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

R4305 IRS007

Incident date

May 3, 2021

Location

الفوعة, Al Fu'ah, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed and up to 11 others, including five children to six children and three women, were wounded in an alleged Iranian or Russian drone strike on a weapons depot near the Al-Furousiya camp for the displaced, in the vicinity of the town of Al-Foah on May 3, 2021. However other sources blamed the casualties on a weapon malfunction.

According to Euphrates Post, “an Iranian drone targeted a weapons depot of the Ahrar al-Sham faction, near the Al-Furousiya camp for the displaced, in the vicinity of the town of Al-Foah, north of Idlib. The targeting resulted in the killing of three civilians, including two children, and the wounding of others, some of them seriously.” Their reporting also identified “the death of two members of the same faction” and that the strike resulted in extensive damage, including “several houses were razed to the ground, and many tents in the camp were damaged.”

Step News reported that “the explosion killed a woman and injured eight other civilians, including five children, in an initial toll” and that some were in a “dangerous condition.” In addition, “there were deaths and injuries among the “Uzbek” and the ranks of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, amounting to approximately 14 soldiers, including two dead from “Ahrar Al-Sham” and 2 others whose identities were not known.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified “the death of two fighters and a woman who was passing by the site of the explosion, while six other people from the camp, including women and children, sustained injuries.” The Syrian Civil Defense put the numbers at “a woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women” while @Sy24ria identified four civilians as being killed.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified two of the civilians killed: 25-year-old woman, named as Fahimeh Khaledeh Shehadah, and man, named as Alaa Muhammad al Mesleh. 

A post from Maher Naser Diab on Facebook identified the names of those injured: Zarifa Al-Ahmad (F), Fatima Al-Muhaimid (F), Ali Al-Dakhil (M), Nayef Al-Haled (M), Alaa Asry Al-Kassar (M), Ahmed Deeb Al-Jasem (M), Wafdiya Ahmed Al-Hussein (F), Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hayer (M), Muhammad Fawaz Al-Awad (M). The material damage from the explosion included more than 50 tents destroyed and more than 30 sheep were killed.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with Step News reporting that one source said that “it it was caused by a technical failure in manufacturing that led to explosions” while another claimed “a Russian drone was flying in the targeted area, and it is expected that it bombed the place with guided missiles.” Zaman Al Wasel News and Euphrates Post attributed the explosion to an Iran drone. Other sources also reported that it wasn’t clear whether the explosion resulted from an aerial attack or a malfunction. An image posted by @NagiNajjar seems to show an aircraft flying near the camp around the time of the strikes.

Geolocation of the incident was completed by @obretix.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Iranian Armed Forces, Russian Armed Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    10

