Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

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

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Incident Code

RS4498

Incident date

March 1, 2020

Location

قسطون, Qastoun, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to one civilian was reportedly injured due to alleged Russian airstrikes or artillery shells on the village of Qastoun in the Al-Ghab plain northwest of Hama on March 1st 2020 according to Local sources.

A local source named “Smart news” initially reported that one civilian was injured due to Russian airstrikes on the village of Qastoun based on information from activists. However, SCD southern-syria inspected the area in the outskirts of the village and said that the damage was material. The civil defense team in the northern Al-Ghab sector secured the places affected by the alleged warplane raids, and artillery shells and made sure that there were no casualties.

Two of the sources that reported on the incident, Smart News and Syria Screen, attributed the strikes to Russia while the other sources did not mention who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets inspect the site of bombing of the town of Qastoun on March 1, 2020. (Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets inspect the site of bombing of the town of Qastoun on March 1, 2020. (Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets inspect the site of bombing of the town of Qastoun on March 1, 2020. (Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets inspect the site of bombing of the town of Qastoun on March 1, 2020. (Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets inspect the site of bombing of the town of Qastoun on March 1, 2020. (Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets inspect the site of bombing of the town of Qastoun on March 1, 2020. (Syrian Civil Defense)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4273

Incident date

December 19, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two children, two women and one man were reportedly killed, and up to 30 other civilians injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces artillery or airstrikes on Ma’arat Al Nu’man in Idlib in the evening of December 19th, 2019, according to local sources. Two other civilians reportedly died from their injuries caused by the attack on the following day.

The victims have been identified by a number of sources as Ghada Haitham Al-Khumra, who judged on the basis of the photos is not older than one year, her mother Saba Al-Khumra and her father Haitham Mohsen Al-Khumra, alongside the girl’s aunt Ghada Ammar Al-Khumra. Another victim was identified as the orphaned girl Shahed Al Madi, reportedly under 10 years, and Abdullah Al-Homsi Al-Sabha. A day after the incident, local sources reported that two of the injured victims, Basma Al-Khadija and Muhammad Ibn Raif Ramadan, died from their injuries as well.

While most sources, including the Syrian Civil Defense, reported the death of the six civilians mentioned above, @ajmurgent claimed that only five civilians had been killed. Syrianoor reported that eight civilians had been killed, including three children and two women.

According to @aboalhodaalhoms, the attack wounded dozens. Facebook user Habibity ma`arat Alnu`man listed 26 injured civilians including their names. According to Zaman Al-Wasl, the number of injured civilians mounted to up to 30 instead, including 11 women and five children.

The Al-Khumra family died as their house was hit by an alleged Syrian regime surface-to-surface missiles according to a number of sources. Almaaralover reported that “they were pulled out from under the rubble after a heavy bombardment of their house”.

It is unclear whether the attack consisted of artillery and/or airstrikes. According to LCCSy, regime forces stationed in the Khan Sheikhoun area started shelling the town at 18:26. Syrianoor claimed instead that warplanes and helicopters targeted the town with missiles and barrel bombs. Zaman Al-Wasl reported that the belligerents attacked “with more than 170 missiles of different types, including the Russian “Smerch” loaded with cluster bombs”.

@BeyazEllerSYR wrote: “The martyr orphan Shahed Al Madi is a girl under the age of ten who lost her father five years ago. Shahed, the orphan, the martyr, was today a victim of the barrels of hatred in the city of Maarat al-Numan. Shahd was part of the White Hands Association program to sponsor orphans, and today she has risen to her Lord to tell him the whole story.”

The incident occured at 18:26:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Haitham Al Khamra هيثم الخمرة
Adult male killed
Ghada Haitham Al Khamra غادة هيثم الخمرة
Child female killed
Saba Al Khamra صبا الخمرة
Adult female wife of Haitham killed
Ghada Ammar Al Khamra غادة عمار الخمرة
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Latuff Al-Halabi لطوف الحلبي
Age unknown male injured
Mahmoud Al-Halabi محمود الحلبي
Age unknown male injured

Family members (2)

Basma Al-Khadija سمة الخديجة
Age unknown female Died of her injuries a day later killed
Omar Al-Khadija عمر الخديجة
Age unknown male injured

Family members (3)

Mohammed Al Naous محمد النعوس
Age unknown male injured
Nora Al Naous نورة النعوس
Age unknown female injured
Zohoor Al Naous زهور النعوس
Age unknown female injured

Family members (2)

Mohamed Maatramawy محمد معترماوي
Age unknown male injured
Saleh Maatramawy صالح معترماوي
Age unknown injured

Family members (4)

Abdul Qader Tohme عبد القادر طعمة
16 years old male injured
Reem Tohme ريم طعمة
10 years old female injured
Khaled Tohme خالد طعمة
20 years old male injured
Khoulood Tohme خلود الطعمة
Age unknown male injured

