Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4114

Incident date

October 23, 2019

Location

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

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed on October 20th 2019 by fragments from an unexploded cluster bomb, that was dropped earlier by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes in the city of Ma’aret Al Numan, as reported by several local sources. It is unclear when the bomb was dropped.

Mostafa Abo Abdo said that the explosion took place in front of the victim’s house.

Justice Organisation identified the man as Najm Deeb Al Asfar (Abu Diab) and stated on Facebook that the incident occurred in the southern neighbourhood of the city. The victim was reported injured initially but was later said that he had died.

The Syrian Network of Human Rights commented on the incident by stating on Facebook that they have previously highlighted that remnants of weapons pose a threat to civilians and that special equipment is needed to help civilians remove explosive remnants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Najm Deeb Al Asfar, who was killed in an explosion of remnants of a cluster bomb on October 20th, 2019, that was left earlier in an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrike on Ma’arat Al Nu’man (via Justice Organisation on Facebook).
  • Photo of Najm Deeb Al Asfar, who was killed in an explosion of remnants of a cluster bomb on October 20th, 2019, that was left earlier in an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrike on Ma’arat Al Nu’man (via SNHR on Facebook).

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]