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

R4425

Incident date

December 9, 2021

Location

جامع قباء, Quba Mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.350014, 40.118543 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Russian forces army patrol reportedly killed a child with disabilities, Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, 17 or 16 years old, by gunfire, in the Al Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021, in the evening.

Euphrates reported that Abdul Al-Hajar was sitting next to the “Quba Mosque” and that the “patrolmen treated him as a suicide bomber because of the uniform he was wearing, known as the “skull.”” Euphrates also reported that he was wearing an abaya (a winter fur) – but as Deir Ezzor 24 News reported, the patrol members accused him of wearing a suicide vest. According to a local source, @Sada_AlSharqieh, one of the Russian patrol saw the young man filming the Russian forces, and shot him “directly for fear of having any weapons with him.”

Euphrates reported that the Russian patrol “ran him over with a car after he was killed.” Deir Ezzor 24 News added that they also beat him and dragged his body to a security branch. Other local sources corroborate this, saying that his body was tied to one of the military vehicles.

Abdul Al-Hajar was from Subikhan in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.

@Sada_AlSharqieh reported on Twitter that “the city is witnessing a great security alert, fearing the people’s reaction to the incident.”  Aramme News also reported that “the killing comes amid popular anger in Deir Ezzor governorate for weeks, after Russian patrols tried to pass through the governorate, which was completely rejected by the people.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar
16 or 17 years old years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, aged 17, was reportedly shot by Russian patrol in the Al-Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021 (Image via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, aged 17, was reportedly shot by Russian patrol in the Al-Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021 (Image via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, aged 17, was reportedly shot by Russian patrol in the Al-Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021 (Image via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Quba mosque (جامع قباء) in the Al Jura neighbourhood (حي الجورة) of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور).The generic coordinates for the Quba mosque are: 35.350014, 40.118543. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4466

Incident date

September 8, 2022

Location

حفسرجة, Hafsarja, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between two to seven civilians were killed including one to three children and seven to 16 other civilians were wounded, in an alleged Russian airstrike destroying a house and a stone sawmill in Hafsarja in Idlib province on September 8th, 2022.

Al Khabour news reported the lowest number of civilians killed at two and the Syrian Civil Defense, Shaam News, and multiple other sources reported the highest death toll with seven civilians killed including between one to three children. Abdo Al-Tayfur Abu Lama and his two children Ahmed Al-Tayfur and Madyan Al-Tayfur were reportedly killed in the strikes. They were internally displaced persons from a village named Dana who were living in Idlib and the father worked at the sawmill. Hafsarja deaths also named Bilal Abdul Majid Staifi, a young adult as a victim of the airstrikes. Furthermore, Abdulkarim Khaled Awaida (Oweida) and Shahem Abdul Eid were also killed. Awaida was a child and Abdul Eid was either a young adult or a teenager. Additionally, the reports named Tayseer Mohammed Al-Daher as killed in the attack. @MMCSYR noted that the victims of the attack were workers ‘trying to survive and support their children’ and that it was a ‘massacre’. @omar_madaniah also posted a photo of a man holding a hand torn from the body of one of the victims after the strike.

The number of civilians wounded varied from seven injured according to @MMCSYR, 11 according to SNHR and 16 according to @fatina_sam98. Overall, the @SyrianCoalition confirmed that the toll was ‘indefinite’ and continuously rising.

The airstrike was allegedly undertaken by three to four Russian ‘fixed-wing warplanes’ who launched 11 to 16 consecutive air raids on a house and a stone sawmill as they took turns firing the missiles. These were reportedly ‘loaded with cluster bombs’ and the SOHR alleged that surface-to-surface missiles were used. Furthermore, Radio Al Kul news and SY-24 noted that vacuum missiles were simultaneously used in the attack. The air traffic observatory reported that four planes were seen taking off from the Russian Hmeimim base which then circled above Hafsarja, launching the attack. The debris and shrapnel resulting from the attack also hit an informal IDP camp located 200 metres away from the workshop causing mass damage to the infrastructure. The SNHR stressed that the attack by Russian forces violated the ceasefire agreement in place between Russia and Turkey which came into place on March 6th, 2020.

