A/HRC/28/69 Annex II Violations documented between 15 July 2014 and 15 January 2015 A. Massacres and other unlawful killing 1. In October 2013, following the request of the Human Rights Council to investigate all massacres,a the commission adopted the following working definition of a massacre: An intentional mass killing of civilians not directly participating in hostilities, or hors de combat fighters, by organized armed forces or groups in a single incident, in violation of international human rights or humanitarian law. 2. Massacres include multiple instances of the war crime of murder, the war crime of attacking civilians, and the war crime of sentencing or execution without due process. When murder is committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population, perpetrated pursuant to or in furtherance of a State or organizational policy, the commission of massacres may amount to the crime against humanity of murder. 1. Government forces 3. Throughout the reporting period, the Government has continued to heavily shell and bombard areas of Syria held by anti-Government armed groups and ISIS. These attacks have often resulted in mass civilian casualties. 4. Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the shelling, bombardments or bombings intentionally targeted civilians, such attacks fall within the definition of a massacre. 5. On the morning of 9 August 2014, a Government helicopter dropped a barrel bomb on a crowded vegetable market in Al-Maadi district of Aleppo city. According to first responders at the scene, the barrel-bomb killed 20 civilians, including one entire family. Some people died when they were buried under rubble as a nearby building collapsed. Dozens were injured. 6. On 11 September, a Government helicopter dropped a barrel bomb on a livestock market in Al-Bab (Aleppo), a town under the control of ISIS. The livestock market, held every Thursday, is the biggest in Aleppo governorate and attracts people from the surrounding countryside and bordering governorates. The barrel bomb killed at least 21 civilians and injured over a dozen more. A significant amount of livestock was killed. There were no indications of any military targets inside or near the livestock market. 7. One week later, on 18 September, a Government helicopter again dropped barrel bombs on Al-Bab (Aleppo). One barrel bomb hit a bakery, where people were queuing for bread. This bomb killed 35 people and injured many others. A second barrel bomb hit AlBab covered market, killing shoppers and vendors inside. The bomb set fuel stores in the market ablaze, further increasing civilian casualties. This attack killed 20 civilians, including women and children. Approximately 80 people were injured. The nearest ISIS military position was 1 kilometre away. a HRC resolution 21/26, para. 19. 27