Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS376

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

طلف, Talaf, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.9116252, 36.5593243 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to ten non-combatants were reported killed and a number wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Talaf in the Hama countryside, according to local sources.

Fatality claims ranged widely, from one to ten civilians killed. The local Hama Media Centre later issued a video report in which it interviewed local activist Abu Rayan:

Rayan: The Russian bear targeted us we were sitting peacefully and a rocket landed, there is no FSA here only civilians, look around you.

Q: Who was injured?

Rayan: Children

Q:are the children from Daesh?

Rayan: Yes the children aged four and five years old we moved from here are from Daesh (sarcasm).”

That said, small arms fire can be heard from the town at the time of the airstrike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Talaf (طلف), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.9116252, 36.5593243. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • An interview with a local civilian by the Hama Media Centre regarding the alleged Russian raids. (via, Hama Media Centre)
  • Footage showing the destruction to civilian homes in Talaf. (via, Hama Media Centre)
  • A video of the raid in the exact moment that the airstrike fell. (via, Abu Obeida Khuzaymah)
  • Footage showing the internal destruction to residential homes. (via, Hama Media Centre)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A deceased baby which was discovered in the rubble in the aftermath of the raid which struck Talaf. (via, Hama Media Centre)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously graphic footage of the leg of an injured man. (via, Abdalbarey Mstfa)
  • A news bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian raids which killed civilians in Talaf. (via, Al Jisir)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]