Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

YS122

Incident date

January 20, 2022

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511944, 36.864681 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six to seven civilians, including up to five children and one to two women were reportedly killed in Syrian regime or Syrian Democratic Forces rocket attacks in on Rajo Street, in the city centre of Afrin, Aleppo, on January 20th 2022  during the daytime.

From 16 to 35 people were reportedly wounded. Among them were between five and ten children and three and seven women. Rajo Street was described by Syrian Network for Human Rights as “a bustling, vibrant and crowded thoroughfare”  and that the street was “severely damaged.”

Those that were reportedly killed were identified as Johnny Adnan Mansour, aged 16, Muhammad Ibrahim, aged 14, and Muhammad Nashaat Ibrahim from Afrin. Three young children from Maarat al-Numan and the same family were also killed: Samira Ibrahim Alwan, Fatima Muhammad Alwan, aged nine, Muhammad Ibrahim Alwan.

According to @Almohrar1, among those that were injured were: Mustafa Sweidan, Heaven Sido, a baby girl, Salam Alwan, a girl, Ahmed Al-Nimr, Dolovan Nebo, aged 13,  Amina Yousef Khadija, aged 45, Abdullah Ahmad Kurdiyah, aged 41, Ahmed Al-Ahmad, aged 38, Ahmed Abdullah Kurdiyeh, aged 28, Ibrahim Hussein al-Sharif, aged 53, Ferdous Fakhri Sheikh, aged 50, Nour Qassas, aged 23, Qamar Hourani, aged 30, Reda Najjar, aged 42, Qubtan al-Jabal, Mukhtar Al-Omar, aged 15, Farid Waheed Hajji, aged 50, Muhammad Khalil Daiyoush, Ahmed Zwain, Muhammad Yasser, Mahmoud Al-Mohammed.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that they had “so far been unable to confirm the attackers’ identity, though we believe that it was carried out either by Syrian regime forces or Syrian Democratic Forces, as the bombardment originated from an area under the joint control of both parties.”

The Turkish Ministry of Defence blamed the attack on the PKK/YPG: the “PKK/YPG has once again shown its true face and targeted innocent civilians by carrying out a missile attack on Afrin city centre on the anniversary of Operation Olive Branch, which ensured peace and stability in northern Syria.”

Initially, the death toll was said to be three or four people by local sources such as Step News, although this was expected to rise due to those that were injured.

According to SCD, the bombing hit a school in the city and destroyed part of its wall, but there were no students inside at the time of the attack. SCD were among other local news outlets describing this incident as a “massacre.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Samira Ibrahim Alwan
Child female siblings from Maarat al-Numan killed
Fatima Muhammad Alwan
9 years old female killed
Muhammad Ibrahim Alwan
killed

The victims were named as:

Johnny Adnan Mansour
16 years old male killed
Muhammad Ibrahim
14 years old male killed
Muhammad Nashaat Ibrahim
Age unknown male from Afrin killed
Mustafa Sweidan
Age unknown male injured
Heaven Sido
Child female injured
Salam Alwan
Child female injured
Ahmed Al-Nimr
Age unknown male injured
Dolovan Nebo
13 years old female injured
Amina Yousef Khadija
45 years old female injured
Abdullah Ahmad Kurdiyah
41 years old male injured
Ahmed Al-Ahmad
38 years old male injured
Ahmed Abdullah Kurdieh
28 years old male injured
Ibrahim Hussein Al-Sharif
53 years old male injured
Ferdous Fakhri Sheikh
50 years old female injured
Nour Qassas
23 years old female injured
Qamar Hourani
30 years old male injured
Reda Najjar
42 years old female injured
Qubtan al-Jabal
Age unknown male injured
Mukhtar Al-Omar
15 years old male injured
Farid Waheed Hajji
50 years old male injured
Muhammad Khalil Daiyoush
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Zwain
Age unknown male injured
Muhammad Yasser
Age unknown male injured
Mahmoud Al-Mohammed
Age unknown male injured

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Rajo street (شارع راجو) in Afrin (عفرين). Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 36.511944, 36.864681.

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  • Panoramic stitch from audio-visual material with tags.

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources. Imagery: Syria Civil Defense.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (5 children1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    16–35
  • 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.

Sources (65) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (51) [ collapse]

