Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2494

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5816284, 36.9212293 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians were killed and “dozens” more  were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Sarja in rural Idlib South, local media reported. Some sources said that the strikes originated from Russian ships in the Mediterranean, while others pointed to warplanes.

Idlib Media Centre reported “the death  of three martyrs and dozens of wounded as a result of the bombing of Russia aircraft carrying out 10 strikes in the outskirts of the town of Sarja in Jabal al-Zawia”.

Al Latamna Youth Group put the death toll at five and also blamed Russia.

According to Al Aan TV, “nine civilians were killed and others were wounded, including children and women, as a result of the bombing by Russian warplanes and boats in the Mediterranean of cities and towns of the southern countryside of Idlib.”

Other sources, including the Violations Documentation Centre, published names of non-civilians who were killed. The Step News Agency noted that “a Russian air raid targeted the headquarters of Souqour al Sham in the town of Siraj in Jabal al-Zawiya, killing four of its members and injuring six others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a victim of the alleged Russian airstrikes against Sarja on September 22nd, 2017 (via Al Latamna Youth Facebook)
  • An alleged Russian airstrike hits Sarja, Sept 22nd.
  • A strike hits Sarja, Sept 22nd.
  • Translation: "The targeting of civilian houses in the village of Siraja by vacuum and concussion bombs, resulting in 5 civilian martyrs and a large number of wounded"
  • Translation: "more than 15 injuries as a result of the targeting of the village of Sarga by Russian air and ballistic missiles."

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]