Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS1480

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.254309, 40.355344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major civilian casualty incident allegedly took place at an IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside. Al Yaqeen reported about 100 displaced people were killed, mostly women and children, following an alleged aerial bombardment by the US-led Coalition at the camp (pictured). However this was contested – with Euphrates Post asserting that this news was in fact propaganda put out by the so-called Islamic State organization.

Activists quoted in the Syrian Mirror described a “massacre of about 120 civilians, including 100 children”, the death tolls were reiterated by Jisrtv – both blamed the US-led Coalition.

Activists shared concern “about the increase in the number due to the injuries of varying degrees of danger, in light of the weakness of medical services and the shortage of medicines and medical staff” with Shaam News, they also posted pictures which showed the wounded and “significant physical destruction in the targeted area’”. According to Shaam “Al-Assad and his Russian ally planes fly with the International Coalition aircraft to bomb areas under the control of the Islamic State in Deir al-Ghazal countryside, which are full of civilians. None of the planes have taken any notice of the lives of children, women and the elderly”.

Sadaalsham News did not identify a culprit, and referred only to “unknown military aircraft”, however it cited Step News Agency which quoted a source “close to Daesh”, which attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. @abazeid89 blamed both the US-led Coalition and Russia for the massacre, and posted a graphic photograph of a girl bloodied following the raid.

RFS Media Office said Moscow was responsible, asserting that “Russian warplanes” carried out the “horrific massacre” on the IDP camps in Deir Ezzor city’s countryside.

A later report from Euphrates Post revealed a significant discrepancy with reporting and said the incident did not happen. According to the Post the Al-A’amaq agency, the media wing of so-called Islamic State, “broadcast a video showing children victims’ bodies it claimed to have died as a result of the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on a camp near the village of Jadid Akeidat rural Deir Ezzor East”. However the Post “ found that the children martyrs were killed as a result of the bombing by Russian warplanes on the town of Khisham on Thursday morning and that the children’s pictures belong to the children of Fadil Mohammed Al Khamis, who are displaced from the village of Al Bou Amro and they are in the town of Khasham”. Euphrates Post claimed “There is also no camp in the village of Jadid Akidat or near it. There were no raids on the town of Jadid Akeidat yesterday. What Al A’amaq broadcast were the victims or the massacres in al mayadeen, Bokdors and Khisham”

Two named children were killed in the town of Khasham, according to Euphrates Post, and reported by al a’amaq as having been killed in the alleged Jadid Akeidate camp.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amal Fadel Mohammed al Khamis
Child reported killed by IS at the camp, however killed in Khasham according to Euphrates Post killed
Walaa Mohammed al Khamis
Child reported killed by IS at the camp, however killed in Khasham, Euphrates Post killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    100 – 120
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The camp near the village of "Jadid Akeidat" (via Al Yaqeen news agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic stills from a video post by A'amaq Agency, September 14th (via Shaam)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little girl covered in blood, likely killed following airstrikes. The source alleged she was killed in the camp near the village of Jadid Akidat however it is unclear whether the reports are so-called Islamic State propaganda, September 14th (via @abazeid89)
  • The children of Fadil Mohammed Al Khamis alleged killed by A'amaq Agency. According to Euphrates post they were killed in Khasham town, not the camp, the source reported the camp does not exist. September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • A row of children killed in alleged airstrikes on an IDP camp near Jadid Akeidad. The incident, initially reported by A'amaq was disounted by Euphrates Post as so-called Islamic State propaganda. September 14th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an IDP camp near the town of Jadid Akeidat (جدید عكیدات). Airwars was unable to locate an IDP camp or individual tents/structures of IDPs near this town on satellite image before or after the alleged incident. The coordinates for the town of Jadid Akeidat (جدید عكیدات) are: 35.254309, 40.355344

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Jadid Akeidat, al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position " and, “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.“

For September 14th-15th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles", and "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Wednesday 13 September – a Reaper twice engaged terrorists on foot, as well as a truck-bomb, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck a Daesh building, all near Dayr az Zawr…On Wednesday 13 September, another Reaper continued patrolling near Dayr az Zawr. It used two Hellfire missiles to attack terrorists spotted on foot, then employed a third missile to destroy an armoured truck-bomb positioned next to a main road. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair meanwhile targeted a group of Daesh in a building nearby, scoring a direct hit with a Brimstone.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    100 – 120
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1813

Incident date

December 31, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1371787, 36.8106364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One source reported that 109 civilians were killed by Russian or Syrian regime warplanes in Al Atarib, Aleppo.

