Reported civilian deaths from Russian airstrikes in Syria October 2015

If you are a family member who lost loved ones in an airstrike listed here or elsewhere on the Airwars site and would like to get in touch – or ask us to remove a photo or to add another – then please contact us at info@airwars.org

October 1st, 2015: (R004) الهبيط Al Habeet, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Up to five civilians including one or two children were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike at Al Habeet.
The 9pm attack was said to involve high-explosive rockets, and three of the the dead were later named as Abdul Razzaq, aged 58; 28-year old maths teacher Ahmed Majid Khanfourah and Raghad Ala Khanfourah, a young girl aged 5. Another child may also have died in the incident according to some reports.
Raghat’s mother Suheer told the Guardian her daughter had died of her injuries on the way to hospital: “We were supposed to be going home the next day. My husband never saw his daughter again.”
A video released at the time features a civil defence official discussing the attack: “The raid took place around 9pm. We were surprised to see the extent of the destruction as you can see. It is 3 or 4 times what the regime is capable of. We found an entire family, women and children, there are no military in this area… The victims are an old man, and a young man – a teacher – and a little girl and a little boy. As for the injured there are two little girls and an adult woman.”
Asked what message he had for the international community, the rescuer replied: “I don’t have a message to them. They are all enemies of the Syrian people. The Americans, the Russians, they’re with different faces but the death is the same.”
Civilians reported killed:3-4, including 1-2 children
Reported injured: 3 or more
Sources: Baladi News [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights, [Arabic version], GRAPHIC Post-strike report from Al Habeet [YouTube, Arabic], Post-strike report from Al Habeet (2) [YouTube, Arabic], Orient News [YouTube, Arabic], Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, The Guardian,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD confirmed carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate on October 1st-2nd 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, Su-24M and Su-25 effectuated 18 combat missions attacking 12 ISIS facilities on the territory of Syria. Ten flights were performed at night. Pinpoint attacks engaged 7 terrorist objects… Su-25 attack aircraft hit the field base of the ISIS militants near Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib). Terrorist bunkers as well as ammunition and POL depots were completely destroyed. Pinpoint bomb attacks eliminated a facility used by militants as a transshipment base and a large ammunition depot.“

October 1st-2nd 2015: (R005) Beyloum, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Beyloum, near Jabal al Zawiyah in southern Idlib, reportedly killed four civilians including a woman and child. ‘Several others’ were said to have been injured in the attack, some seriously.
SN4HR placed the civilian slightly higher at six deaths, noting that “the town is under the control of the armed opposition in partnership with [al Qaeda affiliate] the Al Nusra Front.“
Civilians reported killed:4-6, including 1 woman, 1 child
Reported injured: 8
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Shaam Times [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD did not report any strikes in the dierct vicinity of Belyon for October 1st-2nd 2015, though did note: “Su-25 attack aircraft hit the field base of the ISIS militants near Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib). Terrorist bunkers as well as ammunition and POL depots were completely destroyed. Pinpoint bomb attacks eliminated a facility used by militants as a transshipment base and a large ammunition depot.”

 

October 2nd 2015: (R006) الباب Al Bab, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: At least 19 civilians and as many as 80 – including children and women – were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab.
According to al Jazeera – which placed the death toll as high as 80 with 200 injured – the attacks were carried out by helicopters, most likely Russian Hind-24 gunships. According to the Syrian Network, the town’s vegetable market was hit. Shaam Times placed the civilian death toll at 50.
The city had regularly been targeted by both Assad regime and international Coalition airstrikes, and on October 2nd there were also reports of Assad regime aircraft carrying out other strikes on the city. Enabbaladi reported that “nearly 15 air strikes targeted al Jabal Hospital, and the areas surrounding the Mosque Osama bin Zaid, and Adassat Alzaleq. Also hit were the top of Albugzal street from the eastern end of the city and the Great Mosque and the Mosque of Omar ibn al-Khattab, in addition to the surrounding Association picnic area.“
Enabbaladi also said that Russian Sukhoi aircraft may have targeted the nearby town of Tadeef three times “killing several civilians and wounding others.”
Civilians reported killed:19-80, including 1 woman, 2 children
Reported injured: Up to 200
Sources: Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Al Jazeera [Arabic], Enabbaladi [Arabic], Shaam Times [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Kremlin made no mention of strikes on al Bab for October 2nd-3rd 2015, although did note other attacks in Idlib governorate: “On October 2, in the course of the day, the Russian air grouping continued making pinpoint strikes at the “Islamic State” international terrorist grouping. Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft carried out 14 sorties from the Hmeymim air base attacking 6 ISIS objects. At Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib), Su-25 attack aircraft completely destroyed a large workshop aimed for production of bombs and improvised explosive devices and disguised as a plant for gas cylinders.Terrorist base for armament and military equipment was also eliminated. As a result of an air strike, over ten pieces of military hardware including infantry fighting vehicles were burnt down…
At the Hann Sayhun district (Idlib), pinpoint strikes of Su-24M and Su-25 attack aircraft eliminated a command centre of the ISIS armed groupings.”

 

October 2nd 2015: (R007) Dayr Hafer, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Six civilians including three children were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Hafer. According to the Syrian Network, ten civilians were also injured when the attack struck the local market. Al Jazeera placed the death toll at 25 while Shaam Times said that 20 were killed.
There were some local claims the attacks were the work of the Assad regime, and not Russia.
Civilians reported killed:6-25, including 3 children
Reported injured: 10
Sources: Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Al Jazeera [Arabic], Enabbaladi [Arabic], Shaam Times [Arabic] Al Aan News [filmed report on Russian strikes], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic], Tweet by @azazmedia2011 [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair – though with one local claim that Assad regime aircraft were responsible
Russian position: The Kremlin made no direct mention of strikes on Dayr Hafer for October 2nd-3rd 2015, although did note other attacks in Idlib governorate: “On October 2, in the course of the day, the Russian air grouping continued making pinpoint strikes at the “Islamic State” international terrorist grouping. Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft carried out 14 sorties from the Hmeymim air base attacking 6 ISIS objects. At Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib), Su-25 attack aircraft completely destroyed a large workshop aimed for production of bombs and improvised explosive devices and disguised as a plant for gas cylinders.Terrorist base for armament and military equipment was also eliminated. As a result of an air strike, over ten pieces of military hardware including infantry fighting vehicles were burnt down…
At the Hann Sayhun district (Idlib), pinpoint strikes of Su-24M and Su-25 attack aircraft eliminated a command centre of the ISIS armed groupings.”

Al Aan reports 100 civilians killed by Russian strikes in Idlib Oct 2nd 2015

 

October 2nd 2015: (R008) اللطامنة Ltamenah, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: An alleged Russian airstrike on a field hospital at Ltamenah resulted in injuries to a number of medics and severe damage to the building, according to the Syrian Observatory.
Although the Syrian Network described the attack as the work of the Assad regime, the Russian MoD has confirmed a number of airstrikes on the city that day.
Civilians reported killed:Unknown
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian Network for Human Rights, The Guardian, Bellingcat geolocation,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Kremlin confirmed a number of attacks on Latamnah for October 2nd-3rd 2015, noting: “In Al-Latamna district (Hamah), Su-34 bombers equipped with guided air bombs blew up a militants’ underground HQ. The command centre and its ground facilities are destroyed according to the objective monitoring data. Moreover, Su-25 aircraft engaged two bunkers at the same district. There were situated command centres of militant units and depots of terrorists. Munitions of one of the depots detonated and caused their total destruction.”

 

October 2nd 2015: (R009) مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان Al-Ghadqa & Maarat al Numan, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: According to the Syrian Observatory, “Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes on several places at the town of al-Ghadqa in the countryside of Maarat al Numan in the eastern countryside of Idlib, and we have information about injuries to several people, including paramedics from the civil defense.”
While no other sources reported the attack, the Russian MoD has confirmed strikes in the near vicinity.
Civilians reported killed:Unknown
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Bellingcat locational verification,
Quality of reporting: Weak – presently single source
Russian position: The Kremlin noted that for October 2nd 2015, “At Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib), Su-25 attack aircraft completely destroyed a large workshop aimed for production of bombs and improvised explosive devices and disguised as a plant for gas cylinders.Terrorist base for armament and military equipment was also eliminated. As a result of an air strike, over ten pieces of military hardware including infantry fighting vehicles were burnt down.”
For October 2nd-3rd 2015, additional strikes were reported in the area: “Su-34 tactical bomber engaged an ISIS base near Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib) with a guided air bomb KAB-500 during a pinpoint strike. According to the objective monitoring data, terrorist fortifications, ammunition and POL depots as well as 7 vehicles were destroyed. It is to be emphasized that the possible circular deviation from the assigned target of the guided air bombs KAB-500 does not exceed 5 meters. In recent days, these and other precision weapons have been used against ISIS terrorist facilities: command centres, ammunition and POL depots, workshops where armament for terrorist attacks is produced.”

Russian strikes on Maarrat Al-Nuuman, Oct 2nd 2015

 

October 3rd 2015: (R010) إحسم Ihsem, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Russian aircraft reportedly bombed the town of Ihsem in Idlib, killing five members of one family – four of whom were young girls.
The victims were later named as
Mariam Qaddour al-Zaeim – female child
Maysaa Qaddour al-Zaeim – female child
Fatema Qaddour al-Zaeim – female child
Waheede Qaddour al-Zaeim – female child
Iynas Qaddour al-Zaeim – mother
The White Helmets civil defence force tried to reach the dead and injured, but were subjected to a ‘double tap’ strike which killed rescuer Esam Al Saleh and injured six others, two seriously. In a later interview with al Jazeera, survivor Kaddour al Zaeim spoke of the deaths of family members.
While most sources blamed Russian aircraft, the Syrian Network initially said the attack was the work of the Assad regime. Following an investigation it later attributed the deaths to Russia, citing local activist Kasem Abu Nizar: “At 1pm on Saturday, Russian warplanes launched four airstrikes on Ihsim town in Jabal Al Zawiya in Idlib suburbs. The raids targeted the poultry farm which was shelled with 10 rockets. The first and second raids shelled three rockets, and the third and fourth raids shelled two rockets at a time.”
Civilians reported killed:6-11, including 1 woman and 4 children
Reported injured: 10
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – photos from scene, Syrian Network for Human Rights, White Helmets [Tweet], Syrian Network for Human Rights (2), Syrian Network for Human Rights (3) – secondary strike footage, Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Network for Human Rights (4) [English] [Arabic], Picture of victim Esam al Saleh, Aftermath of strikes with interviews [YouTube], Al Jazeera report – includes interview with survivors [Arabic], White Helmets (2) [Tweet], Secondary strike footage via Al Jazeera, Ihsem Martyrs – list of dead and injured [Facebook, Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Kremlin reported a number of airstrikes in Idlib for October 3rd 2015, though made no direct reference to Ihsem.

Secondary Russian strike on rescuers, October 3rd 2015

 

October 3rd 2015: (R011) عقرب Akrab, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: The Syrian Network reported that Russian warplanes attacked Akrab, a town under the control of the Free Syran Army, in a joint attack with the Assad regime. All4Syria also reported that “regime forces tried to storm the town, in southern Hama, after several raids by Russian aviation, resulting in several casualties among civilians.“
Two rockets, which SN4HR said contained cluster bombs (pictured below), reportedly killed two civilians including a child: “Four cluster bombs were left unexploded and the FSA dismantled them by shooting from a very long range. The Russian aerial strikes were accompanied with shelling from rocket launchers by the Syrian regime.”
Civilians reported killed:2, including 1 child
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Clashes outside Akrab village [YouTube], All4Syria [Arabic], Islamic Front website [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Contested – unclear whether casualties were the result of Russian airstrikes or Assad artillery
Russian position: The Russians made no direct reference to strikes in Hama for October 3rd-5th 2015, noting only that “Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 pilots performed 20 flights over the last day. They hit 10 ISIS facilities.”

 

October 3rd 2015: عقيربات Akeerbat near Salma, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: A reported airstrike on the sheep market at Akeerbat village killed six civilians, including a child. While some blamed Russia, others such as the Syrian Network initially held the Assad regime responsible.
The following names of victims were later published:
Hassan Al Ahmad from the village of Tahmaz
Ayyoub Hassan Al Ahmad from Tahmaz
Izzedine Al Ali from the village of Soha
Fawwaz Al Ghazi from Dakila
Zakaria Mamdouh Innad Al Jarro – child
Civilians reported killed: 6, including 1 child
Reported injured: 10 or more
Sources: Orient News [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights, Union of Hama Rebels [Facebook, Arabic], Syria News [Arabic], Al Araby al Jadid [Arabic], Cham Times [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights (2), Syrian Network for Human Rights (3) [English] [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Russians made no direct reference to strikes in Hama for October 3rd-5th 2015, noting only that “Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 pilots performed 20 flights over the last day. They hit 10 ISIS facilities.”

 

October 4th 2015: (R012) جسر الشغور Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Russian aircraft returned to the attack at Jisr al Shughour, with the Kremlin carrying out strikes which it said targeted ‘uninhabited‘ militant storage depots, an all-terrain vehicle workshop, and a base. There were some reports that Syrian aircraft also participated in the attacks.
According to the Syrian Network at least one of the strikes hit the Skeef neighbourhood of Jisr Al Shoughour city, killing one person and damaging a nearby mosque.
Civilians reported killed:1
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic], Destruction at Jisr al Shughour [YouTube], Bellingcat geolocation,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Kremlin confirmed strikes in the vicinity for October 3rd-5th 2015, noting: “Su-24M and Su-34 bombers hit 8 ISIS facilities near Jisr al-Shugur, Idlib province. The pilots engaged 3 munition, POL and armament depots of the illegal armed groups. KAB-500 aviation bombs detonated the ammunition and armament. Using BETAB-500 concrete-piercing bombs, the jets destroyed 4 command posts of the ISIS armed groups. The facilities with terrorists are completely destroyed. As a result of the strikes, facilities with terrorists, ammunition and POL depots have been destroyed, 5 armored vehicles have been disabled.”

Damage following airstrikes at Jisr al Shughour, Oct 4th 2015

Russian strike on Jisr al Shughour October 4th

Russian strike on Jisr al Shughour October 4th

 

October 4th 2015: (R013) غرناطة Garnata, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: Two civilians were reported killed following an airstrike on Garnata near Talbiseh city, in Homs governorate.
While some sources attributed the attack to Russian aircraft, the Assad regime also reported carrying out strikes in the vicinity, with state news agency SANA reporting that “the Air Force destroyed nests and mechanisms for terrorist organizations… in the countryside of Homs.” Smart News said the attack was carried out by regime helicopters dropping barrel bombs.
Shepherd Ahmad al-Musa was reported by VDC and Talbiseh News as having been killed at Garnata on October 4th “due to Russian forces shelling.”
Civilians reported killed:2
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Syria News [Arabic], SANA [Arabic], Al Araby al Jadid [Arabic], Shaam Times [Arabic], Smart News, [YouTube, Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, GRAPHIC Body of Ahmad al Musa [YouTube]
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Homs governorate between October 3rd-5th 2015.

