Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3703

Incident date

May 21–22, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان , Ma'arat al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty incident, between nine and 12 civilians including a child died and up to 50 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on a popular market in Maarat al Numan, according to sources on the ground. Eight of those killed were identified, and the ninth one was identified as a ‘young man from Hama.’

Orient News said the raids targeted Al Korniche street in Ma’arat Al Nu’man.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was among a number of sources blaming Russia. It put the death toll at 12 with 18 more wounded, adding that the death count was likely to rise due to the severity of injuries.

The lowest death count was given at seven civilians with 40 more wounded by Orient News, who joined multiple other reports in attributing blame to the regime.  Later, @Halid_Kutayni65 Tweeted that 50 people were wounded.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, ” at least nine civilians, including a child, were killed as Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired two missiles on local market in the main square known as al Masqed al Kabir square in the middle of Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on May 22, 2019.” SN4HR added that two civilians were also killed “near al Kabir Mosque in the middle of Ma’aret al Numan.

Geiroon quoted Ghayath al-Daher, a media activist in Ma’arat al-Nu’man: “The L39 warplanes targeted the densely populated Corniche Street in the city of Ma’arat al-Nu’man with several air strikes with high-explosive rockets, killing 11 Civilians in an initial toll. Most bodies were turned to pieces – and 20 other were wounded, many extremely seriously. There was extensive destruction to residential buildings and shops.”

Ariha Today said that vacuum rockets were used in the attack.

Shahba Press noted that the raids happened “after midnight.”

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (1 child8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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 (46) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (37) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Maarat al Numan, May 21st-22nd.
  • The aftermath of alleged regime airstrikes on Maarat al Numan, May 21st-22nd.
  • Footage of the aftermath of alleged regime airstrikes on Maarat al Numan, May 21st-22nd.
  • Translation: "#Russian air raids on #Marat_Numan city in the southern countryside of #Idlib There are 11 dead"
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene following strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22 (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene following strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22 (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene following strikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22 (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction following the strikes on a popular market in Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21-22 2019.
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime strike on the market in Ma'arat Al Nu'man, May 21st (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (via IdlibPlus).
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (Mohammed Ghorab via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (Mohammed Ghorab via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 21st, 2019. (Mohammed Ghorab via MMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A body of a civilian killed in alleged airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man can be seen on the ground on May 21st, 2019. (SNHR via MMC)
  • Airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market on May 21st 2019 killed and injured civilians and led to huge destruction. (via Shaba press).
  • Airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market on May 21st 2019 killed and injured civilians and led to huge destruction. (via Shaba press).
  • Airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market on May 21st 2019 killed and injured civilians and led to huge destruction. (via Shaba press).
  • Airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market on May 21st 2019 killed and injured civilians and led to huge destruction. (via Shaba press).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic content on the alleged Russian airstrikes n Ma'arat Al Nu'man
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Alleged Russian airstrikes killed civilians and led to severe damage in Ma'arat Al Nu'amn on May 21st, 2019. (Almaaralover via MMC).

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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (1 child8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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 (46) [ collapse]