Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1768

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Location

مدينة ادلب, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.937027, 36.635566 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight named civilians – including six children – died in alleged Russian and regime raids on Idlib, according to sources on the ground.

Smart News Agency reported: “Two civilians were also killed and others were wounded by the bombing of the warplanes on Al-Arbaeen Street and Maarat Al Nisrin roundabout in the city of Idlib, according to two activists.”

Misrennabd added that there had been “four martyrs and 20 wounded as a result of four raids by the Russian air force that targeted different neighborhoods of Idlib”.

Halab News named eight civilians from two families, killed “following raids by the Russian and Assad enemies on the city of Idlib”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Adult male killed
Child killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Child killed

Family members (3)

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–20
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Al-Arbaeen street and Maarat Al Nisrin roundabout being struck. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the roundabout are 35.937027, 36.635566.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–20
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1767

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Location

معارة النعسان, Maarat Al Nasaan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.035137, 36.835650 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrikes on Maarat Al Nasaan, according to local media. According to Jisrtv, the fatalities including two women and a girl.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “Three victims including a child died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Ma’aret Al Na’san town in Idlib governorate northern suburbs, December 6, 2016.”

However, LCCSY said that the regime had carried out strikes – resulting in civilian harm.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (1 child2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–7
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a civilian killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Al Nasaan, Dec 6th (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets come to the aid of those injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Al Nasaan, Dec 6th (via White Helmets)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Maarat Al Nasaan (معارة النعسان), for which the generic coordinates are:36.035137,36.835650. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (1 child2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–7
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1766

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and 15 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russia or regime airstrikes on a popular market in Maarat Misrin, according to local media.

Halab News and Idlib Media Center were among sources that attributed the event to Russia.

The majority of reports put the death toll at eight, though Syria News Desk said that as many as 15 had died including five children. It said that there had been two raids and blamed both Russia and the regime.

The Smart News Agency, Maaramc and the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the regime was responsible.

Husseintalal tweeted an image of “A nurse who rescued three children and learned later that they were his”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

The victims were named as:

Age unknown killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 15
  • (4–5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: 'A nurse who rescued three children and learned later that they were his'.
  • Translation: 'Idlib_Ma’ra_Masreen: A man says goodbye to his three children who were killed by the two raids on the city'
  • 'Dead in a bombing by the regime on the besieged Ma’ara Misrin in Idlib' (via Smart News Agency)
  • 'The girl Rinad Ghazal died in December 8, due to her wounds in government warplanes missiles fired on Ma’aret Misreen city in Idlib governorate northern suburbs, causing a massacre, December 6, 2016.' (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Maarat Misrin (الموصل), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.012172,36.6730499. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.  

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 15
  • (4–5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1764

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Location

حَاسٌّ, Haas, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.616349, 36.593399 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians – a woman and a child – died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Haas, according to local media.

The Shaam News Network reported: “Today, [Dec 6th] violent Russian raids deliberately targeting civilians led to the fall of four martyrs and a number of wounded in the town of Kafr Sajna. And a woman and a child were killed in the town of Haas.”

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syria News Desk the regime was responsible.

SN4HR reported:  “a girl and a woman died due to government warplanes missiles fired on Hass town in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, December 6, 2016.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult female killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • 'The warplanes targeted the village of Hass in the countryside Idlib with rockets, and civil defense teams rushed to the sites targeted to evacuate civilians'
  • 'Two martyrs and a number of wounded, including women, as a result of the warplanes targeting the town of # Haas countryside # Idlib'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Haas (حَاسٌّ), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.616349,36.593399. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1544

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 11 civilians were killed, including between six to eight children and two pregnant women, and seven other civilians were injured, including three children and a woman, in airstrikes launched against the residential neighbourhood Khan Sheikhoun.

Three of the named children were brothers from one family that, according to sources, had come to visit their grandparents. Two of the other children were also brothers from another family.

@SPRINGNOWTIME posted very graphic images of the victims, some of whom had organs exposed. Civilians continued to be dug up from the rubble, according to local sources long into the aftermath, due to the huge material damage and fires.

Sln reported that there were large numbers of wounded – no specific numbers were published – however it added that many people were taken to hospital due to the severity of their injuries.

At the time of the attack, northern Idlib was under the control of of opposition factions called the Fatah Army, which includes groups linked to Al-Qaeda.

