Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

R4299

Incident date

March 5, 2021

Location

الحمران, Al Hamran , Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.631991, 37.772713 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer were killed, up to 42 others injured, and one civilian went missing as a result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling with surface to surface missiles on oil refinery stations in Tarhin and Hamran villages in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. The Syrian Civil Defence referred to the targeted area as ‘fuel market’. The injured civilians endured burns as a result of the fires, as it took the Civil Defence volunteer teams more than 19 hours to put the fire off.

In the total toll of those killed and injured, Syrian Civil Defence said that four people were killed including a civil defence volunteer and 42 injured, 38 in Al Hamran and 4 in Tarhin.

The shelling caused huge fires which consequently led to the explosion of an oil tank killing the Syrian Civil Defence volunteer Ahmad Al Waki who was among the team working to put off the fires. Ahmad is a father of two children who are not older than 4 years. Local sources also named a missing civilian as Ahmad Al Junaid Al Barho from Marran village.

Syrian Civil Defence posted images and videos showing their volunteers respond to the fires and trying to put them off. The fires erupted in the oil refinery stations in Tarhin and fuel tanks that crossed through Hamran crossing.

The Syrian Observatory mentioned that over 180 oil tanks were burned and between 30 people were killed and injured. Step News said the losses calculated of the attacks amounts to 6 million dollars. “200 trucks were burned, 20 of them loaded with oil, in addition to the burning of 15 tanks and 4 oil burners, with losses estimated at 6 million dollars, as a preliminary outcome.” SCD said that the area was reportedly targeted with 7 missiles (Three Tochka missiles loaded with Cluster Bombs) and another 4 Tocka and Surface to Surface missiles also loaded with Cluster Bombs. More than 200 oil tankers were destroyed and 2 SCD vehicles were damaged during the efforts to put out the fire.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that “Russian warplanes stationed near the Syrian coastline fired three surface-to-surface missiles near an oil market and oil refineries close to Al-Hamaran area in Jarabulus in north-eastern Aleppo. ” However, the source accused the Syrian regime of responsibility for attacking Tarhin. “everal rockets, believed to be fired from regime military barracks in Aleppo, hit refineries in Tarhin in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, which resulted in the outbreak of large fires in the area.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights provided some details on the incident. “Russian carried out two synchronous attacks using long-range missiles on the eastern suburbs of Aleppo governorate. The first attack took place at 19:05 targeting the crossing at al Humran – a square where tanks loaded with fuel were gathered – in the area on the dividing line between the territories controlled by Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian National Army in eastern Aleppo governorate. The bombardment resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians and the injury of 23 others, in addition to the burning of dozens of tankers in the area. Less than an hour later, at 20:00, the same forces carried out another attack on the area against a group of fuel burners – rudimentary refineries used in refining operations for crude oil – in Tarhin village in the south of Jarablos city, also in eastern Aleppo governorate, resulting in the death of a Civil Defense member, named as Ahmad al Waki, while he was extinguishing fires that broke out in the area, as well as putting two emergency vehicles out of service.”

Shaam Network said “The Assad forces and the Russian forces targeted the fuel market in the Hamran area in the countryside of Jarablus city, and the oil burners in the village of Tarhine in the countryside of Al-Bab city, with surface-to-ground missiles, which led to the outbreak of huge fires. To put out the fires, three civilians were also killed and 27 others were wounded in the area.”

At the start, the Syrian Civil Defence said that the missiles source is unknown but later accused Russia and the regime for responsibility.

Step News correspondent said that the oil trucks belong to Ahrar Al Sharqiya  and that most workers in the refinery belong to Ahrar Al Sharqiya.

The incident occured between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male SCD volunteer killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–42
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (51) [ collapse]

  • Huge fires erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers responding to huge fires that erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers responding to huge fires that erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers responding to huge fires that erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Fires that erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Ahmad Al-Waki, a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer was killed while participating in putting off fires that broke out in oil refinery stations in Tarhin as a result of shelling. A fuel tank exploded and killed Ahmad. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Volunteers of the Syrian Civil Defence resting during their efforts to put off fires in the oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD).
  • Funeral of Ahmad Al Waki, SCD volunteer who got killed while responding to fires in oil refinery stations in Tarhin/Hamra in Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Funeral of Ahmad Al Waki, SCD volunteer who got killed while responding to fires in oil refinery stations in Tarhin/Hamra in Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Funeral of Ahmad Al Waki, SCD volunteer who got killed while responding to fires in oil refinery stations in Tarhin/Hamra in Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Funeral of Ahmad Al Waki, SCD volunteer who got killed while responding to fires in oil refinery stations in Tarhin/Hamra in Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Translation: Pictures taken by SY24 correspondent show the effects of the fires that afflicted a makeshift fuel refinery in the town of Tarhin in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, as a result of yesterday's ballistic missile strikes.
  • Aftermath of huge fires caused by shelling on oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @Sy24ria)
  • Aftermath of huge fires caused by shelling on oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @Sy24ria)
  • Aftermath of huge fires caused by shelling on oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @Sy24ria)
  • Aftermath of huge fires caused by shelling on oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @Sy24ria)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: Pictures of a number of civilian casualties as a result of the Iranian Russians targeting the Tarhin and Al-Hamran areas in the Jarablus countryside.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: Pictures of a number of civilian casualties as a result of the Iranian Russians targeting the Tarhine and Al-Hamran areas in the Jarablus countryside.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of shelling that led to a fire in oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Jarablus on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Translation: Pictures of a number of civilian casualties as a result of the Iranian Russians targeting the Tarhin and Al-Hamran areas in the Jarablus countryside.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian shelling on oil refinery area in Hamran, Aleppo. (via @ZaitunAgency)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian shelling on oil refinery area in Hamran, Aleppo. (via @ZaitunAgency)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian shelling on oil refinery area in Hamran, Aleppo. (via @ZaitunAgency)
  • Unidentified injured man in Jarablus hospital. (via Al Bab FB)
  • Satellite images by Associated Press of the location where missiles hit oil refinery stations in Jarablus.
  • Satellite images by Associated Press of the location where missiles hit oil refinery stations in Jarablus.
  • Satellite images by Associated Press of the location where missiles hit oil refinery stations in Jarablus.
  • Ahmed Al-Junaid Al-Barhu from the village of Maran went missing due to the bombing on Al-Hamran village. (via Abd Al Ghani Al Ahmad)
  • Syrian Defence volunteers surveying the area that was a target of regime or Russia shelling in Tarhin to clear it of any exploded ordinances. (via SCD),
  • Syrian Defence volunteers surveying the area that was a target of regime or Russia shelling in Tarhin to clear it of any exploded ordinances. (via SCD),
  • Syrian Defence volunteers surveying the area that was a target of regime or Russia shelling in Tarhin to clear it of any exploded ordinances. (via SCD),
  • Syrian Defence volunteers surveying the area that was a target of regime or Russia shelling in Tarhin to clear it of any exploded ordinances. (via SCD),
  • The outcome of the targeting by the regime and Russia, on March 5th evening evening of the villages of Tarhin and Al-Hamran, east of Aleppo, with missiles carrying cluster bombs. (via SCD)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the oil refineries of Al Hamran (الحمران) for which the exact coordinates, as reported by the Associated Press are: 36.631991, 37.772713.

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–42
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (32) [ collapse]