Incident Code

RS1263

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misreen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: R1151)

Up to 15 civilians (10 of whom were named) died and as many as 35 more were wounded in airstrikes on Maarat Misreen, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed the Syrian regime for the event – though there were also allegations against Russia.

Syria News Desk – who blamed Moscow – provided the most detail on the incident. It reported: “The death toll from Russian strikes on Maaret Misreen – which is under the control of the opposition – rose to 15 people, including children, with more than 35 wounded.

“The media opposition activist Ammar Hashim told Syria News Desk that the two raids targeted Corniche Road and the fuel market in the town. Bodies were burnt and there were amputations. The injured were taken to hospitals and medical points in the region by the civil defence. There was significant damage to property and the burning of dozens of cars”.

Sadaltwhed also blamed Russia, though put the death count at 11.

However, the majority of sources – including Alsouria, CDS, SMO and RFS – attributed the incident to the regime. Cluster bombs were reportedly used in the attacks.

There was some confused reporting from the Syrian Network for Human Rights: in an initial tweet, it alleged that Russia was responsible – but went on to accuse “government forces”.

A number of other sources, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, didn’t identify the culprit. The Observatory also put the death toll at 15, including”three from one family and four others from another family”.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee – who blamed “warplanes” – put the number killed at 13, and named 10 victims.

Victims

Invidivuals

Ahmad Al-Absi Badleh
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Bitar
Age unknown male killed
Taghreed Badleh
Age unknown killed
Hala Al-Khaled
Age unknown killed
Khiro Alolo
Age unknown killed
Samer Hamwi
Age unknown killed
Mahroos Al-Khaled
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Abdullah Nadaf Ibrahim Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Mahroos Khaled
Age unknown male killed
Wasim Bitar
Age unknown killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilians reported killed
10–15
4 Men
Civilians reported injured
12–35

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Maarat Misreen (معرة مصرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.012172,36.673049. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (5)