  • Volunteers attend the scene after an alleged attack on Afrin city at Rajo market where up to seven civilians were killed with up to 35 injuries (Image via SNHR)
  • 2 of 4: Euphrates Eye reported after the attack that "Dead and wounded in missile strikes by "SDF" on the center of the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, and there is no clear toll of the size of the losses yet" (Image via EuphratesEye / Facebook)
  • 3 of 4: Euphrates Eye reported after the attack that "Dead and wounded in missile strikes by "SDF" on the center of the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, and there is no clear toll of the size of the losses yet" (Image via EuphratesEye / Facebook)
  • 1 of 4: Euphrates Eye reported after the attack that "Dead and wounded in missile strikes by "SDF" on the center of the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, and there is no clear toll of the size of the losses yet" (Image via EuphratesEye / Facebook)
  • 4 of 4: Euphrates Eye reported after the attack that "Dead and wounded in missile strikes by "SDF" on the center of the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, and there is no clear toll of the size of the losses yet" (Image via EuphratesEye / Facebook)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    1 of 3: Injured children after a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin City (Image via DeirEzzorNow)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    2 of 3: Injured children after a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin City (Image via DeirEzzorNow)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    3 of 3: Injured children after a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin City (Image via DeirEzzorNow)
  • Aftermath of attack in Rajo city which allegedly killed up to seven civilians in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (@DeirEzzorNow / Twitter)
  • 1 of 4: Pictures show the damage on a school in Afrin city after an alleged SDF or Syrian regime attack killing up to seven civilians (Image via Syrian Civil Defence / Facebook)
  • 2 of 4: Pictures show the damage on a school in Afrin city after an alleged SDF or Syrian regime attack killing up to seven civilians (Image via Syrian Civil Defence / Facebook)
  • 3 of 4: Pictures show the damage on a school in Afrin city after an alleged SDF or Syrian regime attack killing up to seven civilians (Image via Syrian Civil Defence / Facebook)
  • 4 of 4: Pictures show the damage on a school in Afrin city after an alleged SDF or Syrian regime attack killing up to seven civilians (Image via Syrian Civil Defence / Facebook)
  • 1 of 4: Syrian Civil Defence volunteers attend the scene in Afrin city after an alleged SDF or Syrian regime attack killing up to seven civilians
  • 2 of 4: Syrian Civil Defence volunteers attend the scene in Afrin city after an alleged SDF or Syrian regime attack killing up to seven civilians
  • 3 of 4: Syrian Civil Defence volunteers attend the scene in Afrin city after an alleged SDF or Syrian regime attack killing up to seven civilians
  • 4 of 4: Syrian Civil Defence volunteers attend the scene in Afrin city after an alleged SDF or Syrian regime attack killing up to seven civilians
  • 1 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 2 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 3 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 4 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 5 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 13 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 6 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 7 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 8 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 9 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 10 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 11 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • 12 of 13: The destruction and damage caused by an alleged Syrian regime or SDF attack on Rajo market in Afrin city killing up to seven civilians and injuring up to 35 more (Image via MMC / Ammar Al-Dulaimi)
  • Rocket shellings targeted Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via MMC)
  • 1 of 3: The Turkish Ministry of Defense blamed the attack in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 on PKK/YPG (Image via @tcsavunma)
  • 3 of 3: The Turkish Ministry of Defense blamed the attack in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 on PKK/YPG (Image via @tcsavunma)
  • Samira Ibrahim Alwan was allegedly killed alongside her two siblings when a rocket hit Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • 1 of 4: "Hunger, cold, frost, displacement, lack of provisions and systematic bombing, what do we want? Oh God, make what is thrown at our people of shells and fire coolness and peace" @abo_alnoor_1977 posted on Twitter after Rajo city was attacked on January 20th 2022 (Twitter)
  • 2 of 4: "Hunger, cold, frost, displacement, lack of provisions and systematic bombing, what do we want? Oh God, make what is thrown at our people of shells and fire coolness and peace" @abo_alnoor_1977 posted on Twitter after Rajo city was attacked on January 20th 2022 (Twitter)
  • 3 of 4: "Hunger, cold, frost, displacement, lack of provisions and systematic bombing, what do we want? Oh God, make what is thrown at our people of shells and fire coolness and peace" @abo_alnoor_1977 posted on Twitter after Rajo city was attacked on January 20th 2022 (Twitter)
  • 4 of 4: "Hunger, cold, frost, displacement, lack of provisions and systematic bombing, what do we want? Oh God, make what is thrown at our people of shells and fire coolness and peace" @abo_alnoor_1977 posted on Twitter after Rajo city was attacked on January 20th 2022 (Twitter)
  • Up to 35 civilians were injured and up to seven civilians were killed when a rocket hit Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via @Kalmuqdad / Twitter)
  • Up to 35 civilians were injured and up to seven civilians were killed when a rocket hit Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via @mzmgr941 / Twitter)
  • Afrin Phoenix listed the number of civilians allegedly killed and injured after a rocket hit Rajo city in Afrin on January 20th 2022 (Image via Facebook)
  • Johnny Mansour, killed allegedly by a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via The deaths of Afrin Area / Facebook)
  • Johnny Mansour, killed allegedly by a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via Brave Samer / Facebook)
  • Mohamed Ibrahim, killed allegedly by a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via Brave Samer / Facebook)
  • Mohamed Ibrahim, killed allegedly by a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via Afrin)
  • Johnny Mansour, killed allegedly by a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via Afrin News)
  • Johnny Mansour, killed allegedly by a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via Afrin News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of the dead and injured, who were injured and killed allegedly by a SDF or Syrian regime attack on Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via Afrin News)
  • Fatima Muhammad Alwan, killed with her two siblings, allegedly after a SDF or Syrian regime rocket hit Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via Rami Al Maree / Facebook)
  • Mohammed Ibrahim Alwan, killed with his two siblings, allegedly after a SDF or Syrian regime rocket hit Rajo market in Afrin city on January 20th 2022 (Image via Maaret al Nou’man lovers / Facebook)
  • Three siblings were allegedly killed when a SDF or Syrian regime rocket hit Rajo market in Afrin on January 20th 2022 (Image via Suliman Haj Suliman / Facebook)

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (5 children1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    16–35
  • 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.

Sources (65) [ collapse]