One other source reported that there was shelling due to Syrian regime warplanes which wounded civilians and destroyed building.

There are no other sources at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 109
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 109
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1788

Incident date

December 12, 2016

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty incident widely reported as a sarin gas attack, between 20 and 102 civilians, including women and between five and 28 children, were killed and between 100 to 500 civilians were injured in airstrikes against the village of Akeirbat in the eastern suburb of Hama, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russian or regime planes were responsible for the airstrikes.

Initial estimates put the number of casualties between 20-35 but at the time of reporting, the correspondent for Orient, Saif Al-Abdullah, noted that “the number of [dead] is likely to rise due to the large number of seriously injured, the lack of atropine, and the absence of medical [locations].”

According to local media, more than 20 airstrikes carrying both bombs and sarin gas targeted civilians in Akeirbat, which was said to have been under the control of the Islamic State at the time.

The raids focused on the residential areas of Aquirbat, Nuaimiyah, Al Qstil, Al Hanouta, and Alsaliya, which were heavily occupied with refugees who had fled violence in other cities. The area of Akeirbat had been repeatedly bombed as part of a campaign against the city of Palmyra in Homs – and was facing a media blackout at the time.

There was no consensus among reporters of who who was responsible for the chemical bombing, with reports equally split between Russian and regime blame.

Many local sources, including Syria News Desk and Zaman Al Wasl, identified regime planes as the culprit while various other sources, including Al A’maq and Smart News, blamed Russian planes for the airstrikes.

Other sources, such as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, did not identify who was responsible for the bombing while others, such as Alarabiya, specifically pointed out that it did not know if the planes belonged to Russia or the regime.

Victims of the sarin gas attack were treated at local hospitals for fainting, suffocation, nausea, involuntary urination, paralysis, and eye swelling. Most victims reportedly had no signs of physical injuries or blood, offering evidence for a toxic gas attack. Local medics claimed that the gas had no colour or smell, which distinguishes it from chlorine.

Media activist Ahmed Al-Hamwi told Syria News Desk that entire families were among those killed in the airstrikes. Many of those killed had hidden in trenches before they knew that toxic gas was being dropped, which is heavier than air and therefore suffocated those in the trenches.

The London-based Guardian also reported on this event. It’s report said: “Up to 300 people were also reported to have been injured in the strikes on Monday morning around 130 miles west of the city of Palmyra, which was retaken from Syrian forces by the Islamic State group. Witnesses to the attacks say that none of those who died had blast injuries.

“’Most of the dead were families’,” said Ahmad al Hamawi, head of a regional council. ‘They had built primitive shelters and they ran to them, not knowing it was poison gas. While they were in the shelters the gas entered because of the wind direction, and killed dozens, mostly women and children.'”

@AleppoAMC said that up to 500 people had suffered from “suffocation”.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 102
  • (5–28 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100–500
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in airstrikes against the town of Akeirbat, Dec. 12th (via Alarabiya News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in airstrikes against the town of Akeirbat, Dec. 12th (via Alarabiya News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Massacre in Akeirbat that resulted in more than 100 killed and hundreds injured, Dec. 12th (via @Ahmadmuaffaq)
  • Victims receiving treatment at a local medical center following toxic gas attacks on Akeirbat, Dec. 12th (via @SyrianCoalition

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 102
  • (5–28 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100–500
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS356

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 52 and 96 civilians including three women and one child were killed and more than 200 injured in Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Numan, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network initially reported that more than 20 civilians were killed and dozens wounded (mostly women and children) when Russian warplanes struck different districts of the city with “highly explosive missiles“, targeting civilian homes, a popular market place and the Justice Palace. The death toll climbed in subsequent reports, finally reaching over 90 with more than 200 wounded “thronging field hospitals in the region“. They stated that body parts were scattered all over the area.

Activists told SNN that Russian aircraft also targeted a courthouse and prison belonging to the Al-Nusra Front, resulting in massive destruction and the deaths of all who were at the site or around it.

They said that the majority of those killed were prisoners who were being held on multiple charges including belonging to the FSA. A medical source added that masked members of the Al-Nusra Front raided a field hospital in the region to arrest some of the injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also blamed a Russian bombardment. An initial report put the death toll at 39 people “including rebels, prisoners and civilians, while dozens of others were wounded and seriously wounded.”

