Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2821

Incident date

December 28, 2017

Location

الصرمان, Al Sarman, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.606005, 36.852539 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians were killed, and six others were wounded – including women and children – in airstrikes which struck Al Sarman. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters receiving allegations.

There is some confusion over how many civilians were killed. The Violations Documentation Centre published the names of an adult female and a male child. Fresh-Syria News, however, reported that two women were killed.

Some sources reported that three civilians were wounded, while others reported as many as six were wounded. Both agree that women and children were included.

More than one source reported that explosive barrel bombs were used in the airstrikes which were dropped by helicopters, meaning that regime involvement can’t be ruled out.

According to Al Etihad Press, “military and helicopter gunships launched a heavy bombardment of southern Idlib on Thursday [December 28th], which could be described as the heaviest attack on the region in months.”

@mohamed1aldaher reported that 19 civilians were killed on the 28th in various locations in Idlib.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]