Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

R4543

Incident date

August 22, 2023

Location

بين بلدتي الشيخ بحر ومعرة مصري, between the towns of Sheikh Baher and Maaret, Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 22, 2023, at least four civilians were killed—and up to seven others were injured—in a series of alleged Russian airstrikes between the towns of Sheikh Baher and Maaret Misrin in Idlib, Syria.

Sources conflict about the precise number of civilians killed and injured by these strikes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three members of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham were killed and seven other militants were injured, in addition to the injury of five civilians, including two women. Shaam News put the number of militants killed at five, and added that there were “casualties among civilians, including women and children” without specifying how many. @alkhabour21 and @Mohab_Nasser2 were the only source that mentioned the death of civilians, with @alkhabour21 reporting that four civilians were killed and others were injured while @Mohab_Nasser2 reported that five civilians were killed and others were injured. Al Araby gave the highest report of civilian injuries, reporting that seven civilians were injured. Sources provided various other tolls for the militants killed, including Athr Press which identified six militants killed and four militants wounded while @MohamadDaba9966 identified five militants killed and nine others wounded.

According to Shaam News, the bombing struck several poultry farms that allegedly housed a Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham military installation. Athr Press added that the building was a headquarters which contained military and logistical equipment, including drones, and that the building was completely destroyed.

Sources allege that between three and six fighters affiliated with an Islamic fundamentalist organization were also killed. Independent Journalist Mohamad Dabaa identified three militants: Ahmed Mustafa Ghazal Abu Setif; Abdul Hamid Khalouf; Ibrahim Marwan Kharfan; and two foreign Turkic combatants.

According to Syrian journalist Jamil al-Hasan, the airstrikes displaced tent residents of Sheikh Bahr, with Syria TV specifying that the casualties from the strikes occurred in “Bir al-Tayyib” camp.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the airstrikes to Russian forces, with @mzmgr941 specifying that vacuum missiles were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Strike target
    Agriculture, IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4–9

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Mustafa Ghazal Abu Setif, reportedly a militant killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)
  • Ahmed Mustafa Ghazal Abu Setif, reportedly a militant killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @MohamadDaba9966)
  • Militants killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @MohamadDaba9966)
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @idleb_online)
  • 7 civilian casualties, including two women, in air raids of the #Russian occupation warplanes on the #Sheikh_Bahr area in #Idlib countryside
  • Civilian casualties in Russian raids around Sheikh Bahr camps, and tent residents flee to agricultural lands

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Strike target
    Agriculture, IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4–9

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS168

Incident date

August 9, 2023

Location

مخيم كويت الرحمة, Kuwait Al Rahma camp, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the evening of Wednesday 9 August, 2023, one civilian was reportedly killed and five to seven others, including three children and a woman, were injured by a missile strike on the Kuwait Al Rahma camp for displaced persons in Jabal Teranda, Afrin. The strike reportedly came from areas controlled by the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The father of Syrian Civil Defense volunteer Muhamad Tabakh died as a result of his injuries, and Muhamad’s wife and daughter Celine suffered serious injuries and underwent surgery. Celine and her family were reportedly displaced from the countryside of Idlib. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the civilian death and that seven others were injured to varying degrees from the shelling.

Both sources attributed the shelling to areas controlled by the Syrian Defense Forces and the Syrian regime without specifying who was responsible.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured by alleged SDF/Syrian regime shelling of Kuwait Al Rahma camp on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF/Syrian regime shelling of Kuwait Al Rahma camp on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF/Syrian regime shelling of Kuwait Al Rahma camp on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A child injured by alleged SDF/Syrian regime shelling of Kuwait Al Rahma camp on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The effects of the destruction caused by the missile strikes from the joint areas of the regime and the Syrian Democratic forces on the Kuyet al-Rahma camp in the countryside of Afrin, north of #Aleppo, which killed a man and injured 5 civilians, including 3 children and a woman, some of whom were seriously injured.
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF/Syrian regime shelling of Kuwait Al Rahma camp on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF/Syrian regime shelling of Kuwait Al Rahma camp on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS617

Incident date

July 29, 2023

Location

ثل رفعت , Tal Rifaat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.455161, 37.094016 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Saturday July 29th 2023, in the early hours of the morning, the Tal Rifaat district in al-Shahba area in Syria was reportedly shelled by the Turkish forces, resulting in the injury of at least one civilian.

