Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1200

Incident date

August 30, 2016

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Masreen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.023266, 36.680113 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 10 civilians died and up to 35 more were wounded in airstrikes on a popular vegetable market in Maaret Masreen, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. However, most sources agreed that cluster bombs had been used in the attack, which resulted in widespread destruction and graphic scenes as The White Helmets attempted to rescue survivors.

According to LCCSY, “Assad aircraft targeted the vegetable market in Maaret Masreen with cluster bombs. This resulted in the death of seven civilians, in the initial count, with dozens more wounded – some seriously”.

The Smart News Agency and Syrian Press Center also blamed the regime.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially pointed to “government warplanes” and its allies – putting the death toll at five – but later blamed solely Russia for the strike on “Souq Al Hal”, adding that the death toll had increased to six, with “about 30 more wounded”.

Shahed-ayan, Ara News, RFS Media Office, Smo-syria, Al Jazeera and @BNN_2016 also attributed the event to Moscow.

The highest death count was given at 10 civilians by Jisrtv.

A number of other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a vegetable market in Maaret Masreen (معرة مصرين). Analysing audiovisual material from sources, Airwars has narrowed down the location to the following coordinates: 36.023266, 36.680113.

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    الدفاع المدني السوري _ المديرية الوسطى

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    الدفاع المدني السوري _ المديرية الوسطى

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    الدفاع المدني السوري _ المديرية الوسطى

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–35
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage showing civilians - both wounded and dead - following the raid on a fruit and vegetable market in Maarat Masreen. (via, White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid of Maarat Masreen. (via, SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously injured casualties lying on the floor of an overcrowded medical facility following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid of Maarat Masreen. (via, Shahed-ayan)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously injured casualties lying on the floor of an overcrowded medical facility following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid of Maarat Masreen. (via, Rfsmediaoffice)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man in the back of a truck following an alleged raid. (via Smart News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid of Maarat Masreen. (via, LLCSY)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Maarat Masreen. (via, JisirTV)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Maarat Masreen. (via, SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–35
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]