 

October 4th 2015: (R014) أم شرشوح Um Sharsouh, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: An alleged Russian raid killed up to three civilians at Um Sharsouh, a town near Al Rastan. The Syrian Network cited local activist Abu Baraa Al Homsi: “Russian warplanes launched a number of air-strikes on Garnata and Um Sharsouh .. The strikes targeted civilian targets as usual. A number of individuals were killed and injured.”
The local Talbiseh Network claimed that four Russian strikes dropped thermobaric munitions on the town.
Civilians reported killed:1-3
Reported injured: 2-24
Sources: Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Qasioun News [Arabic], Talbiseh Network [Tweet, Arabic], Al Araby al Jadid [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Homs governorate between October 3rd-5th 2015.

 

October 5th 2015: (R015) الباب Al Bab, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: At least six and as many as 17 civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes – reportedly by Russian jets – on the ISIL-occupied city of Al Bab near Aleppo.
According to Qasioun the strikes hit “a popular food market in the city, resulting in mass civilian casualties, and the burning of several cars and shops.” Daesh propaganda footage showed massive damage to a residential street.
Although the Syria Media Organisation attributed the attack to regime aircraft, the Russian MoD later confirmed carrying out strikes on the city that day.
Civilians reported killed:6-17
Reported injured: 20-30
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Daesh propaganda footage, Qasioun [Arabic], Footage of cars alight [YouTube], Syria Media Organisation [Arabic], 23 Emirates [Arabic], Masar Press [Arabic], Al Jazeera [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: In its summary for October 5th 2015, the Russian MoD confirmed carrying out strikes at Al Bab: “In the daytime, Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft performed 15 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase. Ten terrorist facilities were engaged. Su-34 eliminated an HQ and a command centre of the ISIS militants near Dayr Hafir and Al-Bab (Aleppo). Direct hits resulted in destruction of buildings sheltering field commanders of terrorists.”

 

October 6th 2015: (R017) عندان Anadan, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Two children named as Ahmad Othman Hamidi [aged 17] and Abd Al Rahman Al Sageer [aged 10] and a 46 year old male named as Mohamad Ameen Al Shageer were reported killed during four alleged Russian strikes in the evening on Anadan. Eyewitnesses described at least one secondary, or ‘double tap’ strike.
A local medic told Qassioun: “Between the afternoon and evening Russian planes carried out intensive raids on areas in the northern Aleppo countryside which led to dozens of injured and three deaths. One of the martyrs is a ten year old boy, a young man of 17 years old and a 40 year old man. The injuries are very serious.”
Smart TV showed footage of Russian aircraft which it said were filmed near Aleppo: “Spotted at 17:30 in the evening, for the first time, one of the Russian planes in the sky of the city of Aleppo on their way to carry out raids on the villages and towns of the countryside.”
And Ibrahim Kharfan, a rebels in the town, insisted only civilian areas were being targeted: “The Russias are claiming, along with the regime and all those supporting this rotten regime they are claiming they are targeting [military] bases. We are here in Anadan and everything you see here is civilian houses. All the bombing now is being directed at civilians’ houses.”
While there was near consensus that Russia was responsible, VDC continues to list both boys as having been killed in a US-led Coalition strike.
Civilians reported killed: 3
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Strikes and subsequent fires at Anadan [YouTube], Damage to town and firefighters [YouTube], Smart TV: Russian aircraft, reportedly over Aleppo [YouTube], Qassioun: aftermath of strikes and interview with medic [YouTube], Asharq al Arabi [Arabic], Al Aan World News [Arabic], Eldorar [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights
Quality of reporting: Fair, though contested by VDC
Russian position: Although Russia reported 20 combat sorties for October 6th 2015, no reference was made to strikes in Aleppo governorate. The Russian MoD also intimated that opposition forces were faking reports of civilian casualties: “It cannot be ruled out that now terrorists are intentionally preparing acts of provocation such as detonation of mosques in order to demonstrate fake photos and videos to indict the Russian aviation.”
The Coalition declared no strikes near Aleppo for October 6th-7th 2016.

White Helmets video of aftermath of reported Russian strikes on Anadan, Oct 6th 2015

 

October 6th 2015: (R018) تدمر Palmyra, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: According to the Syrian Observatory, “preliminary information reported the death of civilians – including women and children – in the bombing by Russian warplanes on areas at the eastern outskirts of Palmyra city which is controlled by the ‘Islamic State’.”
According to most sources, between 12 and 14 members of two Bedouin families died, including five children and four women. Russian aircraft reportedly targeted the Al Wadi Al Ahmar [Red Valley] residential area in the east of the city.
The Violations Documentation Center said 15 civilian males were killed, though did not identify any by name. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights instead said 15 Daesh fighters died alongside civilians.
A Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying “We do not hit populated areas .. especially those with antiquities” when asked whether Russia had carried out strikes at Palmyra. Repeated Russian strikes have since targeted the city according to reports.
It remains possible the action was instead by the US-led Coalition, which publicly reported airstrikes at Palmyra on October 1st, 4th, 9th and 10th 2015.
Civilians reported killed: 12-15, including 5 children, 4 women
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Violations Documentation Centre, Al Souria [Arabic], Syria’s Mirror [Arabic], “Media office of the rebels of Syria”, [Propaganda – YouTube, Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Contested – Russia denies attack.
Russian position: As noted above, Russia explicitly denied carrying out strikes at Palmyra. No Russian airstrikes were publicly reported in Homs governorate for October 6th 2015.

 

October 6th 2015: (R018a) Qarayatain, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: The Syrian Observatory reported an unspecified number of casualties from an alleged Russian strike at Qarayatain, a town to the south west of Palmyra. Qasioun also reported that “a raid by fighters of the Russian Air Force on Tuesday afternoon led to deaths and injuries among civilians, some serious, as well as widespread destruction of civilian buildings, and property.”
Civilians reported killed: Unknown
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Qasioun [Arabic], “Media office of the rebels of Syria”, [Propaganda – YouTube, Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Weak – few details presently available
Russian position: No Russian airstrikes were publicly reported in Homs governorate for October 6th 2015.

 

October 7th 2015: (R019) جبل الزاوية (ابلين) Jabal al Zawiya, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: According to the Syrian Observatory, Russian aircraft targeted a number of locations in Idlib governorate on October 7th including “Khan Shekhon, al-Tama’a, and al-Habeet in the southern countryside of Idlib, and other areas of Ehsim and al-Bara in the Zawyia mount [area].”
As many as 10 non-combatants may have died at five different locations. However
casualty reporting remains confused. TRT Arabic reported that “Russian aircraft dropped cluster bombs on [al Habeet] town, killing six people, wounding 10 most of whom were civilians.” However VDC identified only one person killed in Habeet, named as an FSA combatant. Syrian Network for Human Rights instead said a ten year old boy, Abdul Hameid abu Ras, died in the town – but that he was killed by Assad regime artillery fire.
At al Zawiya, an unidentified adult female was reported by VDC as having been killed; Ibraheem Abdullah al-Dani was reported slain at Kansaefreh; and Muhannad Taqi el-Dein al-Bakour was reported killed at Khan Sheikhoun.
Civilians reported killed: 3-9
Reported injured: 10
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, SOHR: Missile fragments at Al Bara [Facebook], SOHR: Footage of heavy damage at Ehsim, TRT Arabic, Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Eldorar [Arabic], Waar Media, France24
Quality of reporting: Partially fair – though elements are contested
Russian position: The Russian MoD confirmed multiple strikes in Idlib for October 7th 2015: “In Idlib, a Su-24M aircraft made a strike against an ISIS terrorist training ground. Objecting monitoring data registered multiple explosions of munitions. The training base aimed for the preparation of terrorists is eliminated.
A pair of Su-25 attack aircraft attacked an ISIS terrorist field camp also in Idlib. The air strike resulted in destruction of numerous buildings and constructions used by terrorists for storage of explosives, as well as logistic and food supplies.
Moreover, near Kafar Aouid (Idlib) two Su-25 attack aircraft engaged an ISIS field camp. Radio reconnaissance detected talks in several foreign languages in the territory of the base that proves the training of foreign ISIS militants was carried out there.”

 

October 7th 2015: (R020) Ma’asaran, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: An alleged Russian airstrike killed seven civilians at Ma’asaran in Idlib governorate. Most of those who died were from one family. A neighbour told Smart News: “This is my house, I arrived and I found everyone OK. But our neighbours? May God have mercy on them. I went to pray and then went to the shop.Ten minutes later Russian planes came and bombed.”
The Syrian Observatory put the death toll at seven, including three women and two children. The dead were later named as:
Safwan Ahmad Abdullah al-Amouri – adult male
Zeinab Ali al-Hammadi – adult male
Taha Yousef al-Yousef – boy
Kawkab – adult woman, mother of Youssef Al Kawkab
Sameirah Hussain al-Yousef – 3 year old girl
An unidentified woman from Al Rami town
Civilians reported killed: 6-7, including 2-3 women, 2 children
Reported injured: 12
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (2) – photos of scene, SOHR (3) Victim of reported Russian strike at Ma’asaran [Facebook, Arabic], Syria Mubashar [Arabic], Report on aftermath of strike [YouTube], Waar Media, Smart News Agency – rescue efforts,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: While making no specific mention of Ma’asaran, the Russian MoD confirmed multiple strikes in Idlib for October 7th 2015: “In Idlib, a Su-24M aircraft made a strike against an ISIS terrorist training ground. Objecting monitoring data registered multiple explosions of munitions. The training base aimed for the preparation of terrorists is eliminated. A pair of Su-25 attack aircraft attacked an ISIS terrorist field camp also in Idlib. The air strike resulted in destruction of numerous buildings and constructions used by terrorists for storage of explosives, as well as logistic and food supplies.
Moreover, near Kafar Aouid (Idlib) two Su-25 attack aircraft engaged an ISIS field camp. Radio reconnaissance detected talks in several foreign languages in the territory of the base that proves the training of foreign ISIS militants was carried out there.”

Aftermath of alleged Russian strike on Ma’asaran Oct 7th 2015

 

October 7th 2015: (R019a) دارة عزة Darat Izza, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: A mother and her two children were killed along with another woman in a suspected Russian cruise missile strike on the town of Darat Izza.
Amnesty International later reported: “More than six residential buildings with at least a dozen homes were destroyed by the attack according to an eyewitness interviewed by Amnesty International as well as reports of human rights organizations. Information provided by local human rights defenders, Syrian human rights organizations and video clips of the aftermath of the attack reviewed by Amnesty International indicated that there was widespread destruction and damage but no military casualties nor any armed presence in the town.”
The dead were later named by Al Kanana Hospital as:
Jawayda Nassr Bazar – mother
Safa (or Talal) Mohammad Bazaz – female child
Talal Mohammad Bazar – male child (pictured below)
Lina al-Loudaama (or Lina Jannat Al Dou’ma) – adult woman
Russia claimed ‘civilian objects were not damaged‘ by 26 cruise missiles fired that day.  According to Amnesty, “The Ministry of Defence did not clarify the exact locations of the strikes, but a map in a video that it released indicates that one of the strike points was in or in the immediate vicinity of Darat Izza. Weapons experts advised Amnesty International that images of remnants of the missile indicated that it was of a model used by the Russian navy, a Novatur 3M14 Kalibr-NK.”
Civilians reported killed: 4-5, including 2 children, 2 women
Reported injured: 24 or more
Sources: TRT Arabic, Al Kanana Hospital [Facebook, Arabic], GRAPHIC Al Kanana Hospital [Facebook, Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, Eldorar [Arabic], Waar Media, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Video – ‘Aleppo Dara Aza: The first moments the Russian aviation bombed the city, Amnesty International, Violations Documentation Center (2),
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia made no specific reference to strikes in Aleppo for October 7th 2015.

 

October 7th 2015: (R019b) بابيلا Babilla, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: A father and his three children were among those reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Babilla, along with four other children, three of whom were named by the Syrian Network as:
Ammar Ibrahim Hajj Ibrahim
Salah Jomaa Al Deiri
Madhi Bin Hassan Dergham
Eyewitness Moustafa Ghareeb told the Syrian Network: “The Russian shelling occurred 7 kilometers away from Marat Al Nu’man, at Babilla crossroads on the international road between Damascus and Aleppo. I rushed to the shelling site and saw the destruction in the pickles factory which was greatly damaged. A number of employees were injured and others were killed. Also, I heard about the death of a family that was crossing the international road at the moment of the shelling.”
The attacks were part of a massive reported Russian bombardment across two governorates. Speaking with Al Aan, rebel spokesman Mahmoud Al Hamoui said: “Since this morning we have seen an incredible number of strikes on the northern countryside of Hama, more than a 100 missile fired in less than 15 minutes and in total we have seen more than 300 missiles fired on the northern countryside of Hama until now. The Russians have carried out more than 20 raids on the towns of Latamna, Kafr Zita and Kafr Nboudi, and while these raids are taking place ground forces have tried to get through the Hama countryside from more than ten fronts where the Russian and regime militias fought the rebels. More than 100 regime and allied forces were killed and 20 vehicles destroyed.”
Civilians reported killed: 4-9, including 4-7 children
Reported injured:
Sources: Eldorar [Arabic], Images of strike on town [Twitter], Al Aan TV [YouTube, Arabic], Footage of strike on Latamnah in Hama, Al Jazeera English, Syrian Network for Human Rights,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia made no reference to any airstrikes in Hama governorate in its report for October 7th 2015.

https://twitter.com/aba_z72/status/651707389088014336

 

October 8th 2015: (R021) خان شيخون Khan Shekhoun, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: According to reports two civilians – a man and a woman – died in a Russian airstrike at Khan Shekhoun, with other victims left in critical condition. SNN News described the attack as “a terrible massacre of civilians,” with footage showing a devastated civilian neighbourhood. And Al Jazeera aired frantic scenes as White Helmets tried to reach survivors.
According to Syrian Human Rights Committee, Assad regime forces also shelled the town once the airstrikes had finished, “which led to extensive destruction of buildings.”
VDC later identified the victims as Mohammad Ahmad al-Roro and Layla Al Assaad, the wife of Hassan al-Mawas.
Civilians reported killed: 2
Reported injured: 15
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Shaam News Network: post-strike footage [YouTube], Al Jazeera: Report on strike [Arabic], All4Syria [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Footage: immediate aftermath of strike, Shaam News Network (2): pictures of civilians injured in strikes [Facebook, Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Network for Human Rights,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia reported a total of 22 lethal sorties for October 8th 2015, although made no mention of Idlib governorate.

