Incident Code

RS4414

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: R4170)

Between one and two civilians, including a child, were reported killed and four civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured as a result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz in the northeastern countryside of Idlib on February 5, 2020. The majority of sources reported that during the attack barrel bombs were dropped out of helicopters.

Regarding civilian harm, Ayham Steif and thawrat111 tweeted that the attack on Taftanaz resulted in multiple deaths. However, most sources reported only one civilian casualty, a girl, that the Syrian Network for Human Rights identified as Aalaa Alaa Rahhal.

Reporting on wounded civilians varied. A number of sources, including Al Jisr TV, said that several civilians sustained injuries, most of them children. According to Smart News, three children and a woman got wounded, while @FdzPWRe6ruGFPd tweeted that four children were injured. Three sources reported that the attack on Taftanaz resulted in four civilian injuries without any further specifications.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the airstrikes on Taftanaz. @EyadHoms20 attributed the attack to the Syrian Armed Forces stating that “[h]elicopters of the regime [targeted] with barrel bombs the city of Taftanaz in the northern Idlib countryside”, while others referred to Russia as having carried out the strikes. According to Nafeza Media, both Russia and the Regime were involved.  It stated that “Russian occupation aircraft and helicopters of the Assad militia launched dozens of missiles and barrel bombs on the town.”

Victims

Invidivuals

Child female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1–2
1 Child
Civilians reported injured
4
3–4 Children, 1 Woman

Military Statements

Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (9)