Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

TS468

Incident date

April 19, 2021

Location

صيدا, Sayda, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

32.6290749, 36.2233829 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians were injured in alleged Turkish artillery shelling on the village of Saida in Ain Issa on April 29, 2021.

According to Almasirah, “a number of civilians were injured as a result of the Turkish occupation forces and their mercenaries… with artillery shells on the perimeter of the town of Ain Issa.” The artillery shells struck “the population centers in the village of Saida and the vicinity of Ain Issa town and the roads leading to it,” resulting in injuries and damage to homes and property.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “the bombardment targeted a petrol station on the western outskirts of Ain Issa, which injured three people and burned down an oil truck.” Turkish forces had also reportedly shelled similar areas the day before, April 18th, but no casualties were claimed.

Various other sources also reported that alleged Turkish shelling occurred in residential areas and caused injuries and damage to property, but did not identify how many civilians were injured. All of the sources attributed the shelling to Turkish forces or pro-Turkish factions.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: a number of civilians were injured as a result of the Turkish occupation forces and their mercenaries from the takfiri groups with artillery shells on the perimeter of the town of Ain Issa. (Image posted by Almasirah)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a petrol station in the village of Sayda  (صيدا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Akeerbat are: 32.6290749, 36.2233829.

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
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]