Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1440

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what local media referred to as a “massacre”, up to 50 civilians died and as many as 51 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes which hit a popular vegetable market and residential buildings in Aleppo’s Al Ferdos neighbourhood.

Halab News listed 45 bodies as a result of the strikes, with other reports stating that the market was attacked when it was full of hundreds of people going about their shopping and daily life.

Reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the raids, though several noted that Russian warplanes returned after the initial attack and struck again as the civil defence were attempting to rescue tens of people from under the rubble.

Media outlets published numerous images depicting widespread destruction to the area, along with graphic photographs of victims – including children – being treated in medical facilities.

Aranews, All4Syria, the Smart News Agency and the Step News Agency were among many sources attributing this event to Moscow. Death counts varied from eight to more than 14 – though Baladi gave the highest death toll of 50 non-combatants.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially blamed “government warplanes and its allies”, though subsequent reports pointed to “suspected Russian forces”.

However, Albouzizi and the Syrian Press Center blamed the Assad regime, as did the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which referred to “an aerial bombing and shelling by regime forces”.

Halab News named 3 victims and listed 42 civilian fatalities as unidentified, saying they were killed “following Russian enemy raids with bunker busting missiles on al Ferdos neighbourhood”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Walid al Thalji
Child killed
Rimas al Thalji
Child killed
Khaled al Thalji
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • (2–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–51
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (37) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets at the scene, in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Fardous, Oct 12th (via Spm-syr news)
  • An image showing the market which was destroyed in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Fardous, Oct 12th (via Spm-syr news)
  • An image showing the market which was destroyed in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Fardous, Oct 12th (via Spm-syr news)
  • Damage caused by the alleged raid on 12th October 2016. (via Spm-syr news)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilian casualties are covered up in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid which hit Al Fardous on 12th October 2016. (via Albouzizi)
  • An image showing damage to the infrastructure following the alleged raid. (via All4Syria)
  • Women are seen crying in the streets following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Fardous vegetable market. (via Syrianpc)
  • A man amongst the rubble in Al Fardous following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smart News)
  • A man clearing the rubble in Al Fardous following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smart News)
  • A man amongst the rubble in Al Fardous following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smart News)
  • A member of the White Helmets searches the rubble in Al Fardous following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smart News)
  • The aftermath of the targeted attack on the market in Al Fardous. (via Smart News)
  • A man amongst the rubble in Al Fardous following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smart News)
  • Civilians stand amongst the rubble in Al Fardous following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smart News)
  • Moments after the alleged raid on 12th October 2016. (via Syrian newsdesk)
  • A news bulletin documenting the alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Fardous. (via JisirTV)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians receive medical care following raids on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians receive medical care following raids on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians receive medical care following raids on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians receive medical care following raids on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • A civilian sat in the rubble in shock following an alleged raid which killed 45-50 people. (via AMC)
  • Civilians attempt to clear up the rubble in the aftermath of the incident. (via AMC)
  • A civilian sat in the rubble in shock following an alleged raid which killed 45-50 people. (via AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Fardous. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians receive medical care following raids on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians receive medical care following raids on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians receive medical care following raids on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians receive medical care following raids on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded man revives medical treatment in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded man revives medical treatment in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded man revives medical treatment in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded man revives medical treatment in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via AMC)
  • An image of the market which was struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes. (via YasserAl-Ahmad)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded man revives medical treatment in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Fardous which killed between 45 and 50 people. (via YasserAl-Ahmad)
  • An image of the market which was struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes. (via YasserAl-Ahmad)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via YasserAl-Ahmad)
  • An image of the market which was struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes. (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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • (2–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–51
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (37) [ collapse]