(Previous Incident Codes: R2278RS2422)

Between 15 and 39 civilians including up to nine children were killed and dozens more were wounded in a what local media called a ‘horrific massacre’ when alleged Russian airstrikes hit al-Huwayj crossings on the Euphrates river in the town of al-Boulial on September 10th 2017, local sources reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the ‘massacre was carried out by Russian planes, which provide[d] air cover for the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them.’

Abu Ayman al-Ali told 7al News that warplanes bombed a waterway while civilians were on boats and transport ships and trying to cross to the other side.

The AFP and Geroun  added that nine children were among the dead, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that ’13 children and women were killed’.

Euphrates Post said nineteen bodies were identified by name, while the rest were unmarked charred bodies. Six bodies reportedly floated downstream and were lost. The bodies were all buried in the Tomb of Tel Harem.

Twenty-three boats and transport ships were destroyed in these strikes, Sharqiya Voice reported.