mention one killed boy, it is likely that sources reported on the same victim. In a statement to Enab Baladi, Ibrahim Abu Al-Laith, director of the media office for the Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo, stated that the killed woman was 19 years old.

@abowaelo tweeted a photo of a baby in the hospital, stating that the mother of the child was killed during the shelling earlier that day and that doctors managed to save the child by a caesarean operation on the deceased mother. The mother was displaced from Al Midan neighbourhood in Damascus. It is unclear if this victim is the same victim identified as Tarfa Maqdah, although all sources reported one killed woman.

The SCD reported two injured: the children Mehyar Khalaf and Saleh Buraei. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “‘Kurdish forces carried out rocket attacks from their deployment positions in northern rural Aleppo.” SOHR reported five injured, including children and women.

Whereas @abowaelo reported that the incident occured in the morning, Zaman Al Wasl stated it occurred in the afternoon. Whereas most sources blamed the SDF, @naserhmedi reported that PKK forces fired three missiles onto the city.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohamed Buraei محمد برعي
Child male killed
Saleh Buraei صالح برعي
Child male injured

The victims were named as:

Tarfa Maqdah طرفة مقدح
19 years old female possibly pregnant killed
Mehyar Khalaf مهيار خلف
Child male injured
Muhammad Mar’i
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
    YPG

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a wounded or killed person after alleged YPG artillery strikes on Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on January 20th, 2020 (via SN&HR).
  • A child receiving medical care in the hospital after alleged YPG artillery strikes on the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on January 20th, 2020 (via @aboalnoor123).
  • A man and child receiving medical care in the hospital after alleged YPG artillery strikes on the city of Afrin, Aleppo governorate, on January 20th, 2020 (via @aboalnoor123).
  • A child was saved by a cesarean operation on her deceased mother, who was killed in alleged YPG artillery strikes on the city of Afrin on January 20th, 2020 (via @abowaelo).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child, who as reportedly killed in alleged YPG artillery strikes on Afrin, January 20th, 2020 (via @almaleh_amjad).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes on the city of Afrin (عفرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511389, 36.864167. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
    YPG

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4321

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

ميزناز, Miznaz, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

A girl and two other civilians were injured in an alleged airstrike by the Russian Armed Forces targeting the city of Miznaz, in the western countryside of Aleppo, at 12:46 pm on January 20th, 2020.

Our Syria reported on the incident and stated: “Reports of civilian martyrs and wounded as a result of the Russian occupier’s bombing of a camp in the vicinity of Miznaz village in the western countryside of Aleppo”

Local sources claimed the injury of civilians, a tweet from a local source further alleged the injury of a girl due to the incident.

ShahbaPress published a tweet on the incident: “Three civilians were wounded in the town of Miznaz”

All sources claim the Russian Armed Forces to be the alleged attacker and @Ahmad_eyasmagd mentioned vacuum missiles were used.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4320

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

الكماري, Al Kamari, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Ghassan Mohsen Al-Dandal was injured as a result of an alleged Russian attack targeting Al Kamari at 11.23am on January 20th, 2020.

@so_ria98 tweeted that “Civilian casualties were reported by Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Kamari in the southern countryside of Aleppo.”

Mohammad Alhasuain reported on the alleged incident asserting the injury of Mr Al-Dandal was due to the attack by a Russian aircraft. Shaam news added that the injury recorded was caused by shelling of violent and heavy attacks by Russian warplanes in the western and southern countryside of Aleppo.

The incident occured at 11:23:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Ghassan Mohsen Al-Dandal
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ghassan Mohsen Al-Dandal, from the village of Al-Kamari, was injured in alleged Russian strikes on Al Kamari on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by Mohammad Alhasuain via Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4319

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

كفرنوران, Kafar Nuran, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between three to five civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Nouran village in the western countryside of Aleppo, on January 20th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo said that “Five civilians were wounded today [Jan 20th] in the  Kafar Nuran village, west of Aleppo, after an airstrike that targeted the outskirts of the village.” However, Smart News only identified three civilians as being injured.

Shahba Press stated that the attack was carried out by the Russian Armed Forces, who targeted the village and nearby towns.

Local sources provided some further information on the attack, declaring the attack targeted a residential neighbourhood resulting in the destruction of residential buildings.

@ShahbaPress, SMART Agency and Shaam Network blamed Russia for the incident and @Ahmad1618A pointed out that high explosive missiles were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • "Five civilians were wounded today in the village of Kafar Nuran, west of Aleppo, after an airstrike that targeted the outskirts of the village."
  • Rescue teams at the site of alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad1618A)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad1618A)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad1618A)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad1618A)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4318

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

بلدة الجينة, Al Jeneh , Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians including a child were reported killed, and up to nine others also including two children and a woman were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Jeneh in Aleppo’s western countryside on January 20th, 2020 according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said the victims belong to the same family: “Two civilians from the same family, including a child, were killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on al Jeneh village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on January 20.”

Local sources named those killed as Ali Fares Fares, 9 years old, and his father Ali Adel Fares, 30 years old. The attack targeted Al-Jinah, specifically its mosque and the health centre, and was conducted at 11.23 am on January, 20th 2020.

