Incident Code

RS2817

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.649361
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: 11 August 2026

Two civilians were killed, including a Civil Defense volunteer, in airstrikes that struck civilian housing and a popular market in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes. Many didn’t name a culprit but pointed only to “military aircraft” and “helicopters”.

Footage published by the Syrian Civil Defence shows a victim while he was alive, talking about his role in the SCD. A later video published shows his funeral, with footage of friends and family mourning over the much-loved man.

@AleppoAMC put the number of other victims wounded as high as eight.

@SyrianCoaltion was the first to report that two civilians had been killed in the raids when “helicopters targeted civilian houses at Al Azizia farm east of Khan Sheikhoun”. Images show children being dragged from the rubble of their homes.

Named Casualties

Adult, Male, Killed

Key Information

Incident Status
Assessed
Country
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Cause Of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
2
1 Man
Civilians reported injured
5–8

Geolocation

Reports of the incident mention the city of Khan Sheikhoun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.440813, 36.6493607. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Russian Military Strike Report
The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None

Sources (13)

Media from Sources (7)