Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS066

Incident date

October 21, 2015

Location

أبو خنادق, Abu al Khanadak, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.406795, 37.199541 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six people were killed – including four women – following an alleged Russian strike on civilian homes at Abu al Khanadak. The dead were later named by VDC.

Images obtained by Shaam showed significant damage at the site.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

  • Tamader Mohammad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan Adult female killed

Family members (1)

  • Faten Ahmad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan Adult female killed

Family members (1)

  • Abd al-Hai Ahmad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan Adult male killed
  • Radwan Rajab Al Mohamad Adult male killed
  • Zaeilah Faraj al Yousef Adult female killed
  • Najmeh Hosain al-Khaled Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Rescuers at scene of alleged Russian strike at Abuu, Oct 21 2015 (via SNN)
  • Rescuers at scene of alleged Russian strike at Abuu, Oct 21 2015 (via SNN)
  • Rescuers at scene of alleged Russian strike at Abuu, Oct 21 2015 (via SNN)
  • Photos from SNN of the aftermath of the bombing of Russian planes of civiian homes in Abu Al Khanadeq in the eastern countryside.

Geolocation notes (7) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that up to six people were killed in an airstrike in the village of Abu al Khanadak (أبو خنادق) in Hama. After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed this location down to a compound on the northwest outskirts of the village, for which the exact coordinates are: 35.406795, 37.199541.

  • Image from scene showing dense trees adjacent to building targeted in strike.

    Imagery:
    SNN

  • The groups of trees marked B, C, and D are progressively farther away from the viewpoint of the camera.

    Imagery:
    SNN

  • Although it's barely visible, the features marked F is a road leading away from the village.

    Imagery:
    SNN

  • The dense trees adjacent to the targeted building and the concrete roof are seen here in a satellite image.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite imagery shows the trees from the on-the-ground photo in a staggered pattern.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • The road barely visible in the witness image is seen here in an overhead shot. The compound targeted in the strike is to the bottom left of the red box.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing a close-up of the home targeted in the strike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate for October 21st-22nd 2015: “For the last 24 hours, the Russian Su-34, Su-24M, Su-25SM aircraft performed 53 combat sorties engaging 72 terrorist facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]