Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

ISSY032

Incident date

April 4, 2023

Location

معمل الزجاج في الكسوة, Al Kisswa, Damascus, Syria

Airwars assessment

On April 4th, 2023 at 12:15am, an airstrike either launched by Israeli forces or an air defense missile launched by the Syrian regime hit a glass factory in Al-Kisswa, south of Damascus, in Rif Dimashq, resulting in the death of up to two civilians.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), a Syrian regime-controlled news source, reported that two civilians were killed and martial damage was caused by the airstrikes. According to Orient news, Amr Niam was one of the people killed and he was described by loyalist pages as someone who reportedly fought 12 years ago with the Assad militia and was killed by “friendly fire” after his demobilization.

Athar Press quoted the head of the municipality of Al-Kisswa, Muhammad Al-Hayek, who said that “the young man (Omar Naim) works as a watchman in the glass warehouse that was targeted at dawn today.” @Kenan80490227 on Twitter corroborated that he was a facility guard, writing about the attack “in which the facility guard spent his last night before he was killed”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights posted on Twitter that one of the dead was a member of “Hezbollah”.

The glass plant sustained infrastructure damage as well. Al-Hayek clarified that the 500 square meter factory was almost. completely damaged. He said, “The glass goods in it have become like sand, in addition to the roof of the warehouse falling to the ground along with the walls,” indicating that this warehouse is private and does not belong to any government agency.

A military source speaking to Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) claimed that the Syrian regime air defence system intercepted the missiles and shot them down. Radio Al Kul quoted Voice of Capital, which attributed the civilian casualties to a Syrian regime air defense missile and not an Israeli missile.

The incident occured at 00:15:00 local time.

  • Amr Naim Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Hezbollah
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes near Damascus on April 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Kenan80490227)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes near Damascus on April 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Kenan80490227)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes near Damascus on April 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Kenan80490227)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes near Damascus on April 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Kenan80490227)
  • An Israeli missile targeted a glass factory in the Al-Kiswah area in the countryside of Damascus, owned by craftsmen in Damascene glass. The scenes show the recovery of a number of civilian martyrs who were in their workplaces in the factory.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Hezbollah
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Incident Code

R4508

Incident date

March 30, 2023

Location

ترمانين, Termanin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the evening of March 30th, 2023, several sources reported alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime artillery shelling near Termanin, north of Idlib resulting in the injury of between one and two civilians.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights and other sources report that one civilian was wounded while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other sources report two civilians were wounded due to the shelling. Details about the civilians affected are limited, but Baladi News reported that one of the civilians injured was a man who received help from civil defense teams in accessing medical care. They note the attack occurred during the 8th night of Ramadan, and multiple sources reported the attack affected a camp for displaced people.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blame Syrian regime forces for the attack, while the Syria Civil Defense and From Idlib allege both Russian and Syrian regime forces were responsible, and Al Mohrar holds Russian forces responsible. Baladi News specified that the shelling was carried out by forces stationed in the western countryside of Aleppo.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers response to alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Termanin on March 30, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4507

Incident date

March 24, 2023

Location

الأبزمو, Al Abzimo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a young man identified by sources as Ayman Mamoun Hijazi, was reportedly killed in the town of Al Abzimo, in the western countryside of Aleppo on March 24th 2023 after a contested attack as a result of Russian forces and/or Syrian regime artillery shelling hit the marketplace after midnight, according to the Syrian Civil Defense and other local sources.

Baladi reported that this attack took place during the time when residents were breaking their fast, after the first day of Ramadan.

Baladi also reported that there was material damage to shops, as well as other sources reporting that residential houses were also damaged too.

 

The incident occured in the evening.

  • Ayman Mamoun Hijazi Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Ayman Mamoun Hijazi, reportedly killed by artillery fire in Al Abzimo, in the western countryside of Aleppo (Image via @Ahmad__1alshble / Twitter)
  • "A person was killed and a fire broke out in the town of Al-Abzimo in the western countryside of #Aleppo, with artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeting the town's market after midnight. Our teams responded and made sure that there were no other casualties in the place." (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • "The death of the young man, "Ayman Hijazi" and another injury, as a result of artillery shelling by the regime forces on the town of Al-Abzimo in the countryside of Aleppo." (Image ia @Sy_Press_Agency / Twitter)
  • "The death of the young man, "Ayman Hijazi" and another injury, as a result of artillery shelling by the regime forces on the town of Al-Abzimo in the countryside of Aleppo." (Image ia @Sy_Press_Agency / Twitter)
  • "The death of the young man, Ayman Mamoun Hijazi, as a result of artillery shelling by pro-Assad forces on the town of Al-Abzimo in the western countryside of Aleppo" (Image via @OrientNews / Twitter)
  • Jamil al Hasan / YouTube

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
  • Strike target
    Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ 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

R4506

Incident date

March 23, 2023

Location

الأتارب, Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to one civilian was killed, plus one woman and a man were reportedly injured as a result of contested action by Russian forces or the Syrian regime when a marketplace and a residential neighbourhood was hit by artillery and missile shelling in the city of Atareb, west of Aleppo, Syria. This attack took place on March 23rd 2023, the first day of Ramadan, in the evening.

Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime and reported that “Syrian regime artillery forces fired multiple shells targeting Atareb city in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate. A number of shells landed on civilians’ homes, while the remainder landed in the popular market in the city center, injuring one man and woman as well as inflicting moderate damage and partial destruction on shops in the popular market, as well as in the street.”

Al Araby news blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian forces and reported that the attack led to the cancellation of “Tarawih” prayers in the town. @HalabTodayTV reported that the attack happened “at the moment of breaking the fast.”

