(Previous Incident Code: R4143)

A Syria Civil Defense center in Saraqib, Idlib in Syria was put out of service allegedly because of Russian forces or Syrian regime  airstrikes that targeted it, injuring up to seven volunteers on January 31st, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on a building of Civil Defense (consists of headquarter of Saraqeb district and a Civil Defense center) in Saraqeb city in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate, injuring six members of Civil Defense, severely destroying its building and damaging its equipment on January 31st.”

Syrian Civil Defense said that “Our heroic #WhiteHelmets were keeping vigil at their center in #Saraqib sector in #Idlib when it was targeted by Russian airstrikes, rendering the centre out of service. Our six humanitarian workers were injured in the strike but recovering.”

Barrel bombs and vacuum missiles were launched upon the town of Saraqib according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The first report of four wounded was later raised to seven, and all were volunteers for the Syrian Civil Defense Center.

In the town of Saraqib, the Syrian Network for Human rights detailed how Russian missiles struck the command building of the Syrian Civil Defense Center. The building was largely destroyed and much of the equipment ruined.

It was reported that Russian fixed wing jets dropped barrel bombs and vacuum missiles upon Saraqib with the support of pro-Assad forces.