Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS206

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Location

الصورة, Sawara, Daraa, Syria

Geolocation

33.13, 36.52249 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six non-combatants including three children were reported killed and many injured in an alleged Russian (or possibly Assad regime) airstrike on Sawara, according to multiple sources.

Shaam News Network reported that five civilians (including three children) died in the attack, and that “a large number” were wounded.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Russian warplanes launched several rockets on residential houses, killing a total of six people: four civilians (including three children) and two armed opposition members. They stated that three houses were completely destroyed.

The Syria Media Organisation posted a video showing a correspondent visiting the site of the alleged raid. He said: “As you can see here are the signs of destruction in the town of Sawara after it was targeted by Russian Sukhoi planes. As you can see this is signs of destruction that happened over the heads of civilians. Look this way brother. Children have been pulled out from under the rubble. It took about an hour and a half to pull them out because the location was targeted by artillery shells. Look brother [speaking to camera man] at the total destruction of the house. Nothing escaped these raids, not children, not trees, nor birds or animals.”

The White Helmets posted a graphic video showing the remains of children being removed from the rubble.

Six victims were later named by the Violations Documentation Center.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Adult female Named by VDC killed
Child female Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC killed
Child female Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children3 men)
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets lift rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike on Sawara, November 28th (via White Helmets)
  • A crater and destruction left by the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime strike on Sawara, November 28th. (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime aviation which targeted Binch and killed an entire family. (via SMO Syria)
  • The destruction caused by the targeting of civilian homes. (via Ammar Al Zayed)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage showing the remains of children and other civilians after targeting of a civilian neighbourhood, 28th November 2015. (viaSCDdaraa)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hasan Ali Saad al Hareeri, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via VDC)
  • The White Helmets rescuing bodies from the rubble. (via, Daraa White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets help to clear up the rubble in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Daraa White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets rescuing bodies from the rubble. (via, Daraa White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia made no mention of strikes in Dara’a governorate for the week of November 26th–December 4th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children3 men)
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]