Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS4490

Incident date

February 27, 2020

Location

شلخ, Shalakh, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, including up to four women and a child, were reported to have been killed and others were wounded by alleged Russian or regime air strikes in the village of Shalakh on February 27th, 2020.

A tweet from @almo3tasem91 stated that five “martyrs, including four women and a child” were killed in the village of Shalakh.  A tweet from @zaitunagency noted that three women and a child were killed by a bombing raid from Assad forces planes. Al-Jisr Tv correspondent reported that three women and a child were killed. A tweet from @EyadHoms20 noted “a number of wounded” along with the four civilians who were killed. Edlib News did report that five people were killed, including four women and a child, but Idlib TV reported that the death toll was four, with three women and a child. The majority of posts, from Ssyrian2011, Bsklaa16 and Ali Albd detailed the deaths of four civilians. The four names were later identified as Mrs. Maryam Shaaban Dweik, Mrs. Aisha Mustafa Shaaban Dweik, the wife of Safwan Shaaban Dweik and the daughter of Maryam Shaaban Dweik, with no ages given. A post from Rahmoo123 described four civilians killed through an air raid, while Freedom Press noted “five martyrs” along with “many wounded”.   A report from Alaraby News reported a series of bombing raids from Russian planes targeting civilian areas, with five people killed in Shalakh.  This number contrasted with the number reported to be killed. Shaam News reported that Syrian Defense Forces removed the bodies of four women and a girl from rubble in Shalakh.

The area of Shalakh was an area with a significant civilian population.

Smart News cited the Directorate of the Civil Defense in Idlib Governorate, Firas Khalifa, stated that Russian warplanes conducted the deadly raid while other sources attributed the strikes to the regime.

The incident occured at 15:48:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mrs. Maryam Shaaban Dweik السيدة مريم شعبان دويك
female killed
Mrs. Aisha Mustafa Shaaban Dweik السيدة عائشة مصطفى شعبان دويك
female killed
The wife of Safwan Shaaban Dweik السيدة زوجة صفوان شعبان دويك
female killed
Daughter of Maryam Shaaban Dweik ابنة مريم شعبان دويك
female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children1–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Airstrikes on the village of Shalakh in the northern countryside of Idlib on February 27, 2020. (Image posted by @our_syria)

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
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children1–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (42) [ collapse]