Up to eight civilians all from one family were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian or regime strike on Sarmin, Idlib, on February 2nd 2020. A baby girl, only 40 days old, was killed according to many sources alongside up to seven members of her family, including her mother and brother. The family was reportedly survived by the father.
According to @Shahba Press, there was “a massacre killing 8 martyrs of one family, including 4 children and 3 women, as a result of the bombing of al-Assad warplanes on the town of Sarmin, east of Idlib”. Zaman Al Wasl claimed instead that “Seven civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed, and others were wounded”. @turkeyalaan, however, reported that the attack caused at least nine casualties, while Syria News – as the only source – put the death toll at three civilians.
A number of sources identified the names of the victims. The girl, no older than 40 days, was identified as Najah bint Hassan Agha. Her mother, Najah Hassan Agha (45) was killed as well alongside family members Muhammad Ibn Fida Hassan Agha (2), Sarah bint Muhammad Hassan Agha Abu Al-Fida (10), Mustafa Ibn Muhammad Hassan Agha Abu Al-Fida (12), Amina Ahmed Hassan Agha (16) and Sundus Shahoud (20). In addition, a truck driver named Muhammad Faisal Haj Othman, who was driving the family when the attack happened, was killed as well. According to @DirarKhattab, Mr. Othman was about to drive them to a displacement camp.
@abuhuzaifa_ noted that “the family was preparing to flee and escape the hell of bombing in Sarmin” . They were then struck by a warplane, and “immediately targeted by a helicopter with explosive barrels.
According to MMC, the strike hit a “residential gathering”. Other sources reported that airstrikes completely destroyed houses, including that of the family. Independent Arabia further specified that their two-storey house was completely destroyed by the bombing. Step News Agency claimed that the strikes attacked “displaced people on the roads”.
The sources make competing claims on who was behind the attack. While some sources blame the Russian forces, Ariha Today, who suspected the Syrian Regime responsible, claimed “helicopters of Assad gangs” were part of the offensive. According to DW citing other local sources, it was not clear ” whether Syrian or Russian planes carried them out, as both sides are launching raids in the area.”
The city of Sarmin and its outskirts were bombed between 9:16 – 9:22 according to @anastracey.
Video footage shows a group of people, presumably including the father who survived the attack, retrieving the dead bodies in blankets, crying and mourning over the loss of life. The footage also shows the extent of material destruction caused by the airstrikes.
The incident occured between 9:16 am and 9:22 am local time.
