Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

YS111

Incident date

August 5, 2021

Location

حزوانحزوان, Hazwan near Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.408648, 37.404864

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and a further two injured after missiles reportedly struck vehicles in the village of Hazwan, east of Aleppo on August 5th, 2021. While most sources claimed the Syrian Democratic Forces were responsible, the Syrian Civil Defence said the missiles originated from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and regime forces.

The Syrian Civil Defence confirmed that one of their volunteers was among the injured. In a post, it wrote that one missile had targeted a crane car used in maintenance and the second hit an ambulance of the Syrian Civil Defense that had arrived on the scene. They noted that it originated from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and regime forces and Zaman Al Wasl added that the missiles originated from the members of the “SDF” militia stationed in the “Radar Shaala” area.

Zaman Al Wasl named the two civilians killed in the crane car as Mahmoud and Hassan Al Badi. Mohammed Al-Badi, who was reportedly accompanying them, was also injured, it said. Meanwhile @abualisar18 named Shihab Mahmoud Al Badi as one of the fatalities and not Mahmoud Al Badi. A social media user indicated that they knew both the deceased, noting that Hassan Al Badi and Mahmoud Al Badi were brothers.

Most sources said the deaths were caused by guided missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male One source who notes they knew the deceased reported that the two men killed in this incident were brothers killed
Adult male One source who notes they knew the deceased reported that the two men killed in this incident were brothers killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hazwan (حزوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.408648, 37.404864. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 belligerents
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Image showing vehicle damaged. Missiles reportedly targeted a crane car and then an ambulance that arrived on the scene (image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • While Helmets carrying a body from the scene of a August 5th, 2021 attack on an ambulance and crane car (image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • A crane car sustained significant damage following after a missile. It was unclear who was responsible. (Image via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • Translated image caption: The corpse of a civilian killed by the missiles of crime, a charred ambulance and a tired volunteer. The picture summarizes the story of a grieving homeland, the missiles of death do not stop, and civilians and rescuers are the target and the victim. (Via @SyriaCivilDefense)
  • Damage to a vehicle sustained on August 5th, 2021. (Image posted by MMC)
  • Caption indicates that this is a photo of Hassan Al Badi, one of the men killed on August 5th, 2021. (Image shared by Narhal)
  • Caption indicates that this is a photo of Mahmoud Al Badi, one of the men killed on August 5th, 2021. (Image shared by Narhal)
  • Video caption: Crane burning with militia fire #قسد It contains two people in the eastern town of Hazwan (via @OrientNews)
  • Video from the scene of the August 5th, 2021 incident. (Video via @SyrianCivilDefence)
  • Video from the scene with White Helmet member commentary. (Video posted by @SyriaCivilDefence)
  • Video of scene of the August 5th, 2021 which sources said killed two men and injured another two (Video via @Gurbtawtan)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 belligerents
    Syrian Regime, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (26) [ collapse]