Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2834

Incident date

January 2, 2018

Location

خان السبل, Khan Al-Subul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.753927, 36.770468 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported a “massacre” whereby as many and seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in Khan Al-Subul. Most sources blamed Russia, however some blamed the Syrian regime. A number of sources reported sighting warplanes but did not identify them.

The warplanes struck residential homes, according to local media, with seven consecutive raids, leaving an entire displaced family trapped under the rubble.

There were many wounded, including women and children, with members of the Syrian Civil Defence pulling victims and wounded from the rubble for hours after the incident due to the scale of destruction.

The wounded were, according to the Civil Defence, transported to local medical facilities.

Some sources specified the numbers of wounded, however others simply mentioned “dozens”. It is unclear how many civilians were wounded in the strikes.

One source showed a graphic image of a 40-day-old victim. Other images published showed dead children and wounded civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (4–5 children1–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Fires in the immediate aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Al-Subul, 2nd January 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in airstrikes on Khan Al-Subul, 2nd January 2018. (via @Halfaya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A 40 day old baby killed in airstrikes on Khan Al-Subul, 2nd January 2018. (via @jabalybaraa)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Al-Subul, 2nd January 2018. (via @Syriacivildefe)
  • Members of the Civil Defence search for victims in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Al-Subul, 2nd January 2018. (via @Syriacivildefe)
  • Members of the Civil Defence search for victims in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Al-Subul, 2nd January 2018. (via @Syriacivildefe)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in airstrikes on Khan Al-Subul, 2nd January 2018. (via @Hadialabdalla)
  • An injured child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Al-Subul, 2nd January 2018. (via Aswat-sy)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In an article published on January 30th 2018 Russia reported: ”crews of the Aerospace Forces of Russia had successfully performed 34,561 sorties. The Minister of Defence pointed out that the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, as well as the Su-24M, Su-34 and Su-35S short-range aircraft had proved to be efficient. The Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers delivered 66 strikes by cruise missiles, and each eliminated the assigned target. The Minister of Defence also stated that Russian UAVs provided complete control over the whole Syrian territory. The head of the military department paid attention to the significant contribution to the achievement of the operation made by the Navy. The naval surface forces carried out 171 combat missions. The ships and submarines carried out 100 high-precision attacks with the Kalibr cruise missiles. For the first time, the aircraft carrier "Admiral of the Soviet Union Fleet Kuznetsov" participated in combat operations. Due to high professional skills of deck aircraft, 1,252 terrorist objects were eliminated.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (4–5 children1–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]