Family members (3)

Nasr Mahlool نصر محلول
Age unknown male injured
Zahra Mahlool زهرة محلول
Age unknown female injured
Hajar Mahlool هاجر محلول
Age unknown female injured

Family members (5)

Absi Qaziz عبسي قزيز
male injured
Rana Qaziz رنا قزيز
female injured
Esraa Qaziz اسراء قزيز
male injured
Mahmoud Qaziz محمود قزيز
Age unknown male injured
Halima Qaziz حليمة قزيز
Age unknown female injured

The victims were named as:

Shahed Al Madi شهد الماضي
Child female killed
Muhammad Gharib محمد غريب
3 years old male injured
Zahra Shabib زهرة شبيب
Age unknown female injured
Mazen Rahoum مازن رحوم
Age unknown male injured
Muhammad Ibn Raif Ramadan محمد ابن رائيف رمضان
Age unknown male Died of his injuries a day later killed
Abdullah Al-Homsi عبد الله الحمصي
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (2–3 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    26–30
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ghada Al Khamra was killed along with her father, mother and aunt in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on December 19th, 2019 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A Syrian Civil Defense volunteer carrying a victim in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man in Idlib on December 19th, 2019 (via @ala_hacioglu)
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers recovering a corpse from the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man in Idlib on December 19th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The young girl Shahed Al Madi, one of the victims of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man in Idlib on December 19th, 2019 (via @syrian191124)
  • The young girl Shahed Al Madi, one of the victims of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man in Idlib on December 19th, 2019 (via @BeyazEllerSYR)

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (2–3 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    26–30
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4304

Incident date

January 15, 2020

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians, including women and children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market place in the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020, according to local sources. Civilian homes and shops were severely damaged.

@SyrianCoalition tweeted that Russia and the Assad regime did not abide by the declared truce, and they continue to terrorize civilians. Aerial bombing of #Ariha in Idlib outskirts”. SMART News Agency reported that “seven civilians, including children, were injured as a result of raids by the regime’s warplanes on a popular market in the city of Ariha, near Idlib, in the north of the country, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, which also caused damage to civilian homes and shops”. The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib also reported seven wounded, and that civilians were being pulled out of the rubble.

@3rj5oPnn2XeKaYg added that “children, elderly, and women” were among the casualties.

According to Ariha Today, the warplanes fired vacuum missiles, writing in another Facebook post that multiple missiles were fired upon the main market of the city at once. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the Syrian regime fired missiles near Banat Ariha School, located near the Al Jadid Market in the middle of the city, partially destroying the school’s fence.

@SyrianCoalition blamed both the Syrian regime as well as Russian forces for the incident, whereas Myasar Al Hadidi (@so_ria98) reported that Russian warplanes had been responsible for the airstrikes. Shaam News reported that Russian MiG-23 warplanes struck the market.

These strikes occurred four days after a ceasefire that Russia agreed to.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • A man removing rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Damage after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Men removing rubble after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020 (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • Men removing rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020 (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • A woman volunteering for the Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib removing rubble from the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • Two female volunteers of the Syrian Civil Defence in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and what seem to be civilians removing rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers helping a woman and children get into an ambulance after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, on January 15th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, on January 15th, 2020 (via Ariha Today).
  • Photos reportedly made by an surveillance camera monitoring the moment alleged Russian or Syrian regime warplanes targeted the city of Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (via Ariha Today).
  • Photo showing the damage to buildings in Ariha after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on January 15th, 2020 (via Ariha Today).
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • People walking on a street that was just targeted in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • A man and Syrian Civil Defence volunteer removing rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (copyright SMART News Agency, published in the public interest).
  • A child photographed in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (copyright SMART News Agency, published in the public interest).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer photographed in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (copyright SMART News Agency, published in the public interest).
  • Civilians on the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (copyright SMART News Agency, published in the public interest).
  • Civilians and Syrian Civil Defence volunteers removing rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha on January 15th, 2020 (copyright SMART News Agency, published in the public interest).
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @Tamer_Turkmane)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @Tamer_Turkmane)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @Tamer_Turkmane)
  • Strikes on Ariha on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @mahmoodtalha22)
  • White Helmets respond to alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • White Helmets respond to alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • White Helmets respond to alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Ariha on January 15, 2020. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4345

Incident date

January 22, 2020

Location

الحميرة, Al Humaira, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and two or three more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Humaira, according to local media.

The Step News Agency and other local sources reported one civilian killed and the injury of three more; they all blamed “Russian airstrikes”.