Locals search for survivors after likely Russian strike,
Khan Shekhoun, October 8th 2015

 

October 8th 2015: (R020b) بليون Balian, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: A woman named as the wife of Ibraheem al Jassem was reported killed at Balian – one of six people reported to have died in the event.
Smart News later posted a video showing a civilian clear-up operation in the village. One witness noted: “Here there were six martyrs, two from the village of Balian and four displaced from Sahil Al Ghab. Are these the terrorists? There were two women, two children and two older men over 60 or 70 years old. We don’t have any armed elements either in the bombed area or outside of it. Russian planes are using around 8 bombs for each raid. We could tell it was Russian planes via some sources. The pilot was speaking Russian.”
Another witness said “I suddenly saw a red line descend from the sky to the ground. It struck just 100 meters this way and then they came back and struck this way killing lots of people.”
Civilians reported killed: 6, including 2 women, 2 children
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Smart News,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia reported a total of 22 lethal sorties for October 8th 2015, although made no mention of Idlib governorate.

 

October 8th 2015: (R020a) جسر الشغور Jisr al Shughour, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: One civilian named as Marwan al Ahmad was killed at Jisr al Shughour. However, the cause was contested. While VDC blamed the attack on Russian forces, Radio al Kul, SOHR and Qasioun blamed the death on “regime heavy artillery.”
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured:
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Radio Al Kul [Arabic], Qasioun [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: Russia reported a total of 22 lethal sorties for October 8th 2015, although made no mention of Idlib governorate.

 

October 8th 2015: (R020d) النقير Nakir near Maarat al Numan, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: In confused reporting, a number of civilians were reported killed at Nakir village near Maarat al Numan, in a Russian or Assad regime attack. However the use of cluster munitions at night strongly indicates Russian aircraft carried out the strike.
Reporting from the scene, Shaam News said the camp for IDPs had been targeted with Russian aircraft firing cluster munitions. One woman survivor is interviewed from her hospital bed: “Before we knew it fires were raging around us. I don’t know where my children are. What have we done? We haven’t done anything. We only have God left.“
Those reported killed were:
Karmo Marwan al Darweesh – 30 or 35 year old male
Battoul Mahmoud Shamma – 5 year old girl from Hassraya in Hama
Marwan Abd al Karim Abou Ali – male child
Civilians reported killed: 3, including 2 children
Reported injured:
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Post-strike footage, Al Marra Today [Tweet, Arabic], Shaam News Network [Arabic], Orient News [Arabic], Damascus Centre for Human Rights [Arabic], Union of Syria Rebels [Facebook, Arabic], Amnesty International,
Quality of reporting: Night raid with cluster munitions strongly indicates Russian strike.
Russian position: Russia reported a total of 22 lethal sorties for October 8th 2015, although made no mention of Idlib governorate.

Clean-up after alleged Russian strike on Nakir, October 8th

 

October 9th 2015: (R021a) تل عاس Telaas, Khan Shekhoun, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: A possible civilian was reported killed in an alleged Russian strike at Telaas near Khan Sheikhoun.
VDC named Khaled Al -Sousi as a non-combatant victim. However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported only that “A fighter from a combat force was killed from wounds sustained after Russian planes targeted Brigade 13 in Telaas in southern idlib countryside this afternoon.“
Civilians reported killed: 0-1
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic], SOHR (2) [Arabic], Shaam News Network [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: Russia did not publicly report any strikes in Idlib governorate for October 9th-10th 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, the main objects for engagement were militants’ command and communication centres, ammunition depots, bases and training camps of terrorists in the Raqqah, Hamah, Damascus and Aleppo provinces.”

 

October 9th 2015: (R021b) التمانعة Al Tamaanah, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Two civilians named as Fedaa Abdulrazzaq al-Najjar and Zeinab Aamer al-Bakri – an adult man and woman – were reported killed in Al Tamaanah. While the Violations Documentation Center attributed the deaths to Russian aircraft, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they were killed as a result of actions by Syrian regime helicopters.
Civilians reported killed: 2
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: Russia did not publicly report any strikes in Idlib governorate for October 9th-10th 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, the main objects for engagement were militants’ command and communication centres, ammunition depots, bases and training camps of terrorists in the Raqqah, Hamah, Damascus and Aleppo provinces.”

 

October 9th 2015: (R021c) كفرنبودة Kafrenabaudeh, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: A combined air assault by Russian attack helicopters – coupled with an attack by Syrian regime aircraft and ground forces – reportedly killed four civilians at Kafrenabaudeh. They were later named by the Violations Documentation Center as:
Abd al-Lateef al-Yousef – man
Amoun al-Yousef – woman
Hamid al-Horani – man
Wife of Hamid al-Horani
Civilians reported killed: 4
Reported injured:
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Footage of Russian HIND helicopters attacking town, Second raid by Russian helicopters, Ground assault on Kafrenabaudeh, Baladi News, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate for October 9th-10th 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, the main objects for engagement were militants’ command and communication centres, ammunition depots, bases and training camps of terrorists in the Raqqah, Hamah, Damascus and Aleppo provinces.” It also reported destroying “2 command centres; an ammunition depot in the Hamah province.”

Russian attack helicopters strike Kafrenabaudeh, October 9th 2015

 

October 10th-11th 2015: (R022) التمانعة Al Tamaanah, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Up to six civilians from one family, including a child and two women, were reported killed after an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tamaanah. Two people were injured. The dead were later listed by the Syrian Network for Human Rights as:
Salah Al Shehnaa – man, 50 years old
Hind Mohamad Al Soussi – woman, 48 years old
Badreya Salah Al Shehnaa- man, 28 years old
Abdo Salah Al Shehnaa – child, 11 years old
Ahmad Salah Al Shehnaa – child, 5 years old
Local media activist Abdul Kader Al Bakri told the Network: “This time we traced a Russian radio frequency. Al Tamanaa’ town is under the control of An-Nusra Front, Ajnad Al Sham, Jund Al Aqsa, Faylaq Al Sham, and Ahrar Al Sham, however, the targeted house and its surrounding region were civilian areas that did not have any military presence in it.”
Ma’ara Media Centre also carried an eyewitness interview with an off-camera male who insisted the attack was Russian and had killed five of his close relatives: “I was in the village. I had come to see my family. I parked the car a distance away and got out. I saw my father looking up at the plane and my mother was shouting ‘get out get out the plane is going to hit us’ I told her it’s ok I’ll take you away. As I started approaching the bomb struck and it happened. My father was killed and my aunt, may God have mercy on them and my brother Mohammad and Badrieh and Abdo and Ahmad. The whole family was martyred.”
However Smart News said the regime perpetrated the attack.
Civilians reported killed: 5-6
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: White Helmets [footage], Syrian Network for Human Rights, Smart News [Arabic – footage], Ma’ara Media Centre [Interview, Arabic], All4Syria [Arabic], Video – Free Media Office for Tamanaa,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position:
For October 9th-10th 2015 Russia reported: “Russian reconnaissance detected through several channels a command centre of illegal armed groups hidden in a mountain- woody area of the Idlib province. After analysis of the space image of this area and the air reconnaissance carried out by UAV,s the object was subjected to a pinpoint airstrike. According to the objective monitoring data, the destruction of the fortified constructions, where the command centre was situated, as well as elimination of 3 automobile vehicles of the militants was confirmed.”
For October 10th-11th Russia stated: “Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM performed 64 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 63 ISIS objects located in Hamah, Latakia, Idlib and Raqqah provinces… Means of air reconnaissance registered the ISIS artillery battery located near Saraqib, Idlib province. The unit conducted repeated strikes against the nearest inhabited areas. The Russian bombers destroyed this target….
Training camp of the ISIS unit was registered by means of reconnaissance in mountain-woody area of Khirbat al-Arus (Idlib province). Su-25SM attackers hit the target with high-explosive bombs. The terrorists’ base was destroyed.”

Interview with reported eyewitness to Al Tamanna strike Oct 10th

 

October 13th 2015: (R025) دارة عزة Darat Izza, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: At least five and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed in heavy Russian airstrikes on the town of Darat Izza, according to reports.
Al Jazeera said eight members of one family were among the dead. Five of those killed were later named by al Kanana Hospital as:
Ahmed Zkomo
Ahmed Mohamed Tawfiq Al Jamal
Alaa Mohammed Ninh
Kamel Misto Homs
Mohammed Abdul Qader Afasheh Al Helou
The Syrian Network for Human Rights agreed that five non-combatants had died, though blamed the strikes on Assad regime aircraft. However Russian Air Force aircraft (likely either Su-30s or Su-34s) were filmed bombing the town the previous day.
Civilians reported killed: 5-15
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Al Jazeera [Arabic], ‘The destruction left by Russian warplane raids on the town of Dar Ezzat‘ [YouTube], Syrian Network for Human Rights, GRAPHIC Shaam News Network: Aftermath of strike [YouTube], GRAPHIC Al Kanana Hospital [Facebook, Arabic], Russian strike on Dara Ezzat Oct 12th [YouTube], Andalou News [archived], Syrian Network for Human Rights, Al Jazeera footage – destruction at Dar Ezza,
Quality of reporting: Most likely Russian
Russian position: Russia confirmed a number of strikes in the Aleppo area in its update for October 13th-14th 2015: “Su-24 bombers performed strikes against facilities near Aleppo, where terrorists manufactured explosives and installed them in vehicles of suicide bombers. These vehicles were planned to be used in the course of terrorist attacks in the cities and towns of Syria, and against positions of the governmental forces.”

 

October 13th 2015: (R026) حيان Hayyan, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Eight civilians were reported killed in a confirmed Russian airstrike at Hayyan. Images showed heavy destruction in civilian neighbourhoods, with a number of badly injured people rescued.
The nearby Hraytan Hospital was also damaged according to Syria Relief and Development: “At 6:45 a.m. this morning in Syria, three Russian missiles targeted Hraytan Hospital, one of Aleppo’s largest hospitals, operated by U.S.-based nonprofit organization Syria Relief and Development (SRD). One missile fell directly in front of the hospital, landing about 90 feet from the hospital entrance and two rockets fell behind the hospital onto a building occupied by civilians. The attack resulted in three civilian injuries, including one child and two adults.”
Seven civilian fatalities, most from one family, were later named as:
Mohammed bin Abdo Sabouh Rustom – 4 years old
Mohammed Sabouh Rustom – 55 year old man
Anas Mohammed Sabouh Rustom – 17 years old
Adel Mohammed Sabouh Rustom – 12 years old
Rawiya Muhammad Sabouh Rustam – 17 years old
Khadija Deeboh Sabouh Rustam – 18 years old
Mansour Mohamad Rustom, 9 years old
A woman named as Umm Thakla was also featured in a post-strike video from the town, mourning the reported loss of her entire family.
Civilians reported killed: 8, including 5 children, 1 woman
Reported injured: 4 or more
Sources: Shaam News Network [Facebook], Al Jazeera [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights (1), Syrian Network for Human Rights (2), All4Syria [Arabic], Post-strike video: survivor Umm Thakla [YouTube], Shahba Press Agency: airstrike, fatalities and rescue of survivor [YouTube], Violations Documentation Centre, The Guardian, Syria Relief and Development, Andalou News [archived], Syrian Network for Human Rights,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia confirmed a strike at Hayyan for October 13th-14th 2015: “Near Hraytan, a Su-25SM made a strike against an ISIS ammunition and fuel depot. Direct hits of fragmentation air bombs completely destroyed the facilities.“

Video showing the devastation of Hayyan following an alleged Russian airstrike, Oct 13th (via Al Jazeeramubasher)

 

October 13th 2015: (R023) Tel Sultan, Idlib governorate Syria
Summary: Violations Documentation Center named Younes Eid Al Yawer from the town of Tel Azzan as having been killed in a Russian airstrike on a school building in nearby Tel Sultan, which also reportedly injured two.
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured: 2
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Andalou News [archived], Smart News [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights [Arabic], Arabiyaa [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: For October 12th-13th 2015, Russia reported a number of strikes in Idlib governorate: ” In the course of the last 24 hours, Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM aircraft performed 88 combat sorties engaging 86 ISIS facilities located in the Raqqah, Hama, Idlib, Latakia and Aleppo provinces.”
And for October 13th-14th 2015, Russia noted: “In the Idlib province, Su-25SM attack aircraft made a strike on a terrorist training centre in the mountain area. The objective monitoring data confirmed detonation of munitions stored at the object. The facility was eliminated.”

 

October 14th 2015: (R026a) الزيارة Al Zeyara, Aleppo governorate Syria
Summary: A civilian male named as Abdullah Hallajj was reported killed by cluster munitions following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Al Zeyara.
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Syrian Network for Human Rights, ‘Engineers Battalion collect and dismantle cluster bombs from Russian bombardment of the village‘ [YouTube, Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on October 14th-15th 2015: “The Russian aircraft performed 33 combat sorties from Hmeymim airbase engaging 32 ISIS infrastructural facilities in the Idlib, Hama, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces. The flight intensity of the Russian Aerospace Forces has decreased…
Su-24M bombers hit a two-storey building, which the ISIS militants had used as command centre (Aleppo province). As a result, the target was destroyed by a direct hit of an air bomb.“

 

October 14th 2015: (R027) حمورية Hamouriya, Damascus suburb, Syria
Summary: A woman named as Ameinah Shakhtout was reported killed in Russia’s first confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus, which struck the suburb of Hamouriya.
Civilians reported killed: 1, a woman
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, GRAPHIC White Helmets footage – body pulled from rubble, Al Kasswa Facebook page [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia has confirmed strikes in Damascus governorate for October 14th-15th 2015: “In the Eastern Guta region (Damascus province), a fortified fire position of Osa AA missile system, which had been captured by the militants, was destroyed by a Su-34 bomber. Strike with KAB-500 guided bomb caused elimination of concrete fortifications, which used to shelter the AA system. The air defence missile system was eliminated…
In the mountain area of Damascus province, air reconnaissance means detected a hidden base of the terrorists. There were three armored vehicles and eight off-road cars equipped with large-caliber machine guns and mortars.”

