Incident Code

RS4068

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6477913, 36.6591881
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: R3845)

Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 22nd.

Edlib Media Center cited “two martyrs and several wounded, as a result of the regime’s helicopter bombardment with explosive barrels on the southern neighborhood of Ma’rat Al-Nu`man city.”

Meanwhile, Syria Civil Defense stated that “three civilians were killed and seven others were injured, including two women, after six helicopters targeted residential neighborhoods in Ma’rat Al-Nu`man city in Idlib countryside last night with explosive barrels.”

Macro Media Center initially reported two fatalities, yet this figure rose to three, including a girl, in later reports from this same source. A tweet from Zaitun Agency also reported that the death toll rose to three after the death of a child.

A tweet from @ufuk_sy also referred to two civilians killed and several wounded, in addition to the outbreak of fires, from bombarding that lasted for more than an hour.

Justice organisation named those killed as Kawkab Hassan Shaarawy, Wasel Ahmed Aldrees and Ali Khaled Al Shallah.

A tweet from @Ahmad_1alshble named those injured as Hussein Khaled Al-Shalah, Ahmed Ali Al-Hassan, Ibrahim Al-Shalah, Naim al-Hassan, Khaled Shaarawi, Kawkab Shaarawi (who later died), and Muhammad Al-Shaarawi.

A video posted by @EyadHoms20 shows the moment the bombs struck Ma`arat Al Nu`man and also referred to the strikes as barrel bombs. Videos posted by @AboAhmedSY8 and @anasanas84 shows the fire that resulted from the strike. Videos posted by Orient TV shows White Helmets rescuing people from the rubble and the destruction caused by the strikes.

Sources predominantly attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, yet a number named Russian forces in reports of the incident and some sources referenced both.

 

Victims

Family members (3)

Age unknown male injured
Age unknown male injured
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown male injured
Age unknown male injured

Family members (2)

Age unknown male injured
Age unknown male injured

Invidivuals

Kawkab Hassan Shaarawy
Age unknown killed
Wasel Ahmed Aldrees
Age unknown male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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, 2 Men
Civilians reported injured
6–7
2 Women

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ma`arat Al Nu`man (معرة النعمان), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.6477913, 36.6591881. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

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

Media From Sources (17)