But Smart said that regime artillery strikes killed one and wounded two more civilians.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of air strikes” targeting cities and towns in Aleppo. It said that one civilian died in Al Humaira.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Horrya documented the alleged death and destruction as a result of reported Russian actions in Syria during January 2020 (Image via Horrya News)

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4375

Incident date

January 28, 2020

Location

الهوتة, Al Houta, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On January 28th, 2020 the village of Al Houta, outside of Aleppo was struck by Russian warplanes, resulting in the wounding of numerous civilians.

The Shahba Press reported that numerous civilians were wounded in airstrikes but did not release any names or specific numbers. A correspondent for Step Agency reported that warplanes struck Al Houta but do not confirm any wounded.

Local sources noted that warplanes struck Al Houta and civilians were the only intended target.

Local sources along with Shahba Press noted that the strike upon Al Houta was carried out by Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4398

Incident date

February 2–3, 2020

Location

أرناز, Arnaz, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a child, was reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on the village of Arnaz in the western countryside of Aleppo on February 2-3, 2020.

Regarding civilian harm, SCD Aleppo and Eyad.alasmar444 stated on February 2 that a child was injured as a result of an aerial bombardment that targeted civilian homes in the town of Arnaz. In a later post, SCD identified the child victim as a girl.

According to the SCD and Eyad.alasmar444 the airstrike also caused a fire to trees and a tractor on a farm and caused damage to a residential home in the proximity of the fire.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strike. According to tweets from EyadHoms20 and RamahKasem the town of Arnaz was attacked by Russian warplanes. @RamahKasem said that Russian warplanes targeted Arnaz with high-explosive vacuum missiles. However, Snap claimed that both Russian forces and militias belonging to the regime were responsible for the shelling of Arnaz by warplanes and heavy artillery.

This incident allegedly took place on the night of 2 to 3 February based on images from the White Helmets extinguishing fires. The exact local time of the incident is unknown.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Fires blaze in Arnaz following suspected airstrikes February 2nd/3rd (via SCD Aleppo)
  • The interior of a civilian home in Arnaz village after alleged airstrikes hit, February 2nd/3rd (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Destruction in a civilian home in Arnaz following suspected airstrikes, February 2nd/3rd (via SCD Aleppo)
  • The White Helmets arrive at the scene in Arnaz following suspected airstrikes on a civilian homes, February 2nd/3rd (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Rescue teams extinguish a fire on a tractor in the village of Arnaz, February 2nd/3rd (via SCD Aleppo)
  • A tractor in flames following suspected airstrikes on Arnaz village, February 2nd/3rd (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Eyad.alasmar444 uploaded photographs of fires allegedly caused by Russian or Syrian airstrike or artillery shelling on the Town of Arnaz in the western countryside of Aleppo on February 2-3, 2020. (Image via Facebook)
  • Eyad.alasmar444 uploaded photographs of fires allegedly caused by Russian or Syrian airstrike or artillery shelling on the Town of Arnaz in the western countryside of Aleppo on February 2-3, 2020. (Image via Facebook)

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4436

Incident date

February 11, 2020

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 11, 2020 three civilians, including a child, were injured during airstrikes upon the town of Urma Al Kubra by Russian warplanes.

Smart News reported that three civilians, including a child, were injured in the town of Urma Al Kubra. The Violations Documentation Center provided data that a child was killed and nine others were injured in strikes on the city of Atarib, Urma al-Kubra town and Kafr Taal village without specifying how many of the casualties occurred in Urma Al Kubra.

Urma Al Kubra contained many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and was not of military significance.

The Anadolu Agency as well as local sources noted that Russian warplanes using vacuum bombs conducted the raid upon Urma Al Kubra.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4468

Incident date

February 20, 2020

Location

معرة النعسان, Ma`arat Al Na`asan, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 20th, the village of Ma’arat Na’asan was struck by alleged Russian or regime warplanes, resulting in the death of one civilian, a media activist.

A tweet from Ahmed Dekhan announced the killing of media activist and photographer Abdul Nasser Haj Hamdan. @MousaAlamar and Edlib News tweeted similar information as well. Alaraby News said that the photographer was working in the city media office, just north of Idlib and went to cover the assault when he was killed. This information was corroborated by IMC News, Zaitun Agency, and the Justice Organization.  Shaam News later reported that the activist was originally from Bunche.

Smart News reported that Russian warplanes specifically hit the buildings within Ma’arat Na’asan.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to Russian forces. However, Euphrates Post attributed the death of the civilian to artillery shelling by the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdelnaser Haj Hamdan عبد الناصر حاج حمدان
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Abd al-Nasir Haj Hamdan, a media activist, was killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Ma'arat al-Na`san in the northern countryside of Idlib, February 20th, 2020 (via Justice Organization).
  • Abdul Naser Haj Hamdan (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdul Naser Haj Hamdan (via @I42e3oXib8OK27z)
  • Abdul Naser Haj Hamdan (via @I42e3oXib8OK27z)

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]