Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

R4322

Incident date

June 19, 2021

Location

قسطون, Qastoun, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a Civil Defense “White Helmet” member, was killed and three to six others were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on a civil defense center in Qastoun on June 19, 2021.

Anadolu Agency reported that “a Civil Defense member was killed and at least 4 others were injured, as Bashar al-Assad’s regime bombed their center in the countryside of Hama Governorate”.

Various other sources also reported that either three or four other Civil Defense members were injured and a tweet from @fattumabdulfat1 pointed out that one of them was in critical condition. @mohmad515obaid increased the number to “the injury of five other heroes of the White Helmets” and Baladi News added that “six others were wounded”.

A tweet from @ajmubasher named the White Helmet that was killed to be Daham Al-Hussein alongside an image of “a Civil Defense volunteer (White Helmets) crying over his colleague “Daham Al-Hussein” after his death”. A post by Syrian Civil Defense shows the three young children of Daham, who worked with the White Helmets for seven years.

Syrian Civil Defense also named the White Helmets injured: “Hassan Hashoum, Ahmad Al-Nader, Fateh Haj Ibrahim, three volunteers were wounded by shelling by the regime forces and Russia”.

Ebaa News reported that the damage to the Civil Defense center was so extensive that it was no longer in service.

Sources were split over whether the regime or Russia was responsible. Al Araby reported that the “Russian “Krasnopol” missiles” was used but attributed it to “the regime forces stationed in the city of Basqala in Idlib countryside”. However, @shaamnews blamed Russia. Syrian Civil Defense identified both Russian and the regime as responsible.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Daham Al-Hussein
Adult male Member of the Syrian Civil Defense killed
Hassan Hashoum
Adult male Member of the Syrian Civil Defense injured
Ahmad Al-Nader
Adult male Member of the Syrian Civil Defense injured
Fateh Haj Ibrahim
Adult male Member of the Syrian Civil Defense injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (55) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (50) [ collapse]

  • Wreckage of a Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @HadiAlabdallah)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)
  • "Photo of a Civil Defense volunteer (White Helmets) crying his colleague "Daham Al-Hussein" after his death as a result of artillery shelling by the Syrian regime targeting a civil defense center in the town of Qastoun in the Hama countryside" (Image posted by @ajmubasher)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @HalabTodayTV
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @HalabTodayTV
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @HalabTodayTV)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @omar_nezhat)
  • "Pictures show members of the "White Helmets" bid farewell to one of their colleagues, who was killed by Russian artillery shelling targeting their center in the town of Qastoun" (Images posted by @shaamnews)
  • A Civil Defense volunteer mourns the loss of one of his colleagues following strikes on their center in the village of Qastoun on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @zelal_abo_adnan)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Image of a White Helmet mourning the loss of his coworker who died in the Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Children of Daham Abdul Ghani Al Hussein, the Civil Defense member of seven years who was killed in strikes on the civil defense center in Qastoun on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Image of Daham Abdul Ghani Al Hussein, a White Helmet who was killed in the Civil Defense center in Qastoun on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @Nabel_othman023)
  • Image of Daham Abdul Ghani Al Hussein, a White Helmet who was killed in the Civil Defense center in Qastoun on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @Nabel_othman023)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Image of a White Helmet mourning the loss of his coworker who died in the Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Image of a White Helmet mourning the loss of his coworker who died in the Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • White Helmets and other volunteers trying to recover damaged equipment and supplies from a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @mohmad515obaid)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @mohmad515obaid)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @mohmad515obaid)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in the background in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @mohmad515obaid)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Image of a destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Hassan Hashoum, Ahmad Al-Nader, Fateh Haj Ibrahim, three volunteers were wounded by shelling by the regime forces and Russia, which directly targeted the Syrian Civil Defense Center in the town of Qastoun. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Hassan Hashoum, Ahmad Al-Nader, Fateh Haj Ibrahim, three volunteers were wounded by shelling by the regime forces and Russia, which directly targeted the Syrian Civil Defense Center in the town of Qastoun. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Hassan Hashoum, Ahmad Al-Nader, Fateh Haj Ibrahim, three volunteers were wounded by shelling by the regime forces and Russia, which directly targeted the Syrian Civil Defense Center in the town of Qastoun. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Volunteer Muhammad Ramadan comforting Abd al-Ghani Ibn al-Shahid, son of the SCD volunteer that was killed in the strikes on Qastoun on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Image of an ambulance with some of the sand materials outside of the destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • Image of volunteers and equipment trying to salvage the injured and materials from the destroyed Civil Defense center in Qastoun following alleged bombing by the regime on June 19, 2021. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (55) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4341