The incident seemed to take place during the day as the videos and photographs indicate. More specifically, ‘Observatory 80’ wrote to Enab Baladi informing them that two Su-24, Su-34, and Su-35 warplanes departed from the Russian air base at 10:22 in the morning to launch their attack. The location of the incident was in the west of Idlib city in the town of Hafsarja.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdo Al-Tayfur Abu Lama
Adult male father of Ahmed and Madyan killed
Ahmed Al-Tayfur
Child male
Madyan Al-Tayfur
Child female

The victims were named as:

Bilal Abdul Majid Staifi
Age unknown male reportedly a young adult killed
Abdulkarim Khaled waida
Child male killed
Shahem Abdul Eid
Age unknown male reportedly either a young adult or a teenager killed
Tayseer Mohammed Al-Daher
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–16
  • 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 (77) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (62) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians were killed as a result of a Russian missile hitting a sawmil on the outskirts of the village of Hafsarja (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians were killed as a result of a Russian missile hitting a sawmil on the outskirts of the village of Hafsarja (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians were killed as a result of a Russian missile hitting a sawmil on the outskirts of the village of Hafsarja (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians were killed as a result of a Russian missile hitting a sawmil on the outskirts of the village of Hafsarja (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians were killed as a result of a Russian missile hitting a sawmil on the outskirts of the village of Hafsarja (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians were killed as a result of a Russian missile hitting a sawmil on the outskirts of the village of Hafsarja (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians were killed as a result of a Russian missile hitting a sawmil on the outskirts of the village of Hafsarja (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense reported that seven civilians were killed as a result of a Russian missile hitting a sawmil on the outskirts of the village of Hafsarja (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • @abuhuzaifa_ reported that among the dead was a father and his son and others that were wounded (Image via Twitter)
  • "Smoke rising as a result of Russian raids targeting the vicinity of the town of Hafsara in the Roj Plain, west of Idlib." (Image via @EdlibEmc1 / Twitter)
  • "Smoke rising as a result of Russian raids targeting the vicinity of the town of Hafsara in the Roj Plain, west of Idlib." (Image via @EdlibEmc1 / Twitter)
  • "Civilian martyrs and wounded as a result of Russian warplanes targeting Sahel al-Rouj and Sheikh Yusuf areas, west of Idlib city" (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • "Civilian martyrs and wounded as a result of Russian warplanes targeting Sahel al-Rouj and Sheikh Yusuf areas, west of Idlib city" (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • "Civilian martyrs and wounded as a result of Russian warplanes targeting Sahel al-Rouj and Sheikh Yusuf areas, west of Idlib city" (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • "Seven civilians were killed and seven were injured as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes today, Thursday, September 8, near the town of Hafsarja in the western Idlib countryside" (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • "Seven civilians were killed and seven were injured as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes today, Thursday, September 8, near the town of Hafsarja in the western Idlib countryside" (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • "Seven civilians were killed and seven were injured as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes today, Thursday, September 8, near the town of Hafsarja in the western Idlib countryside" (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • "Seven civilians were killed and seven were injured as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes today, Thursday, September 8, near the town of Hafsarja in the western Idlib countryside" (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • "Exclusive photo for SNHR showing the destruction caused to a stonemason’s workshop by Russian airstrikes in the south of Hafserja village." (Image via SNHR)
  • "Exclusive photo for SNHR showing the destruction caused to a stonemason’s workshop by Russian airstrikes in the south of Hafserja village." (Image via SNHR)
  • "The death toll of Russian warplanes bombing Hafsara, west of Idlib, has risen to 7 civilians." (Image via @nahermedia / Twitter)
  • "Seven Syrian civilians, including a child, were killed and 10 others were injured in a Russian bombing targeting a stone quarry in the village of Hafsara in Idlib, in the de-escalation zone in northern Syria" (Image via @AJArabic / Twitter)
