Imad Adnan Shihab was a 42-year-old engineer from Deir Ezzor governate, with a degree in architecture from the Unversity of Aleppo. Since 2022 he had been working for the World Health Organization as a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene officer. He had previously worked with a number of other international humanitarian agencies, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Food Programme, and UNICEF. He had supervised numerous construction and rehabilitation projects, many involving water and sanitation facilities.
Imad lived on University Presidency Street in the al-Qusour neighbourhood, next door to his brother. His brother’s home had previously been seized by Iranian militias affiliated to the al-Assad regime for use as their headquarters. On 26 March, just before 2am, the building was hit by an airstrike, believed to be by Israeli and/or US military forces. Imad was hit by shrapnel from the blast and killed. Thirty-two other civilians, including at least 14 children, were injured, and one child killed.
The World Health Organisation said in a statement:
‘We announce with deep sorrow the tragic loss of a dedicated member of our team in Deir-Ezzor, Syria, Engineer Imad Shihab… He was a highly skilled professional who demonstrated great commitment and expertise in carrying out his duties [and] his legacy of dedicated service and loyalty will be remembered with appreciation and gratitude by all who had the privilege of working with him.’
Imad leaves behind a wife and two young children.