Incident Code

R4483

Location

خربة الناطور, Kharebt Al Natour, Idlib, Syria

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

On November 3rd 2022, two to three civilians, including two young men and a woman, were reportedly olive picking when they were injured by a land to ground missile, loaded with “internationally prohibited cluster bombs” as a result of alleged Syrian regime or Russian action.  The attack happened on forests and farms on the Khirbet Al Natour road, west of Idlib, Syria.

Most sources attributed this strike to Russia, although the Syrian Civil Defense and Shaam News attributed it both to the Syrian regime and Russia and therefore this is reflected in the Airwars archive as a contested event.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “Russian forces stationed in northern Hama countryside have fired two Russian-made Toshka missiles loaded with cluster bombs, targeting the perimeter of Idlib central prison and the western forests of Idlib province.” Syria TV reported that the same day in other local areas, “the observatories suggested that the long-range missiles were launched from a Russian warship in the Mediterranean off the coast of Tartus, while other observatories reported that the missiles were launched from Russian bases in the Hama and Latakia countryside.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported injured
2–3
0–1 Women, 2 Men

Military Statements

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

Media From Sources (10)