Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

R4403

Incident date

October 16, 2021

Location

الطريق بين باب الهوى وسرمدا, Road between Bab Al Hawa and Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.213399, 36.712567 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians were injured in the second incident of a ‘double-tap’ strike on the Sarmada, reportedly carried out by Russian or Syrian regime forces, on October 16th 2021. The strike represents a significant escalation of violence observed in the past month.

Details of the first incident are archived under incident R4402 on the Airwars site.

Syria Civil Defense described the incident: “Less than an hour after the first targeting, the regime forces and Russia bombed the area again, resulting in the injury of 10 civilians, and the outbreak of large fires in industrial facilities in the area”.

The first incident was reported to have killed at least four civilians, including the chief of police, and injuring at least 13 others – with some reported to be in critical conditions.

The incident occured during the day.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an industrial building being struck on the road between Bab Al Hawa border checkpoint (باب الهوى) and the city of Sarmada (سرمدا). Based on satellite imagery the coordinates of the exact location are: 36.213399, 36.712567.

  • Reports of the incident mention an industrial building being struck on the road between Bab Al Hawa border checkpoint (باب الهوى) and the city of Sarmada (سرمدا). Analyzing visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to exact coordinates.

    Date taken:
    September 16, 2020

    Imagery:
    Google

  • Tagged photo from sources.

    Date taken:
    October 16, 2021

    Imagery:
    Agence France-Presse

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 belligerents
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • First responders put out fires caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada October 16th 2021. Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • Smoke rises over Sarmada after alleged Russian or Regime strikes. Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • First responders put out fires in Sarmada after alleged Russian or Syrian strikes. Note this image is also included in R4403 - the first of the two strikes. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • First responders in the rubble of a building in Sarmada after alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes carried out two strikes on October 16th 2021. Note this image is also included in R4403 - the first of the two strikes. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • First responders try to put out fires in Sarmada after alleged Russian or Syrian strikes on October 16 2021; in the second stirke at least ten people were wounded. Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada October 16th 2021; Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • First responders try to put out fires after alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 belligerents
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]