Incident date

July 15, 2021

Location

الفوعة, Al Fu'ah, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between five and six civilians, including one to four children, were killed and between seven and eight others, including two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on the Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at the time of reporting “the number of civilians killed in regime massacre in Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town in north-eastern Idlib jumped to six. Moreover, the death toll is expected to rise further as the bombardment left seven over persons injured, some seriously.” Their earlier reporting identified that five civilians, including one child, were killed and those killed “were workers who were breaking stones”. Shaam News also reported that five civilians, including a child, were killed.

In their report that identified six deaths and eight injuries from the strikes, Enab Baladi specified that all of those involved in the incident were civilians.

@Jon94447934 provided the names of the three children that were killed in the strikes: Hamza Ahmed Walid Sabbagh, Mohamed Khaled Sabbagh, Hussein Khaled Sabbagh.

A post from Khaled Abo Haydar on Facebook added three more names of civilians killed, including a child: Mohamed Khaled Abdel Gawad nicknamed Abu Khaled, Abdo Omar Qahawati  nicknamed Abu Omar, and Child Abdel Rahman Adel Slat.

A tweet from @Najdat567 emphasized that five of the civilians killed were the providers of their families and were doing back-breaking work as stone breakers for just “20 Turks per day” and that those workers were targeted with three shells.

Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported a similar number of civilians killed, six, but added that three of them were children. A post by Syrian Civil Defense also identified eight others as being wounded, including two children, and listed the locations that were shelled as “civilians who cut stones, a swimming pool and a playground”.

SN4HR blamed Russian forces for the casualties, identifying “a shell equipped with a Krasnopol laser guidance system” as being used in the attack. However, SOHR named the regime as being responsible for the shelling. The other sources that reported on the incident, including Syrian Civil Defense and Shaam News, did not distinguish whether Russia or the regime was responsible, blaming both.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Hamza Ahmed Walid Sabbagh
Child killed
Mohamed Khaled Sabbagh
Child killed
ussein Khaled Sabbagh
killed

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Khaled Abdel Gawad
Adult male killed
Abdo Omar Qahawati
Adult male killed
Abdel Rahman Adel Slat
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • Workers were carrying rocks when they were stuck by alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Remnants of the shell fired by alleged Russian or regime forces on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • White Helmets carry the bodies of the victims following alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • “Their only fault is that they seek to secure the livelihood of their families.” The first moments of the response of the Syrian Civil Defense teams to the massacre committed today by the regime forces and Russia by targeting civilians who were cutting stones in the village of Al Foah in Idlib countryside, which killed 6 civilians, including a child, and wounded 8 others, including two children. #whitehelmets
  • White Helmets load the bodies of those killed into an ambulance following alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets retrieve the body of one of the victims of the alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Rescue workers put out a vehicle fire caused by alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Rescue workers put out a vehicle fire caused by alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage and blood from the victims caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @baladinetwork - Photo: Moaz Al-Abbas)
  • Rescue workers attempt to put out fires caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @baladinetwork - Photo: Moaz Al-Abbas)
  • Damage caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @baladinetwork - Photo: Moaz Al-Abbas)
  • Damage and blood from the victims caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Remnants of the shell fired by alleged Russian or regime forces on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @Najdat567)
  • An aerial image of the funeral for three children, Hamza Ahmed Walid Sabbagh, Mohamed Khaled Sabbagh, Hussein Khaled Sabbagh, killed in the strikes on al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @Jon94447934)
  • Image of Mohamed Khaled Abdel Gawad nicknamed Abu Khaled who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Khaled Abo Haydar via Facebook)
  • Image of MAbdo Omar Qahawati nicknamed Abu Omar who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Khaled Abo Haydar via Facebook)
  • Image of Abdel Rahman Adel Slat who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Khaled Abo Haydar via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of Abdel Rahman Adel Slat who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Binnish deaths via Facebook)
  • Image of MAbdo Omar Qahawati nicknamed Abu Omar who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Binnish deaths via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by Al Souria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT032

