Talk:Alleged Market Attacks in Syria

Alleged Attacks Analyzed
Any that get serious/big enough for it might get their own page. Otherwise, these are mainly too numerous/small/generic to each get their own page, and the general patterns should be emphasized, with as much analysis as possible in one spot. --Caustic Logic (talk) 06:34, 22 April 2016 (UTC)

Most recent first:

Maarat al-Nouman market attack 19 April 2016
Syria: Regime Airstrikes Kill 40; Partial Ceasefire Collapses Democracy Now, April 20
 * John Kirby: "It is our understanding at this time that it was most likely regime forces, but information is still coming in.

A video shows aftermath, and hears from two civil defense (White Helmets) workers who swear it was a Russian attack (basis unclear). --Caustic Logic (talk) 07:15, 22 April 2016 (UTC)

The VDC lists 45 dead from warplane shelling in Idlib on the 19th. Only 38 are men. Doesn't seem to mention market. --Caustic Logic (talk) 06:34, 22 April 2016 (UTC)

Motive: "Syrian peace talks appeared all but doomed on Tuesday after air strikes killed about 40 people in a crowded vegetable market in rebel territory, with the opposition saying a truce was finished and it would keep out of negotiations indefinitely" (Reuters)
 * Note: this goes towards rebel motive to provide this reason inside their own turf. The Jaish al-Islam delegation had already decided to walk out on the talks. This is one of their stronger reasons now. The Russian/government motive, as usual, is I guess to kill the Sunnis, because they are forces sent by Satan himself. --Caustic Logic (talk) 06:34, 22 April 2016 (UTC)
 * For Russians, Sunni or Shiite is quite irrelevant, Chechnya and Tatarstan, major Muslim places in Russia, are Sunni, and certainly not Satan-sent, both receive serious support from the state. Russians will not bomb civilians on purpose, the only plausible theory involving them may be an error, and I do not see any real evidence even for that--Resup (talk) 09:45, 22 April 2016 (UTC)

Democracy Now notes "The market had been the site of protests against the Assad regime in recent weeks."

Unclear whether this is indeed aerial bombing, it shows messed up street level with little apparent fresh damage to buildings around. If it exploded on impact, there will be a serious crater in the street, I see none. It looks more consistent with an explosive device sitting on the ground, blowing some light stuff into a pile. 'Grad' a possibility, heavier mortar not totally out as well. There is lots of mess around anyway, telling new mess from old one based on video is guesswork at best. There are wounded civilians alright, and that is bad enough as it is, but showing them in a video sequence after market is not a proof they were hit at the market. Needs to be an investigation for any meaningful conclusion, not some sort of video production operation. Note that the claim was first made by SOHR, with poor record on reliability of claims. --Resup (talk) 08:56, 22 April 2016 (UTC)


 * More photos collected here--Resup (talk) 10:24, 22 April 2016 (UTC)


 * Apparently first report and immediate aftermath video appeared on Turkish Anadolu agency site (this is a state-run agency). No crater is seen. --Resup (talk) 10:54, 22 April 2016 (UTC)

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