But two other reports said more people had died, with the figure finally rising to 81, including 52 civilian citizens and prisoners (including three women and a child), 23 fighters from Jabhat Al-Nusra (al-Qaeda in the Levant) and six fighters from other rebel and Islamic factions.

According to the Syrian Observatory, Russia used four missiles on the Administrative Court of Jabhat Al-Nusra which included a prison, in addition to targeting areas in the vicinity of Maarat al Numan. As a consequence it said the death toll was even higher, but that this could not be documented because “of extreme secrecy by concerned parties in the area“.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights published four early reports which blamed the Assad regime. But a detailed fifth report eventually said Russian warplanes were responsible, and that 67 people had died, including three women.

The White Helmets – which needed two days to clear the site – said the final death toll was 96.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

37 years old male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    52 – 96
  • (1 child3 women37 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    200
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Al Jazeera reporting on the incident in Maarat al Numan. Graphic footage showing deceased and injured civilians. (via, Al Jazeera)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of the deceased line the streets in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raids on the 9th of January 2016. (via, Al Maara Today)
  • Zakaria Abd al-Jabbar al-Satouf, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Abd al-Jabbar al-Satouf, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Omer Khaled al-Saraqbi, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Hasan Dody "Inak", killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Samawel Mohammad al-Mahmoud, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Foad al-Qadour, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Adeeb Abo Hosain, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 9th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Deceased civilians in the back of an ambulance in Maarat al Numan. (via, LCCSY)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Upsetting footage of deceased civilians. (via, Shaam News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage of civilian casualties being pulled out of the rubble by the White Helmets. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Four casualties from the alleged Russian raids in Maarat al Numan. (via, Al Latamna youth gathering)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    52 – 96
  • (1 child3 women37 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    200
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS451

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 61 and 90 civilians including two women and 11 children were killed – and between 40 and 100 others injured – in airstrikes on Khusham, according to multiple sources. While three of the five sources say that Russia was responsible for the attack, there was some uncertainty from the Syrian Network for Human Rights whether Russia or the regime were to blame.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian aircraft targeted the centre of the village of Khusham, near the “clinic of Sushi Mleihan“. They published eight reports in which they named some of those killed and documented the rising death toll, which they finally put at 90, with more than 100 wounded.

The Shaam News Network also said that Russia carried out the raids, killing “at least 50 civilians” and injuring dozens more. They said that warplanes shelled several neighbourhoods, causing widespread destruction to civilian property including shops. But a subsequent report by SNN – referring to a report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights – said that the death toll rose to at least 61 including 11 children and two women who were killed when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired four missiles.

In confused reporting, the Syrian Network for Human Rights initially said Russian warplanes killed 61 and wounded nearly 40 others when four missiles were launched on Khusham. But two subsequent reports said it was not clear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. However, a final report on February 5 once more blamed Russia, again putting the death toll at 61.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 33 non-combatants died, but the Observatory did not say who the “warplanes” belonged to.” They added that the death toll was likely to rise as many people were in a critical condition.

26 victims (killed “in a massacre due to Russian air forces shelling“) were named by the Violations Documentation Centre including one Unidentified male child.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named another 41 victims, including 4 members of a refugee family from Homs.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ghazi al Doulab
Adult male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The wife of Ghazi al Doulab
Adult female named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Family members (2)

Darik Khudar Al Subkhan
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Darik Khudar Al Subkhan
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Family members (3)

Shawwakh Al Shalash Al Jabr
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abd Shawwakh Al Shalash Al Jabr
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The son of Rakan Hasan Al Shalash al Jabr
Child male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Family members (7)

Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Age unknown refugee from Idlib, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Adult male killed

Family members (4)

Family members (3)

Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ahmad Alwan
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Jibreel Al Said Khalaf
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Al Ahmad
Age unknown male from the family of Alwan – abu Hamam, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The son of Mohammad al Nouri
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ali Manzil Al Zakari
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ammar Mohammad Al Ismail
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ali Khalaf al Aoued
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ali Abdullah Tabini Al Hamad
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Saddouk Al Hammoud
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Turki Ramadan Al Saleh
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Hussein Hassani Al Kalikal
Age unknown from Marat, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abboud Al Badrani
Age unknown a refugee from Marat, named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Zai’yan Al Dahl Al Dibbe
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mu’az Hasan Ali al Ahmad Al Habbash
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Eid Zai’m Salman Hamad Al A’wwad
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abd Al Wahab Jamal Mustafa Hamida al Hayess
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Hussein Al Shalash Al Jabr Al Mulazem
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The daughter of Mohamad A’kla Al Saleh Al Eid
Child female named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The son of Mohammad Al Ali Al Sarhan
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The son of Hassan Ali Al A’feen
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abdo Shei’bi Al Hamad Al Jawar
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The daughter of Omar Hamada Al Ma’idi
Age unknown female named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Albua’bta
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Mohammad Issa Al Khalil
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    61 – 90
  • (11 children2 women22 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A photo of Ghazi Al Doulab who was killed with his wife and two of his daughters in law and Tali’l Al Obeid in an alleged Russian strike on Khusham, January 23rd 2016. (via, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ibraheem Eid Shlash, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 23rd January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike from 23rd January 2016. (via, SOHR)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its military report published on 25th January, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last three days, January 22-24, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 169 combat sorties engaging 484 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure…crews of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed 18 combat sorties from the territory of the Russian Federation in order to engage manpower and hardware of the ISIS near Deir ez-Zor on January 22-24. Flight range reached more than 2,000 kilometers.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    61 – 90
  • (11 children2 women22 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2727

Incident date

November 13, 2017

Location

الاتارب, Atareb, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.1371787, 36.8106364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a mass civilian casualty event, as many as 82 civilians were killed, and 340 more were wounded, when six surface rockets and three missiles struck a popular market in Atareb. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for these raids.

According to sources, 100 shops as well as a police station were destroyed. As many as seven prisoners and 13 policemen were killed asa result.

With the hundreds that were injured, the hospitals were overrun with not enough beds or staff to attend to the wounded. One source reported that six civilians had limbs amputated.

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence spent days pulling bodies and wounded civilians out of the rubble. Many of the injuries were serious, and SN4HR suggested that the death toll was likely to rise.

There were between four and ten missing victims in the days to follow. These include, Ammar Hussam Barakat; Ahmed Sayed Ibrahim; Naji al-Sheikh Ibrahim (was detained at the police station Atareb); Khaled Marzafi (he was detained at al-Atareb police station).

Reports were published more than ten days after the strike bodies were still being recovered from the wreckage.