  • "Seven Syrian civilians, including a child, were killed and 10 others were injured in a Russian bombing targeting a stone quarry in the village of Hafsara in Idlib, in the de-escalation zone in northern Syria" (Image via @AJArabic / Twitter)
  • "Seven Syrian civilians, including a child, were killed and 10 others were injured in a Russian bombing targeting a stone quarry in the village of Hafsara in Idlib, in the de-escalation zone in northern Syria" (Image via @AJArabic / Twitter)
  • "Seven Syrian civilians, including a child, were killed and 10 others were injured in a Russian bombing targeting a stone quarry in the village of Hafsara in Idlib, in the de-escalation zone in northern Syria" (Image via @AJArabic / Twitter)
  • "This man holds a "hand left of a body" that was torn by the raids of Assad's and Russia's planes in Hafsarja, west of Idlib…" (Image via @Omar_Madaniah / Twitter)
  • "Direct hits by more than 9 air strikes by the Russian and Syrian air forces, targeting the sites and hideouts of mercenaries belonging to Turkey in the vicinity of the village of Hafsarja, west of Idlib " (Image via @idleb_online / Twitter)
  • "The two martyrs, Abdo Al-Tayfur and his son Ahmed Al-Tayfur, from the village of #Dana, north of #Maarat_al-Numan, as a result of the raids of the #Russian occupation this morning on the outskirts of the village of #Hafsara, west of #Idlib" (Image via @Anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • AFP capture the destruction caused by the missiles (Image via AFP)
  • "A new massacre committed by the Russian occupation militia, which resulted in 5 martyrs and more than 10 wounded, after 16 air strikes carried out by the Russian occupation aircraft on Hafsara, west of Idlib" (Image via @ibrahim78197182 / Twitter)
  • Blood after the attack on a sawmill in Hafsarja on September 8th 2022 (Image via @SDpwVt32qoeu9ih / Twitter)
  • "The death toll from the bombing of the Russian warplanes on the outskirts of the town of Hafsarja, west of Idlib, has risen to 15 wounded and two martyred The martyrs are Abdo Tayfur and his son from the town of Dana, north of Maarat al-Numan, south of Idlib." (Image via @lyalraq13900368 / Twitter)
  • Those that were killed after a Russian missile reportedly hit a sawmill in Hafsarja, west of Idlib (Image via @SatamRslan / Twitter)
  • Baladi uploaded photos of the site of the destruction (Image via Baladi)
  • Baladi uploaded photos of the site of the destruction (Image via Baladi)
  • Baladi uploaded photos of the site of the destruction (Image via Baladi)
  • "The eye sheds tears and the heart grieves God is enough, and yes, the agent" Nasser Haj Yusuf posted on Facebook about a loved one (Image via Facebook)
  • Bilal Abdul majid Staifi, reportedly killed in a Russian attack on a sawmill in Hafsarja (Image via Hafsarja deaths / Facebook)
  • Abdulkarim Khaled Awaida reportedly killed in a Russian attack on a sawmill in Hafsarja (Image via Hafsarja deaths / Facebook)
  • Shahem Abdul Eid reportedly killed in a Russian attack on a sawmill in Hafsarja (Image via Hafsarja deaths / Facebook)
  • "Martyrs so far. The child Abdul Karim Khaled Owaida Child Shahem Abdo Eid And the young man, Bilal Bakour Stefi From the village of Hafsarja Abdo Tayfour and his sons Ahmed and Madyan Displaced people from the town of Al-Dana, near Maarat al-Numan." (Image via Hafsarja / Facebook)
  • "Martyrs so far. The child Abdul Karim Khaled Owaida Child Shahem Abdo Eid And the young man, Bilal Bakour Stefi From the village of Hafsarja Abdo Tayfour and his sons Ahmed and Madyan Displaced people from the town of Al-Dana, near Maarat al-Numan." (Image via Hafsarja / Facebook)
  • "Martyrs so far. The child Abdul Karim Khaled Owaida Child Shahem Abdo Eid And the young man, Bilal Bakour Stefi From the village of Hafsarja Abdo Tayfour and his sons Ahmed and Madyan Displaced people from the town of Al-Dana, near Maarat al-Numan." (Image via Hafsarja / Facebook)
  • "The two martyrs, Abdo Al-Tayfur and his son Ahmed Al-Tayfur, from the village of #Dana, north of #Maarat_al-Numan, as a result of the raids of the #Russian occupation this morning on the outskirts of the village of #Hafsara, west of #Idlib" (Image via Green Idlib / Facebook)
  • "The two martyrs, Abdo Al-Tayfur and his son Ahmed Al-Tayfur, from the village of #Dana, north of #Maarat_al-Numan, as a result of the raids of the #Russian occupation this morning on the outskirts of the village of #Hafsara, west of #Idlib" (Image via Green Idlib / Facebook)
  • "The two martyrs, Abdo Al-Tayfur and his son Ahmed Al-Tayfur, from the village of #Dana, north of #Maarat_al-Numan, as a result of the raids of the #Russian occupation this morning on the outskirts of the village of #Hafsara, west of #Idlib" (Image via Green Idlib / Facebook)
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.
  • MMC posted photos of the destruction and the recovery operation.