@KawtharQshqosh was the only source to report that this attack killed a “person”, the other sources all reported that two civilians were injured.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • "A woman and a man were injured by artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeting the popular market and residential neighborhoods of the city of Atareb, west of #Aleppo, this evening, Thursday, March 23, during the breakfast hour on the first day of the blessed month of #Ramadan." (@SyrianCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • "A woman and a man were injured by artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeting the popular market and residential neighborhoods of the city of Atareb, west of #Aleppo, this evening, Thursday, March 23, during the breakfast hour on the first day of the blessed month of #Ramadan." (@SyrianCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • "A woman and a man were injured by artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeting the popular market and residential neighborhoods of the city of Atareb, west of #Aleppo, this evening, Thursday, March 23, during the breakfast hour on the first day of the blessed month of #Ramadan." (@SyrianCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • "A woman and a man were injured by artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeting the popular market and residential neighborhoods of the city of Atareb, west of #Aleppo, this evening, Thursday, March 23, during the breakfast hour on the first day of the blessed month of #Ramadan." (@SyrianCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • "Artillery shelling by the Russian external occupation during Iftar on the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo, causing civilian casualties" (Image via @mzmgr941 / Twitter)
  • "Residents announce the cancellation of Tarawih prayers in the city due to the intense shelling" (Image via @Aishasapri / Twitter)
  • "The sounds of children's cries rose above it" (Image via @rami498 / Twitter)
  • "Mosques in the city of #Al-Atareb cancel Tarawih prayers on the first day of Ramadan due to the artillery shelling that the city is subjected to by the Assad regime, which led to the death of one person and the injury of dozens" (Image via @KawtharQshqosh / Twitter)
  • "Mosques in the city of #Al-Atareb cancel Tarawih prayers on the first day of Ramadan due to the artillery shelling that the city is subjected to by the Assad regime, which led to the death of one person and the injury of dozens" (Image via @KawtharQshqosh / Twitter)
  • "Mosques in the city of #Al-Atareb cancel Tarawih prayers on the first day of Ramadan due to the artillery shelling that the city is subjected to by the Assad regime, which led to the death of one person and the injury of dozens" (Image via @KawtharQshqosh / Twitter)
  • "A woman and a man were injured in artillery shelling by the forces of the Assad regime and loyal militias, targeting the popular market and residential neighborhoods of the city of Atarib, west of #Aleppo, this evening, Thursday, March 23, in the first minute of breaking the fast on the first day of the holy month of #Ramadan." (Image via @khaleedalkhteb / Twitter)
  • "Muhammad Rajab Lattouf.. His house was destroyed by the devastating earthquake that struck the city of #Atareb in the countryside of #Aleppo" (Image via @Sy_press_agency / Twitter)
  • "Muhammad Rajab Lattouf.. His house was destroyed by the devastating earthquake that struck the city of #Atareb in the countryside of #Aleppo" (Image via @Sy_press_agency / Twitter)
  • "Muhammad Rajab Lattouf.. His house was destroyed by the devastating earthquake that struck the city of #Atareb in the countryside of #Aleppo" (Image via @Sy_press_agency / Twitter)
  • "Muhammad Rajab Lattouf.. His house was destroyed by the devastating earthquake that struck the city of #Atareb in the countryside of #Aleppo" (Image via @Sy_press_agency / Twitter)

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

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
    1
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ 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]

Incident Code

R4504

Incident date

March 11, 2023

Location

الاتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.133794, 36.841879 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person, a man, was killed and between one to five other civilians, were injured after mortar shelling attributed to both the Syrian regime and Russian forces hit the outskirts of the city of Atarib, in the western countryside of Aleppo on Saturday March 11th 2023.

It’s unclear as to whether the man reported killed, Mustafa Talib, was a civilian, with a divided number of local sources indicating that he was a civilian, whilst others, such as Afrin Post, reported that he was a member of the “terrorist organisation Hay’at Tahir al-Sham”. The number of civilians injured ranged in reports from one, a woman, reported to be injured by the Afrin Post. It also reported that four other militants were killed alongside Mustafa Talib.  However, other reports indicated that all of the four or five injured were civilians, including a child and a woman.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–5

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • "A person was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of #Aleppo, today, Saturday, March 11." The White Helmets reported from the incident (Image via Twitter)
  • "A person was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of #Aleppo, today, Saturday, March 11." The White Helmets reported from the incident (Image via Twitter)
  • "A person was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of #Aleppo, today, Saturday, March 11." The White Helmets reported from the incident (Image via Twitter)
  • "A person was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of #Aleppo, today, Saturday, March 11." The White Helmets reported from the incident (Image via Twitter)
  • Mustafa Talib, reportedly killed as a resuly of a Russian or Syrian regime mortar shell. He is disputed between sources as a civilian or militant (Image via @Omar_Madaniah / Twitter)
  • Orient News report on the death of Mustafa Talib, killed "during its bombing of Atarib" (Image via @OrientNews / Twitter)
  • "The names of the casualties as a result of the artillery shelling that targeted the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo" (Image via @Almohrar1 / Twitter)
  • "A young man was killed and 5 civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured in mortar shelling by the regime forces targeting the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo today, Saturday, March 11, at noon." (Image via @abdalazezketaz / Twitter)
  • The Afrin Post reported that the man who was killed was a member of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Image via Afrin post)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the outskirts of the town of Al Atareb (الاتارب). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 36.133794, 36.841879.

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    @SyriaCivilDefe

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    @SyriaCivilDefe

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–5

Sources (15) [ collapse]