Local news outlet ANF News reported the shelling and alleged it resulted in one civilian injury: citizen “Azad Hussein Kol Dadu/Kaldado”. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights further reported that Azad Hussein Kol Dadu, a civilian displaced from Afrin, was receiving treatment in a nearby medical center.

These versions of events were reported in the media by ANF News and corroborated by other media outlets such as ANHA Hawar News Agency using their ground correspondent, the UK based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), and a Facebook post by a user linked to the ANHA Hawar News Agency.

A Facebook post by Syrian journalist Ehmed Rizgar reported “injuries among the citizens” from the shelling, adding that he was only able to document the name of one of them. However, it is unclear how many injuries he is referring to.

The incident occured in the morning.

  • Azad Hussein Kol Dadu Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictured, Azad Hussein Kaldado, injured by Turkish Army shelling in bombed Tal Rifaat district in al-Shahba area. Published by Hawarnews

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Tal Rifaat (تل رفعت) subdistrict, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.455161, 37.094016. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS614

Incident date

July 23, 2023

Location

قرية أبين/ بينه, village of Abyan/Bineh, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 23 July 2023, a female civilian was reportedly injured by Turkish artillery fire in the village of Abyan/Bineh in the Sherawa district.

According to the Afrin Human Rights Organisation, 21-year old Kurdish woman Hevin Hamo Shrou from the village of Qibariyeh was injured by shrapnel in the foot as a result of artillery fire. Hevin had been residing in the village of Abyan/ Bineh after being forcibly displaced from her home in Afrin in 2018 and was transferred to hospital for treatment.

Afrin Human Rights Organisation specifically attributed the shelling to Turkish forces stationed in the village of Jalber, and identified four mortar shells as being used in the attack.

Similar details were reported by a series of sources, including a local Facebook post, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and a report from the Domiz camp.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Hevin Hamo Shrou 21 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hevin Hamo Shrou who sustained a foot injury from alleged Turkish shelling of Bineh on July 23, 2023. (Image posted by البارتي في مخيم دوميز Domiz camp via Facebook)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS166

Incident date

June 17, 2023

Location

مخيم كويت الرحمة, Kuwait Al Rahma camp, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians, including two women and a child, were injured by alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or Syrian regime missile strikes on Al-Amal camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023.

The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) tweeted that four civilians, including a girl and two women, were injured when missiles launched from areas controlled by the Syrian regime and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) struck the Al-Amal camp near the Kuyet Al-Rahma camp.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that five civilians were injured, and that they were taken to the hospital for treatment while TRT Arabi identified three civilians as being injured. The highest casualty toll was reported by BasNews, which stated that six civilians were injured, in addition to material damage.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the missiles were launched by the Syrian regime or the SDF, with some mentioning only that the missiles came from an area controlled by both while others, such as @alkhabour21, attributed the attack to only the SDF with TRT Arabi (Turkish state broadcasting) specifying that mortar shells were launched from Tal Rifaat. BasNews provided the context that the injuries occurred during an exchange of shelling between the SDF and the Turkish army.

The International Commission for Relief and Development (ANSER) released a statement accusing the SDF of carrying out strikes with four artillery shells on the “Village of Hope 2” camp, which houses displaced people in Afrin, and causing destruction to two houses in addition to damage to ten other houses.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights specified the location as “located in the Jabal al-Khaldiya area near Meryamin village in the suburbs of Afrin city in northwestern Aleppo governorate.”

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that the strikes caused fear and terror among the residents and children within the camp, who other local sources had said were displaced to the camp because of the earthquake.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Turkish Forces

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A civilian injured by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A civilian injured by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A civilian injured by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civilian casualties as a result of a missile attack by the SDF militia targeting the Land of Hope camp in the countryside of Afrin, north of Aleppo
  • 5 civilians were injured, as a preliminary toll, as a result of the SDF's attack by Militia, SDF, in the Teranda Mountain camps in Afrin, north of #Aleppo.
  • The bombing of al-Amal camp in Jabal al-Khalidiyah in the Afrin region, north of Aleppo
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @thiqanewsagency)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @thiqanewsagency)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @thiqanewsagency)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @thiqanewsagency)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @OrientNews)
  • Damage caused by alleged SDF or Syrian regime missile strikes on Kuwait Al Rahma camp in Afrin on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @OrientNews)

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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.
  • Suspected attackers
    YPG, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Turkish Forces

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS603

Incident date

June 14, 2023

Location

village of Shourik, Al Hassaka, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were injured by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Shourik on June 14, 2023.

