A/HRC/28/69 8. On approximately 9 October, Government forces aerially bombarded Irbin market, near Hammourieh in eastern Ghouta (Rif Damascus), killing scores of civilians and injuring many others. There were reportedly no military targets in the area. 9. On 6 November, a Government helicopter targeted Al-Muwaslat neighbourhood in Aleppo city, dropping two barrel bombs. The bombs hit a residential neighbourhood, killing 20 people including women and children and injured dozens more. 10. Also on 6 November, a Government helicopter dropped two consecutive barrel bombs on Al-Shaar neighbourhood. The first bomb killed civilians in its area of impact, while others were buried in the rubble of a building which collapsed. As people rushed to help the buried and wounded, they were targeted by the second barrel bomb. Approximately 15 people were killed, most of whom were women and children. Dozens were injured. Some of the wounded later died in field hospitals, reportedly as a result of lack of necessary medical supplies. 11. On 10 December, Government forces stationed in Al-Ramousa (Aleppo) fired artillery shells into Al-Mashed neighbourhood of Aleppo city. Twelve people were killed, including two children. Eight were injured. 12. The Government has continued its campaign of aerial bombardment in Aleppo and Rif Damascus. There are an increasing number of reports of aerial bombardments across Ar Raqqah and Al Hsakah districts. These remain under investigation. 13. The Government’s aerial attacks, directed at civilians, are consistent with the Government forces’ counterinsurgency strategy. Employed since 2012, the strategy includes creating conditions of life so unbearable that the civilian population living in armed-group-controlled areas displace, eroding possible bases of supporting for the groups. 14. While the commission has received multiple, consistent accounts of deaths in Government detention facilities, it was not possible to confirm that multiple deaths occurred in a single incident, as required under its definition of ‘massacre’. These deaths are documented below in the section on Other Unlawful Killing. 2. Non-State armed groups Anti-Government armed groups 15. During and immediately prior to the reporting period, armed groups operating in and around the Al-Salamiyah area of Hama governorate attacked and killed civilians. 16. Shortly after an attack on Khattab village (Hama) on 17 June 2014 which killed three men, including one soldier who was home on leave, an armed group again attacked the village. In the course of this attack, fighters killed 16 people. Some victims had their throats cut and some of the bodies were reportedly mutilated. At least one victim was a pregnant woman. No group has claimed responsibility for this attack. 17. On 10 July 2014, armed groups entered Al-Rahjan village, the home of the Government’s then Defence Minister. After killing soldiers guarding the residence, fighters moved through the village killing civilians living there. One interviewee described fighters shouting that the family were infidels, while dragging a male family member out of the house and executing him. While the fighters appeared focussed on killing fighting-age men, the killing of women and children was also documented. Jabhat Al-Nusra and Tajamu Ajnad Al-Sham claimed responsibility for this attack. 18. In early August, members of an armed group attacked Tal Al-Muzairia village, home to an Ismaili Muslim community. Most of those killed were adult men. A 12-year-old girl was also killed. Three children, including one toddler, were seriously injured. The attackers also stole cattle and livestock. Tal Al-Muzairia had been attacked previously in 28