The incident occured at 14:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Omar
Adult male killed
Rashad Mohammad Abdul Raheem
Adult male killed
Omar Ali Rasheed
Adult male killed
Mohammad Nour Hayed
Adult male killed
Redhwan Ayoub
Adult male killed
Zanoub Sheikh Abdulhai
Adult female killed
Abdul Kader Mohammad Eid Al-Badawi
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khaled Mesto
Adult male killed
Mustafa Saeid
Adult male killed
Hsain Merie
Adult male killed
Hsain Qasem
Adult male killed
Abdul Rahman Saleh
Adult male from the town of Kfarnawan killed
Omar Rasem Rasheed
Adult male killed
Mershed al-Mahrouq
Adult male killed
Ali Hallaq
Adult male killed
Asaad Haj Taher
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ammar Deebo
Adult male killed
Hazem Khaled Deebo Ibraheem
Adult male killed
Naser Haj Merie
Adult male killed
Mohammad Naser Haj Merie
Adult male killed
daughter of Qays Mohammad Haj Merie
Adult female killed
Mohammad Mahmoud Abyan
Adult male killed
Abdul Azeem Ahmad Jaqoum
Adult male killed
Aref Jebraeil
Adult male killed
Yousef Bakreesh
Adult male killed
Ghassan Ayoub
Adult male killed
wife of Ahmad Othman
Adult female killed
Ruwaida Shawa
Adult female killed
Ali Faker Rasheed
Adult male killed
Naser Ahmad Hajar
Adult male killed
Mustafa Ahmad Daadoush
Adult male killed
Mohammad Abdo Merie
Adult male killed
Anas Hayed
Adult male killed
Mustafa Hamdan
Adult male killed
Naji al-Sheikh Ibraheem
Adult male killed
Ali Shreiki
Age unknown displaced from Latakia killed
Ali Barber
Age unknown killed
Khalouk barber
Age unknown from the village of Gene killed
Omar Issa
Age unknown from the town of Kfrkramin killed
Mu'ayyad 'Abdo
Age unknown from the town of Suhara killed
Wahba
Age unknown from the town of Suhara killed
Hassan Khalifa
Age unknown from Aleppo killed
Ayman ibn Abdo Karbo Zarzour
Age unknown from Limron killed
Hamouda Faisal Ibrahim
Age unknown from Limron killed
Dibo Abdelkader Dibomen
Age unknown from Limron killed
Hassan Ibrahim Shweif
Age unknown from Abzmu killed
Ghassan Ayoub
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Osman Mahjar
Age unknown from Aleppo killed
wife of Ahmed Osman
Age unknown female killed
Hossam Zreiq
Age unknown from Kfarhelb killed
Ruwaida Chua
Age unknown killed
Abdul Razzaq Ali Prince
Age unknown from Khan Sheikun killed
Zahra Hussein Jablawi
Age unknown from Kafranuran killed
Mohammed Hassan Hijazi
Age unknown from Abzmu killed
Ali Faker Rashid
Age unknown killed
Nasser Ahmed Hajar
Age unknown killed
Heba Osman
Age unknown from Lirmon killed
Mohammed Sultan
Age unknown from Aleppo killed
Mustafa Ahmed Dadoosh
Age unknown killed
Anas Haid
Age unknown killed
Assistant Mohammed Abdul Razzaq Al-Fajj
Age unknown killed
Police officer Yaman Said al-Shun
Age unknown killed
Police officer Hamadu Said al-Shun
Age unknown killed
Policeman Omar Mohammed Deif Shahoud
Age unknown killed
Policeman Hussein Shaalan Abdul Razzaq
Age unknown killed
Policeman Mustapha Mohamed Osman
Age unknown killed
Gabriel Abdel Wahid Gabriel
Age unknown killed
Policeman Ahmed Abdo Taher
Age unknown killed
Policeman Muhammad Hamdou al-Shun
Age unknown killed
Bassel Sawadi,
Age unknown policeman from Aleppo killed
Policeman Fadel Abdul Rahman
Age unknown killed
Policeman Hamdi Wais Al Ali
Age unknown killed
Mohamed Haj Abdo Mari
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 82
  • (5–6 children3–7 women30 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60–340
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (46) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (35) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims are pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Zamanawlasl)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Baladi-News)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Qasioun Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Thiqa News Agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims are pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via SCD Aleppo)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims are pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via @HadiAlabdallah)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via @t6jtp3IOxRHL2Ly)
  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/200702833716064/permalink/377471562705856/ Khahwa sada
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims are pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via White Helmets Aleppo)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via White Helmets Aleppo)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Thiqa News Agency)
  • Victims are pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via BBC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via BBC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via BBC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Alsouria)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Freejena)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Freejena)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Freejena)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Freejena)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Freejena)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Freejena)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via SCD Aleppo)
  • A wounded man in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • The moment airstrikes struck Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via HNN)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via HNN)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via HNN)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via HNN)
  • List of victims. (via SCD Aleppo)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Alarabiya)
  • The body of a child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of a victim in the aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via Alatareb.l.c.c2011)
  • The extent of damage caused by airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via HNN)
  • Mustafa Omar Issa, died of his injures on the 27th following airstrikes on Atareb, 13th November 2017. (via @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 82
  • (5–6 children3–7 women30 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60–340
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (46) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS935

Incident date

June 25, 2016

Location

القورية, Al Qouria, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.96, 40.55 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty incident, up to 80 civilians including 29 children and 21 women died and up to 100 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Qouria town, according to local media. Reports said that entire families were wiped out, and Airwars has listed the names of 74 victims. It is currently unclear who was responsible for the event, which sources blaming both Russia and the Assad regime.

The highest death toll was given by Al Araby, who put the number killed at “more than 80 people”. The Shaam News Network also said the number killed had risen to 80 (including 25 children), reporting “mass burials that break the heart.”

The Syrian News Network quoted UNICEF and said  “that there were reports of the deaths of 25 children in crowded areas in the town of Al-Quriyah in Deir ez-Zor air strikes”.

According to The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) there were “several raids with cluster bombs, killing 72 people, including 25 children, and injuring dozens of others”.

Similarly, a tweet from @salqin reported  “more than 70 victims, mostly women and children”.

Sources said that the airstrikes targeted civilian residential areas and reportedly one mosque.

A correspondent for the Deir ez-Zor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “entire families were decimated by the air raids that targeted Al Iman Mosque and the surrounding area in the city center”.  Deirezzor24 News also said that the raids were “targeting civilian and densely populated areas”

Syria4all also mentioned the bombing of the mosque, quoting media activist Amer Huwaydi, who Syria4all that “Russian aircraft launched several air raids on the city targeting the al-Iman mosque in the town which was under control of Daesh.”

It is contested who was responsible for the airstrikes, with sources pointing to both Russia and the Assad regime.

