Airwars assessment
Airstrikes variously blamed on the Coalition, on Russia and on the Assad regime targeted Fatah al Sham positions in Maarat Mislin, reportedly also killing four civilians and injuring at least two more.
Initial reports – which said the town was struck three times – claimed either Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. The Syrian Network for example reported that “4 persons at least were killed and others were injured by bombing by warplane over areas in the town of Ma’arrat Misrin in the northern countryside of Idlib, the sources said that they targeted the headquarters area of Fath al-Sham Front.” Shahba Press said ten people were injured.
However a statement issued on March 9th by Fatah al Sham blamed the Coalition: “On Wednesday 2nd November 2016 the protector of internatonal crime the oppressive America targeted one of the centres of al Mujahidin in Maarat Misrin in the Idlib countryside which destroyed the place completely killing all the mujahidin who were inside. The most notable of the martyrs were:
-Adel Abu Mohammad al Ansari
-Abu Hamza al Masri [administrator]
May God receive them in his paradise.This targeting complements the role played by Russia in bombing and destroying and supporting Bashar’s regime.” The press release made no mention of civilian casualties.
On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (17) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes
Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.01152, 36.67183
Attached to this civilian harm incident is the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
-
Nov. 2, 2016, near Maraat Misrin, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3074/CS356 37SBV9018087733
Original strike reports
For November 1st-2nd the Coalition reported no strikes in Syria.