Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

RS3680

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Location

عابدين, Abdin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdin village in Idlib governorate on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

Baladi News reported that two civilians were killed in airstrikes on the village of Abdin, Idlib countryside. Zaiton Mag reported one killed civilian by a helicopter strike. All other sources also reported only one death.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) wrote: “Ali al Zraiq, from Ma’ret Harma village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, was killed as Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the vicinity of Abdin village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on May 7.”

In another post, the SN4HR said that Al Salam Mosque in the village was targeted, partially destroying its building and damaging the furniture.

According to Zaman Al Wasl, the village was hit with two regime barrels. Whereas most sources blamed the regime, Al Araby and Edlib Media Center reported that both the Syrian regime and Russia had been responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male from Ma’ret Harma killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Syrian regime forces bombed a mosque in Abdin village in Idlib on May 7th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).

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
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3674

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman named Sabah Al Hamidi was alleged killed by artillery shelling in the village of Zakat, north of Hama. Smart News and Step News blamed Russia, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime

SY 24, Syria TV, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said that the regime was responsible for the woman’s death.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female Wife of Khaled Sattouf Al-Faraj killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'heavy artillery and missile shelling targeted the Zakat village north of Hama'
  • A news report which mentions the death of a woman in shelling of Al Zakat, May 7th.
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike in Hama, though it's unclear if the location shown is Al Zakat (via Sada)

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 woman)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3681

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Location

معرتماتر, Ma'aratmatar, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma’aratmatar on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other woman and child were injured.

Several sources, among which the Syrian Human Rights Committee and Shaam News Network, reported that two people were killed in the town of Ma’aratmatar on May 7th. Fresh Syria also reported civilian deaths in the town but did not specify a number.

According to Zaiton Mag, “a man and a girl were killed by an airstrike by six warplanes targeting the town of Ma’aratmatar in Jabal Al Zawiyeh.”

While the sources did not mention injured civilians, a video by the Syrian Civil Defence shows SCD volunteers helping injured civilians into an ambulance, including a woman and a child.

Whereas some sources, such as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights wrote that the Syrian regime had been responsible, others such as Shaam News Network and Edlib Media Center blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "The arrival of the civil defense to the town of Ma’aretamater and the ambulance of those injured by aerial bombardment" (via Syrian Civil Defence).

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3675

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al A’in, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that airstrikes struck a popular market in Ras al Ein village east of the city of Abu-Thabet in Idlib. According to Step News, shelling was carried out by “Russian airliners and helicopters”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime instead. The sources said that the market was attacked with four highly-explosive vacuum missiles. Other sourced said that airstrikes targeted civilians houses.

Most sources reported that four civilians were killed and others raised the toll to seven including women and children. Smart News claimed that among the victims were two children, while Step News and the Local Coordination Committee of Syria claimed three children were killed. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, all four fatalities were children.

The  Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) forces that were present at the scene initially reported that three civilians were killed and eight wounded, while in a later post claimed that the death toll had risen to seven civilians, including three children. It added that the number of wounded had gone up from eight to 20 civilians. The SCD reported that it searched for hours under the rubble and Orient news reported that a family of six members was stuck under the rubble.

Smart News posted several photographs and a video. Links to the these reports on the website of Smart News are included in this assessment.

Images and reported tell that the airstrikes caused huge destruction to the infrastructure.

 

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (2–4 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–20
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (39) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defense forces carrying one of the victims of a missile strike on the market square of of Ras al Ein village on May 7th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • Syrian Civil Defense teams searching through the rubble after a missile strike struck the market square of Ras al-Ayn on May 7th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Man wounded by missile strike on the market square of Ras al-Ayn on May 7th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Aftermath of a missile strike on a market square in Ras al-Ain on May 7th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Aftermath of a missile strike on a market square in Ras al-Ain on May 7th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Aftermath of a missile strike on a market square in Ras al-Ain on May 7th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Aftermath of a missile strike on a market square in Ras al-Ain on May 7th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Aftermath of a missile strike on a market square in Ras al-Ain on May 7th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteer putting out a fire after a missile strike on a market square in Ras al-Ain on May 7th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Aftermath of a missile strike on a market square in Ras al-Ain on May 7th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes in Ras al-A'in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via El dorar).
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes in Ras al-A'in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via El dorar).
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes in Ras al-A'in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via El dorar).
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes in Ras al-A'in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via El dorar).
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes in Ras al-A'in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via El dorar).
  • Aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via Horrya press)
  • Civilians gathering in the aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via Horrya press)
  • Destruction caused by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via Horrya press)
  • Aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via Horrya press)
  • Aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via Horrya press)
  • A civilian checking the destruction caused by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via Horrya press)
  • Aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via Horrya press)
  • Aftermath of Russian airstrikes on Ras Al A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Via @ShehabAgency).
  • Aftermath of Russian airstrikes on Ras Al A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Via @ShehabAgency).
  • Aftermath of Russian airstrikes on Ras Al A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Via @ShehabAgency).
  • Aftermath of Russian airstrikes on Ras Al A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Via @ShehabAgency).
  • "Casualties reported as a result of an attack by the Assad regime and Russia who bombed the popular market in the village of Ras al-Ein in Idlib with 4 rockets." Via @SyrianCoalition
  • A child injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Copyright SMART, published in the public interest).
  • A child injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Copyright SMART, published in the public interest).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Copyright SMART, published in the public interest).
  • SCD volunteers in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Copyright SMART, published in the public interest).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Copyright SMART, published in the public interest).
  • SCD volunteers rescuing civilians in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Copyright SMART, published in the public interest).
  • Civilians injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ras Al-A'in in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (Copyright SMART, published in the public interest).