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 infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–16
  • 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 (77) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4499

Incident date

January 21, 2023

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured, and one later died, from alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of a poultry farm on the outskirts of the city of Darat Izza on January 21, 2023.

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a civilian was injured by Syrian regime and Russian artillery shelling of a poultry farm on the outskirts of the city of Darat Izza. Civil Defense volunteers inspected the site of the bombing and made sure there were no other injuries.

@OrientNews and other local sources referred to “civilians” injured but did not specify how many.

Syrian Network for Human Rights later reported on January 28th that Sameh Salim Ayyoub, a poultry farm worker from Qebtan al-Jabal village, died from the wounds he sustained during the artillery shelling on January 21st.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the shelling, with Baladi News blaming the Syrian regime while @thiqanewsagency specified that the regime forces stationed in Qabtan al-Jabal carried out the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sameh Salim Ayyoub
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense at the site of civilian casualties in Darat Izza on January 21, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Shelling of Darat Izza on January 21, 2023. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4535

Incident date

August 1, 2023

Location

معربليت, Ma’arbelet, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 1st 2023, Syrian regime and/or Russian forces reportedly shelled the village of Ma’arbelet, south of Idlib, resulting in the injury of at least one civilian, a child. @SyriaCivilDefe stated that the child was in critical condition.

Local sources including @RadioAlKul reported that a number of civilians were wounded by artillery shelling, but did not give a specific number. Baladi News stated that “regime forces are intensifying their bombardment of the towns and villages of Jabal Al-Zawiya in the southern countryside of Idlib, and the town of Ma’arbelit, which has caused displacement as a result of the continuous shelling.”

Sources were conflicted as to whether the Syrian regime or Russian forces were responsible for the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Ma’arbelet on August 1, 2023. (Image posted @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Ma’arbelet on August 1, 2023. (Image posted @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Ma’arbelet on August 1, 2023. (Image posted @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Ma’arbelet on August 1, 2023. (Image posted @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • "Civilian casualties as a result of artillery shelling targeting the town of Ma'arbelet, south of Idlib." (Image posted by AI Arabiya Press Agency via Facebook)
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Ma’arbelet on August 1, 2023. (Image posted by Al Hadath Syria via Facebook)
  • The moment of the bombing of the village of Ma'arbilit 1 August 2023
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Ma’arbelet on August 1, 2023. (Image posted by Radio Free Syria via Facebook)
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Ma’arbelet on August 1, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Ma’arbelet on August 1, 2023. (Image posted by @HalabTodayTV)

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4558

Incident date

September 24, 2023

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was seriously injured in the village of Kansafra as a result of artillery shelling allegedly by the Russian Military and/or Syrian regime forces on September 24, 2023.

According to Syrian Civil Defense, a farmer was seriously injured by the strikes while he was working in the fig harvest. Additionally, the Civil Defense team mobilized him in an ambulance to the nearest hospital.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the shelling, with some sources attributing the bombardment to the Syrian regime forces while others blamed the Russian military forces. @syr_television added that both heavy artillery and missiles were part of the attack on Kansafra.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Source: @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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4445

Incident date

April 4, 2022

Location

معارة النعسان, Maaret Al Nassan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four children were killed on their way home from school and others, including women, were wounded by alleged Russian or regime shelling of the town of Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022.

Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that four children were killed by a bombing carried out by the regime forces “backed by the Russian and Iranian occupation”. The four children were killed by heavy artillery shelling at noon while they were returning from school.

The names of the children are: Yamen Juma Yassin, Hamza Mansour Aswad. Malek Anas Daoudi, Nasr Hajj Ahmed. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the students were under the age of 18.

Al Jazeera reported that in addition to the four children killed, “others” were wounded, but didn’t specify how many. Resala Post added that “among the wounded were women, some of them seriously”.

Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the location of the strikes as occurring in the al Shamali neighborhood of the village, adding that the regime forces used “shoulder-fired missiles”.

A video posted by Shaam News shows the father of one of the children killed in the attack crying over the body of his son. Syrian Civil Defense also pointed out that the children that were killed were carrying UNICEF notebooks distributed to them and images they posted show the notebooks covered in blood.

One of the Syrian Civil Defense volunteers named Laith Al-Abdullah who was involved in the rescue operation described “seeing a father kissing his son’s two legs while a man wrapped his son’s body and hugged her while he was talking to her and he was feeling and smelling her, and at the same moment a mother said goodbye to her son and called him kindly. Goodbye Yamo, greetings to all your loved ones who came here and preceded you, there were many harsh moments and many that burn the heart.”

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the bombing, with the majority of sources referring to both the regime and Russian forces as responsible, while @Almohrar1 blamed only Russia and @AsharqNewsSYR blamed only the regime.