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • Two huge explosions occurred in weapons depots belonging to the "Uzbek" factions affiliated with the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, and another for the Ahrar Al-Sham faction, today, Monday, near the Equestrian camp in Kafraya, north of Idlib.
  • Reliable sources have told SOHR that the explosion which occurred near al-Furousiyyah refugee camp in al-Fu’ah area in the north-east of Idlib was caused by an explosion in a warehouse belonging to jihadi groups, where shells and IEDs are manufactured.
  • Photo shows damages to a number of IDP tents in al Furousiya Camp near Kafrayya town in North Idlib governorate caused by a massive blast of unknown sources and type near the camp on May 3, 2021. (Image by Ahmad Rahhal via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women, this afternoon, Monday, May 3, as a result of an unknown explosion at a place for raising poultry southwest of the town of Al-Foua in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women, this afternoon, Monday, May 3, as a result of an unknown explosion at a place for raising poultry southwest of the town of Al-Foua in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women, this afternoon, Monday, May 3, as a result of an unknown explosion at a place for raising poultry southwest of the town of Al-Foua in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed, and 11 civilians were injured, including 6 children and 3 women, this afternoon, Monday, May 3, as a result of an unknown explosion at a place for raising poultry southwest of the town of Al-Foua in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and others were wounded, most of them women, in an unknown explosion near the Equestrian camp in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Edlib Media Center via Facebook)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and others were wounded, most of them women, in an unknown explosion near the Equestrian camp in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Edlib Media Center via Facebook)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and others were wounded, most of them women, in an unknown explosion near the Equestrian camp in the northern countryside of Idlib. (Images posted by Edlib Media Center via Facebook)
  • Caption translation: The Equestrian Club camp explosion, west of the town of Al Foah. (Images posted by @NagiNajjar)
  • Caption translation: The Equestrian Club camp explosion, west of the town of Al Foah. (Images posted by @NagiNajjar)
  • Caption translation: A large unknown explosion near the Equestrian Club camp, northeast of Idlib So far, the death of a woman and the wounding of a number of civilians, as a preliminary outcome (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: A large unknown explosion near the Equestrian Club camp, northeast of Idlib So far, the death of a woman and the wounding of a number of civilians, as a preliminary outcome (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: A large unknown explosion near the Equestrian Club camp, northeast of Idlib So far, the death of a woman and the wounding of a number of civilians, as a preliminary outcome (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: A large unknown explosion near the Equestrian Club camp, northeast of Idlib So far, the death of a woman and the wounding of a number of civilians, as a preliminary outcome (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: The young Alaa Muhammad Al-Musleh, from the displaced in the village of Qubeibat in the northern Hama countryside, rose to the equestrian camp near the town of Al-Fu'ah, northeast of Idlib, as a result of the explosion that happened a short while ago (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and 11 injured in an unidentified explosion near the Al Furousiya camp on the outskirts of the village of Al-Fu'ah, north of Idlib Photography: Nour Al-Shami (Images posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by @enabbaladi)
  • Caption translation: The death toll from the explosion that occurred in the Al Furousiya camp, southwest of the town of Al Foah in Idlib countryside, has risen to four. (Image posted by @AlaaHattabAlaa)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by Enab baladi)
  • Caption translation: Idlib ... This is how the site of an explosion that shook a weapons depot in Al Foah looked like. (Images posted by Enab baladi)
  • Geolocation of an alleged strike on an ammunition warehouse on May 3, 2021. (Images posted by @obretix)
  • Geolocation of an alleged strike on an ammunition warehouse on May 3, 2021. (Images posted by @obretix)

Iranian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iranian Armed Forces
  • Iranian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Iranian Armed Forces, Russian Armed Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    10

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4304 IRS006

Incident date

April 19, 2021

Location

العاصي‎, Orontes or Asi River, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.644802, 36.286705 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Nearby landmark

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and another was injured in an alleged drone strike on the village of Khirbat al-Naqus in the Al-Ghab Plain on April 19, 2021.

Syria.liveuamap geolocated the incident.

According to Resala Post, “a civilian was killed and another was injured due to being targeted by a drone in the village of Khirbet al-Naqus in the western Hama countryside.”

Zaiton added that “the Civil Defense reported that a drone targeted the two young men while they were fishing in the Asi River near the village of Khirbet al-Naqus in al-Ghab Plain, west of Hama.” An image posted shows White Helmets treating the wounded man.

Shaam News also reported that “a young man was killed and another was wounded,” and that “the Syrian Civil Defense teams treated the injured to the hospital, and transported the body of the young man, who was displaced from the village of Balyun, and delivered it to his family in the town of Mhambel, south of Idlib.” They did not identify who was responsible but that Russian, regime, and Iranian drones had been used in the area before.

Al Araby alleged that Iran was responsible for the strike, naming the man killed as Ahmed Al-Rabie. According to Al Araby, the victims were fishermen and the “Iranian drone targeted his workplace while fishing on the banks of the Orontes River.” Zaman Al Wasl and Syria TV also blamed Iran for the drone strike.

Baladi News attributed the drone to the regime and Russian forces and included an image of White Helmets removing the body of the civilian killed. Syrian Today identified the regime as operating the drone, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Iranian Armed Forces, Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: Today, Monday, a civilian was killed and another wounded, as a result of targeting them by a suicide drone in Khirbet al-Naqus in the al-Ghab Plain, west of Hama. The Civil Defense reported that a drone targeted the two young men while they were fishing in the Asi River near the village of Khirbet al-Naqus in al-Ghab Plain, west of Hama. (Image posted by Zaiton)
  • Caption translation: A civilian was killed, and another was wounded this evening, Monday, in the bombing of a regime forces' drone in the Al-Ghab Plain, west of Hama. Baladi News correspondent in Hama said that the young man, "Ahmed Mustafa Al-Rabee," died and another was wounded, as a result of an aerial bombardment of a drone by the regime and Russian forces near the village of Khirbet al-Naqus in Sahl al-Ghab in the western countryside of Hama. (Image posted by Baladi News)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Orontes, or Asi river (العاصي‎) in the vicinity of Khirbet Al Naqus (خربة الناقوس) village. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the river closest to Khirbet Al Naqus are: 35.644802, 36.286705.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Orontes, or Asi river (العاصي‎) in the vicinity of Khirbet Al Naqus (خربة الناقوس) village.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Iranian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iranian Armed Forces
  • Iranian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Armed Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Iranian Armed Forces, Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4301

