Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3963

Incident date

July 27, 2019

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 13 civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib, on July 27th, 2019 according to local sources. The airstrikes targeted the western neighborhood and a popular market, and France 24 reported that the airstrikes targeted two residential buildings.

Members of two IDP families from Sinjar and Ma’aret Al-Nu’man were reported killed in the airstrikes. @abdalwhab761 said that the father of one of the families said that he lost 11 members from his family, when asked by a journalist. It is unclear whether they all belong to this incident.

One of the children, Adham badawi, died on July 28th of his injuries sustained as a result of this airstrike.

Zaman Al-Wasl said that the airstrike led to demolishing some houses on the heads of its residents. Syrian Civil Defence said their volunteers pulled bodies of civilians out of the rubble. Local sources expected the real number of victims to be higher as many residents were trapped under the rubble.

Although initial sources cited much lower figures (three), the numbers of those killed rose to nine then thirteen as understanding of the events unfolded – with nine fatalities named by Ariha Today. Of those killed, four to seven were children. A further 22 to 40 were injured in the incident, 22 of whom were named by Ariha Today.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least 11 civilians, including seven children and a woman, were killed as Syrian regime warplanes fired several missiles on al Gharbi neighborhood in Ariha city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on July 27.”

Ariha Today documented “11 martyrs and more than 30 injuries, mostly children and women, as a result of the airstrike targeting the residential neighborhoods of the city, among the martyrs were displaced people from the area of Sinjar.”

SY-24 raised the death toll to 13, while NPA Syria said that more than 40 others were injured.

Sources accused the Russian forces and/or  the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.

Zaman Al-Wasl  quoted Walid Aslan, the commander of the civil defense sector in the city of Ariha as saying that ” a warplane belonging to the Assad forces carried out a surprise raid with high explosive missiles this afternoon in the center of Ariha in an area that is considered the most densely populated, which led to the destruction of many homes above the heads of its residents.”

@aboalhodaalhoms tweeted a video commenting “Horrific and cruel scenes from the Ariha massacre today in Idlib countryside, which was committed by the Russian warplanes as if it were a resurrection. New war crimes added to Russia’s criminal record.”

@SyrianCoalition wrote that “there is no justification for international non-action to stop this genocide except the moral fall of the international community.”

The time of the incident is unclear as some sources reported it in the morning, and others in the afternoon.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Family members (4)

Family members (4)

Family members (3)

Family members (4)