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

The victims were named as:

Yamen Juma Yassin يامن جمعة ياسين
Child killed
Hamza Mansour Aswad حمزة منصور أسود
Child killed
Malek Anas Daoudi مالك انس داؤودي
Child killed
Nasr Hajj Ahmed نصر حج أحمد
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 children)
  • 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 (49) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (48) [ collapse]

  • A man cries his child who was killed by Assad's shells with his companions while returning from school in the town of #Maarat_Al-Naasan in #Idlib countryside
  • The bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • Civil Defense forces respond following alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Items from the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Items from the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Items from the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Items from the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Items from the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • "Muhammad and Mustafa" are friends at school for the four martyred children "Hamza, Nasr, Malik and Yamen" who were killed today, Monday, April 4, by bombing of the regime forces and Russia on #Maarat_Al-Na'san. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @IdlibPlus)
  • The victims of alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022 bring buried. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Items from the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The victims of alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022 bring buried. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Items from the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Items from the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of children killed in Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of children killed in Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of children killed in Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of children killed in Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @DeirEzzore)
  • People morn over the bodies of children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @syria_Asmaaa)
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ahsaeedhd)
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ahsaeedhd)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Painful scenes of parents mourning their martyred children east of Idlib, the third day of Ramadan 4 children were killed by a missile from the militia of Russia and Iran while they were on their way to their school in the village of Maarat al-Naasan, east of Idlib.
  • The village turned black instead of being decorated with decorations for the holy month.. 4 children were killed on their way to school as a result of artillery shelling by the Assad regime forces targeting the town of Maarat al-Naasan in Idlib countryside
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The collapse of the father of the child "Hamza Aswad", one of the four children who died today in the bombing of the #Assad militia on #Maarat_Al-Naasan in the northern countryside of #Idlib

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Four student children died as martyrs today, on the third day of #Ramadan_Mubarak, in the sleepy town of #Maarat_Al-Nassan, with the criminal hatred of sectarian shells supported by the occupiers #Russia and #Iran
  • 4 children were killed on their way to school as a result of the bombing by Assad's gangs on the city of Maarat al-Na'san in Idlib countryside.
  • Four children were killed by a Assad militia on their way to school in the town of Maarat al-Naasan, northeast of Idlib
  • Four children were killed in the town of Maarat al-Naasan in Idlib countryside, after artillery shelling by Bashar al-Assad's militias targeted the town.
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Funeral for the children killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Maaret Al Nassan on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victims of regime bombing on #Maarat_Al-Naasan in #Idlib countryside

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 children)
  • 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 (49) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4477

Incident date

October 17, 2022

Location

قرية نحلة, Nahla village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One woman was injured by alleged Syrian regime shelling and/or Russian airstrikes on the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022.

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a woman was wounded by Russian and Syrian regime artillery shelling of the village of Nahla. The Aleppo correspondent @HalabTodayTV also reported that a woman was injured.

According to Baladi News, the air and ground bombardments caused extensive damage to civilian property and created a state of panic among the civilians near the bombing sites.

@Jamil_Alhasaan identified 70 missile shells and five Russian airstrikes on Nahla and Kfarsbo, which struck homes and civilians in agricultural lands. @abdulaziz_sy11 reported that Russian airstrikes occurred on the same sites of Syrian regime artillery shelling and the correspondent of Zaitun Agency said that Russian planes launched four raids with vacuum missiles on residential neighborhoods in Nahla.

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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by artillery shelling in the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Damage caused by artillery shelling in the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Damage caused by artillery shelling in the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Volunteer inspects the site of artillery shelling in the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)

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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4514

Incident date

May 24, 2023

Location

between the towns of Kansafra and Al-Fatira, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A young man was reportedly injured by shrapnel from machine guns attributed to both Russian forces and the Syrian regime on May 24th 2023. The incident occured on agricultural land between the town of Kansafra and Al-Fatirah, in the southern countryside of Idlib.

Reports from the Syrian Civil Defence, Halab Today TV and Twitter user @Almohrar1 said that the man was injured by shrapnel from machine guns whilst grazing sheep. He was treated with first aid by the Syrian Civil Defence and taken to hospital.

The Syrian Civil Defence attributed the machine gun fire to both Russian forces and the Syrian regime. Halab Today TV and Twitter user @Almohrar1 blamed the Syrian regime for the gun fire.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A young man injured by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian machine gun fire on May 24, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]