Incident date

March 21, 2021

Location

موقف مقطورة في جوار باب الهوى, Trailer park in the vicinity of Bab Al Hawa, Idlib , Syria

Geolocation

36.215083, 36.711222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Exact location (via Airwars)

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sarmada near the Bab Al Hawa border areas in the evening of March 21, 2021.

The number of alleged air strikes was reported as 7 in a tweet by @Sy24ria. According to Al Modon News, the airstrikes were preceded by a long-range Russian missile strike on the same area.

Most sources identified only one civilian as being killed, including a tweet from @ShahbaPress reported “a martyr and wounded civilians as a result of Russian warplanes bombing a garage near the Bab al-Hawa crossing, north of Idlib.” Jisr Press reported that “that several serious injuries occurred among civilians.” A tweet from @IdlibPlus also reported one person killed and “several wounded.” A video posted by @syr_television shows civil defense teams removing someone in a body bag. However, a tweet from @mh197351 refers to “unidentified martyrs, their bodies were blown off by the Russian bombardment” indicating there were multiple people killed.

According to Syrian Civil Defense, the airstrikes hit “a cement factory and truck garage in the Bab al-Hawa border area in the northern countryside of Idlib, and the raids caused large fires in trucks.” A tweet from @okpazobany identified the location as being near the Bab al-Hawa gas plant and a tweet by @Sy24ria places the strikes as occurring on the road connecting the city of Sarmada and Bab Al Hawa. Reuters reported that “dozens of trailers carrying goods in a parking lot near the border crossing of Bab al Hawa were set aflame” and that this was a “fuel facilities that serve an economic lifeline for a region that is home to more than four million people.”

Anadolu Agency News describes the area as being opposite the Turkish Reyhanli district in Hatay Province and in the “de-escalation zone.” Al Modon News also pointed out that they were near camps for internally displaced persons and Jisr Press identified those injured as residing in the camps for the displaced.

A video posted by Edlib Media Center shows the immediate aftermath of the airstrike with vehicles on fire and white helmets arriving in an ambulance. Videos posted by Syrian Civil Defense and MMC show massive fires from alleged Russian airstrikes and the civil defense teams working to put them out. Images posted by @IdlibPlus also show the flames and dust that resulted from the airstrikes.

Enab baladi reported that the area bombed is “the artery for the entry of UN aid to the opposition-controlled areas in northern Syria.”

According to Reuters, “the spokesman for the National Army, a Turkish-backed rebel alliance in the northwest, said Russia, which backs the government in Damascus, sought to destabilise the last rebel stronghold in Syria and disrupt commercial activity” and “Turkey’s Defence Ministry said a missile launched by Syrian government forces had struck Qah and a truck and trailer park near Sarmada, injuring seven civilians” in addition to asking Russia to stop the attacks.

A statement issued by the US Department of State stated  that “Russian airstrikes struck Idlib near the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, reportedly killing one civilian and putting access to much needed assistance at risk.” They also added that Bab al Hawa is the “only UN-authorized humanitarian border crossing in Syria and remains the most efficient and effective way to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to approximately 2.4 million Syrians every month.”

All of the sources attributed the air strikes to Russia.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (23) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Image provided by Syrian Network for Human Rights of the civilian Ghiath Talla’a who was killed by alleged Russian strikes of Sarmada city near the Bab al Hawa border crossing on March 21, 2021.

Geolocation notes (6) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a trailer park being struck in the vicinity of Bab Al Hawa ( باب الهوى) crossing, north of Sarmada (سرمدا).  Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these coordinates: 36.215083, 36.711222.

  • Reports of the incident mention a trailer park being struck in the vicinity of Bab Al Hawa ( باب الهوى) crossing, north of Sarmada (سرمدا).  Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to exact coordinates. Close up of site with tags from source material.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    AFP News Agency

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    AFP News Agency

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    AFP News Agency

  • Satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 shows the building was built around October 2020, explaining why the are is not present on the Google Earth satellite imagery dating March 2020.

