(Previous Incident Codes: R3491RS3703)

In a major civilian casualty incident, between nine and 12 civilians including a child died and up to 50 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on a popular market in Maarat al Numan, according to sources on the ground. Eight of those killed were identified, and the ninth one was identified as a ‘young man from Hama.’

Orient News said the raids targeted Al Korniche street in Ma’arat Al Nu’man.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was among a number of sources blaming Russia. It put the death toll at 12 with 18 more wounded, adding that the death count was likely to rise due to the severity of injuries.

The lowest death count was given at seven civilians with 40 more wounded by Orient News, who joined multiple other reports in attributing blame to the regime.  Later, @Halid_Kutayni65 Tweeted that 50 people were wounded.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, ” at least nine civilians, including a child, were killed as Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired two missiles on local market in the main square known as al Masqed al Kabir square in the middle of Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on May 22, 2019.” SN4HR added that two civilians were also killed “near al Kabir Mosque in the middle of Ma’aret al Numan.

Geiroon quoted Ghayath al-Daher, a media activist in Ma’arat al-Nu’man: “The L39 warplanes targeted the densely populated Corniche Street in the city of Ma’arat al-Nu’man with several air strikes with high-explosive rockets, killing 11 Civilians in an initial toll. Most bodies were turned to pieces – and 20 other were wounded, many extremely seriously. There was extensive destruction to residential buildings and shops.”

Ariha Today said that vacuum rockets were used in the attack.

Shahba Press noted that the raids happened “after midnight.”