This incident was part of an escalation by Russian and Syrian regime planes against the towns and villages of Idlib. Shaam News Network pointed out that “in the past few months, Khan Sheikkhoun has witnessed several massacres against unarmed civilians, which killed and wounded dozens, with constant air and artillery shelling of the city, which is home to tens of thousands of families from the city and displaced families.”

Local sources gave conflicting reports of who was responsible for the airstrikes. Shaam News Network and Zamanalwsl attributed the attack to Syrian regime warplanes while Alsouria and Al-Madina blamed Russian planes for the airstrikes. Shahed-ayan News reported that rockets were used in the raid.

The BBC reported that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights used information about the type of aircraft, its location, its airways, and its equipment to guess the responsible belligerent – in this case Russia.

However, the Russian Defence Ministry released a statement to TASS News Agency that stated “the information published by some foreign media about the implementation of the Russian air force aircraft strikes in the countryside of the city of Idlib in Khan Sheikkhoun is incorrect.” This statement arose following ongoing threats by European countries and the US to impose sanctions against Russia because of its actions in Syria.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Abdul Rahman Maarati
Child male named by SPC killed
Louay Maarati
Child male named by SPC killed
Ghalia Maarati
Child female named by SPC killed
Rahad Maarati
Child female named by SPC killed

Family members (3)

Mahasin Kenisawi
Child male named by SPC killed
Sakr Kenisawi
Child male named by SPC killed
Samar Qatini
Child named by SPC killed

The victims were named as:

Nasreen Abu Amsha
Adult female named by SPC killed
Son of Nasreen Abu Amsha
Child male killed
Jenin Nesrin
Age unknown named by SPC killed
Derrar Parodi
Child male named by SPC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (6–9 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin showing the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid which struck the residential neighbourhood of Khan Shaykhun, 8th November 2016. (via Orient News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a civilian with their organs exposed following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan Shaykhun, 8th November 2016. (via @SPRINGNOWTIME)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a civilian with their organs exposed following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan Shaykhun, 8th November 2016. (via @SPRINGNOWTIME)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a man killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan Shaykhun, 8th November 2016. (via @SPRINGNOWTIME)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a child, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan Shaykhun, 8th November 2016. (via @SPRINGNOWTIME)
  • A young girl being rescued by a member of the White Helmets in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan Shaykhun, 8th November 2016. (via @blackpearls6363)
  • A child being rescued in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan Shaykhun, 8th November 2016. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civilians being rescued in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Khan Shaykhun, 8th November 2016. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Shaykhun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.44208,36.65095. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones”.

The Russian Defence Ministry denied any Russian involvement in the airstrikes against Khan Sheikkhoun.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (6–9 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1263

Incident date

September 12, 2016

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misreen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians (10 of whom were named) died and as many as 35 more were wounded in airstrikes on Maarat Misreen, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed the Syrian regime for the event – though there were also allegations against Russia.

Syria News Desk – who blamed Moscow – provided the most detail on the incident. It reported: “The death toll from Russian strikes on Maaret Misreen – which is under the control of the opposition – rose to 15 people, including children, with more than 35 wounded.

“The media opposition activist Ammar Hashim told Syria News Desk that the two raids targeted Corniche Road and the fuel market in the town. Bodies were burnt and there were amputations. The injured were taken to hospitals and medical points in the region by the civil defence. There was significant damage to property and the burning of dozens of cars”.

Sadaltwhed also blamed Russia, though put the death count at 11.

However, the majority of sources – including Alsouria, CDS, SMO and RFS – attributed the incident to the regime. Cluster bombs were reportedly used in the attacks.

There was some confused reporting from the Syrian Network for Human Rights: in an initial tweet, it alleged that Russia was responsible – but went on to accuse “government forces”.

A number of other sources, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, didn’t identify the culprit. The Observatory also put the death toll at 15, including”three from one family and four others from another family”.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee – who blamed “warplanes” – put the number killed at 13, and named 10 victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Al-Absi Badleh
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Bitar
Age unknown male killed
Taghreed Badleh
Age unknown killed
Hala Al-Khaled
Age unknown killed
Khiro Alolo
Age unknown killed
Samer Hamwi
Age unknown killed
Mahroos Al-Khaled
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Abdullah Nadaf Ibrahim Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Mahroos Khaled
Age unknown male killed
Wasim Bitar
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets retrieve a body from the rubble in Maaret Misreen following alleged Regime or Russian shelling, Sept 12th (Youtube via CDS)
  • Footage of civilian casualties arriving at the Centre for Victim Rehabilitation in Maaret Misreen (Youtube via CDS)
  • A news report of the scene in Idlib city following destruction caused by suspected Russian or Regime warplanes, Sept 12th (Youtube via Jisrtv)
  • Dust and smoke rise above a street in Idlib city following the suspected Russian or Regime shelling on the area (Youtube via UAR)
  • Firefighters at work on the streets of Idlib city, local people look on at blazes. The impact of alleged Russian or Regime warplane shelling (Tweet via @syrian191124)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Maarat Misreen (معرة مصرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.012172,36.673049. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1197

