Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Between five and eight civilians, including children and women, were killed and “dozens” were left wounded following heavy aerial shelling in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia, local sources reported. There were reports that a popular market as well as homes in the town were struck.
The reported death toll ranged from five to eight – and most of the sources mentioned that children and women were among the victims.
At least one male child was killed as described by many sources and supported by images. The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the child by name as the child of Ibrahim Hamdawi.
Additionally, the Violations Documentation Center Syria identified one adult male as killed.
While the civil defence reported “several” wounded, most sources said that as many as “dozens” were injured, including women and children.
The strikes hit the main street of the city, multiple sources reported.
Sherif Ismael, a member of the Civil Defense told Baladi News that “the civil defence and rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene of the bombing. They worked to recover the bodies, rescue the wounded, lift the rubble and open the roads. The raids left a lot of damage to private and public property, and fires broke out in the shops.”
Most sources apportioned blame to the Syrian regime and many reports provided details about the explosives it had allegedly used.
Sherif Ismael from the Civil Defense described the warplanes as the type of Sikhwi 22 belonging to the regime forces. Madar Daily said the Syrian regime engaged rocket-propelled grenades.
However, Russian culpability cannot be ruled out as several sources identified Russia as the responsible, including @AJArabic and Zaiton Mag.
Step News Agency pointed in one report to the Syrian regime and in another, to Russian forces.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the village of Kafr Sajneh (كفرسجنة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.5261134, 36.5813398. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Summary
Sources (25) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]
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The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
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The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
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The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
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The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
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The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
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The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
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The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
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One child, identified as Omar, was reportedly among the victims caused by airstrikes carried out by Russia or the coalition in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017 (via The Syrian Network for Human Rights)
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Russian Military Assessment:
Original strike reports
The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.