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 13
  • (5–7 children1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (45) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (72) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption Translation: "Two casualties and dozens of injuries in the initial toll of an air strike on Jericho in rural Idlib, and Civil Defense tries to rescue those trapped under the rubble." (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Two casualties and dozens of injuries in the initial toll of an air strike on Jericho in rural Idlib, and Civil Defense tries to rescue those trapped under the rubble." (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Two casualties and dozens of injuries in the initial toll of an air strike on Jericho in rural Idlib, and Civil Defense tries to rescue those trapped under the rubble." (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • Image Caption Translation: "international terrorism over our children # Jericho # Idleb led by # Russia and the # Assad terrorist regime. There is no justification for international non-action to stop this genocide except the moral fall of the international community." (via @SyianCoalition)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image Caption Translation: "international terrorism over our children # Jericho # Idleb led by # Russia and the # Assad terrorist regime. There is no justification for international non-action to stop this genocide except the moral fall of the international community." (via @SyianCoalition)
  • Image Caption Translation: "international terrorism over our children # Jericho # Idleb led by # Russia and the # Assad terrorist regime. There is no justification for international non-action to stop this genocide except the moral fall of the international community." (via @SyianCoalition)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image Caption Translation: "international terrorism over our children # Jericho # Idleb led by # Russia and the # Assad terrorist regime. There is no justification for international non-action to stop this genocide except the moral fall of the international community." (via @SyianCoalition)
  • Image Caption: "at least 11 civilians, including seven children and a woman, killed as fixed-wing Syrian regime warplanes fired several missiles on al Gharbi neighborhood in Ariha city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on July 27." (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image Caption: "A body of a victim of the massacre in Ariha city in Idlib caused by Syrian regime bombing: Image showing a civil defense member carrying a child who was killed in fixed-wing Syrian regime warplanes bombing on al Gharbi neighborhood in Ariha city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, causing a massacre, on July 27." (via Syrian Network for Huamn Rights)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image caption translation: "URGENT: Rise of the martyrs to 11 martyrs in the city of Jericho # in the countryside of Idlib." (via @abuhuzaifa_)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Displaced from the town of Sinjar to Ariha # Today he lost five members of his family ... his wife and four children as a result of air raids on his house in the city of Jericho # Prev # Idlib" (via @abuhuzaifa_)
  • Image Caption: " More than 25 injured as a result of the air strike that targeted the city of Ariha" (via Ariha Today)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image Caption translation: "Three civilians were killed and 20 others were injured as a result of an air strike on civilian houses in the city of Jericho in the village of Idlib this morning." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption translation: "Three civilians were killed and 20 others were injured as a result of an air strike on civilian houses in the city of Jericho in the village of Idlib this morning." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption translation: "Three civilians were killed and 20 others were injured as a result of an air strike on civilian houses in the city of Jericho in the village of Idlib this morning." (via Syria Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image Caption translation: "Three civilians were killed and 20 others were injured as a result of an air strike on civilian houses in the city of Jericho in the village of Idlib this morning." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption Translation: "11 civilians, including five children, were killed and 22 others were injured in a horrific massacre carried out by the regime's aircraft against the residents of Jericho City in Idlib countryside this morning." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption Translation: "11 civilians, including five children, were killed and 22 others were injured in a horrific massacre carried out by the regime's aircraft against the residents of Jericho City in Idlib countryside this morning." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image Caption Translation: "11 civilians, including five children, were killed and 22 others were injured in a horrific massacre carried out by the regime's aircraft against the residents of Jericho City in Idlib countryside this morning." (via Syria Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: Ariha Today

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: Horrific and cruel scenes from the Ariha massacre today in Idlib countryside, which was committed by the Russian warplanes as if it were a resurrection! New war crimes added to Russia's criminal record.
  • Caption translation: "You are all partners in killing our children." A message from a civilian after the Russian warplanes bombed Ariha this morning. # Idlib