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

بئر النعجة, Bir Al Na’jah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.541901, 34.488035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Bir Na’jah neighborhood on May 12, 2021.

Al Mezan reported that “at approximately 23:37, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at an empty land in Bir Na’jah neighborhood, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, two were wounded, including a child, and taken to the Indonesian Hospital, where medical sources said their injuries were moderate.”

Al Haq also identified two injuries, including a child, as resulting from airstrikes on Bir Na’jah. Various other sources reported on airstrikes occurring in the area but did not including information about civilian casualties.

Al Mezan and Al Haq both attributed the strikes to Israel.

The incident occured at approximately 11:37 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Bir Al Na’jah (بئر النعجة), west of Jabalia (جباليا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Bir Al Na’jah’s main street are: 31.541901, 34.488035.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli 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
    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
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3783

Incident date

June 9, 2019

Location

عدة بلدات في ريف إدلب, Several towns in Idlib countryside, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Shaam News reported a number of attacks by Russian forces on several towns and villages in Idlib on June 9th.

According to this source, “Russian aircraft launched airstrikes amidst artillery and missile attacks on the towns and villages of Khan Sheikhoun, Tal Ass, Al Mastouma, Arenaba, Al Qasabiyah, Bazabur, Kferlata, Kafar Lata, Jabal Al-Arbaeen, Ahsem, Tarmala, Al Habeet, Rakaya, Abdeen, Kefar Sijna and Heesh, resulting in civilian casualties.”

No further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT016

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

قرب مسجد نعمة الغفري, Vicinity of Nima'a Al Ghafry mosque, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.52286, 34.474502 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians, including a woman and a child, were injured in strikes on agricultural land located near the Nima’a Al-Ghafry Mosque on Muqat Street in Jabalia on May 11th 2021.

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) reported that “at approximately 11:40 pm, the occupation warplanes bombed, with two missiles, an agricultural land located near the Nima’a Al-Ghafry Mosque on Muqat Street in Jabalia Al-Balad. As a result, 6 citizens were injured, including a woman and a child, who were taken to the Indonesian Hospital. Some citizens’ homes in the vicinity of the targeted area were damaged.”

Both @GazaNewsOfficia and @Mah_B_Oman identified three civilians as being injured in the strikes.

@3asefa65 identified two missiles as being used in the attack near the Nima Al-Ghafri Mosque.

Only PCHR identified Israel as being responsible for the strikes.

The incident occured at 23:40:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Nima Al Ghafry mosque (مسجد نعمة الغفري), within Jabalia (جباليا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Nima Al Ghafry mosque are: 31.52286, 34.474502.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4370

Incident date

August 11, 2021

Location

برزة, Barze, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.727365, 36.226588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Barze on August 11, 2021.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense (SCD), “a civilian was killed while he was collecting firewood, in artillery shelling by the Assad regime forces targeting the surrounding mountains of Barzeh”.

The correspondent for Zaman Al Wasl reported that the young man who was killed by the bombing of the regime forces, named Ibrahim Issa Al-Khatib, came from the village of “Sallet Al-Zohour” in the western countryside of Idlib. He was killed “while he was working to collect firewood to sell in the market in return for securing a living for him and his children, in addition to storing some of it for the winter.”

