Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS414

Incident date

February 25, 2020

Location

عقيبة, Aqiba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.437500, 36.968333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from the same family, including a woman and a child, were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on Aqiba village in Afrin’s Sherawa district in the night of February 25th, 2020, according to local sources.

ANF reported that Seroşet Mihemed Hesen (12), Fatma Ali (46) and Hesen Izet Mihemed (55) were killed in the night of February 25th, 2020, in an “attack by the Turkish army and allied mercenaries”.

@Karl_hakon reported that the family was killed as the house they were in was targeted. In addition, he reported three wounded.

ANF reported that “thousands of people from Afrin and Shehba gathered before the Avrin Hospital in the Fafin district of Shehba before moving to the cemetery of martyrs in a long convoy”.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

12 years old female killed
46 years old female killed
55 years old male killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Aqiba (عقيبة) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.437500, 36.968333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Thousands of people reportedly came to the funeral of three civilians that were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Aqiba on February 25th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • A convoy during the funeral of three civilians that were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Aqiba on February 25th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • Thousands of people reportedly came to the funeral of three civilians that were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Aqiba on February 25th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • A crowd during the funeral of three civilians that were killed in alleged Turkish artillery strikes on the village of Aqiba on February 25th, 2020 (via ANF).
  • The victims of the alleged Turkish artillery strike: Fatma Ali (left), Hesen Izet Mihemed (right) and Seroşet Mihemed Hesen (below) (via @HesenHoseng).
  • The bodies of the victims after alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Aqiba, Aleppo governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via @Karl_hakon).

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]