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (2–4 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–20
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3682

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian died of his injuries four days after alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Kafar Zeita, Hama governorate, on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

Smart News reported that Russian artillery fire on the town of Kafar Zeita, north of Hama, wounded a number of civilians. Step News Agency wrote: “A missile attack from the Russian camp south of Halfaya targeted the town of Kafr Zeita, causing injury to a number of civilians.” Sy-24 also blamed Russia for the artillery strikes.

Syrian Network for Human Rights in a later post reported that one of the wounded civilians died of his injuries on May 11th, but blamed the Syrian regime forces for the shelling on the town. The SNHR identified the victim as Abdul Ghani Badr Al Bakkour.

A report from JisrTV said that Russian forces targeted Kafar Zaita health centre, partially destroying it.

A number of other sources tweeted that the regime was targeting “terrorist organisations in the towns of Hbeit rural Idlib South and Kafar Zaita rural West Hama.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male died on May 11th of his injuries killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Ghani Badr al Bakkour, allegedly died of injuries sustained when Syrian regime forces fired artillery shells on Kafar Zeita on May 8th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • The health centre in Kafar Zeita, reportedly hit by a Russian strike on May 7th (via Jisrtv)
  • Translation: "Artillery shelling of the city of Kfar Zeita in the countryside of Hama" (via Mahmood Al Hamwi).

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3676

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Location

مرج الزهور, Marj Al Zuhour, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were reported killed and eight others including two children were reported injured as Russian forces or Syrian regime targeted with airstrikes or artillery Marj Al Zohur in Idlib on May 7th, 2019, according to local reports.

Two of those killed were workers with a humanitarian organisation for food support.

The Local Coordination Committee Syria and Jisir Media Center reported that one civilian was killed. According to Jisir Media Center, eight other civilians including at least six members of the same family were wounded.

According to Step News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, two members of the same family were killed, while the Syria.liveuamap claimed a total of three and two wounded.

Syrian Network for Human Rights in a later post identified Jarrah Hadid as one of the victims. He was reportedly a humanitarian aid worker for al Amin Organization for humanitarian support, from Marj al Zohour village in Idlib, who died on May 8th due to wounds sustained in the attack on May 7th. Khaled Hadid was also reported killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

21 years old male injured
24 years old injured
17 years old male injured
28 years old male killed
60 years old male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

40 years old male injured
15 years old male injured
Adult male Unclear whether this is the real name or a nickname. killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Jarrah Hadid, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Marj al Zohour village in Idlib on May 8th (via SN4HR).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fawaz Hadid was reported killed in Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Marj Al Zohour on May 7th, 2019. (via Khaled Al Aseer).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abu Omar Al Sabe' was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime attacks on Marj Al Zohour on May 7th, 2019. (via Khaled Al Aseer)
  • Khaled Hadid, a worker with a food support organization died as a result of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Marj Al Zohour in Idlib on May 7th 2019. (via Al-Ameen for Humanitarian Support).
  • Jarrah Hadid, a worker with a humanitarian organisation was reported killed in airstrikes that struck Mari Al Zohour in Idlib on May 7th, 2019. (via Mohammad Harsouny)

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
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3677

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian “airliners and helicopters” carried out missile strikes, also described as rocket attacks, on the outskirts of the village Ma’ra Haramah.

Local sources reported that the strikes struck residential areas in the village, killing a civilian and causing extensive damage to civilian homes. Several other civilians were reported wounded.

No other details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • True altruism as he is calling to save his cousin while he is under the rubble. First moments of pulling out those injured by Russian and Syrian regime bombing of Ma'aret Harma.
  • Civilians under the rubble of their house, which was destroyed by Russian warplanes today in the town of Ma’aret Harma south of Idlib.
  • An elderly man was pulled out of the rubble in the village of Ma'ret Harma after being targeted by Russian aviation.
  • An injured civilian under the rubble after airstrikes on ma'aret Harma on May 7th, 2019. (via Orient News).

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC136

Incident date

May 8, 2019

Location

جسر الزهراء, Al Zahra Bridge, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.676671, 13.055878 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly killed by an LNA airstrike on Janzur.

Tk Yahrog Kl Shy 2 posted on Facebook: “In the morning the families returns to the area of Al-Zahra bridge safely. They were hit by a bombardment by Al-Karama forces and four rockets landed on the houses and farms of the Al-Marbouk family. The damage was material and the family was safe. As for the case that hit a civilian above the Al-Zahra bridge of the family of Masoud Ghawar moved to the mercy of God.”

Other sources only reported only material damage to the house of the Marbouk family.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath
  • Another picture of the incident

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Al Zahra bridge (جسر الزهراء) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.676671, 13.055878. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (4) [ collapse]