Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1518

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died and between four and ten were wounded after a series of three cluster missile attacks were carried out against the city of Maarat Misrin, according to local media. The majority of sources have assigned responsibility to Syrian regime planes but LCCSY and Syria Idlib Today alleged that Russian warplanes carried out the attacks. In addition, Moussa al Assa’ad, an armed leader of the FSA, and the Fath al-Sham Front, blamed the US-led coalition as being responsible for the attack.

In a statement released following the strikes, Fath al-Sham alleged ”the criminal world sponsor, America’s injustice and tyranny have targeted one of our Mujahideen centers in Maarrat Misrin.”

Those killed in the attacks were alleged by Sky Souria to be members of Jabhat Al Nusra.

The Holy Defence Network reported that the raids were a response to attacks that alleged militants had carried out in al Fo’a and Kafriya.

Video footage published by the Idlib White Helmets shows badly injured people being removed from the rubble and loaded into emergency vehicles. According to Syrian News Desk, they were swiftly transported to medical units in the town. 

An on the ground source said that cluster bombs were used in this raid, however other sources such as RadioAlKul reported that surface missiles were used. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adel Abu Mohammad al Ansari
Age unknown male named by Moussa al Assa’ad killed
Abu Hamza al Masri
Age unknown male named by Moussa al Assa’ad killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment the alleged airstrike hit Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via The Holy Defence Network)
  • The exact moment the alleged airstrike hit Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via The Holy Defence Network)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage showing people being rescued and dug up from the rubble in the dead of night in the aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via Idlib white helmets)
  • Footage showing just moments after the airstrike hit Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via Union Activists Revolution)
  • Footage showing the alleged plane which dropped bombs on Maarat Misrin, 2nd November 2016. (via Union Activists Revolution)
  • Rough translation: "On Wednesday 2nd November 2016 the protector of international crime the oppressive America targeted one of the centres of al Mujahidin in Maarat Misrin in the Idlib countryside which destroyed the place completely killing all the mujahidin who were inside. The most notable of the martyrs were: -Adel Abu Mohammad al Ansari -Abu Hamza al Masri [administrator] May god receive them in his paradise. This targeting complements the role played by Russia in bombing and destroying and supporting Bashar’s regime." (via Moussa al Assa’ad)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Maarat Misrin (معرة مصرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36,012172, 36,6730499. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 November 1st – 30th 2016.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

CJTF–OIR for November 1, 2016 – November 2, 2016 reported that "Coalition military forces conducted no strikes in Syria".

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]