However, the majority of the sources – such as Syrian News Network, Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syrian Press Center, Jsirtv News and al-Arabiya – attributed the strikes to Russia, while only a few sources including Baladi News and Syrian Network for Human Rights, pointed to the Assad regime.

A number of sources referenced the unlawful use of cluster munitions and phosphorous bombs.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (16)

Hosam Othman Al Sultan
Child killed
Islam Othman Al Sultan
Child female killed
Udai Mothanna Al Sultan
Child killed
Yousef Muthanna Al Sultan
Child male killed
Feryal Mothanna Al Sultan
Child female killed
Faten Mothanna Al Sultan
Child female killed
Janin Mothanna Al Sultan
7 months years old female killed
Jehan Mohammad Al Sultan
Child female killed
Hamid Yousef Al Sultan
Child killed
Athari Yousef Al Sultan
Child female killed
Bader Hamid Al Sultan
Child female killed
Amal Hasan Al Shrabi, wife of Othman Al Sultan
Adult female killed
Najat Assaf Al Shuwyikh, wife of Muthanna Al Sultan
Adult female killed
Faten Yousef Al Sultan
Adult female killed
Muslim Hamdan Al Sultan
Adult male killed
Hamid Al Sultan
Adult male killed

Family members (10)

Hazzar Mohammad Ahmad Al Rmeih
Child killed
Hamid Mohammad Ahmad Al Rmeih
Child killed
Amina Jasem Al Mhemid, wife of Hamid Ahmad Al Rmeih
Adult female killed
Nadya Mohammad Ahmad Al Rmeih
Child female killed
Janin Hamid Ahmad Al Rmeih
9 months years old female killed
Faisal Saleh Ahmad Al Rmeih
Child killed
Amjad Saleh Ahmad Al Rmeih
Child female killed
Mohammad Saleh Ahmad Al Rmeih
Child male killed
Yahya Al Ali Al Eid Al Rmeih
Child killed
Fatima Al Hussein Al Rmeih
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Joud Ibrahim Akla Al Karkour
Child female killed
Hamza Ibrahim Akla Al Karkour
Child killed

Family members (2)

Adham Abdul Athim Aboud Al Joumaa
Child killed
Ayham Abdul Athim Aboud Al Joumaa
Child killed

Family members (3)

Walid Khaled Jamil Al Khleif Al Hamid
Child killed
Mohammad Khaled Jamil Khleif Al Hamid
Child male killed
Mohammad Al Jamil Al Khleif Al Hamid
Child male killed

Family members (8)

Mohammad Mahmoud Sayer Al Bibini
Child male killed
Nawal Mohammad Abdul Karim Al Bibini
Child male
Mariam Yousef Al Ali Al Bibini
Adult female killed
Ohoud Naser Al Hasan Al Bibini, wife of Mohammad Hamid Al Sultan
Adult female killed
Faisal Assad Srai Al Bibini
Adult male killed
Amjad Thaer Al Sayer Al Bibini
Adult male killed
Sultan Hamid Ibeid Al Bibini
Adult male killed
Mohammad AbdulAhad Al Khalaf Al Bibini
Adult male killed

Family members (8)

Amina Al Salama Al Khleif, wife of Ibrahim Al Karkour
Adult female killed
Fatima Al Salama Al Khleif
Adult female killed
Joud Moammad Salama Al Khleif
Adult female killed
Heba Wahhab Al Khleif
Adult female killed
Ilham Wahhab Al Khleif
Adult female killed
Yazan Mohammad Salama Al Khleif
Adult male killed
Suliman Wahhab Al Khleif
Adult male killed
Asmaa Saleh Al Hatroush, wife of Khaled Al Jamil Al Khleif
Adult female killed

Family members (5)

Bara’a Jamil Khalaf Al Hamid
Adult female killed
Bara’a Jamil Khalaf Al Hamid
Adult female killed
Khadija Jamil Khleif Al Hamid
Adult female killed
Amina Abdul Karim Al Housh, wife of Amer Al Naji
Adult female killed
Zahra Al Khleif Al Abid Al Awwad, wife of Ali Al Hamed
Adult female killed

Family members (5)

Wahab al Hamid
Adult male killed
Family of Wahab al Hamid
Age unknown killed
Family of Wahab al Hamid
Age unknown killed
Family of Wahab al Hamid
Age unknown killed
Family of Wahab al Hamid
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Abdullah Mahmoud Al Abbash
Adult male killed
Mother of Abdullah Mahmoud Al Abbash
Adult female killed
Son of Abdullah Mahmoud Al Abbash
Age unknown male killed