The SCD added that they removes the body of the deceased to a medical point and handed it over to his family.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to the regime.  However, Macro Media Center and @IdlibPlus blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for carrying out the strikes.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Issa Al-Khatib
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense members carry the body of a civilian killed while collecting firewood when strikes targeted Barze on August 11, 2021. (Image posted by @EuphratesPost)
  • Image of Ibrahim Issa Al-Khatib, killed while collecting firewood when strikes targeted Barze on August 11, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Barze (برزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.727365, 36.226588. 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2947

Incident date

January 30, 2018

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 12 civilians were wounded in airstrikes which struck residential housing in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids.

Media reported that five civilians were buried alive under the rubble, and other seven were harmed in the streets by the same raids.

Upsetting footage shows civilians being pulled from the rubble to safety.

One source reported that an “unspecified number of civilians were wounded”, however all others put the figures as high as 12.

There were no reported civilian deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment that raids struck Khan Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via Salloum Al Abd)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured woman is pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via Horrya News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child is pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via @Fouadhallak89)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child is pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via @kot5alazrak)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via @kot5alazrak)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via @kot5alazrak)
  • Civilians rescued in the aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDef)
  • Civilians rescued in the aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDef)
  • Civilians rescued in the aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDef)
  • An injured child is pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Sheikhoun 30th Jan 2018. (via @A_aldyab)

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS113 R4374

Incident date

August 18, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, including one to two women and a child, were killed and three to four others were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or Russian or regime strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “three civilians, including a child and a woman, were killed on August 18 when Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) used a missile launcher to shell al Mazout Street in west Afrin city”. Radio Al Kul specified that two women and a man made up the three civilians that were killed in the strikes.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified three civilians as being killed and added that others were also injured in the strikes but did not provide a number. However, Syrian Civil Defense put the injury toll at four but referred to this as being the “preliminary toll”.

@EdlibEmc1 did not provide a specific number of how many people were injured but reported that “dozens” were injured.

The strikes reportedly caused a nearby fuel station selling diesel to catch fire. Shaam News added that “activists broadcast scenes of the bombing and the rise of smoke columns resulting from the bombing and fires, while the civil defense teams worked to secure the place and put out the fires.”

According to Baladi News’ correspondent, the bombing “was concentrated near one of the camps in the city, which resulted in massive destruction of public and private properties” and @Almohrar1 pinpointed the location as “near Al-Shifa Hospital and Dersim in the city of Afrin”. @SyrianCoalition identified 13 shells as being used in the bombing.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the SDF, with Zaman Al Wasl referring to the source of the strikes as an area controlled by the SDF called the “Tal Rifaat pocket” and Radio Al Kul sourcing the strikes from “the village of Al-Alqamiya and the town of Deir Jamal”. However, the Syrian Civil Defense identified the strikes as originating from an area controlled by the SDF and regime while the North Press Agency attributed the strikes to Russian planes. Enab Baladi added that the SDF did not claim responsibility for the strikes.

The incident occured at approximately 2:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (39) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets with one of the victims of the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Fires caused by the bombing of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Fires caused by the bombing of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets bring an injured civilian to an ambulance following strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • The first moments of our teams' response to a missile bombardment on residential neighborhoods in the city of #Afrin, coming from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces north of #Aleppo, which led to the killing of 3 civilians and the injury of 4 others
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Missile strikes and shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Missile strikes and shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Centerl)
  • Rocket shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Step_Agency)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Smoke from the shelling and the fires it caused in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Alassaf1977)
  • Smoke from the shelling and the fires it caused in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Alassaf1977)
  • Destruction and fires caused by the shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @SyrianCoalition)
  • Fires broke out from strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • Fires broke out from strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @maamo_walid)
  • Fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]