Geolocation
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.
Summary
Sources (27) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]
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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.
Russian Military Assessment:
Original strike reports
Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.