The body of Ameinah Shakhtout is pulled from rubble Oct 14th 2015

 

October 14th 2015: (R028) تحتايا Tahtaya, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Two non-combatant males were killed in an alleged Russian strike on Tahtaya, later named as Mohammad Mubarak and Mohammad Taha Al Hussain.
Assad regime aircraft also reportedly bombed the town the day before, killing a woman and her daughter.
However according to Qasioun – which posted a video of the attack – the event was the work of Assad regime aircraft which used a barrel bomb and exploding gas cylinders.
Civilians reported killed: 2
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Qasioun [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Likely disproven
Russian position: Russia has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Idlib for October 14th-15th 2015: “The Russian aircraft performed 33 combat sorties from Hmeymim airbase engaging 32 ISIS infrastructural facilities in the Idlib, Hama, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces. The flight intensity of the Russian Aerospace Forces has decreased… Near Al-Atarib, Idlib province, Su-25 attack aircraft carried out strike against underground plant manufacturing high-explosive mines. The militants produced the mines in order to plant them at the highways of the region. The detonation of the explosives caused destruction of the target.”

Russian strike in Idlib October 14th 2015

 

 

 

October 15th 2015: (R029) تيرمعلة Teir Ma’ala, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: As many as 57 civilians were killed in a sequence of Russian airstrikes across Homs governorate. According to reports the attacks were in support of an Assad regime ground offensive, backed by Iranian troops.
In Teir Ma’ala, up to 23 non-combatants were said to have died alongside militants in a 6am attack. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights later described the vicims as including “the Teir Ma’ala operations room commander, 8 citizens and one child” while the Shaam News Network raised the toll to 15, noting that “one of the air strikes targeted a gathering of civilians in front of a bakery in the town near al Nour Mosque, causing dozens of deaths and injuries.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the final deathtoll at 24: “23 civilians, including 2 children and one armed opposition gunman.”
Human Rights Watch concluded that the attack “apparently violated the laws of war.“
The VDC later named 10 of the dead as:
Haytham Shablout – adult male
Mansour al-Ezz el-Dein – adult male
Ahmad Hussain Qanatri – adult male
Abdulsalam Hammoud – adult male
Abdulkareem al-Kinj – male child
Rabei Ezzeldeen al-Hammoud – adult male
Abdulellah Ibraheem al-Raheemo – adult male
Ibraheem Abdulellah Ibraheem al-Raheemo – male child
Abdulrahman Suleiman – adult male
Sara Ismaeil Sweis – adult woman
Civilians reported killed: 15-23, including 1 woman, 2 children
Reported injured: 20 or more
Sources: Al Jazeera [Arabic, with footage], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Shaam News Network – footage of injured [YouTube], EXTREMELY GRAPHIC Homs News [Tweet, Arabic], Shaam News Network [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, Al Arabiya, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs governorate for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action (see below event.)

Civilians injured in alleged Russian strike on Teir Ma’ala, Oct 15th 2015

 

October 15th 2015: (R030) الغنطو Al Ghantu, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: An air raid shelter in the village of Al Ghantu was reportedly hit in a Russian airstrike, killing up to 48 people from one extended family. Among the dead were at least 23 children and nine women.
A local cameraman captured the moment the missile from an apparent Russian Air Force Su-24 hit (see below) despite the Kremlin making no reference to airstrikes in the governorate that day. The Arab East Centre noted: “According to sources in the field who saw the shelling, the first missile destroyed the two-storey building, while the second destroyed the shelter beneath the building.”
Early reports placed the number of dead at 17. However Al Jazeera later said up to 48 people had died, all from one extended family, the Al Assafs (or Al Steifs).
A reported survivor described the scene, again to Al Jazeera: “Some 45 people died. Of course they were all women, children and girls. The oldest was a 70 year old woman and the youngest was a month old. There were also pregnant women.”
An Amnesty International investigation later concluded: “There are no indications of any military presence. A weapons expert who analysed the images of the aftermath of the strike told Amnesty International that the nature of the destruction indicated possible use of fuel-air explosives or “vacuum bombs”, which leave a wide destructive “footprint” and can kill humans without causing significant visible injuries. Fuel-air explosives are particularly prone to indiscriminate effects when used in the vicinity of civilians.”
Human Rights Watch concluded that the attack “apparently violated the laws of war.“
Some 45 of the dead have been named by VDC:
Hutheifah Abdulwakeel Ahmad Steif – boy
Fatemah Abdulwakeel Ahmad Steif – girl
Mohammad Abdulwakeel Ahmad Steif – boy
Ahmad Abdulwakeel Ahmad Steif– boy
Najwa Rakan Assaf – woman
Abdulwakeel Ahmad Steif – man
Aya Abdulmouti Assaf – girl
Issam Abdulmouti Assaf – man
Abdullah Abdulmouti Assaf – boy
Abbas Abdulmouti Assaf – boy
Wife of Abdulmouti Assaf
Abdulmouti Assaf – man
Turkeih Hassan Assaf – woman
Issam Abbas Assaf – man
Wife of Issam Abbas Assaf
Alaa Issam Assaf – boy
Majed Issam Assaf – boy
Feras Issam Assaf – boy
Shadi Farhan Assaf – man
Farhan Shadi Assaf – boy
Fawzeih Shadi Assaf – girl
Hiba Shadi Assaf – girl
Fidi Shadi Assaf – girl
Layla Shadi Assaf – girl
Farhan Hutheifah Assaf – boy
Hutheifah Rakan Assaf – man
Ayshah Abdulsattar Assaf – girl
Abdulsater Abbas Assaf – man
Khadeijeh Yehya Othman – woman
Mohammad Abdulsattar Assaf – man
Abdulqader Salem Al Hajwani – man
Marwan Assaf – man
Mayadah Khuder Kurdeihg – woman
Ataa Marwan Assaf – girl
Esraa Marwan Assaf – girl
Mohammad Marwan Assaf – boy
Rakan Assaf – man
Saja Rakan Assaf – woman
Amoun Yaseen Steif – woman
Kazem Rakan Assaf – man
Wife of Kazem Rakan Assaf
Daughter of Kazem Rakan Assaf 1
Daughter of Kazem Rakan Assaf 2
Fatemah Abdulwakeel Ahmad Steif – girl
Abdulqader Salem Al Hajwani – man, died October 18th of injuries
Footage from the day shows multiple airstrikes targeting the town.
Civilians reported killed: 45-48, including 9-13 women, 23-33 children
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Al Jazeera [Arabic, with footage], EXTREMELY GRAPHIC Homs News [Tweet, Arabic], Shaam News Network [Facebook, Arabic], Footage of airstrike on Al Ghantu [YouTube], Al Jazeera (2) [Arabic], The Arab East Centre for Cultural and Strategic Studies [Arabic], Al Jazeera (3) – with survivor footage [Arabic], EXTREMELY GRAPHIC Shaam News Network – immediate aftermath [YouTube], Shaam News Network – strikes and recovery of bodies [YouTube], Multiple strikes on town [YouTube], More strikes on Al Ghantu [YouTube], Al Jazeera English, Al Arabiya, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syrian Network for Human Rights (2) in English and in Arabic, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Syrian Network for Human Rights (3) in English and Arabic,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs governorate for October 15th-16th 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, the Russian aviation group in Syria has continued conducting pinpoint airstrikes against ISIS facilities on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. The Russian aircraft performed 33 combat sorties from Hmeymim airbase engaging 32 ISIS infrastructural facilities in the Idlib, Hama, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.“
However footage appears to clearly show a Russian Su-34 aircraft attacking Al Ghantu on October 15th.

 

October 15th 2015: (R031) تلبيسة Talbiseh, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: Five civilians were killed in a heavy airstrike on Talbiseh, according to reports. The Violations Documentation Center later named the victims as:
Wafaa al-Naji – woman
Feisal Saleh Dalleh – man
Waseem Jameil Yahya – man
Faraj al-Naji – man
Safaa al-Naji – woman
Most attributed the attack to Russia, though at least one local report said the strike was the work of Assad regime aircraft.
Civilians reported killed: 5
Reported injured: 1 child injured
Sources: Al Jazeera [Arabic, with footage], Shaam News Network – injured child receives treatment [YouTube, Arabic], Footage immediately after strike [YouTube], Post-strike destruction: residential street [YouTube], EXTREMELY GRAPHIC Homs News [Tweet, Arabic], Syria Children [Tweet, Arabic], Al Arabiya
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action in the governorate.

 

October 15th 2015: (R032) الفرحانية Al Farhaniah, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: Three civilians were reported by al Jazeera as having been killed in a Russian strike on Al Farhaniah – part of a major wave of attacks that day.
However footage of civilians transported to a local hospital described injuries from ‘artillery,’ with Homs News also reporting that regime shelling had targeted the town.
Civilians reported killed: 3
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Al Jazeera [Arabic, with footage], Al Arabiya, ‘Al Rastan: the arrival of wounded from the village of Al Farhaniya after it was targeted with artillery’ [YouTube], Al An TV [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Homs Youth [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action in the governorate.

 

October 15th 2015: (R033) الدار الكبيره Dayr al Kabira, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: Between three and eight civilians were reported killed in an an alleged Russian airstrike on the small town of Dayr al Kabila in Homs.
According to Smart News the event was instead a ‘friendly fire’ incident, with Russian missiles hitting a military academy.
Civilians reported killed: 3-8
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Al Jazeera [Arabic, with footage], Al Arabiya, Shaam News Network [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Baladi [Arabic], Baghdad Times [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair – possibly ‘friendly fire’
Russian position: Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action in the governorate.

 

October 15th 2015: (R033a) سابقية Sabkiye, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: A husband, wife and their three children, all boys, were reported killed in a Russian airstrike at Sabkiye, in Aleppo governorate. They were named by Violations Documentation Center as:
Adla Mohammad al-Jasem – mother
Husband of Adla Mohammad al-Jasem – father
3 unnamed sons
This event is presently single-sourced, with few details known. More broadly, the Syrian Observatorty reported a major ground battle taking place at Sabkiye on the day.
Civilians reported killed: 5, including 3 children
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,
Quality of reporting: Weak – possibly contested
Russian position: The Kremlin has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate for October 15th-16th 2015: “Su-24M bombers hit a two-storey building, which the ISIS militants had used as command centre (Aleppo province). As a result, the target was destroyed by a direct hit of an air bomb.”

 

October 15th-16th 2015: (R034)الحاض ر Al Hader hospital, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Alleged Russian airstrikes hit the Al Hader hospital in southern Aleppo governorate on two consecutive days, “which led to the fall of victims, including members of the medical staff,” according to Eldorar.
The Violations Documentation Center later named 20-day old Ahmad Lahham as a victim of the strike.
Civilians reported killed: 1 or more, child
Reported injured: Unclear
Sources: Eldorar [Arabic], Youm [Arabic], Shaam News Network [Arabic], Qasioun: post-strike damage [YouTube], Yalla Souria, Syrian Network for Human Rights, The Guardian, International Business Times
Quality of reporting: Fair – though no details on reported victims
Russian position: Russia confirms carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate for October 15th-16th 2015 although made no direct reference to al-Hader: “Su-24M bombers hit a two-storey building, which the ISIS militants had used as command centre (Aleppo province). As a result, the target was destroyed by a direct hit of an air bomb.”

 

October 16th 2015: (R035) تيرمعلة Teir Ma’ala, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: For the second day in a row Russian aircraft reportedly targeted Teir Ma’ala, this time killing nine or more civilians according to reports. “Russian warplanes launched two raids on the town of Teir Ma’alah missiles, one of which targeted the area around the town mosque, which killed nine and about four wounded, mostly women and children,” reported Smart News.
Footage reportedly showing the attacks also features announcements from the local mosque to take shelter during the raid.
The Violations Documentation Center later named eleven civilians, all adult males it said were killed in the event:
Mohammad al-Ahdab – man
Abdul Hakeem al-Satouf “al-Dairi” – man
Ahmad Faisal Abbas – man
Mahmoud Abbas al-Kusa – man
Israa Mefleh Abbas – man
Basem Abdul Kareem al-Ibraheem – man
Abdul Wakeel Ahmad al-Ibraheem – man
Ayman Abdul Razak Qanatri – man
Udai Ayman Qanatry – man
Mohammad Dahham al-Kusa – man
Mustafa al-Ahdab
Pro-government site Al Ahed reported only that nine ‘militants’ were killed in the attack.
Civilians reported killed: 9-12
Reported injured: 4
Sources: Qasioun [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, Air raid on Teir Ma’ala October 16th [footage], Al Jisr – footage of strikes, Al Ahed [Arabic], Talbisa Network [Tweet]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia once again made no reference to any airstrikes in Homs governorate for October 16th-17th 2015.

 

October 16th 2015: (R034b) دوما Douma, Damascus governorate, Syria
Summary: The White Helmets reported that three children were killed in the countryside near Damascus following a ‘Russian airstrike.’ Al Etihad said the aircraft was a Russian Air Force Su-24. VDC named the children as
Anas Mohammad Khdair
Mahrous Mohammad Khdair
Abdul Rahman Emad al-Akhras
However Shaam News described the attack as having been the work of Assad regime aircraft, while the VDC did not specify which nation’s aircvraft were responsible. .
Civilians reported killed: 3 children
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: GRAPHIC White Helmets footage, Violations Documentation Centre, Al Etihad [Arabic], Shaam News Network [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: According to the Kremlin “Russian aviation performed 36 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 49 ISIS facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus and Aleppo provinces” on October 16th-17th 2015.

 

October 16th 2015: (R034a) كفر كرمين Kafr Karmin, Aleppo governorate Syria
Summary: Between ten and 13 civilians including five children died in a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Kafr Karmin.
The Syrian Network later named some of the dead as:
Sajee’ Saleh Al Hameed, 38 years old, from Droukoush town
Jameela Moussa Al Ramadan, 60 years old
Abeer Moustafa Al Jawani, 35 years old
Jameela Ahmad Al Abdulla, 12 years old
Iman Abdullah Al Abdullah, two years
Maria Abdullah Al Abdullah, 5 months old
Ayoush Mohamad Ali, 2 years old
Hiba Abdullah Abdullah – girl
One eyewitness said the attack came “Exactly after Friday prayer [when] Russian planes targeted the village of Kafr Karmeen and killed between five and ten martyrs.”
While most sources blamed Russia, Smart News, Ara News and Al Araby said regime aircraft were responsible.
Civilians reported killed: 10-13, including 5 children, 1 woman
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Eldorar [Arabic], ‘Syria – killing of 10 civilians by Russian bombardment in the countryside of Idlib’ – footage, Masral Arabia [Arabic], All4Syria [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Al Araby [Arabic], Ara News [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: According to the Kremlin “Russian aviation performed 36 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 49 ISIS facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus and Aleppo provinces” on October 16th-17th 2015.