The Free Syrian Lawyers Association published a detailed report on the incident, specifying the time of the incident as 11:23am, and further reporting that allegedly the Russian Armed Force conducted the attack, which resulted in the killing of Ali Fares and his father and led to the injury of four ciivilians.

The Macro Media Centre reported that the attack targeted a mosque, health centre and residential houses in the Al-Jeneh.

Smart News published a statement concerning the incident: “The leader of the media activist, Ahmed Kaddour, said that Russian planes bombed the village with a missile, which resulted in the death of two civilians, including a child, and three wounded, in addition to the destruction of houses and properties.”

The Syrian Civil Defence Aleppo added that their teams were on site and brought the injured civiians to hospital for treatment.

Various sources published conflicting information regarding the number of injured civilians, as the estimated number of injuries varies from three to nine and @FSLA.Ovecs pointed out that among the injured were two children and a woman.

SMART Agency also said that the targeting of Al Jeneh village caused a displacement movement towards Northern Syria, as the bombing destroyed an entire neighborhood.

Macro Media Center, SMART Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russia for this incident, while the Syrian Civil Defense pointed to the Syrian regime as responsible.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ali Fares Fares
9 years old male killed
Ali Adel Fares
30 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–9
  • 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 (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (32) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "The first moments of shelling and an ambulance for an old lady from her home in Al-Jeneh village that was bombed this afternoon - Video"
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh village in Aleppo Western countryside on January 20th, 2020 caused destruction and damage to civilian buildings. (via MMC)
  • Civilians checking the damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh in Aleppo countryside on January 20th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh village in Aleppo Western countryside on January 20th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh village in Aleppo Western countryside on January 20th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh village in Aleppo Western countryside on January 20th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Civilians checking the damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh in Aleppo countryside on January 20th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Civilians checking the damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh in Aleppo countryside on January 20th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh village in Aleppo, on January 20th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh village in Aleppo Western countryside on January 20th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of raids by the military jets on Al Jeneh in Western Aleppo countryside, on January 20th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Aftermath of raids by the military jets on Al Jeneh in Western Aleppo countryside, on January 20th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Aftermath of raids by the military jets on Al Jeneh in Western Aleppo countryside, on January 20th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Damage to civilian's buildings caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh in Aleppo on January 20th, 2020 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest).
  • Damage to civilian's buildings caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh in Aleppo on January 20th, 2020 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest).
  • Damage to civilian's buildings caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jeneh in Aleppo on January 20th, 2020 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians injured in alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @anasanas84)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured in alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @anasanas84)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man killed in alleged Russian strikes on Al-Jinah on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Amjadal2slam)

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
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–9
  • 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 (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr217

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

Special Forces School Mosque, Ma'rib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.477056, 45.317608 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US drone strikes targeted what was described as the government ‘Central Security’ headquarters in Marib governorate, killing “terrorist” individuals, on the evening of January 20th 2020, according to a number of local language social media sources.

Other sources also reported that a military base, the “third military zone”, was targeted, with some assigning responsibility for the attack to Houthi military forces. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Sources reporting a US drone strike gave varying casualty figures. A few Twitter users, including @hamzah_almorady and @SamarQah, indicated that there were “dozens of dead”, while user @ganoubhura indicated that eleven “terrorist elements” had been killed in a raid on the “Special Forces camp”. As such, minimum alleged militant deaths is set at eleven, with a maximum of 24, accounting for the reports of “dozens of dead”.

Other sources, which did not assign responsibility to the US, gave additional details on the attack, and indicated that there were no fatalities.  A military source told Arabi21 that a drone had targeted the Marib military headquarters, where the Special Forces School is based, but was shot down. The source indicated that the strike resulted in “no casualties”.

Twitter users @IkoAfortiori and @RebeccaRambar also reported explosions and anti-aircraft fire in the third military zone. Some suggested that soldiers had sustained injuries in the raid. A military source told Al-Masdar Online that seven government soldiers from the 13th Infantry Brigade were injured. Given these reports, minimum alleged military deaths is set at zero, while the minimum number of alleged military injuries is set at seven.

Some indicated that the strike was instead conducted by Houthi forces. Yemen Army Captain Hisham Mgdashi (@Hishammagdashy) suggested that the strike was conducted by Houthi forces, targeting the mosque of the Special Forces School at 6:57pm. Others, including @aslakaniali, further reported that a Houthi drone had been shot down in Marib.

While most indicated that the attack was conducted by an aircraft of some kind, Sky News Arabic instead suggested that the explosion was the result of a ballistic missile strike.

The reported strike came days after an alleged Houthi missile attack targeted a military training camp in Marib governorate, reportedly killing over 100 Yemeni military personnel.

US Central Command told Airwars that no US military strikes were conducted during January 2020. It is, however, possible that an undeclared strike was conducted by the CIA, or as part of a clandestine US military action.

The incident occured at 18:57:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Houthi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–24
  • Belligerents reported injured
    7

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Multiple sources suggested that the Third Military Zone was targeted by at least one strike, but disagreed on the identify of the belligerent and casualty numbers (@IkoAfortiori, January 20th 2020)
  • Alleged video of damage to the Marib Third Military Zone Special Forces School.

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on the mosque of the Special Forces School in the Third Military Zone, Ma’rib (مريب ) city. Combining audiovisual material and evidence of structural damage from satellite imagery, we have found the exact location of this strike, for which the coordinates are: 15.477056, 45.317608.

  • Reports of the incident mention a strike on the mosque of the Special Forces School in the Third Military Zone, Ma’rib (مريب ) city. Combining audiovisual material and evidence of structural damage from satellite imagery, we have found the exact location of this strike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Side by side comparison of structural damage. Left is imagery from 24/07/2019, while right is dated as 07/02/2020.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged satellite imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged audiovisual source.

    Imagery:
    @RebeccaRambar

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Houthi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Houthi Forces
  • Houthi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Houthi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–24
  • Belligerents reported injured
    7

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4317

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

كفر تعال, Kafar Ta'al , Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three children were killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the town of Kafar Ta’al, Aleppo governorate, on January 20th, 2020, according to local sources. Seven civilians, including children, were reportedly wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the killing of three young girls. The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that the girls were part of the same family: “Sibling girls Noura and Yusra Mehyou Al Masri and the girl Fatimah Qaddour Al Masri, aged 6, 10 and 6 respectively, were killed as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Kafr Ta’al village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on January 20″. According to the Syrian Civil Defence, the residential home of the children was targeted.

Edlib Media Center, Smart News Agency and @ShahbaPress reported seven wounded civilians. Shehab Agency asserted the injury of seven wounded and injured civilians, alleging that most of the civilians injured were children. Sources stated that the incident occured around dawn.

The Syrian Civil Defence Aleppo published a statement announcing that their teams were on site to rescue the injured civilians and to recover the three al Masri girls killed during the attack.

Baladi news provided information on the nature of the attack asserting that the alleged Russian incident was conducted with vacuum missiles targeting the residential house.

All sources, except the Syrian Coalition twitter account, stated that the attack was carried out by the Russian Armed forces. The Syrian Coalition tweeted: “At least 7 martyrs and more than 10 injuries, so far, among civilians, as a result of the terrorism of the Russian occupation and the Assad regime with their aerial and artillery bombardment on the western countryside of Aleppo”

Shaam News Network wrote that “civilians were killed and others wounded today, Monday, by Russian airstrikes, targeting the towns of the western countryside of Aleppo, in the context of an escalation campaign that has affected the area for nearly a week, amid a large movement of displacement from the area.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Noura Mehyou al Masri
6 years old female sister of Yusra Mehyou al Masri killed
Yusra Mehyou al Masri
10 years old female sister of Noura Mehyou al Masr killed
Fatimah Qaddour al Masri
6 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (33) [ collapse]

  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer looking at damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer helping a child after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers seemingly covering victims after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Civilians possibly looking for victims or their belongings after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Civilians possibly looking for victims or their belongings after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Civilians looking at damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Ta’al on January 20th, 2020 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Children sort through the rubble at the site of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Ta'al on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Rubble at the site of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Ta'al on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Children sort through the rubble at the site of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Ta'al on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Children sort through the rubble at the site of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Ta'al on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • "Children cry the ruins of their house destroyed by the Russian killing machine this morning in Kafr Ta’al, west of Aleppo, and are looking for their memories that were destroyed by Russia" (Image posted by @mahmoodtalha22)
  • "Children cry the ruins of their house destroyed by the Russian killing machine this morning in Kafr Ta’al, west of Aleppo, and are looking for their memories that were destroyed by Russia" (Image posted by @mahmoodtalha22)
  • "Children cry the ruins of their house destroyed by the Russian killing machine this morning in Kafr Ta’al, west of Aleppo, and are looking for their memories that were destroyed by Russia" (Image posted by @mahmoodtalha22)
  • "Children cry the ruins of their house destroyed by the Russian killing machine this morning in Kafr Ta’al, west of Aleppo, and are looking for their memories that were destroyed by Russia" (Image posted by @mahmoodtalha22)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on the town of Kafr Taal on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @SyrianCoalition)
  • A child in the rubble of his home destroyed by alleged Russian strikes on the town of Kafr Taal on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @anewsarabic)
  • Effects of the bombing of a house in the town of Kafr Taal in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • A child collects what is left of his house furniture after being bombed in the town of Kafr Ta’al in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • A child collects what is left of his house furniture after being bombed in the town of Kafr Ta’al in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • A child collects what is left of his house furniture after being bombed in the town of Kafr Ta’al in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • A man pleads with God after his house was bombed in the town of Kafr Ta’al in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • A family sits in front of their house after it was bombed in the town of Kafr Ta’al in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • A family sits in front of their house after it was bombed in the town of Kafr Ta’al in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • A family sits in front of their house after it was bombed in the town of Kafr Ta’al in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • The Civil Defense assists the children and the family that was bombed in the town of Kafr Taal in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)
  • The Civil Defense assists the children and the family that was bombed in the town of Kafr Taal in the western countryside of Aleppo - January 20, 2020 (Enab Baladi)

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
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]