Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4282

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Location

خان السبيل, Khan Al Sabil, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on vehicles of displaced civilians on the international highway near the town of Khan al Sabil, Idlib governorate, on December 22nd, 2019, as reported by local sources.

Local tweets included video of the bombing raid that injured the three civilians and targeted Internally Displaced People (IDPs). Syrian Response Coordinators attempted to assess the numbers of IDPs in the area, with one estimate as high as 350,000, but they could only confirm 175,000.

Step News Agency reported that besides wounding a civilian, the Syrian and Russian airstrikes of cars caused the burning of a car, motorcycle and agricultural machinery.

@AM_AHMAD90 reported that three civilians were injured on the international road when Russian warplanes launched three raids against displaced civilians and arrivals.

Shaam News Network wrote that the airstrikes occurred “amid calls to stop the bombing and secure the exit of thousands of civilians in the area”.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the regime or Russia were responsible for the strikes. @oulaalassaad attributed the strikes to su22 warplanes and identified vacuum missiles as being used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]