Airwars assessment
On February 4th, 2020 media activist Amjad Aktalati (“Amjad Abu Al-Joud”) and another civilians were killed in the town of Ariha, the victims of an aerial bombardment alleged to be carried out by Russia.
HalabToday TV tweeted that Ariha was struck by an alleged Russian airstrike, a claim also stated by a tweet from @saveIdlib. @saveIdlib also noted that Amjad Abu Al-Joud was “one of the last people to leave the city of Ariha”. Baladi News reported that “Aktalati” was “martyred as a result of bombing by Russian warplanes” upon a highly civilian neighborhood. @ibnqasuoon tweeted that Aktalati’s body “was still under the rubble” at the time of its report. After twelve hours, his body was finally removed, according to Smart News. Information from Baladi stated that the media activist was born in 1989, hailing from Idlib and living in Ariha. He worked for Mercy Without Borders, the Syrian Civil Defense, and Miraj Media Production Company.
Ariha Today and Syrian Network for Human Rights also noted that another civilian, Fadi Rahhal was also killed in the same incident and was covered under the rubble for a long period of time.
On February 5th, Syrian Civil Defense reported that residential neighborhoods were struck allegedly by Russian warplanes, destroying residential buildings.
Various news agencies and activists noted that this attack was carried out by Russian warplanes.
The incident occured around dawn.
The victims were named as:
Summary
Sources (18) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]
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Photographer and media activist Amjad Aktatali was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
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Syrian Civil Defence volunteers standing in rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on Ariha, February 3rd, 2020 (via Ariha Today).
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Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering victims from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD). -
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Syrian Civil Defence volunteer recovering a victim from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD). -
Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a body after recovering the victim from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).
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Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering victims from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).
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Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
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Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
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Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
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Photographer and media activist Amjad Aktatali was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via @shaamnews).