Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4061

Incident date

August 21, 2019

Location

البشيرية, Al Bashiriya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.853376, 36.405749 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians, including a child, were reported killed and between three and five civilians were injured in airstrikes on Al Bashiriya, Idlib, on August 21st, 2019.

One child was initially reported killed, yet as understanding of events unfolded, Jisr Media Center reported that “the death toll of the martyrs in the town of # Bashiriya [rose] to two martyrs after the death of “Abdul Raouf Haj Ibrahim” from his injury.”

The child killed was named Omar Hassan Rashwani by Jisr Media Center.

Various sources name the injured civilians as Khalil Ibrahim Haj Ibrahim, Shahd Abdel-Raouf Haj Ibrahim, and Izdehar Hujera.

A tweet from @FSLA2011 identifies the child Ahed Haj Ibrahim as being injured in the strike along with her two younger brothers, her mother, and her father was killed. She had “shrapnel wounds to her head and left eye, and the plane destroyed their home.”

Edlib Media Center, and Syrian Network for Human Rights, also reported “two civilian martyrs and several wounded after warplanes targeted Al-Bashiriya town west of Idlib with missiles” as well as Anadolu Agency reporting the death of two civilians. A tweet by @EyadHoms20 refers to women and children being among the wounded.

France24 reported that three civilians were killed, including a child.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported damage to al Bashiriya al Reefiya Primary School as a result of the airstrikes.

While initial sources cited three injured, @SyrianCoalition cited “five civilians wounded”. Jisr Media Center named four wounded, one of whom later succumbed to his injuries (as mentioned above).

Sources variously attribute the attack to Russian forces and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult male killed
Age unknown male injured
Age unknown injured
Ahed Haj Ibrahim
Child female injured

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Age unknown female injured

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Bashiriya (البشيرية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.853376, 36.405749. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Infrastructure
    Education
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Bashiriya town. (via Jisr Media Center)
  • Syria Civil Defense respond in the aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Bashiriya town. (via Jisr Media Center)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Bashiriya town. (via Jisr Media Center)
  • Syria Civil Defense respond in the aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Bashiriya town. (via Jisr Media Center)
  • Image of Ahed Haj Ibrahim, a child who was injured in airstrikes against Bashiriya, along with her mother and two younger brothers, and her father was killed. She has shrapnel wounds to her head and left eye, and the plane destroyed their home. (Image from @FSLA2011)

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
  • Infrastructure
    Education
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]