 

October 17th 2015: (R036)  عرفة Arafeih, Idlib governorate Syria

Summary: A young boy named as Mohammad Hussain Al Jassem later died of his injuries, six days after an October 17th airstrike on the town of Arafeih. According to reports the child was injured by shrapnel in the original attack. And on October 31st, a civilian male named as Hasan Ahmad Al Nazouha also died as a result of injuries sustained
The source of the airstrike was contested. While most attributed the attack to Russia, some news reports said it was the work of the Assad regime.
Civilians reported killed: 2, including 1 child
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Coordination of the Syrian Revolution in Eastern Hama Countryside [Facebook, Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Syrian Revolution [Facebook, Arabic], Syria Rebels [Twitter, Arabic], VDC (2),
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: Russia has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Hama governorate for both October 16th-17th 2015, and October 17th-18th 2015.

 

October 18th 2015: (R037) دير العصافير Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus governorate, Syria
Summary: One possible non-combatant was reported killed at Dayr al Asafeer, according to a single source. Shaam News Network reported that a joint air-ground assault by Russian and Assad forces “led to the fall of one martyr” in the town, though no further details were given of their status.
Civilians reported killed: 0-1
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], Sputnik News,
Quality of reporting: Contested – status of deceased unknown. Single source.
Russian position: The Kremlin confirmed strikes in Damacus governorate for October 18th-19th 2015, noting: “Russian aviation performed 33 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 49 ISIS facilities in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia and Hama provinces… Precision strikes of the Russian combat aviation in the Damascus province have crucially changed the operational situation in this region.”

 

October 18th 2015: (R038) بزينة Bazeena near Douma, Damascus governorate, Syria
Summary: A seven year old girl and two civilian adults were killed and a dozen injured in an airstrike on the town of Bazeena – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.
The dead child was named as Ghazal Al Tokhi [pictured below], with one tweet reporting that “She was getting water for her parents who were caught in the middle of the siege, when the Russian planes killed her.” Another tweet (below) noted that “Only in the time of oppressors do fathers bury their children.” An entire family was reported to be among those injured.
Civilians reported killed: 3, including 1 child
Reported injured: 12
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], Al Araby Al Jadeed [Arabic], Radio Alkul [Arabic], Post-strike footage and body of Ghazal Al Tokhi [YouTube], Network News of the Syrian Revolution [Arabic], The body of Ghazal Al Tokhi [Twitter], Revolution Syria [Twitter], Sputnik News,
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Kremlin has confirmed strikes in Damacus governorate for October 18th-19th 2015, noting: “Russian aviation performed 33 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 49 ISIS facilities in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia and Hama provinces… Precision strikes of the Russian combat aviation in the Damascus province have crucially changed the operational situation in this region.”

https://twitter.com/RevolutionSyria/status/655902150946660352

 

October 18th 2015: (R039) الغنطو Al Ghantu, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: The Violations Documentation Centre named Omar Al Sheikh Hammoud from Talbiseh as a civilian victim of a Russian airstrike on Al Ghantu. He had been severely injured in a strike the day before. Video filmed on October 18th shows rebels attempting to shoot down a suspected Russian aircraft over the town. A major Syrian Army ground offensive was also reported in the area.
At Mr Hammoud’s funeral that day, four more civilians were reported killed in a fresh Russian airstrike. As Associated press reported: “The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and activist news platform Syrian Revolution Talbiseh said warplanes believed to be Russian targeted mourners at a funeral in Homs province’s al-Ghanto village, killing four civilians. Homs-based activist Bebars al-Telawy said the civilians were burying a man who died from wounds sustained a day earlier when the planes struck.”
One of the new fatalities was named by VDC as Abdulqader Salem al-Hajwani.
Civilians reported killed: 5
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Body of Omar al Sheikh Hammoud [YouTube], Tweet announcing death of Omar al Sheikh Hammoud [Arabic], Harvest the Revolution [Facebook, Arabic], Footage of alleged Russian aircraft over Al Ghantu, Almasdar News, Post-strike footage at Al Ghantu, Oct 18th [YouTube], Associated Press, Sputnik News,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russians made no public reference to any airstrikes in Homs governorate for October 18th-19th 2015.

 

October 18th 2015: (R040) تيرمعلة Teir Ma’ala, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: An adult male civilian named as Ammar Al Ali was reported killed in an alleged new Russian airstrike on Teir Ma’ala.
Al Arabiya reported that “The northern countryside of Homs saw a fierce attack [on October 18th] with an attempt to break into the area by regime forces under air cover provided by Russian aircraft. The attack came from several directions.”
However, AP reported that Assad regime helicopters also carried out barrel bomb attacks on the town.
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Al Arabiya [Arabic], Almasdar News, Associated Press, Footage of strike on Ter Ma’ala Oct 18th [YouTube], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Sputnik News, Associated Press
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Russians made no public reference to any airstrikes in Homs governorate for October 18th-19th 2015.

Alleged Russian airstrike on Ter Ma’ala, October 18th

 

October 18th 2015: (R041) الزربة  Zerbeih, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Two civilian males were reported killed when their car was struck in an alleged Russian airstrike at Zerbeih. Three people were also reported injured in the attack. The men were named by VDC as Mohammad Subhi Basheir and Abdo Ali.
Footage and interviews from the town showed extreme damage to at least one civilian neighbourhood.
An eyewitness described the attack for Smart News: “We were over there and I went over there to do somethings when the planes hit over there. After an hour it came back again and hit from the western side, it hit the house over there with two missiles and there’s a house east of Zerbeih, they hit it three times.”
Reporter: And it’s all kids, civilians?
Witness: Yes children and there are people injured. There was a family here, some were injured and others killed and there were shops all along here.
Reporter: Are there any bases or anything?
Witness: There are no bases. we’re all civilians here, there’s nothing else.
Civilians reported killed: 2
Reported injured: 3
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Smart News [Arabic], ‘Signs of destruction following the bombardment of Russian planes on the village of Zerbeih in Aleppo.’ [YouTube], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], BBC News, VICE News,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia confirmed carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate for October 18th-19th 2015: “Russian aviation performed 33 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 49 ISIS facilities in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia and Hama provinces… Near Djdayda settlement (Aleppo province), Su-25 attack aircraft eliminated a workshop used for production of self-made rockets. The equipped facility manufactured single-use launching ramps and rockets for distant fire at Syrian Armed Forces’ positions and inhabited areas. The direct hit of an air bomb resulted in detonation of explosives and destruction of the whole facility.”

 

October 18th-19th 2015: الوضيحي Al Widehi, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: According to a local military commander, three civilians were killed in night time Russian airstrikes on al Widehi which led to opposition forces abandoning the town.
Fighter Mustafa Suleiman told ARA News: “We have withdrawn under a heavy aerial and artillery bombardment on the town by pro-Assad forced and Russian warplanes. The bombardment led to the death of at least three civilians.”
Civilians reported killed: 3
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Ara News
Quality of reporting: Weak – presently single source
Russian position: The Russians confirmed carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate for October 18th-19th 2015: “Russian aviation performed 33 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 49 ISIS facilities in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia and Hama provinces.“
There was no direct mention of al Wideihi.

 

October 19th 2015: (R043) الباب Al Bab, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: An airstrike in the vicinity of al Karnish Street in Al Bab – either Russian or Assad regime – killed up to ten people and caused a significant number of injuries, according to reports.
Al Bab Free Syria reported that “Ten martys died as a result of [regime airstrikes], among whom were members of the Al A’taba family and an elderly man named as Fahd Salim Al Hamad, whose family was recovered from under the rubble.”
VDC named the following as civilians killed by unknown aircraft:
Fahd al-Saleem al-Hamad – adult male
Ahmad Mustafa Ataba – adult male
wife of Ahmad Mustafa Ataba
son of Ahmad Mustafa Ataba
Mahmoud al-Nashef – man
Civilians reported killed: 5-10, including 1 woman, 1 child
Reported injured: ‘Multiple’
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Al Bab Free Syria [Arabic], Shaba Press [Tweet, Arabic], CNN, Middle East Eye,
Quality of reporting: Contested – with claims of both Russian and Assad regime strikes on the city
Russian position: Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate on October 19th-20th 2015: “The Russian pilots carried out 55 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 60 targets in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.” No further details were given.

 

October 19th 2015: (R044) Bisharfeh, Lattakia governorate, Syria
Summary: In a reported mass casualty incident, at least 15 and as many as 57 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike on the town of Bisharfeh in the Jabal al-Akrad area. Many of the victims were reported to be women and children.
Al Khaleej cited a local civil defence official: “The shelling came from a Russian aircraft on villages under the control of the opposition in the eastern countryside of the province of Latakia, killing 42 people and wounding dozens. The wounded were taken to the field hospital in the region.” The BBC placed the death toll slightly higher, at 45. However, rebel group the First Coastal Division later told Reuters that 15 non-combatants had died. Others insisted that as many as 57 civilians died.

A senior commander named as Captain Basil Zimmu was also killed along with four other fighters in the attack. The Syrian Observatory also later noted that the dead included “fighters from the rebel and Islamist factions with their families, one of them a chief of staff in a rebel division. The death toll is expected to rise because there are some people in critical situation.”
Civilians reported killed: 15-57
Reported injured: 24 or more
Sources: BBC News, Al Khaleej [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (2), Reuters, Al Jazeera, The Atlantic, ABC News, Associated Press
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: Russia confirms carrying out strikes in Lattakia governorate on October 19th-20th 2015: “The Russian pilots carried out 55 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase engaging 60 targets in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.” No further details were given.

 

October 20th 2015: (R045) Sarmin, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Russian airstrikes killed at least 14 non-combatants according to multiple accounts.
The first strike at 1pm hit near a school and a field hospital in the town of Sarmin run by the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS.) A secondary strike or ‘double tap – captured on camera – shows an apparently deliberate attack on rescue workers clearing the streets.
Among the dead were a physiotherapist, a nurse and a ‘White Helmet’ civil defence worker Abdul Razak al-Aboud (see below.)
A witness named as ‘S M’ told the Syrian Network: “The first missile fell on a school and a hospital. The civil defense teams some paramedics and media activists rushed to the shelling site. The shelling caused material damages and some injures. However, 15 minutes later, another rocket was shelled in the exact same location. During the second shelling, I noticed a gleam like the camera’s flash and did not hear the plane’s sound. After that I felt that I was picked pushed upwards from the blasts’ power. Everything around me was white and dusty and I smell blood and gun powder. I thought that I had died. The attack resulted in the death of 17 individuals including civil defense members, paramedics and media activists.“
Speaking to the Guardian, Dr Mohamed Tennari, the director of Sarmin hospital, “said his facility appeared to have been directly targeted and could no longer serve patients on one of the fiercest frontlines in the war.”
A Russian Defence Ministry spokesman brushed aside the allegations, claiming the Syrian-American Medical Society “has the same relation to medicine and doctors as the ISIL to the international Scouting movement.” However, an investigation by Amnesty International challenged satellite images which Russia said proved it had not targeted the field hospital: “Infrastructure that appears damaged or destroyed in footage immediately after the attack is seen intact in the satellite image presented by Russian authorities, indicating the satellite image is from before the attack.”
The VDC later named the dead as follows (all adult males):
Abdul Razak Abo Tair
Mohammad Abdul Kader Sallura
Mohammad Mustafa Sawas
Khaldoun Mohammad Sawas – hospital guard
Ziad Meteib
Abdul Kader Ebbo
Dr Hasan Ahmad Taj Eddin – physiotherapist
Mustafa Mohammad Burghosh
Mazen Ismael Aaref Haj Ali
Musbah Qassas
Abdul Razak al-Aboud – White Helmet rescuer
Abdul Rahman Maari
Four months after the event a man named by the VDC as Hsain Diab also died of injuries sustained in the attack.
Civilians reported killed: 14-17
Reported injured: 28-30
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (2), Footage of destroyed school, Footage of secondary strike, Aftermath of secondary strike, Orient News [News report, Arabic], Syrian American Medical Society, The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, International Business Times, Radio Free Europe, Ara News, The Daily Beast, New York Times, Fars News, Sputnik News, Russian Ministry of Defence, Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic], Yahoo News, Bellingcat, Al Jazeera English documentary, Amnesty International,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Kremlin confirmed carrying out strikes at Sarmin for October 20th-21st 2015, noting: “On October 19, the means of radio interception received information concerning the meeting of commanders of illegal armed groups operating near Sarmin (Idlib province). After additional check of the information through other channels concerning the time and place of the meeting, there was made a decision to make a strike on the meeting place of the militants’ commanders.“
However the Defence Ministry rejected claims that it had hit a hospital in the town.

 

October 20th 2015: (R046a) كفر تخاريم Kafr Takharim, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: A reported Russian airstrike on an empty school complex allegedly killed up to a dozen people, according to reports.
Reporting from Sarmin, Orient News reporter Abu Mahmoud described the event: “Russian occupation forces targeted the town of Sarmeen with steric missiles. The target was a children’s school.. they are two schools next to each other, a primary school and a secondary school. Luckily the children had gone home half an hour earlier.”
There are elements of this description which match the previous event at Sarmin, and it appears this incident may have been confused with the former.
Civilians reported killed: 12
Reported injured: 10 or more
Sources: Orient News [News report, Arabic], Tweet on strike,
Quality of reporting: Weak – location presently unclear, and may be confused with attack on Sarmin on same day.
Russian position: The Kremlin has confirmed carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate for October 20th-21st 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 46 combat sorties engaging 83 terrorist facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.“

 

October 20th-21st 2015: (R046) الرستن Al Rastan, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: A number of civilians were reported injured, after a midnight Russian air raid on the headquarters of a local rebel faction based in Al Rastan. Two fighters were confirmed killed. one of whom was originally reported to have been a non-combatant.
According to Sin News, the air raid “resulted in the collapse of the entire headquarters and the killing of one person, as well as the injuring of nearby civilians and the collapse of residential buildings.”
Civilians reported killed: 0
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Violations Documentation Centre, Radio Alkul [Arabic], Sin News [Arabic], Houla Homs [Tweet, Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Disproven civilian fatality, though injuries likely
Russian position: The Kremlin made no reference to strikes in Homs in its report for October 20th-21st 2015.

 

October 20th 2015: (R045a) الرهجان Al Rahjan, Hama governorate Syria
Summary: The VDC lists four unidentified civilian males as having been killed by “Russian air force shelling” at Al Rahjan in Hama. Other sourcing is weak, with the Syrian state news agency Sana attributing the attack to Assad regime aircraft, while Al Watan mentions only ‘aircraft.’
Civilians reported killed: 4
Reported injured:
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Sana [Arabic], Al Watan [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Weak, contested
Russian position: The Kremlin confirmed that “In the course of the last 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 46 combat sorties engaging 83 terrorist facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces” for October 20th-21st 2015.

