(Previous Incident Codes: R3604RS3818)

In what local sources described as a “massacre”, up to 13 civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Benin on June 19th, 2019. Multiple sources reported that more than 10 civilians were wounded.

Step News and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that at least seven civilians were killed and that 10 civilians were injured, while other sources such as Smart News Agency reported a higher death toll, claiming that 11 civilians were killed and three civilians were wounded. According to Syria.liveuamap, a total of 12 civilians were killed, including three children, in addition to six injured civilians. Hussin Al Shaw reported 13 fatalities.

@AleppoAMC tweeted: “Seven civilians were killed and others were wounded, with airstrikes on the village of Benin in the southern countryside of Idlib, a short while ago.”

@Sy_Reporter wrote: “Twelve martyrs and a number of wounded as a result of the bombing of the town of Benin in the countryside of Idlib, with high-explosive bombs.” Most sources reported that there were “more than 10 wounded”. @abuhuzaifa_ wrote “dozens” were wounded.

Smart News Agency posted a video of the aftermath of the attack that can be viewed on their website but is not available for distribution.

@mohamadsalomala wrote that the airstrikes took place at 5:38 pm, blaming the Syrian regime. The White Helmets said the strike “targeted shops and a main road in the town” and their teams were available to recover the bodies of those killed and help the injured.

Manahi Al Ahmed wrote on Facebook that Abdel Moneim Subuh Al Quoud was among the victims. Al Quoud reportedly spent more than four years in Syrian regime imprisonment and was released a few months before his death. He reportedly died alongside his nephew Bilal Omar Al Qaoud.

While most sources, such as Smart News Agency and the Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that the Syrian regime had been responsible for the airstrikes, others, such as Shaam News Network, blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.