On Monday, December 5, 2016, a fighter warplane operated by the Syrian/Russian Air Forces carried out strikes targeting both Ibtta and Dael cities in the middle part of Daraa countryside. The warplanes used cluster munitions as well as missiles that carry incendiary weapons, which at this point are believed to be “white phosphorus munitions.” This information is according to a reporter from Syrians for Truth and Justice in Daraa and well as other activists in the area.
On Monday morning, Syrian/Russian warplanes launched two airstikes targeting civilian houses. In the first strike, the warplanes used cluster munitions. The second strike used munitions which were believed to contain phosphours. This according to Ziad al-Hariri, an activist from Ibtta city, as reported to Syrians for Truth and Justice.
Al-Hariri added, “We were surprised by the new type of projectiles since this is the first time phosphorous bombs had fallen on the city, whereas cluster munitions were used before. But this kind of phosphorus bomb was new. We tried to put out the fire resulting from these missiles. We could not do so until after we used the dust/soil”.
Image of phosphorous bombs that fell on civilian houses in Ibtta city.
Photo Credit: Activists from Ibtta
He continued: “No civilian injuries were registered in the wake of this strike due to evacuation of the civilians the day before when the Syrian warplanes targeted it with thermobaric weapons that had led to civilian casualties”.
At that time, the same warplanes carried out two airstrikes carrying cluster munitions that targeted Dael city, which is adjacent to Ibtta city, and which led to six civilian casualties according to a statement released by the Syrian Civil Defense.
It is noteworthy that incendiary weapons have been used several times in Daraa province, especially in 2013 when the Syrian warplanes targeted many cities and towns like Kharbet Ghazalla and Al-Musayfirah.