Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1484

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

‏التمانعه‬, al Tama, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.458501, 36.747808 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children died when a cluster bomb exploded in Al Tama village, Idlib, local sources reported – though it was unclear which belligerent had dropped the bomb.

According to LCCSY, two children, both aged 13, “were martyred and three other civilians wounded were reported when remnants of a cluster bomb dropped by Russian warplanes exploded in Tama”.

Russia; @RadioAlKul also blamed Russia.

Many sources didn’t identify who had dropped the cluster bombs. According to Halab Today on October 21st, “regime and Russian planes have intensified their raids on the cities and towns of Idlib province during the last 24 hours”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Adnan Suleiman
13 years old male named by LCCSY killed
Amjad Ali
13 years old named by LCCSY killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of al Tama (‏التمانعه‬), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.458501, 36.747808. 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
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]