Incident Code

RS4055

Location

حيش, Heesh , Idlib, Syria

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: R3832)

Two to three civilians, including a child, were reported killed in airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on August 20th, 2019.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that “a man and a child” were killed “as a result of Russian raids on the village of Heesh”. The same source elsewhere reported the death of three in the attack.

Syria.liveuamap documented that “two men and a child were killed in Haysh and Madani village near Kafranbel due to Russian raids.” @MasarPressAgency and Syrianoor also reported that two men and a child were killed.

Almost all sources attributed the attack to Russian forces except @Step_Agency, which attributed the strikes to regime helicoptors bombing Heesh with “barrel bombs.”

 

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
2–3
1 Child, 1–2 Men

Military Statements

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