Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1326

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and 12 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Bab city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. There were allegations against Russia, the Syrian regime and one against the US-led Coalition. A number of sources noted that they had been unable to identify the warplanes that carried out the strikes.

The lowest death count was give as six civilians by Enabbaladi, who, like many other sources, noted that “dozens more” civilians were wounded. This sources blamed the Syrian regime, as did Radio Alkul and Aletihad Press. @24Aleppo also attributed the event to Assad, reporting that warplanes fired four vacuum missiles on the city.

However, the Smart News Agency – who put the death toll at 11 – was among a number of sources attributing the incident to Moscow.

One source, Ara News, pointed towards the US-led Coalition, and gave the highest death count of 22 civilians. It said that “fighter jets belonging to the international coalition targeted a number of residential sites in the city and killed 22 people, injuring dozens more”.

@albab_city noted “the martyrdom of one of the heroes of the civil defense in the city Al Bab”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Khaled Ahmed Al Naama
Adult male Member of The White Helmets killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Burnt out vehicles on a street in Al Bab, allegedly struck by Russian warplanes, Sept 23rd (via Aletihadpress)
  • Halab Today reports the death of 12 civilians following "air raids" on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Shahed Ayan reports that casualties resulting from the "air raids on al bab" had risen to 20. 23rd September 2016
  • Syrian Reporter reports 20 dead as a result of "air raids" on al Bab, including a member of the civil defence. 23rd September 2016
  • Aleppo 24 reports 12 dead and dozens under the rubble following alleged regime strikes on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Masar Press reports that 12 were killed and dozens injured as a result of warplane shelling on the city of al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • ElEtihad press reports raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Aleppo Media Centre reports ten killed including women and children in warplane shelling on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Step news reports 12 killed in air raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Radio Al Kul reports 12 killed 'most of them women and children' in alleged Regime raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported no strikes near Al Bab city for September 22nd, 23rd or 24th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]