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Airwars Assessment
(Previous Incident Code: R230)
Between 16 and 34 civilians were killed and more than 100 injured in airstrikes on a fuel market in Ma’arat Al Nu’ssan, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.
The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched cluster bombs on the fuel market in three airstrikes, leading to the death of at least 30 non-combatants, most of whom were burnt in massive fires.
Activists told SNN that the warplanes targeted the middle of the market at a time when it was full of fuel dealers.
The network went on to note that “the fuel market in the town of Ma’arat al Nu’ssan is the largest commercial markets in the region, and it is a collection point for diesel coming from IS areas to the liberated areas and has been bombed previously by Assad causing significant massacres.”
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll lower, at 16, but added that it was likely to rise due to dozens being in critical condition and many people missing. They later put the death toll at at least 34. SN4HR said that the attack was carried out by Warplanes believed to be Russian.
The White Helmets posted a number of images of its members attending the scene and attempting to put out a fire. They stated that “warplanes” carried out the attacks but did not say who they belonged to. The death toll had risen to 20 with more than 100 wounded, they added.
But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least six” civilians were killed when regime missiles fired on the village.
Key Information
Geolocation Notes
Reports of the incident mention the town of Ma’arat Al Nu’ssan (معارة النعسان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.0353463, 36.8360242. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.