Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2315

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

مخيم الحقاف, Hakaf Camp, Sweida, Syria

Geolocation

33.002185, 36.710386 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this incident, described as a “massacre”, between ten and 20 civilians, including children and women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian or Assad-waged warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Hekaf Camp, Sweida, local media reported.

Several airstrikes reportedly hit on the afternoon of July 2nd Haqaf camp in Sweida, which is home to displaced Syrians. al-Araby reported that Russian-waged warplanes had dropped cluster bombs. 

Sources reported between ten and 20 civilian casualties. The highest death toll was given by Zaman al-Wasl, who cited Saad al-Haj, head of the Information Office, who said that between 16 and 20 civilians had been killed.

But most sources reported about 16 fatalities, including three to four children and three to six women. The Violation Documentation Centre (VDC) identified 16 victims by name, three male children, six women and seven men.

Among the victims was the al-Shu’ail family, who, according to Smart News, was from the al Hadia clan.

Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while a smaller portion blamed the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Enab Baladi attributed blame to both.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Family members (9)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Some of the victims following the the contested airstrikes in Hekaf, Sweida, July 2nd, 2017 (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 June 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]