 

October 21st 2015: (R047) رسم حمام Rasim al Hammam, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: Three civilians – a woman and two girls – were reported killed and ‘many wounded’ after an alleged Russian airstrike on a former school in which internally displaced civilians were said to be sheltering.
Civilians reported killed: 3, including 1 woman, 2 children
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Union of Hama Rebels [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Syrian Press Centre [Facebook, Arabic], Co-ordination Committee for the Syrian Revolution in Eastern Hama [Facebook, Arabic], Union of Salmia Rebels [Tweet, Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate for October 21st-22nd 2015: “For the last 24 hours, the Russian Su-34, Su-24M, Su-25SM aircraft performed 53 combat sorties engaging 72 terrorist facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Interview with Russian military spokesman on ongoing operations
Syria, October 22nd 2015

 

October 21st 2015: (R048) أبو خنادق Abu al Khanadak, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: Six people were killed – including four women – following an alleged Russian strike on civilian homes at Abu al Khanadak. The dead were later named by VDC as
Radwan Rajab Al Mohamad – man
Zaeilah Faraj al Yousef – woman
Najmeh Hosain al-Khaled – woman
Abd al-Hai Ahmad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan – man
Faten Ahmad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan – woman
Tamader Mohammad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan – woman
Images obtained by Shaam showed significant damage at the site.
Civilians reported killed: 6, including 4 women
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Union of Hama Rebels [Facebook, Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Violations Documentation Centre, Shaam News Network [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate for October 21st-22nd 2015: “For the last 24 hours, the Russian Su-34, Su-24M, Su-25SM aircraft performed 53 combat sorties engaging 72 terrorist facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

 

October 22nd 2015: (R050) غرناطة Garnata, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: A single source, the Syrian Observatory, reported a man dying from injuries sustained earlier in the day following an alleged Russian airstrike on Garnata. No other details are presently available.
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, while on social media the Russian MoD made no mention of Homs.
Quality of reporting: Weak – presently single source
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 22nd-23rd 2015. while tweets from the MoD again make no mention of Homs.

 

October 22nd 2015: (R051) الرقة‎ Raqqa, Al Raqqah governorate, Syria
Summary: A wave of night time airstrikes hit a number of civilian objects in the city according to reports, killing 7 to 8 non-combatants. At least 11 and as many as 40 Daesh militants were also reported killed.
According to the Syrian Observatory, “13 airstrikes targeted places near the Emergency Branch, the Hospitality Palace, Hawd al-Forat building, Balqis School (al- Zakat office), the governorate building, the municipal Stadium, the national hospital and around IS headquarters.” Reuters placed the number of strikes as high as seventeen.
A taxi was destroyed outside the city’s main Al Hayat hospital, killing all those inside the vehicle and badly damaging a nearby civilian house. Civilian Abd al Kareem Mohammad al Ghaffan was among those killed.
A Daesh propaganda video shows major damage to a civilian street, with numerous houses, shops and vehicles destroyed.
In the chaos following the strikes, Raqaa is Being Slaughtered reported: “News emerged that a number of prisoners had escaped Point 11, formerly the municipal stadium. IS then imposed a security cordon around the area and started search operations for those who managed to run.”
Civilians reported killed: 7-8 civilians, and up to 40 Daesh fighters
Reported injured: 50
Sources: Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – planes over the city Oct 22nd, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (2) [Arabic], Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (3) [Arabic], Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (4) [Arabic], Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (5) [Arabic], A3Maq News [Arabic – ISIL propaganda], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (1), Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (2), Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (6) [Arabic], Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (7) [Arabic], Reuters, Al Arabiya, Associated Press,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 22nd-23rd 2015. However in a possible link, images published the following morning show combat aircraft taking off for night operations.

 

October 23rd 2015: (R052) اللطامنة Ltamenah, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: An alleged Russian airstrike on a field hospital in northern Hama injured a number of people including medical staff and killed one, according to reports. Up to six rebels also died.
“Russian warplanes launched a raid at the field hospital in the town of Al-Lataminah countryside north of Hama, which inflicted casualties among the medical staff and led to the demolition of a large part of the hospital,” Masar Press reported.
Amjad, a doctor at the hospital, later told the Syrian Network: “At 9pm the observatories informed us about the presence of the Russian warplanes and we went to the hospital to shelter in it. However, the warplanes shelled the hospital with two vacuum missiles. The explosion was huge and the destruction was enormous. Most of the hospital’s staff and cadres were injured and the anesthesia technician suffered a severe brain injury then died due to his injuries on 28 October 2015. The lab technician was also injured and his leg was amputated as a result, while the rest of the medical staff were mildly injured and sustained bruises.”
The Syrian Network has named the anaesthetic technician as Sameer Mohamad Al Hajan, pictured below, a 37 year old man married with two children.
Civilians reported killed: 1, and up to 6 FSA fighters
Reported injured: 10 or more
Sources: Union of Hama Rebels [Facebook, Arabic], Shaam New Network [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Masar Press [Arabic], Zaiton [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syrian Network for Human Rights (2), Syrian Network for Human Rights (3),
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 22nd-23rd 2015.

 

October 23rd 2015: (R053) تلبيسة Talbiseh, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: Eighteen civilians were killed in heavy airstrikes on Talbiseh, all from the Aloush and Swais families. Nine children were among the dead following at least three air raids. Graphic footage shows bombs being dropped in the centre of the town, followed by desperate rescue operations.
Violations Documentation Center later named those killed as:
Adnan Hasan Aloush – man
Meriam Abdul Kader Aloush – woman
Meriam Abdul Razak Aloush – woman
Khadeje Adnan Aloush – woman
Sajide Adnan Aloush – girl
Adnan Aloush – boy
Kamal Qasem Erfan – man
Shaaban Jnaid al-Khalaf – man
Khaled Masoud Swais – boy
Shahid Masoud Swais – girl
Jamal Hmadi Swais – boy
Nour Ziad al-Dhaik – woman
Omar Usama Masoud Swais – boy
Fadi Murhaf Masoud Swais – boy
Abdul Kareem al-Daher al-Zuair – man
Masoud Saeid Swais – man
Khaled Elwan Aloush – boy
Mustafa Adnan Aloush – boy

Opinion was divided on whether the attacks were by Russian or Assad regime aircraft. However, footage of an aircraft dropping bombs on the town that day appears to show an Su-22, an aircraft type not used by Russia in Syria at the time of the incident.
Civilians reported killed: 18, including 9 children, 4 women
Reported injured: 24 or more
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], GRAPHIC SNN – Airstrikes on Talbiseh and casualties, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Houla Homs [Tweet, Arabic], Associated Press, Sky News Arabic, GRAPHIC ‘The martyr the baby Fadi Morhaf Al Soueiss’ [Youtube], ‘The fall of a vacuum missiles near the photographer caused a massacre‘ [YouTube], Aircraft in silhouette over Talbiseh Oct 23rd [YouTube], Local Co-ordinating Committees in Syria [Arabic], Homsi News [Tweet, Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre,
Quality of reporting: Most likely disproven, with civilians killed by Assad regime airstrike
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 23rd-24th 2015.

https://twitter.com/homsi_news/status/658031360515403776

 

October 23rd 2015: (R054) مسرابا Missraya, Damascus governorate, Syria
Summary: According to reports, Russian warplanes allegedly carried out four raids on the town of Missraya in eastern Ghouta. Two or more people died and ‘dozens’ were injured, including women and children. According to the White Helmets, one of those killed was a little girl. The VDC also named adult male civilian Mohammad Saeid Mohammad Ali Jearash as having been killed. Footage shot immediately after the strike shows a number of seriously hurt children among the victims. There were also reports of artillery strikes on the town by the Assad regime.
The Obeid mosque was reportedly badly damaged in the attacks.
Civilians reported killed: 2-3, including 1 child
Reported injured: 30 or more
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], ‘Damascus countryside, Missraya, wounded after warplane bombardment‘ [YouTube, Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Damascus Media Centre [Tweet, Arabic], Damascus Media Centre – damage to Obeid mosque [Arabic], ‘Damascus countryside – Missraya – the aftermath and destruction of one of the mosques following raids on the town‘ [YouTube], White Helmets [Facebook, Arabic], GRAPHIC Syrian Civil Defence in Rural Damascus [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 23rd-24th 2015.

 

October 23rd 2015: (R056) برقوم Barkoum, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Six or more civilians were reported killed in an airstrike at Barkoum. The Violations Documentation Center (which in English said the attack was by unidentified warplanes, and in Arabic attributed it to the Assad regime) later named the dead as:
Fatema Abdul Aziz Bakkar – 15 year old girl
Abdul Aziz Bakkar – 40 year old man
Yasmeen al-Mustafa – 20 year old woman
Nour al-Mustafa – 12 year old girl
Meriam al-Mustafa -9 year old girl
Aysha al-Khather – 40 year old woman
However other sources described the attack as the work of the Russian airforce.
Civilians reported killed: 6-8, including 3 children, 2 women
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syrian Media Organisation [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 23rd-24th 2015.

 

October 23rd 2015: (R057) الزربة Zerbeih, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: One civilian named as Hamad Ahmad Al Rajab was reported killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Zerbeih, in southern rural Aleppo.
However local rebels also said that the town came under attack from “fierce artillery and rocket shelling” by Assad regime ground forces.
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Local Co-ordination Committee [Arabic], Syria News Co [Tweet, Arabic], Local Co-ordination Committee (2) [Tweet, Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 23rd-24th 2015.

 

October 23rd 2015: (R059) جبل الزاوية (ابلين) Jabal al Zawiya, al Hassakah governorate, Syria
Summary: Media activist Wassim Al A’dil was one of two civilians reported killed in an airstrike at Jabal al Zawiya. The other has been named by Violations Documentation Center as Mohammad Abd al-Razzaq al-Harami. The pair were reportedly on their way to cover nearby Russian airstrikes when they were caught up in an attack.
Shaam News network paid tribute to Al A’dil: “The martyr is from Ma’arat al No’man and is one of the leading activists in the province of Idlib. Wassim played a huge part in covering the events on the ground in all the areas of the province… With the loss of Wassim the media of the Syrian Revolution will miss one of its stars, whose smile lit up much of the darkness and cheered up many sad people.”
While most sources linked the strike to Russia, VDC reports that regime aircraft were responsible.
Civilians reported killed: 2
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Shaam News Network [Arabic], Shaam News Network (2) – obituary [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights, GRAPHIC Body of Wassim al A’dil, Violations Documentation Center,
Quality of reporting: Fair – though with one claim of Assad regime
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 23rd-24th 2015.

 

October 23rd – 24th 2015: (R060) أريحا Ariha, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: A single source, the Syrian Observatory, reported the death of a man in an alleged Russian strike, noting: “A man from the city of al-Mayadin was killed in the bombing by warplanes believed to be Russian yesterday on areas at the outskirts of Ariha city in Idlib province.“
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,
Quality of reporting: Weak – presently single source
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 23rd-24th 2015.

 

October 23rd-24th 2015: (R058) حيان Hayyan, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: The Shaam News Network and others alleged that Russian aircraft had dropped cluster munitions (pictured below) in northern Aleppo governorate. Two civilians were killed, named as Hussein Adel Osso and Mohamad Yehya Al Seraj. Five others were injured in the evening strike, including a member of the local civil defence team.
Civilians reported killed: 2
Reported injured: 4-5
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], Al Buraq [Arabic], Radio Al Kul [Arabic], Al Qanat News [Arabic], Halab Today [Tweet, Arabic], White Helmets in Free Aleppo [Facebook, Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: There is no published Russian Defence Ministry record for October 23rd-24th 2015.

 

October 25th 2015: (R061) الشيخ بركة Sheikh Barakh, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: According to the Syrian Observatory, “suspected Russian warplanes attacked the village of al-Sheikh Barakah in the township of Sinjar in the eastern countryside of Idlib, killing a woman and [her] two children while other civilians were seriously wounded.” A third child died a fews days later of her injuries.
The centre of the village was targeted in the incident, resulting in widespread destruction. Up to 20 civilians were also reported injured. The Syrian Network later cited an eyewitness: “I was 3km away from the shelling incident. At 8pm on Sunday night, a Russian warplane launched a vacuum missile on the eastern neighborhood. I saw a warplane from a very high altitude and it launched a rocket without even flying at lower altitudes to reach the target. When it launched the rocket the sky was lit from the severity of the explosion. The neighborhood, which is free of any military headquarters, was shelled, and shops and houses around 500 meters were damaged, and a woman, her son and another child were killed. Five minutes later the warplane performed another raid 250 meters away from the first shelling location with a vacuum missile also. There, at least 7 shops were damaged. I do not know why they are shelling civilians.”
The dead were later named by VDC as:
Fatme Khaled al-Hawyan – woman
Kamel Mhammad al-Mhaimeed – child
Sajed Waleed al-Mhaimeed – child
Sanae Walid A Mhaimeed – child (died of her injuries October 27th)
Civilians reported killed: 4, including 3 children
Reported injured: 20
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Shaam News Network [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], Local Co-ordination Committees of Syria, Violations Documentation Centre, GRAPHIC Jaish al Fatah News [Arabic], Syria News Official [Tweet, Arabic], Radio Alkul [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes at Idlib on October 25th-26th 2015. “In the course of the last 24 hours, the Russian air group carried out 59 sorties engaging 94 terrorist objects in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor provinces.“

 

October 25th 2015: (R062a) الباب Al Bab, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: According to the White Helmets in Aleppo, “Russian warplanes bomb the towns of Al Bab and Tadef yesterday evening with several raids using vacuum missiles – leaving several dead and dozens wounded and homes destroyed.” Other reports described two raids on Tadef and one on Al Bab.
Radio Al Kul attributed the attacks to the Syrian regime, and also said that while there were no fatalities in Tadef, three civilians had been killed at al Bab.
Civilians reported killed: 3
Reported injured: 20
Sources: White Helmets of Aleppo [Arabic], Syria Rebels [Tweet, Arabic], Syria in my Heart [tweet, Arabic], Radio Al Kul [Arabic], Eye on Homeland [Facebook, Arabic], Daesh propaganda footage – injured civilians, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Smart News [Arabic], Step News Agency [Arabic], Homs Media Network [Arabic], Aleppo News Network [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on October 25th-26th 2015. “In the course of the last 24 hours, the Russian air group carried out 59 sorties engaging 94 terrorist objects in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor provinces.“

 

October 26th 2015: (R063) كفرنبل‎ Kafr Nabil, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: A suspected Russian airstrike on the town of Kafr Nabil killed a father and his daughter while injuring the mother and son, according to reports. The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center as Hatem Khaled al-Khatieb and his 12-year old daughter Diaa Hatem al Khatieb.
However Mr al-Khatieb was later named by All4Syria as a fighter with the rebel group Ahrar Al Sham.
Activist Raed Al Fares, from Kafr Nabil, told the Syrian Network: “A number of Russian warplanes were hovering around in the sky and each went in a different direction. When I rushed to the shelling site, the residents told me that a rocket targeted one of houses. The top floor was completely destroyed and the ground floor was greatly damaged. Also I was told that there were some injured people who have fallen. I went to the hospital and saw the injured residents. A father and his 12 years old daughter were killed and three others from the same family were injured The house is located in the western neighbourhood of Kafr nabel and it is free of any military presence next to it. We have monitoring devices which enabled us to hear the pilots talking to each other in Russian and that is how we knew they were Russians.”
Civilians reported killed: 1-2, including a child
Reported injured: 2-3
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (2), Violations Documentation Centre, Radio Alkul [Arabic], Eldorar [Arabic], Revolutionary Syrian Forces [Arabic], Kafr Nebul News Network [Facebook, Arabic], All4Syria [Arabic], Kafr Nebul News Network (2) [Facebook, Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry issued no public update for strikes on October 26th-27th 2015.

