Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4303

Incident date

January 15, 2020

Location

السوق الشعبي, Local market, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that between seven and 22 civilians including a child and a volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) were killed, and between 50 and 80 were injured, with most of them in critical conditions, when allegedly Russian forces or Syrian regime forces allegedly targeted with airstrikes the busy local market (Souq al-Hal) and the industrial area in Idlib, Syria on January 15th, 2020. The airstrikes also caused damage to civilians’ properties.

This happened four days after Russia and the Syrian regime declared a ceasefire in Idlib.

According to Shaam News, “Russian and Asad warplanes and helicopters launched intense and violent airstrikes. This appears to be the announcement of the end of the fragile truce that lasted only four days, as the aircraft committed a massacre in the city of Idlib, killing 19 martyrs and injuring dozens, among them women and children”.

Abdul Qadir Muhammad Rajab, Obaida Qutai’, Ahmed Muhammad Aswad,  Adnan Sheikhouni, Maher Sheikhouni, Muhammad Shadi al-Asaad, Ali Muhammad Ali Al-Atrash, Omar Na`es, Alaa Al-Muhammad, Omar Zidan, Zakaria La’la’, Ahmed Al-Zein and Farouk Afara were killed in the incident.

The Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib said “Today, January 15th, 2020, we say goodbye to our hero Volunteer “Shadi al-Asaad”, as a martyr after Idlib attacks by Assad’s warplanes. After years of sacrifice, we will not forget your work, your words and all the beautiful memories with you. Rest in peace.”

Edlib Media Center posted saying “There are dozens of martyrs and wounded due to raids by the war regime on Idlib city.” The source later updated the numbers raising the death toll to “19 martyrs and dozens of wounded” – killed by “missiles from warplanes”.

Also according to SMART Agency “The head of the Documentation and Information Department of a hospital in Idlib city, Abdul Razzaq Ghafir, said that 19 civilians, including a child and a civil defense member were killed and 70 others, including children and women, were wounded in an initial outcome, as a result of shelling by regime warplanes on the industrial area in the eastern side of Idlib.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on the industrial area in east of Idlib city, causing a massacre and severely destroying a number of the industrial shops, on January 15th.” @HadiAlabdallah added that strikes also occurred at Al-Hal Market. @shamalmjd1 also referred to Souq al-Hal and al-Sina’a neighborhood as being affected by the bombing.

Syrian Human Rights Committee provided details that “Hal Market, which sells vegetables and fruits in bulk; It is located near the well-known Mihrab roundabout in Idlib city, and is a few meters away from the industrial area. The industrial area is densely populated, while Souq al-Hal is a non-residential area, but it was crowded and at peak time when the bombing occurred. The bombing led to significant material damage to the shops in the market, and the industrial ones in the industrial area.”

@Mamoun_sy, @ShahbaPress and @so_ria98 blamed Russia for the incident, while Macro Media Center, Syrian Civil Defense Idlib, SMART agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the Syrian regime. Shaam News and @mohmad_rasheed blamed both.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

The victims were named as:

Adult male Syrian Civil Defense Volunteer killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 22
  • (1 child12 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50–80
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (77) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (73) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation "Martyrdom of seven civilians at least. while many others got injured as a result of Russian airstrikes that targeted a market in Idlib city".
  • Location of the market that was targeted with an airstrike in Idlib, on January 15th, 2020 (via @mohmad_rasheed).
  • The destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the main market in Idlib city on November 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the Market in Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Civil Defense and Civilians trying to rescue civilians who were victims of the alleged Russian airstrikes on the market of Idlib city on January 15th 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the Market in Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • The destruction and damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the main market in Idlib city on November 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • The destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the main market in Idlib city on November 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • A van massively damaged by alleged Russian airstrikes on the market in Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damage caused to cars and vans in the market of Idlib city after alleged Russian airstrikes on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • A van hugely damaged by alleged Russian airstrikes on the market in Idlib on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • "Aerial photos showing the damage caused by the airstrikes that targeted the industrial zone in the city of Idlib, which resulted in the death toll of 15 martyrs and more than 60 wounded, most of them in critical condition." (via MMC)
  • "Aerial photos showing the damage caused by the airstrikes that targeted the industrial zone in the city of Idlib, which resulted in the death toll of 15 martyrs and more than 60 wounded, most of them in critical condition." (via MMC)
  • "Aerial photos showing the damage caused by the airstrikes that targeted the industrial zone in the city of Idlib, which resulted in the death toll of 15 martyrs and more than 60 wounded, most of them in critical condition." (via MMC)
  • "Aerial photos showing the damage caused by the airstrikes that targeted the industrial zone in the city of Idlib, which resulted in the death toll of 15 martyrs and more than 60 wounded, most of them in critical condition." (via MMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: "Harsh scenes +18 a horrific massacre committed by Assad's warplanes in the market of the city of Idlib, killing 15 martyrs and dozens of wounded." via MMC
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteer Shadi Al Asa'ad allegedly killed by Assad warplanes on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • SCD volunteers on duty responding to civilian casualties in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteer carrying a civilian injured or killed in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SCD volunteers on duty responding to civilian casualties in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SCD volunteers on duty responding to civilian casualties in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers trying to put off fire caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers on duty responding to civilian casualties in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers on duty responding to civilian casualties in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers trying to put off fire caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers trying to put off fire caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on the market in Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers on duty responding to civilian casualties in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers on duty responding to civilian casualties in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers on duty responding to civilian casualties in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib city's market on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • SCD volunteers trying to put off fire caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Many innocent people including a White Helmet's volunteer were killed in a horrific massacre after the regime's warplanes attacked #Idlib city this afternoon . With broken hearts, our teams worked to rescue, pull bodies and extinguish huge fires." (via SCD).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the market of Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the market of Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the market of Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the market of Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • Civilians reported killed and injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on the market of Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SCD volunteers rescuing civilians injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on the market of Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SCD volunteers rescuing civilians injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on the market of Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib city center on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A human arm separated from a body after the alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib, on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020. (Copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • SCD volunteers responding to the results of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020. (Copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • SCD volunteers responding to the results of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020. (Copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • SCD volunteers responding to the results of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020. (Copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians injured and killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020. (Copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians injured and killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Idlib on January 15th, 2020. (Copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • "SNHR: Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on the industrial area in east of Idlib city, causing a massacre and severely destroying a number of the industrial shops, on January 15"
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the market in Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of people killed in the alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes in the market of Idlib city on January 15th, 2020 (via SN4HR)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @Wesal_TV)
  • Aerial view of the Destruction caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad_Fisall)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Medical professional treat those injured in airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Expatriate Medical Association)
  • Medical professional treat those injured in airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Expatriate Medical Association)
  • Medical professional treat those injured in airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Expatriate Medical Association)
  • Fires caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Human Rights Committee)
  • Fires caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Human Rights Committee)
  • Rescue workers helping those injured by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Human Rights Committee)
  • Fires caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Human Rights Committee)
  • Fires caused by airstrikes on Idlib City on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Human Rights Committee)

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    7 – 22
  • (1 child12 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50–80
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (77) [ collapse]