Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS801

Incident date

May 18, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen people or more, including up to ten children and seven women, were killed in airstrikes on Ar-Rastan during a second day of bombings on the town. Some sources blamed the Assad regime, with others only aying ‘warp[lanes’ were responsible.

Multiple sources said that 13 people from the Turkmani family had died in the raids.

Zaman Alwasl news reported that: “15 civilians were killed including 13 from the same family and majority are children and women. The victims were from Turkmani family:

Usama Turkmani and his wife Fadwa Diab and 5 of their children.

Usama’s sister, Shahira, and 5 of her children.”

According to Gulf Eye News, the family was hiding inside a shelter in fear of the bombing, yet the shelter was targeted by what was reportedly the Syrian regime.

All4Syria News also reported these names, but said that three of Shahira’s children had died.

Another name was reported by Homs Al Rastan. It posted a video (GRAPHIC) of a dead body, saying it was Kutayba Tarya. 

Myasar Hadidi posted a video on YouTube showing “a woman saying farewell to her children and family who were killed.”

Fifteen victims, killed by “Syrian government and affiliated militias” were named by the VDC.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 17
  • (8–10 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrike which destroyed residential places.
  • The fifth airstike in Rastan.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A woman mourning her children.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    casualties from the same family after the airstrike

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 17
  • (8–10 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]