Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3605

Incident date

March 13, 2019

Location

سجن ادلب المركزي, Idlib Central Prison, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that two Russian planes launched eight raids on the city of Idlib, including residential areas. Baladi News reported that six airstrikes struck the central prison west of the city of Idlib causing the destructing of one of the buildings.

Multiple civilians including prisoners and prison staff were reported killed and wounded while a number of other prisoners managed to escape the prison. Activists’ posts on social networking sites showed dozens of prisoners fleeing the prison, some on foot and others with small trucks. The director of Al-Shaam said that among the prisoners who escaped from the prison were agents of the Syrian regime.

Orient News reported that nine civilians were killed and 45 civilians were wounded. The source claimed that dozens of prisoners escaped when one of the walls of the prison was struck.

Sky News put the civilian death toll higher at 13 people killed with 60 more wounded. Among the victims were six children. The source added that 100 prisoners escaped.

According to Edlib EMC, a total of 15 people were killed including five children, with 40 others wounded. It also did not specify how many of this number were civilians.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 26 people had been killed including eight children under the age of 18, two women and and nine male prisoners.

According to the Shaam News Network, a staggering number of 50 detainees were killed of whom 14 were said to be civilians, including women and children.

All sources blamed Russia except thee Syrian Observatory for Human Rights who believed the airstrikes were conducted by the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 26
  • (5–8 children2 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–60
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Video of the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the central prison area in the city of Idlib reported to have resulted in civilian casualties, and the escape of dozens of prisoners after the destruction of some walls of the prison (via Orient News).
  • Wounded prisoners after an alleged Russian airstrike struck the central prison area in the city of Idlib (via @aboalhodaalhoms).
  • Video showing the alleged Russian airstrike on the Idlib prison.
  • Destruction of Idlib hospital after an alleged Russian airstrike (va Shaam).
  • A prisoner injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib's Central Prison on March 13th, 2019 (via @aboalhodaalhoms)
  • A prisoner injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib's Central Prison on March 13th, 2019 (via @aboalhodaalhoms)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 26
  • (5–8 children2 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–60
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]