Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2890

Incident date

January 12–13, 2018

Location

خان السبل, Khan Alsubul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 11 civilians were reported killed in what has been described by local media as a “massacre” on Khan Alsubul. As many as 17 civilians were also claimed wounded in the raids, which occurred in the middle of the night whilst civilians slept. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame fo the raids. Some sources blamed Russia, others the Syrian regime, while some blamed unidentified “warplanes”.

As many as five children were killed in the raid, as well as three women.

The residential homes which were “targeted” were destroyed in the night due to the heavy raids which fired down on the vicinity. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence worked until dawn recovering bodies and wounded victims from the rubble before transporting them to medical facilities.

“Dozens” of rockets were used, according to local media.

Hazem Salibi, a Civil Defence volunteer, said that at 11:30 pm, Russian warplanes launched raids on the town of Khan al-Sabeel. “We went directly to the execution site and worked to retrieve the martyrs and the wounded,” he said, adding that “the scene was very harsh, the remains of the martyrs of children, women and old people were filling the place.”

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (3–5 children1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Unknown

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded and dead civilians in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Hadi Abdullah)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • Civilian rescues in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via RFSMO)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A dead child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Shaam)
  • Civilian rescues in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Horrya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A dead child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (3–5 children1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Unknown

Sources (19) [ collapse]