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: He fled with his family from Ma`rat al-Nu`man to the city of Ariha to escape the bombing, so the Russian air force came to kill his five sons with their mother.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    This man and his family fled Ma'aret Al-Nu'man (or Sinjar as other sources said), only to lose his family including his wife and five children in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via @abdalwhab761).
  • Caption translation: The first moments of the warplanes targeting a popular market in the city of Ariha, south of Idlib, with an air strike.
  • Caption translation: Eleven martyrs in Ariha today. Renewed massacre led by Russia on the bodies of people and their homes in revenge for its military defeat in Idlib and Hama This man in the picture lost all of his family today Peace be upon you, O great Syria .. Wounded Syria.
  • Caption translation: Aerial photos of the aerial bombardment on the city of Ariha in the Idlib countryside, and these raids killed nine civilians and a number of wounded.
  • Caption translation: This man is from Maarat al-Nu`man. He fled to Ariha to save his family from the bombing in his city. Russia and Assad planes killed his family: his wife and 5 children, in Ariha 7/27-2019.
  • Caption translation: The journalist asked him: Why are you crying, do you have someone under the rubble !? He said: My whole family, 11 members. The interview is over. Idlib - Ariha 07-27-2019
  • SCD volunteers on the ground after alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019 that led to deaths and injuries among civilians. (via @abazeid89).
  • SCD volunteers on the ground after alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019 that led to deaths and injuries among civilians. (via @abazeid89).
  • A father who lost his whole family in airstrikes on Ariha is crying his loss. (via @abazeid89).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019 that led to deaths and injuries among civilians. (via @abazeid89).
  • Scenes of destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib on July 27th, 2019. (via @Sy24ria).
  • Scenes of destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib on July 27th, 2019. (via @Sy24ria).
  • Scenes of destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib on July 27th, 2019. (via @Sy24ria).
  • Scenes of destruction caused by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib on July 27th, 2019. (via @Sy24ria).
  • Aerial photos of the aerial bombardment on the city of Ariha in Idlib countryside, which led to killing and injuring a number of civilians on July 27th, 2019. (via @khalidaboalmjed).
  • Caption translation: Three martyrs and 20 wounded in a preliminary result, as a result of an airstrike by warplanes on civilian homes in the city of Ariha. Civil defense teams worked to aid the injured and recover the martyrs, and the search is still ongoing for survivors under the rubble.
  • Rubble removal after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Shaam).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Shaam).
  • Civilians on the rubble caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Shaam).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A Syrian Civil Defence holds the body of a child that was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Shaam).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Shaam).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Shaam).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SCD volunteers pulling a civilian out of the rubble caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Shaam).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SCD volunteers and civilians carrying the body of a civilian in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Shaam).
  • Aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Eldorar).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A body of what looks like a child pulled out of the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Eldorar).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A body of what looks like a child pulled out of the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Eldorar).
  • Aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Eldorar).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Fares Qaddah who was killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Abo Anis Al Homsi).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Fares Qaddah who was killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via Abo Anis Al Homsi).
  • Airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • Airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • Airstrikes on Ariha on July 27th, 2019. (via @SyrianCoalition)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a young man under the rubble of a destroyed house in the city of Ariha, near Idlib, in the north of the country, where nine civilians were killed and more than 28 were wounded, Saturday, July 27, 2019, with raids by Syrian regime warplanes on residential neighborhoods in the city. (Caption and image copyright SMART, published in the public interest).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man stands near the body of a young man among the rubble of a destroyed building in the city of Jericho, near Idlib, in the north of the country, where nine civilians were killed and more than 28 others were wounded, Saturday, July 27, 2019, as a result of raids by Syrian regime warplanes on residential neighborhoods in the city, coinciding with the flight of 12 warplanes Affiliated to Russia and the regime over Idlib Governorate. (Caption and image copyright SMART, published in the public interest).
  • A man carries the body of a civilian among the rubble of a destroyed apartment building in the city of Ariha, near Idlib as a result of Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).
  • A man carries the body of a civilian among the rubble of a destroyed apartment building in the city of Ariha, near Idlib as a result of Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).
  • Men and members of the Syrian Civil Defense carry the body of a man on a stretcher in the city of Ariha near Idlib after alleged Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrikes on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense near the body of a civilianو searching for victims among the rubble of a demolished apartment building in the city of Ariha in the aftermath of Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).
  • Civilians and members of the Syrian Civil Defense wrapped the corpse of a civilian in a cloth cover amid the rubble of a demolished apartment building in the city of Ariha, near Idlib ,as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest.)
  • Civilians and members of the Syrian Civil Defense wrapped the corpse of a civilian in a cloth cover amid the rubble of a demolished apartment building in the city of Ariha, near Idlib ,as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest.)
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense on top of the rubble of a residential building in the middle of a destroyed neighborhood in the city of Ariha, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest.)
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense on top of the rubble of a residential building in the middle of a destroyed neighborhood in the city of Ariha, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest.)
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense on top of the rubble of a residential building in the middle of a destroyed neighborhood in the city of Ariha, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest.)
  • A member of the Syrian Civil Defense on top of the rubble of a destroyed residential building near a number of officers and an ambulance in the city of Ariha, after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense try to climb over the rubble of a destroyed apartment building in the city of Ariha near Idlib, after Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).
  • A group of people stand on the balcony of a demolished apartment building near a man standing on the rubble of a destroyed building in the city of Ariha near Idlib on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).
  • A number of residents and civil defense personnel gathered with an ambulance in a destroyed residential neighborhood in the city of Ariha, near Idlib on July 27th, 2019. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 13
  • (5–7 children1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (45) [ collapse]