North Press Agency reported that a Turkish drone carried out a strike near a cement factory in the village of Shourik resulting in casualties. A medical source told North Press that an injured man named Ahmad Saleh Abdullah was brought to al-Salam Hospital in Qamishli city for treatment and that his health condition was stable. The victim is described as an IDP from the city of Aleppo who lives in the town of al-Qahtaniyeh (Tirbe Spiye).

According to Hawar News, four civilians were injured by Turkish strikes on the Qamishlo-Tirbespiyê road, which caused damage to a number of passing cars on the road. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights refer to the “targeted” vehicle as a military vehicle, but did not specify whether those affected were civilians or militants.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Turkish drones.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Ahmad Saleh Abdullah Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A vehicle destroyed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Shourik on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • A vehicle destroyed by alleged Turkish drone strikes on the village of Shourik on June 14, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS595

Incident date

May 17, 2023

Location

مخيم عين عيسى, Ain Issa camp, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.400501, 38.849306 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023.

Hawar News reported that during the second incident in Ain Issa district on May 17th, two civilians were injured when Turkish forces bombarded Ain Issa camp. Correspondents for Hawar added that the shelling caused an outbreak of fire in the camp, and firefighting teams could not reach the scene to put out the fire due to continuous shelling. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that both civilians injured were taken to the hospital to receive treatment, and an image posted by Hawar News shows two men being treated for injuries.

Ronahi TV provided the names of the injured: Muhammad Al-Balikh and Mahmoud Al-Jassem.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to Turkey.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Muhammad Al-Balikh Age unknown male injured
  • Mahmoud Al-Jassem Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of alleged Turkish shelling of Ain Issa camp on May 17, 2023. (Image posted by Hawar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Ain Issa Camp (مخيم عين عيسى) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.400501, 38.849306. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4509

Incident date

April 9, 2023

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On April 9th, 2023, in the town off Sarmin, east of Idlib, multiple sources allege artillery fire from Syrian and/or Russian forces killed 15 year old boy Ibrahim Musab Al Haj Musa and injured between three to four others, including a six year old child named Malak Khalaf, a three year old named Abdul Salam Al Mustafa, and one and a half year old baby named Muhammad Al Mousa, the names being from the Syrian Civil Defense and Baladi News reports.

Ibrahim Musab Al Haj Musa dreamed of becoming a doctor or an engineer; multiple sources note that he had been born in Saraqib, and had been displaced by the war to live in Sarmin.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Syrian Human Rights Committee, and the Syrian Civil Defense, and other sources note that the artillery strikes affected residential areas and markets in Sarmin, and Twitter user @mzmgr941 stated the strikes were “targeting civilians exclusively”.

Syria Files alleged the artillery strikes came from Syrian regime forces based in Saraqib, the hometown of Ibrahim Musab Al Haj Musa. Twitter user @mzmgr941 reported the bombing of the city had escalated, and a number of reconnaissance planes hovered over the city, and blamed Syrian regime forces along with the Russian and Iranian occupation.

Multiple sources blame Syrian president Bashar Al Assad personally for the attack, claiming it was in reaction to an earlier strike from Israel, including @Omar_Madaniah and @k7ybnd99, a reporter for Television Syria. As the Syrian Civil Defense reports, this alleged strike occurred in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake in Syria, which has further devastated the lives of Syrians, and during the holy month of Ramadan, “[depriving] families of the joy of being reunited at the Iftar tables.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Ibrahim Musab Al Haj Musa 15 years old male killed
  • Malak Khalaf 6 years old injured
  • Abdul Salam Al Mustafa 3 years old injured
  • Muhammad Al Mousa 1.5 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • People mourning the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • People mourning the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • A child was killed and 4 others were wounded in shelling by Assad's militia on "Sarmin" east of Idlib

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The first moments of our teams' response to artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeted the city of Sarmin, east of #Idlib today, Sunday, April 9, killing a child and wounding 4 others, including an infant.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @Omar_Madaniah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @Omar_Madaniah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @Omar_Madaniah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the alleged Russian/Syrian regime bombing of Sarmin on April 9, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • A displaced child was killed and others injured as the criminal Assad militia targeted the city of Sarmin, east of Idlib, with artillery shells.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]