Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4068

Incident date

August 22–23, 2019

Location

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

Geolocation

35.6477913, 36.6591881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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.

 

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • Image caption translation: "Three civilians were killed and seven others were injured, including two women, after six helicopters rotated to target residential neighborhoods in Ma'rat Al-Nu`man city in Idlib countryside last night with explosive barrels. Our teams were there with civilians." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Image caption translation: "Two martyrs and several wounded civilians due to shelling with helicopters with explosive barrels in the southern neighborhood of Ma'rat Al-Nu`man city of Idlib countryside" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image caption translation: "Two martyrs and several wounded civilians due to shelling with helicopters with explosive barrels in the southern neighborhood of Ma'rat Al-Nu`man city of Idlib countryside" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image caption translation: "Two martyrs and several wounded civilians due to shelling with helicopters with explosive barrels in the southern neighborhood of Ma'rat Al-Nu`man city of Idlib countryside" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image caption translation: "Two martyrs and several wounded civilians due to shelling with helicopters with explosive barrels in the southern neighborhood of Ma'rat Al-Nu`man city of Idlib countryside" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image caption translation; "Martyrs in the city of Maaret al-Nu'man rise to 3 martyrs, including a girl child as a result of helicopters bombing residential neighborhoods in the city" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image caption translation; "Martyrs in the city of Maaret al-Nu'man rise to 3 martyrs, including a girl child as a result of helicopters bombing residential neighborhoods in the city" (via Macro Media Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image caption translation: "Ali Khaled al-Shalah, from Ma'aret al-Nu'man city of idlib countryside, killed as a result, Assad regime helicopters dropped explosive barrels on the city" (via Justice Organisation)
  • An image posted by Oshak w mohbi ma`arat Al nu`man on Facebook of Wasel Ahmad al-Drees, who was killed by alleged regime airstrikes against the city of Maarat al-Nu`man on August 22/23, 2019.
  • Image translation: The bombing of the city with barrel bombs led to three martyrs and several wounded 1- The martyr Ali Khaled Al-Shalah 2- The martyr Wasel Ahmad al-Drees 3- The martyr Kawkab Hassan Shaarawi (Image posted by Habibti Ma`art Al nu`man via Facebook)

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 type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]