Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

R4316 IRS008 YS105

Incident date

June 12, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5112804, 36.851089 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Exact location (via Airwars)

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and others were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or Russian airstrikes on agricultural lands in the outskirts of Afrin on June 12, 2021.

According to Macro Media Center, “a civilian was killed and others were wounded as a result of the bombing of the PYD PKK gangs with missiles on the city of Afrin”. Shaam News also reported that one civilian was killed in the incident.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the SDF and PKK. However, Mazloum Abadi, the head of the SDF, issued a statement: “We strongly condemn the bombing by the Russian forces of the city of Afrin, which is overcrowded with civilians.”

The incident occured at 5:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 Armed Forces, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Image of the agricultural lands outside of Afrin that were bombed on June 12, 2021. Image shows "the moment civilians fled during the bombing of the #PKK militia, on the city from their lands where they were working." (Image posted by @Gurbtwatan)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin (عفرين). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to an area just west of the city, for which the exact coordinates are: 36.5112804, 36.851089.

  • Reports of the incident mention the city of Afrin (عفرين). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to an area just west of the city.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged satellite imagery according to sources.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Gurbtwatan

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
  • Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 Armed Forces, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

Sources (8) [ collapse]