 

October 27th 2015: (R064) حيان Hayyan, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Media activist Jummah Al Ahmad (pictured right) was one of two civilians killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to reports. According to the White Helmets “A mosque was totally destroyed and two civil defence team members injured in Hayyan centre, Ali Hayek and Ahmad Sarraj” in the attack.
A second victim was later named by VDC as Mohammad Yehya Seraj.
In its obituary of Juma al Ahmad (who had died shortly after the airstrike of his injuries), Shabha Press Agency wrote: “He died from wounds sustained by the bombing of the Russian occupation planes on Hayan City on Tuesday evening, during his media work. Abu Noor was born in 1981, he is married and has four children, and worked with the agency Shahba Press since the beginning of its founding year 2013, and covered many of the battles and massacres committed by the Assad regime in Syria.”
Civilians reported killed: 2
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, White Helmets [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (2), Syrian Network for Human Rights, Violations Documentation Centre, Shabha Press Agency [Arabic], All4Syria [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on October 27th-28th 2015: “For 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 71 combat sorties engaging 118 terrorist objects in the Idlib, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Lattakia provinces…
Near Tel-Mregan (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber made a strike against a terrorist strong point. The object was used by terrorists for carrying out control over the highway, by which ammunition and armament were delivered to militants. As a result of a direct hit of an air bomb, the strong point and the covering automobile vehicles equipped with AA artillery systems ZU-23 were destroyed.”

 

October 27th 2015: (R065) حريتان Hraytan, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Eight named civilians were killed and a number injured in a reported Russian night-time airstrike at Hraytan, near Aleppo.
The White Helmets – whose teams worked through the night to retrieve the dead and injured, reported: “Civil Defence team pulls out seven martyrs and several injured following Russian bombardement with vacuum missiles.“
Hraytan City, an opposition site, later published the names of eight people it said had died in the attack:
Khudar Bin Ali Hamsho
Ahmad Ghazal
Mohammad Abdo
Mohammad Mustapha Abdo
Mohammad Ghazal
Abdullah Haytham Al Quraifi – 10 years old
Mohammad Masha’el – 65 years old
Haytham Ismail Quraifi
Civilians reported killed: 8, including 1 child
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: White Helmets [Facebook, Arabic], Rescue operation – footage, Shaam News Network [Arabic], Rescue footage (2) via Shaam News Network, Radio Al Kul [Arabic], Hraytan City [Facebook, Arabic], Hraytan City (2) [Arabic], Names of dead – Hraytan City (3) [Arabic], White Helmets – bodies retrieved from site, Daylight scene of attack – Shaam News Network,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on October 27th-28th 2015: “For 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 71 combat sorties engaging 118 terrorist objects in the Idlib, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Lattakia provinces…
Near Tel-Mregan (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber made a strike against a terrorist strong point. The object was used by terrorists for carrying out control over the highway, by which ammunition and armament were delivered to militants. As a result of a direct hit of an air bomb, the strong point and the covering automobile vehicles equipped with AA artillery systems ZU-23 were destroyed.”

White Helmets rescue operation at Hraytan, October 27th

 

October 27th 2015: (R067) تل هادية Tal Hadya, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: At least nine civilians were reported killed – including five children and two women – in an alleged Russian strike on the town of Tal Hayda. Early reports claimed the strike involved cluster munitions.
Aleppo White Helmets noted at the time “Civil defence teams pulled out… 11 martyrs from Tal Hadya and dozens of injured.” And according to All4Syria “Field sources also reported that Russian aircraft launched several air strikes on the village of Tal Hadya in the southern countryside of Aleppo, killing eleven civilians, including four children and three women, in addition to more than twenty wounded.“
Violations Documentation Center later named nine victims:
Mohammad Mustafa Bakkour
Wife of Firas Abd al-Raheem al-Khashouf
Daughter of Firas Abd al-Raheem al-Khashouf 1
Daughter of Firas Abd al-Raheem al-Khashouf 2
Wife of Ramzi al-Zaeim
Son of Ramzi al-Zaeim
Daughter of Hosain al-Dasher
Naji al-Naji
Daughter of Haytham
Civilians reported killed: 9-11, including 4-5 children, 2 women
Reported injured: 20
Sources: Aleppo White Helmets [Arabic], All4Syria [Arabic], Shaam News Network [Arabic], Shaam News Network (2) [Arabic], Syrian Media Committee [Arabic], Violations Documentation Center,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on October 27th-28th 2015: “For 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 71 combat sorties engaging 118 terrorist objects in the Idlib, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Lattakia provinces…
Near Tel-Mregan (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber made a strike against a terrorist strong point. The object was used by terrorists for carrying out control over the highway, by which ammunition and armament were delivered to militants. As a result of a direct hit of an air bomb, the strong point and the covering automobile vehicles equipped with AA artillery systems ZU-23 were destroyed.”

 

October 27th 2015: (R068) البوابية Al Bawabye, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Up to four civilians including a young girl were reported killed following heavy airstrikes at Al Bawabye which were widely attributed to Russia.
The White Helmets reported that “Civil defence teams pulled out 4 martyrs in Al Bawabiya.”
The Violations Documentation Center later named three fatalities:
Kaled al-Taleb – man
Abdulkareem al-Taleb – man
Fatemah al-Taleb – 4 year old girl
Civilians reported killed: 3-4
Reported injured: 3
Sources: White Helmets [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, Souriyati [Arabic], Smart News [Arabic], All4Syria [Arabic],
Quality of reporting:
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on October 27th-28th 2015: “For 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 71 combat sorties engaging 118 terrorist objects in the Idlib, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Lattakia provinces…
Near Tel-Mregan (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber made a strike against a terrorist strong point. The object was used by terrorists for carrying out control over the highway, by which ammunition and armament were delivered to militants. As a result of a direct hit of an air bomb, the strong point and the covering automobile vehicles equipped with AA artillery systems ZU-23 were destroyed.”

 

October 27th 2015: (R069) اللطامنة Ltamenah, Hama governorate, Syria

Summary: A civilian neighbourhood was targeted in Ltamenah – allegedly by Russia – which killed approximately 10 civilians.
According to Shaam “10 civilians (three of them from one family) were killed, and five wounded, as a result of Russian aircraft targeting civilian homes with vacuum missiles.”
Violations Documentation Center later named Khaled Abdulhameed al-Jahem as having died from injuries sustained in the attack.
Civilians reported killed: 10, including at least 2 children
Reported injured: 20 or more
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], Shaam News Network (2) [Arabic], GRAPHIC Footage of civilian victims of Latamneh strike, Alaan TV [Arabic], Syrian Media Committee [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Hama governorate on October 27th-28th 2015: “For 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 71 combat sorties engaging 118 terrorist objects in the Idlib, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Lattakia provinces.”

GRAPHIC: Civilian victims of ‘Russian strike’ at Latamneh Oct 27th

 

October 27th 2015: (R070) أم ميال Um Mayyal, Hama governorate, Syria
Summary: In a contested event, four named women and men were reported killed in an airstrike at Um Mayyal. While Violations Documentation Center, the Syrian Network and others blamed Russia, the opposition Syria News Desk – which said three homes were destroyed in the incident – said the attack was the work of Assad regime aircraft.
The Syrian Network later published eyewitness testimony from Hassan Al Ahmad, manager of the Child Care Organization, who visited the site: “I was 1.5 km away from the shelling location and went directly to see what happened. I saw a group of young men from the civil defense trying to tell the crowds to leave the shelling site out of fear from being shelled again. The council was shelled previously and the schools suffered from great damage, and four young men were injured Our city is run by local civilian committees and is free of any military presence for any group as all headquarters were evacuated according to the residents’ demands. However, the Russian warplanes launched their airstrikes on civilians.”
The dead were later named as:
Khlaif Shahoud al-Hekari – adult man
Shahoud Khlaif al-Hekari – adult man
Fatima Khlaif al-Hekari – adult woman
Dahlia – 52 year old woman
The Syrian Network said four young men were injured in the attack – but made no mention of fatalities.
Civilians reported killed: 4, including 2 women
Reported injured: 4
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Revolution Forum [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Syria News Desk [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Hama governorate on October 27th-28th 2015: “For 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 71 combat sorties engaging 118 terrorist objects in the Idlib, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Lattakia provinces.”

 

October 27th 2015: (R071) قبر الأنكليزي Kabr al Inglizi, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Four civilians were reported killed in Kabr al Inglizi (‘Tomb of the English’) in an alleged strike by Russia. According to the White Helmets “Civil defence removed the bodies of four martyrs and several wounded following Russian bombing with vacuum missiles.“
Civilians reported killed: 4
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: White Helmets [Arabic], Aksalser [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Al Araby [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on October 27th-28th 2015: “For 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 71 combat sorties engaging 118 terrorist objects in the Idlib, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Lattakia provinces.”

 

October 28th 2015: (R072) تل هادية Tal Hadya, Aleppo governorate, Syria

Summary: As many as 11 civilians were reported killed in the second alleged Russian airstrike in as many days on Tal Hadya. A large number of civilians were also reportedly injured in the nighttime attack.
According to the Syrian Observatory, “nine people [six women, one child and two men] were killed in bombing by warplanes believed to be Russian, on the village of Tal Hadya in the southern Aleppo countryside.” Local news placed the civilian toll at 11.
VDC named two civilians killed as Alae Nahhas (pictured right) and Abo Enoud – a 14-year old boy (pictured below.)
Civilians reported killed: 9-11, including 1-7 children, 0-6 women
Reported injured: 50
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Zamanmasdar.net [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

October 28th 2015: (R073) بانص Bansh, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: At least one and as many as seven civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian strike on Bansh. Violations Documentation Center reported that an unnamed woman was killed “Due to the Russian army air forces’ shelling.”
Civilians reported killed: 1-7, including 1 woman
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Media Committee [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Aleppo News Network [Arabic], Halab News [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair, though limited detail
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

 

October 28th 2015: (R074) عندان Anadan, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: At least three named civilians, including a child, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan and nearby Kafr Hamra.
There was some confusion about the incident, with Zaitonmag reporting that seven anti-government fighters were killed along with three civilians: “A Brigade commander working for Ahrar Syria in Aleppo said that seven of his fighters were martyred Tuesday evening as a result of bombing by Russian warplanes targeting a headquarters of the brigade near the city of Anadan in the Aleppo countryside. Zaitoun’s correspondent in Aleppo reported that Russian warplanes launched four raids on the perimeter of Anadan city.
One of the raids raids targeted a mosque, killing a child and two men – one of whom is a media activist. The mosque was nearly totally destroyed. Members of the civil defence were also injured after being targeted by the Russian aviation during the rescue mission that followed the first raid.”
Violations Documentation Center has listed the following as civilians killed in the attack:
Mahmoud Ahmad Gazal – adult male
Kheder Ali Hamsho – adult male
Ahmad Gazal – adult male
Mohammad Eido – adult male
Mohammad Mostafa Eido – adult male
Mohammad Gazal – adult male
Abdullah Haytham Qoraifi – child
Mohammad al-Shaelan – man
Haytham Ismaeil Qoraifi – man
Other reports instead listed three civilians (a man, his child and his mother) killed at nearby Kafr Hamra. According to the White Helmets, “Members of the civil defence pulled out this morning the body of the martyr Haytham Garisha who was martyred with his child and mother following the targeting of his house by warplanes in the town of Kafr Hamra on Tuesday evening October 27th.” Mr Garisha [probably Haytham Ismail Qoraifi n VDC’s list] was described by the Syrian Observatory as a media activist.
Civilians reported killed: 3-9, including 1 child
Reported injured: 10 or more
Sources: Shahba News [Arabic], Zaitonmag [Arabic], Halab News [Arabic], Orbit [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, White Helmets Aleppo – recovery of body, Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [2],
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

 

October 29th 2015: (R075) دوما Douma, Damascus governorate, Syria
Summary: At least 70 people died and as many as 550 were injured in what was initially reported as a Russian airstrike on the marketplace in Douma. However subsequent reports indicated the specific attack was most likely the work of Assad regime aircraft. Part of the confusion lay in the fact that Russian Air Force aircraft had also reportedly carried out strikes on the city that day.
As AP noted: “There were conflicting reports about the attack in Douma. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordination Committees said government forces fired more than 11 missiles at a market. The Observatory said the attack killed 57 people, while the LCC said at least 40 died… The Syrian National Council, the main Western-backed opposition group in exile, blamed Russian air strikes for the “massacre” in Douma, saying 55 civilians were killed. It said it was the second deadly attack in the past 24 hours after Russian air strikes hit the main Douma hospital.“
According to Medecins Sans Frontiers, “At least 70 people have been killed and 550 injured in an air strike on a marketplace in the Douma neighbourhood near Damascus, Syria. As the nearest makeshift hospital had been bombed the previous day, medical workers struggled to cope with the influx of injured people. MSF fears the intensification of bombing that has been seen in northern and central Syria over the course of October could become even more horrific if it spreads to besieged areas around Damascus, where almost a million people are trapped with no way to escape, few medical facilities, and no options for medical evacuations of seriously wounded. The devastation caused by the initial air strike on the market was exacerbated by further shelling on the rescue teams who were attending to the wounded. Two hundred and fifty patients required surgery, and a further 300 patients have been treated for non-surgical wounds. The multi-trauma wounds are described by medics as being worse than anything they have seen before.”
Civilians reported killed: 70
Reported injured: 550
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], Shaam News Network – Russian aircraft over Douma, Shaam News Network (3) [Arabic], Shaam News Network (4) [Arabic], Medecins Sans Frontiers, Associated Press, Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera English, CNN, CBS News, Guardian, Reuters,
Quality of reporting: Likely disproved
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