Family members (4)

Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Rajab
Adult male killed
Family of Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Rajab
Age unknown killed
Family of Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Rajab
Age unknown killed
Family of Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Rajab
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Zakariya Al Turki Al Haj
Child male killed
Rayyan Abdullah Mahmoud Al Abbash
Child killed
Matra Hamdan Al Abd Al Ali
Age unknown female killed
Amouna Hamid Al J’eis
Adult female killed
Sabah Al Bahsh
Adult female killed
Ahmad Jamil Khleif Al Hamid
Adult male killed
Abdurrahman Al Ali Al Hamed
Adult male killed
Yousef Al Hussein Al Mohammad Al Ali
Adult male killed
Mohammad Saloum Al Abd Al Wahed
Adult male killed
The son of Muhammad Al Wardi al Younis
Age unknown male killed
Mohamed Mahmoud Al-Sayer Albeyena
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    74 – 80
  • (29 children21 women12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The moment warplanes carried out a strike on al Qouria town, June 25th (via SO4HR)
  • Sultan Hamid Obeid, reportedly one of up to 29 children killed in alleged Russian airstrike on Al Quoira, June 25th (via LCCSY)
  • Nawal Muhammad Abdulkarim, killed in an alleged Russia strike on Al Quoria, June 25th (via LCCSY)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    74 – 80
  • (29 children21 women12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3397

Incident date

April 7, 2018

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.573836, 36.404789 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged chemical weapons attack, attributed to both the Syrian regime and Russia, reportedly killed between 42 and 100 civilians and wounded up to 1,200 others in the city of Douma, Damascus governorate, on April 7th, 2018, according to local sources.

Enab Baladi wrote that “after a ten-day truce in the city of Douma, the last opposition stronghold in Eastern Ghouta, Assad’s forces and their ally Russia resumed bombing the city with warplanes, using poison gas again, amid reports that negotiations over the fate of the city had reached a dead end.”

In an initial report, Shaam News Network said: “Assad and Russia targeted residential areas in the city of Douma in the eastern Gouta with high-toxic toxic chemical weapons. The city was hit by rockets and explosive barrels containing these materials, killing 75 martyrs and causing more than 1,000 cases of suffocation”.

However, a second report from Shaam pointed only to the regime, claiming that “Assad’s forces used containing chemical gas believed to be sarin on a number of cellars and shelters, resulting in the martyrdom of entire families and injuring more than 1,200 people suffering from suffocation”.

Douma Revolution initially reported 700 cases of suffocation. In a later post, the source reported “the death of more than 100 martyrs and the wounding of at least 1000 civilians until now”.

SyriaTV reported on a joint statement by the Syrian Civil Defense and the Syrian American Medical Association (SAMS), which stated that “at 7:45 pm on Saturday evening, after the regime forces launched massive attacks on the city’s neighbourhoods, more than 500 emergency cases arrived at the medical points, most of them women and children who suffered symptoms of ‘respiratory slip, central cyanosis, frothy emission from the mouth and the emission of an odor. They smelled like chlorine and had a corneal burn.'”

The injured civilians reportedly suffered from a slow heart rate, rough bronchial purrs and wheezing. Medical teams treated the injured with “free moist oxygen” and bronchodilators. The statement also stated that “while the injuries were exacerbated in several cases, four of them were placed on the automatic ventilation system for children, and the injury resulted in the death of 6 cases, one of whom was a woman who was observed to have convulsions and pinpoint pupils.”

According to the statement, Civil Defence teams reported that more than 42 deaths with the same symptoms occured in civilian homes. SCD volunteers were unable to retrieve the victims’ bodies due to a lack of protective suits and the severity of the smell.

The Syrian Violations Documentation Center of Syria reported that prior to the chemical attack, around 12:00 at noon, alleged Syrian warplanes targeted the Red Crescent center in Douma with guided missiles and barrel bombs, which put the center and remaining ambulances out of service completely. Then, according to the VDC’s explanation of events, the warplanes dropped barrel bombs on the city, “which caused obstruction of the movement of civil defence vehicles and rescue teams that took over the task of treating the injured after all ambulances in the city went out of service.”

According to the VDC, civilians were forced to go out to basements and take cover. The next bombing, which “was heavily suspected of using highly concentrated toxic gases as well as chlorine”, immediately killed 42 civilians.

A volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defence told the VDC: “When the chemical attacks began, the smell of chlorine was reaching downtown Douma. We could not immediately determine the location of the chlorine missile. The bodies of the dead on the streets and the wounded were bleeding to death, without the medical personnel being able to intervene due to their scarcity and the very large volume of cases. Later, we discovered the bodies that had suffocated due to toxic gases. They were in a closed place sheltering from the barrel bombs, which may have caused their rapid death as no one heard their screams. It seems that some of them were trying to reach an open location because we found their bodies on the stairs. ”

Around 7:30 PM, alleged Syrian warplanes targeted the ‘Martyrs Square’ near the Numan Mosque with missiles suspected of being loaded with toxic gas, reported the VDC. A doctor told the VDC that the symptoms he observed on patients “are not similar to the symptoms of chlorine. Chlorine alone cannot cause such symptoms because chlorine suffocates but does not disrupt nerves. There were symptoms of organophosphorus compounds of which sarin gas is considered. But there was also the smell of chlorine everywhere. ”

Based on the available evidence, the VDC concluded that “this attack in this sequence was programmed and deliberately inflicted as much damage as possible to the civilian population. By isolating them from the rapid arrival of rescue and ambulance teams, and then forcing them to seek refuge in a closed place to take shelter from the violent bombing of barrel bombs. After that, their closed places of residence were bombed with poison gas.”

On June 25th, 2018, the New York Times Visual Investigation’s team published their investigation into the incident, titled “How Bashar al-Assad Gassed His Own People”. The investigation focused on one building where a chemical weapon was dropped. Based on the visual evidence, the investigators counted 34 victims in the building, spread across two floors.

According to the investigation, the bomb, loaded with chlorine, was dropped from the sky by regime helicopters. Chemical weapon experts told NYT investigators that the symptoms of the victims – a frothy emission from the mouth and corneal burn – indicated the use of chlorine gas. A US official reportedly told the New York Times that chlorine and sarin were found in the victim’s blood tests. According to the video, when civilians smell chlorine, they try to find a higher location and pour water over themselves. According to the investigators, this explains why many of the victims in the Douma attack were found on staircases and water sources.

Flight spotters reportedly saw the helicopters leave Dumayr Air Base between 7:16 and 7:23 PM in the direction of Douma and circling around Douma between 7:26 and 7:38 PM, around the time of the attack, according to NYT.

In total, local sources identified the names of 36 victims, among which at least eight children.

Nearly all sources blamed the Syrian regime for the chemical attack, but some sources mentioned Russia as well. Hence, this event is graded as contested.

The incident occured between 7:30 pm and 7:45 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Family members (6)

Child female killed

Family members (2)

Family members (2)

Family members (11)

Child female killed

Family members (4)

Child female killed
female killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 100
  • (8 children15 women21 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    700–1200
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (58) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (92) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a young boy after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of man, woman and child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • Injured children receiving medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured victims receiving medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • A victim in the hospital after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • Injured children receiving medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • A child getting medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • A child getting medical help after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • An injured child in the hospital after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • An injured child in the hospital after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • A man in the hospital after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The body of a child, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • The body of a child, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The body of a child, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The body of a civilian, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    Bodies of civilians killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    A woman and a child dead as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack in Douma on April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The body of a boy after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    The bodies of victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical weapon attacks on Douma, April 7th, 2018 (via Douma Revolution).
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    Bodies of some of the civilians killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma Revolution).
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    Translation: Douma people bid farewell to their martyrs as a result of the Assad gangs bombing of Douma with missiles containing poisonous gases.
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Ghouta GMC)
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    Civilians killed as a result of the chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (Via SCD).
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    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
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    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
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    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
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    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
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    Civilians killed and injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 8th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
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    Civilians on the floor after being injured or killed by an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
  • Children seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • Children seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • Children seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • Children seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child seem to be given oxygen after breathing difficulties as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
  • A child who looks terrified after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution).
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    Children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)
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    A child killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma on April 7th, 2018. (via Douma.Revolution)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the city of Douma (دوما). Comparing audio-visual information from several sources, and confirming these against the investigation done by The New York Times, we were able to find the exact location at these coordinates:  33.573836, 36.404789.

  • The exact location of the alleged strike on a residential building in Douma (دوما).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Comparison of the landmarks identified by The New York Times investigation against satellite imagery available.

    Imagery:
    New York Times / Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 100
  • (8 children15 women21 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    700–1200
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (58) [ collapse]