Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4227

Incident date

December 4, 2019

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

As many as three civilians, including two children and one teacher, were killed, and up to 11 civilians, including four children and women, were injured in a series of alleged airstrikes carried out by either the Syrian or Russian airforce which targeted the city of Saraqib on December 4th, 2019. The strikes hit residential areas and caused significant destruction to homes and local businesses, according to local reports.

Several sources reported that Sukhoi Su-22 warplanes were used in the strikes. Sources reported that up to six missiles struck the city, while others said that aircraft dropped its “full payload”. Our Syria, @Ahmad_1alshble and others, specified that vacuum bombs were used in the attack. Almost all of the sources said the Syrian regime was responsible for the strikes. One source, Shaam News Network, reported that Russia “carried out very violent raids” in Idlib during the same period, including in Saraqib.

Ayman al Omar, 6, from Al Naqeer village in southern Idlib was killed, according to SN4HR and others. Another source, Husam Ahmad Saloum, gave the victim’s name Ayman Mohammed Khaled and said he was 4-years-old.

The Smart News Agency reported that two children died in the strikes. Step news agency reported that a “civilian working as a teacher” was also killed alongside a child.

Most sources put the number of injured in the attack at between 10 -11. One source, Step News, said that “dozens” were injured.

Ten people were injured in the strikes, according to MMC, “most of them in serious condition”. In an Al Jazeera Arabic video report about the incident, three children, one girl and two boys, could be seen to be pulled from under the rubble. The report mentioned that eleven people were wounded, including 4 children. Three children were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to Smart News Agency.

Three sources corroborated the names of persons injured in the attack. One source, Justice organization, also provides the age and gender of the victims: Ahmad Al-Omar, 12 years old (M), Mohammad Obeidin, 60 years old (M), Samah Ghannoum, 18 years old (F), Fatima Kafr Tony, 5-year-old (F) and Imad Qadouni, 40 years old, (M). The source, Abu Muhammad Al Shamee, provides the names of four additional people injured: Marah Al Omar, Ahmed Obaidin Deeb Sheikh Deeb, Qasim Al-Omar and Abdul Karim Al-Omar.

An Al Jazeera report stated that the attack took place in the evening, whilst video filmed shortly after the attack show the event took place during daylight hours.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Obeidin محمد عبيدين
60 years old male injured
Samah Ghannoum سماح غنوم
18 years old female injured
Fatima Kafr Tony فاطمة كفر طوني
5 years old female injured
Imad Qadouni عماد قعدوني
40 years old male injured
Ahmad Al-Omar عبدالكريم العمر
12 years old male injured
Marah Al Omar مرح العمر
Age unknown injured
Ahmed Obaidin Deeb Sheikh Deeb أحمد عبيدين ديب الشيخ ديب
Age unknown injured
Qasim Al-Omar قاسم العمر
Age unknown injured
Abdul Karim Al-Omar عبدالكريم العمر
Age unknown injured
Ayman ايمن العمر
6 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (44) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (54) [ collapse]

  • An image uploaded following a series of alleged airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. The strike was allegedly carried out by regime or Russian aircraft. Caption: "The moment the Su-22 warplanes targeted the city of Saraqeb in the eastern countryside of Idlib, which resulted in the death of a martyr and several wounded" (Uploaded via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on the city of Saraqib, Idlib province on December 4th, 2019. (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Saraqib, uploaded with caption "Saraqeb today" on Dec 4th, 2021 (Uploaded by @alepman1)
  • The aftermath of a series of alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on the town of Saraqeb on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded by @anasanas84)
  • The aftermath of a series of alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on the town of Saraqeb on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded by @anasanas84)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two young boys are seen being carried by first responders following a series of airstrikes by regime or Russian jets that targeted Saraqib on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded by @mahmoudalbakor1)
  • First responders review damage from a series of alleged regime or Russian airstrikes in the town of Saraqib on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded by Ebaa)
  • Damage in the town of Saraqib following a series of alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded by Ebaa)
  • Damage in the town of Saraqib following a series of alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded by Ebaa)
  • Damage in the town of Saraqib following a series of alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded by Ebaa)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    First responders rescue injured people from the rubble following a series of alleged airstrikes carried out by regime or Russian aircraft on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded by muawiya.hasn.aga)
  • Destruction in the town of Saraqib following a series of alleged airstrikes carried out by regime or Russian aircraft on December 4th, 2019. (Uploaded on muawiya.hasn.aga)
  • First reponders are seen in the city of Saraqeb following a seried of alleged airstrikes perpetrated by regime or Russian aircraft on December 4th 2019. (Uploaded by Central Referral Ambulance System)
  • First reponders are seen in the city of Saraqeb following a seried of alleged airstrikes perpetrated by regime or Russian aircraft on December 4th 2019. (Uploaded by Central Referral Ambulance System)
  • An injured person is transported from the scene of an airstrike in the city of Saraqib, Syria on December 4th, 2019. The strike was carried out by regime or Russian aircraft. (Uploaded by Central Referral Ambulance System)
  • An injured person is transported from the scene of an airstrike in the city of Saraqib, Syria on December 4th, 2019. The strike was carried out by regime or Russian aircraft. (Uploaded by Central Referral Ambulance System)
  • First reponders prepare to evacuate an injured person from the scene of an alleged airstrike carried out by regime or Russian aircraft on December 4th, 2019 in Saraqib, Syria. (Uploaded by Central Referral Ambulance System)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (44) [ collapse]