 

October 30th 2015: (R076) ابديتا Ibdita, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: One civilian man named as Ahmed Murr was reported killed and 10 people injured in an alleged Russian morning airstrike on the village of Ibdita. His two sons were also critically wounded in the attack.
In a later news feature, Shaam News reported: “Samer was taken to the hospital in Ma’arat, where his body was put in one of the morgue fridges among the dead until one of the nurses heard sounds and quickly checked inside the fridge to find Samer still alive. He was quickly transferred to Idlib, and then to Karakhan in Turkey – where he underwent several operations to remove shrapnel from his head which led the green-eyed boy to lose his sight.”
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured: 2
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Union of Hama Rebels [Arabic], Shaam News (2) [Arabic], Shaam News (3) [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

 

October 30th 2015: (R077) الرستن Al Rastan, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: A woman and child (and possibly a third civilian) were killed in an alleged Russian morning airstrike at Al Rastan.
According to the Union of Hama rebels, those killed were “an orphan and his grandmother“. They were later named by VDC as Hamameh Abbas and Abdul Kareem Adnan al-Shaikh.
Civilians reported killed: 2-3
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Union of Hama Rebels [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, GRAPHIC Airstrike on Al Rastan and bodies of deceased, GRAPHIC Bodies of the deceased,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

GRAPHIC Strike on Al Rastan and bodies of deceased

 

October 30th 2015: (R078) تلبيسة Talbiseh, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: One civilian male was killed and several non-combatants injured “including women and children” following an alleged Russian strike on Talbiseh.
The man – named by Violations Documentation Center as Iyad Hsain Jomaa Al Latouf – was also shown in a graphic video depicting his body.
Civilians reported killed: 1
Reported injured: 2 or more
Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Union of Hama Rebels [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, GRAPHIC ‘Talbisseh the martyr Iyad Joma’a was killed as a result of Russian raids 30/10/2015’, GRAPHIC Body of Iyad Joma’a (2),
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

 

October 30th 2015: (R079)جسر الشغور Kastan, Jisr al Shughour, Homs governorate, Syria
Summary: Up to five civilians – among them three children and an adult male – were reported killed in an alleged air and ground assault on Jisr al Shughour, according to a number of sources.
The Syrian Network later named the dead as:
Rana Rami Edrees -child
Ahmad Mohamad Al Abdullah – child from Idlib
Mahmoud Zuhair Edrees – child
Moustafa Khado from Al Meshyrfi in Idlib
Shaam News reported that “Russian warplanes carried out two raids with rockets on the town of al Kastan in the countryside of Jisr Al Shoughour, which led to the fall of three martyrs and dozens wounded, in conjunction with an intense rocket attack launched from the town of Guerin targeting Jisr al Shoughour.”
Reporting from the village, Orient News’ Hashem al Abdullah interviewed an unnamed male eyewitness: “At exactly 8:35am the Russian planes were heard roaming the skies. As soon as we heard the sound of the planes a raid was carried out on the village of Al Kastan. There were three missiles, I am not sure what type they were, either vacuum or cluster, I am not sure what the term is for them. As a result three children were killed , three little children and a girl is in very serious condition, I am not sure if she will survive. I hope she does. That’s what happened.“
Civilians reported killed: 4-5, including 3 children
Reported injured: 10
Sources: Shaam News [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Union of Hama Rebels [Arabic], Radio Alkul [Arabic], Radio Hara [Arabic], Orient News – report from village [Arabic], EXTREMELY GRAPHIC Picture of decapitated child, Zama News [Arabic], Syrian Network for Human Rights [English] [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

 

October 30th 2015: (R080) الدانا Al Dana, Idlib governorate, Syria
Summary: Four civilians were reported killed either at Al Dana, or on a road approaching the town.
No other details are presently available.
Civilians reported killed: 4
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Union of Hama Rebels [Arabic], Radio Hara [Arabic], Al Amawi News [Arabic], Radio Alkul [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Weak
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

https://twitter.com/ALAMAWI/status/660050756045680641?lang=en-gb

October 30th 2015: (R081) الباب Al Bab, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: At least 10 and as many as 13 civilians were reported killed and 40 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab.
According to Shaam News, “More than 10 civilians were killed in the city of Al Bab controlled by IS in addition to many injured. The aircraft targeted Al Rihawi mosque, Martta Square, Beith Al Shami neighbouhood and Sheikh Faress Mosuqe in the city centre which caused widespread destruction in shops and property.
Daesh propaganda footage shows heavy damage to a retail district.
The Syrian Observatory reported that the Al Bab strike – along with attacks on nearby Al Kalassa and Al Ferdous – between them killed “64 civilians including 28 children and 6 women.”
Among those reported injured was Hussein Badawi, head of the local civil defence. Baladi News was alone in attributing the attack to Assad regime forces.
Civilians reported killed: 10-13, including 1 woman, 1 child
Reported injured: 40
Sources: Shaam News [Arabic], Daesh propaganda – cleanup in Al Bab, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, White Helmets of Aleppo [Arabic], Baladi News [Arabic], Qasioun [Arabic], Al Bab Breaking News, Media activist tweet [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

 

October 30th 2015: (R081a) تادف Tadeef, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Up to ten civilians – at least two of them young children – were alleged killed following a reported Russian strike on Tadeef. Some victims were later named as:
Male child of Ahmad Al Ghabbash
Mohammad Khaled Al A’wad – aged 8
Daughter of Abd Al Haleem Shbeib – age unknown
Yahiya al Dalati
However neither the Syrian Observatory, Eldorar or Radio Alkul reported civilian deaths, instead describing between 12 and 15 injuries.
Both Al Araby and Syria News also reported the involvement of Assad regime aircraft in the attack.
Civilians reported killed: 4-10, including 1-3 children
Reported injured: 12-15
Sources: Coordination Committee for Tadef [Arabic], Halab News [Arabic], Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic], Radio Alkul [Arabic], Eldorar [Arabic], Al Araby [Arabic], Syria News Desk [Arabic], Coordination Committee for Tadef (2) [Arabic], Syrian Human Rights Committee [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

 

October 30th 2015: (R082) حي الكلاسة Al Kalassa, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: During a wave of Russian or Assad regime strikes near Aleppo, up to 25 civilians were reported killed – 17 of them said to be children – at Al Kalassa. Some reports placed the strike at Wadi al Arayes, though casualty reports make clear these are the same event.
According to Shaam News, “Another 15 civilians, including children, and dozens injured, in addition to the destruction of more than 10 houses in a raid on the Russian Aviation on Al Kalassah neighborhood.”
Radio Alkul reported that “field hospitals in Aleppo are calling for blood donations after the arrival of dozens of wounded following the Russian strike.”
The attack was described by some as the first by Russia on Aleppo itself. As Enabaladi noted, “There were conflicting reports about the origin of the missile which targeted the neighborhood. Locals assumed it is Russian as this is the first time they see this level of destruction, with five buildings completely destroyed.” However Aleppo Media Centre – while attributing other strikes in the vicinity that day to Russia – insisted the attack was the work of the Assad regime.
Halab News later named the following fatalities:
Wardeh Tinno, 9 years old
Janna Yasseen, 5 years old
Ali Tinno, 7 years old
Mohammad Tinno, a baby
Waleed Habboush, 3 years old
Hussein Samer al Hassan, 3 years old
Ali Hassan Abd Al Qader, 10 years old
Badriyah Hassan Abd Al Qader, 12 years old
Mohammad Hassan Abd Al Qader, 7 years old
Hajer Ahmad Ameen, 5 years old
Ridah Ziyad Assi, 9 years old
Mohammad Assi, 11 years old
Mohammed Yahya al Assi – boy
Ammoun Tinno, 50 years old
Baddour Tinno, 9 years old
Sadra Yasseen, 8 years old
Aisha Abbass, 35 years old
Mahmoud Abbas, 2 years old
Siham Jirban, 9 years old
Unknown child from Al Idilbi family
Unknown, 70 years old
5x unnamed members of Al Nahlawi family
Civilians reported killed: 15-26, including 18 children
Reported injured: 20 or more
Sources: Shaam News [Arabic], Shaam News – footage of White Helmet rescue efforts at Al Kalassah, Footage – searching for survivors, Radio Alkul [Arabic], Enabaladi [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, Aleppo Media Centre [Arabic], Baladi News [Arabic], White Helmets [Arabic], Halab News – list of dead [Arabic]
Smart News – rescue and recovery, Shaheed Ayan [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

White Helmets at Al Kalassa following reported Russian strike Oct 30th

Searching for survivors at Al Kalassa

Rescuers try to reach victims at Wadi al Arayes/ Al Kalassa Oct 30th

 

October 30th 2015: (R083) الفردوس Fardous, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Up to 15 civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on the Aleppo district of Fardous.
According to Shaam News, “A further 15 civilians were killed in Al Ferdous neighborhood after a Russian plane targeted it with several vacuum missiles – in addition to about five martyrs in Salah al-Din neighborhood.”
The dead were later named as:
Mustafa Younes – 12 year old boy
Seham Ramadan – 10 year old girl
Abdullah Ahmad Shuheiber – 10 or 16 year old boy
Mohammad Yousef Aboud – adult male, 28
Mohammad Qoja – adult male
Mahmoud Qoja
Mohammad Shamali – adult male, 24
Mohammad Abd al-Halim Deeb – adult male
Unnamed boy from Kadek family
Founoun Radwan
Samiha Halabia
Ridah Ziyad Assi, 9 years old
Mohammad Assi, 9 years old
Civilians reported killed: 13-15, including 6 children
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Shaam News [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, Shaheed Ayan Aleppo [Arabic], Aleppo News Network – moments after airstrike, Alburaq Media – post strike rescue and recovery, Aleppo Media Centre [Arabic], Halab News – list of dead [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Fardous moments after an October 30th airstrike

 

October 30th 2015: (R085) حي كرم النزهة Karem el Nuzha, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: Up to six civilians were reported killed in the village of Karem el Nuzha on the outskirts of Aleppo, in an alleged Russian airstrike.
Smart News said six died in the attack. An eyewitness later told the local news agency: “We came over, and in this corner there was a corpse, body parts of a young man called Khaled and here there was another civilian. they were all civilian, the bombs fell on civilians. Here too there was an old man, him and his car they went along with his cousin. A missile fell here in the middle of the road and there are houses on both sides. Over here there was a family. two little girls and their mother. The mother and one of the girls were martyred and we pulled one out alive. Just look at the destruction. that’s what happened here.”
Five of the victims were later named as:
Fatim al-Hosain
Khalil al-Saleh – 50 years old
Bashar Hasan Saleh – aged 20
Khaled
Female child
Civilians reported killed: 5-6, including 1 child
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Shaheed Ayan [Arabic], Smart News – post strike footage and interviews, Alburaq [Arabic], Step News Agency – post strike photos,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

 

October 30th 2015: (R086) حي صلاح الدين Salaheddin, Aleppo governorate, Syria
Summary: As many as five civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian strike at Salaheddin. According to the White Helmets “The civil defence rushed to the scene and pulled out five bodies including children. Several wounded were rescued.“
Smart News later published footage showing significant damage to residential apartments. One eyewitness named as Amer told the channel “we were bombed by the Russian planes and we lost two martyrs and five are wounded. We don’t have Free Syrian Army or anyone, we’re all civilian here.”
Civilians reported killed: 2-5, including 1-2 children
Reported injured: 5
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], Shaam News (2) [Arabic], White Helmets Aleppo [Arabic], Smart News – aftermath of strike,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

 

October 30th 2015: (R087) مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان Maarat al Numan, Idlib governorate, Syria

Summary: Between seven and eight civilians including three children were killed in what were reported by most as four Russian airstrikes on the town of Maarat al Numan. However a local activist group and the Homs Meda Network attributed the attack to the Assad regime.
The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center as:
Abd al-Wahab Yosef al-Br – a teacher (pictured)
Ibraheem Ahmad Akel al-Khadijeh
Riad Bakeer (pictured)
Ahmad al-Merr
Mohammad Maher Basha – boy
Safaa Saher al-Matar – girl
Yousef Khaled Al Hussain – boy
An eighth unnamed victim

Civilians reported killed: 7-8, including 3 children
Reported injured: 15
Sources: Shaam News Network [Arabic], Shaam News – reported post-strike footage, Union of Hama Rebels [Arabic], Violations Documentation Centre, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [Arabic], Syrian Press Centre [Arabic], Marat al Numan and its countryside [Arabic], Homs Media Network [Arabic],
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

 

October 31st 2015: (R088) دوما Douma, Damascus governorate, Syria
Summary: The White Helmets were among those reporting multiple civilian fatalities after a series of alleged Russian airstrikes on Douma. “Since the morning until now, more than 15 strikes,” the civil defence group posted. Syria Reporter published what it said was an image of two Russian aircraft operating over the city that day.
The dead were later named as:
Khaldoun Houssam Al Rheibani – child
Yussuf Khaled Khabiya
Yasser Hassan Kabkab
Ahmad Yasser Blaleh
Waleed Deeb M’ekeh
Yunis Mohammad Naji
Three unidentified women
Civilians reported killed: 6-9, including 1-3 children, 3 women
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: White Helmets – casualty list [Arabic], Radio Alkul [Arabic], Baladi News [Arabic], Qasioun [Arabic], Revolutionary Forces of Syria [Arabic], Syrian Reporter [Arabic], SMO Media – footage of aftermath,
Quality of reporting: Fair
Russian position: The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Aftermath of alleged Russian strike on Douma, October 30th

 

October 31st 2015: (R089) الحميدية Hamidiya, Dayr ez Zawr governorate, Syria
Summary: Four named civilians were killed in a reported Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Hamidiya. The Violations Documentation Center named the victims, all adult males, as:
Qasem Mohammad Ahmad al-Madi al-Jole
Maher al-Dali
Ahmad al-Dali
Hsain al-Mustafa
Civilians reported killed: 4
Reported injured: Unknown
Sources: Violations Documentation Centre, Smart News [Arabic], All4Syria [Arabic], Radio Alkul [Arabic]
Quality of reporting: Contested
Russian position: In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Dayr ez Zawr governorate.