On February 18th 2019, two bombs were detonated in the Qusour neighbourhood of Idlib city, Syria, killing 24 and injuring more than 70.
Of those killed, at least 16 were civilians.
The second of the explosions appeared to be targeted at those, including medical workers, aiding the casualties of the first bomb.
The first bomb was reported to have been placed under a car in a busy area of the city and the second, a motorcycle bomb, was detonated when ambulances arrived to the site.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) records casualties (i.e. people killed and injured) from explosive violence around the world as reported in English-language news sources.
In 2018 Syria remained the country worst impacted by explosive violence, despite the numbers of civilian casualties decreasing by a quarter, compared to the previous year (from 13,062 in 2017 to 9,587 last year).
Overall, AOAV recorded 12,012 casualties from 1,224 incidents of explosive violence in Syria in 2018 – of which, civilians accounted for 80% (9,587) of total casualties. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) accounted for 13% (1,209) of all civilian casualties from explosive violence in Syria. Whilst airstrikes were responsible for 53% and ground-launched explosives for 14%.
AOAV condemns the use of violence against civilians and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. AOAV encourages all armed actors to stop using explosive weapons with wide-area affects where there is likely to be a high concentration of civilians.
Did you find this story interesting? Please support AOAV's work and donate.
Donate