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Location

معارة النعسان, Maarat al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.0351379, 36.8356507 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians died and several more were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes on fuel markets in Maarat al Naasan, according to local media.

According to Zaitonmag, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on residential neighborhoods in the town of Maarat Al-Nassan. Four raids, phosphorous bombs and cluster munitions targeted fuel markets in the town. Casualties are currently unknown.” However, Thefreesyria reported that “nine people were killed and several others were wounded”. As with some other sources, it didn’t identify the culprit.

@ShababRevolution and @ALAMAWI reported Russian use of cluster bombs on the town.

But LCCSY blamed the regime for carrying out a strike, reporting that it had “led to the outbreak of a major fire at one of the stores selling diesel fuel”; while Syrians News said there had been strikes by helicopters as well as warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment the raids hit Maarat al Naasan. (via, ShababRevolution)
  • The exact moment the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid hit Maarat al Naasan, 28th August 2016. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Damaged vehicles in the aftermath of the incident. (via The White Helmets)
  • The remnants of cluster bombs and missiles in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, The White Helmets)
  • The remnants of cluster bombs and missiles in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, The White Helmets)
  • The remnants of cluster bombs and missiles in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Buildings destroyed in the aftermath of the incident. (via, ShababRevolution)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Maarat al-Naasan (معارة النعسان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.0351379,36.8356507 . Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1162

Incident date

August 17, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93130, 36.630222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen named civilians were among those killed in multiple airstrikes on Idlib, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible – though the event was referred to as a “horrific massacre” in several reports. Dozens more civilians were said to have been wounded.

A popular market, “the ball rotor area of the city” and the area near the National Hospital were reportedly struck.

Death counts varied, from 15 (Aa) to 27 civilians (Mada). These sources blamed Russia.

However, Step and Syria News Desk attributed the event to the regime. According to Syria News Desk, “twenty-three civilians died and more than 30 others were wounded – many seriously – in regime military action. There were three raids with rockets and cluster bombs, striking residential buildings near the hospital clinics and other areas”.

Syria Press Center added that many civilian homes were destroyed.

A number of sources didn’t identify the culprit. The highest death toll was given by Zaitonmag, at 28.

Hi Idlib named 12 civilian fatalities, ‘Plus five unknown martyrs’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

33 years old killed
30 years old killed
3 years old

The victims were named as:

4 years old killed
20 years old killed
60 years old killed
13 years old killed
17 years old killed
33 years old killed
40 years old killed
13 years old killed
20 years old killed
45 years old killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 28
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Zakaria Bhro, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Hi Idlib)
  • Muhammad Wajih Nassan, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Hi Idlib)
  • Salim Naas, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Hi Idlib)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A body is pulled from the rubble by the White Helmets following an alleged raid. Syrian civil defense in Idlib)
  • The aftermath of the incident including interviews with local civilians. (via, Maaz al-shami)
  • Damage caused to local shops. (via, Baladi)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, SyrianPC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets carry an injured child to an ambulance. (via, Alkhabar_Agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets carry an injured child to an ambulance. (via, Alkhabar_Agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The rescue of wounded civilians. (via, shababRevolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty is dragged from the rubble. (via, shababRevolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian is dragged from the rubble following an alleged raid on Idlib. (via, JisirTV)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Mada News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the globe roundabout, the area near the National Hospital and the vegetable market being struck. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates of the roundabout are 35.93130, 36.630222.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

On August 17th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that, "Russian bombers Su-34 took off from Hamedan airbase (Islamic Republic of Iran) with full fragmentation bomb charge and made an airstrike on ISIS terrorist facilities in the Deir ez-Zor province. As a result, 2 command centres and large ISIS field training camps near the Deir ez-Zor city were destroyed, over 150 militants (with foreign mercenaries among them) were eliminated."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 28
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]