Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1186

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R1070RS1181)

One named child died and up many more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Rastan, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

LCCSY reported one “child martyr and the critical wounding of other civilians in airstrikes on residential houses in ‪‎Rastan‬ city”.

According to Qasioun, “Russian fighter jets used phosphorous bombs and napalm on residential neighborhoods, resulting in fires in civilian homes and commercial shops”.

However, other sources – Syria News Desk, Rozana, Radio Al Kul and Rasd-sy – blamed the Assad regime. Rasd-sy put the death toll at two, while Syria News Desk reported that one child died when regime jets carried out “eight vacuum missiles strikes in Rastan neighborhoods”.

Sln added that “dozens were wounded in the cities of Rastan and Brive in Homs.”

More than one source reported the use of “phosphorous bombs”.

Victims

Individuals

Hossam Abdul Rahman Obaid
Child male named by Syrian Newsdesk killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
1–2
1 Child
Civilians reported injured
2–12

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ar-Rastan (الرستن‬), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.93, 36.74. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed