Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3613

Incident date

April 1, 2019

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian died and up to four other civilians (including a father and his two children) were wounded in an alleged Assad regime or Russian artillery bombardment of Kafar Zeita on the afternoon of April 1st, local sources reported.

According to Smart News, Russian forces conducted heavy artillery shelling on the cities of Latamna and Kafar Zeita from their positions in Al Kabaryih and Hilfaya.

However, most other sources including Kafar Zeita TV and Orient News blamed the Syrian regime. Kafar Zeita TV reported that “the city was hit by artillery and rocket fire from the regime’s positions in the Sheikh Hadid and Deir Maharada camps with 15 shells.”

Several sources reported the use of rocket launchers, although Syrian Network for Human Rights referred to the use of missile launchers.

Jorf News gave some context: “For about two months, the regime has continued to bombard the demilitarized zone declared in the countryside of Idlib, Hama, Lattakia and Aleppo under the Sochi Agreement signed between Russia and Turkey, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties and the displacement of thousands.”

The incident occured between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The girls Noura and Sidra Satouf al Mustafa were injured along with their father during shelling on Kafr Zita city on April 1st (via SN4HR).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Abdul Rahman al Ra’ee was killed during shelling on Kafr Zita city on April 1st (via SN4HR).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The girls Noura and Sidra Satouf al Mustafa were injured along with their father during shelling on Kafr Zita city on April 1st. A man named Mohammad Abdul Rahman al Ra’ee was killed (via @abuhuzaifa_).
  • Video showing the arrival of the Syria Civil Defense teams to evacuate the body of the victim following shelling on Kafar Zeita on April 1st 2019 (via the Syrian Civil Defense team).
  • Syria Civil Defense team evacuating victims of shelling on Kafr Zeita on April 1st (via Syria Civil Defense).
  • Smoke circling up after shelling struck Kafr Zeita on April 1st (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al - Raai killed during shelling on Kafar Zeita on April 1st 20-19 (via Kafar Zeita TV).
  • Shelling on Kafar Zeita on April 1 2019 (via Mahmoud Al Hamwi).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One man was killed and a father and his two . daughters injured during shelling on Kafar Zeita on April 1st 2019 (via @in_sham_hashm_).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defense pulling a body from under the rubble after shelling struck Kafar Zeita on April 1st 2019 (via Orient News).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A body under the rubble in KafarZeita on April 1st 2019. (via @in_sham_hashm_)
  • Civilians including children injured after attacks on KafarZeita on April 1st 2019 (via @in_sham_hashm_)

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (26) [ collapse]