    Imagery:
    Sentinel-2

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Armed Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4302

Incident date

March 21, 2021

Location

قاح, Qah, Idlib , Syria

Geolocation

36.299148, 36.739667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Exact location (other)

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and between one and two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian missile strike in the vicinity of Qah and Salwa towns the afternoon of March 21, 2021.

Multiple sources, including Syrian Civil Defense and Reuters, reporting that the strike was ” a surface-to-surface missile.” Idlib EMC stated that “Russian battleships on the Syrian coast, with a ground-to-ground missile, targeted the town of Qah.” Other sources referred to the strike as a ballistic missile or a long-range missile. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at the time, “it is not known yet if the missile was fired by a warship near the Syrian coastline or from the Russian base in Hmeimim.”

The location struck was identified as being near internally displaced persons camps and Jisr Press specifically reported that the missile landed near Atmeh Camp. Step News reported that ” a long-range ballistic missile fell on the headquarters of the 23rd of the Sham Legion,” a Syrian opposition faction, and the civilian and animals injured and killed were close to the vicinity. The area struck was also identified by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as being “a military headquarters of opposition faction”  but that the area contains “a large number of refugee camps which host displaced people” and is near the “Syria border with Iskenderun region.”

According to Syrian Civil Defense, the strikes resulted in ” the serious injury of a civilian and the death of a number of livestock.” Jisr Press reported “the death of a large number of livestock and the injury of a shepherd in the aforementioned area. It is reported that he later died of his injury.” A tweet from @dr_aalassad identified two civilians as being injured and Al Modon news reported that the strike “resulted in the injury of a child who was grazing sheep in the area.”

Images posted by SCD Idlib show animals that were killed in the airstrike and White Helmets inspecting the area. A video posted by @Step_Agency and images posted by other sources show the smoke cloud in the sky following the strike.

Syrian Civil Defense attributed the strike to regime and Russian forces, while all other sources identified the strikes as being Russian, from the Russian base in Hmeimim, or from Russian battleships.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Qah (قاح). According to research conducted by @obretix, the exact location of this strike is: 36.299148, 36.739667. Cross referencing evidence from audio-visual material from sources, we can confirm this location.

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Armed Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4303

Incident date

March 21, 2021

Location

مشفى المغارة, Al Maghara Hospital, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.154972, 36.842553 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Exact location (other)

Airwars assessment

Between three and eight civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed and between 11 and 22 others were injured in alleged regime or Russian strikes at Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb, Aleppo in the morning on March 21, 2021.

Syrian Civil Defense and other sources, including @HalabTodayTV, identified artillery shelling as the cause of the injuries and damage and France 24 reported that six shells struck the city while Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported about six rocket-propelled grenades and Syrian Network for Human Rights reported three mortar shells striking the hospital. According to DW News, dozens of rockets and heavy artillery shells struck Al Maghara Hospital. Syrian Archive reported the time of the incident from 8:41-8:45AM.

In a preliminary outcome reported by Syrian Civil Defense, “3 civilians, including a child and a woman…and 15 other medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital and the visitors were injured this morning.” Syrian Civil Defense later posted that the death toll ” increased to 5 civilians, including a child and a woman… and wounding 9 medical personnel (5 doctors and 3 Nurses and technicians) and in a later video, increased the count to seven people killed and more than 15 others injured, including nine hospital staff. France 24 news reported that six people were killed including a child and a hospital worker and 11 others were wounded. Baladi News reported 22 people injured to varying degrees. Reuters reported that “Syrian army artillery killed seven civilians and injured 14 medics” and that the Turkish Defence Ministry had earlier said that ” five people were killed and 10 injured” in the artillery attack. Syrian Network for Human Rights published a report a week later that identified “eight civilians [were killed], including one child and one woman, and injuring about 17 others, including five of the hospital’s medical staff. Other sources also identified between three to seven civilians killed.

A tweet by @anasanas84 and Facebook post by Zakariya Mohammed Zilo named those killed as Muhammad Abdel Hamid Haji Ahmed (male from Al Atareb), Hikmat Hussein Al Khalaf (male from Al Khalaf), Mustafa Ayoub (male from Al Atareb), Mustafa Ahmad Hallaq (male), Sami Ali Kaddour (from Abyanas), and Ahmed Khattab (from Kafr Nouran) as well as an unidentified male child and an unidentified woman. Syrian Archive also named Ahmed Abdel Qadir Ayoub, a child, as being killed. The director of the Free Aleppo Health Authority, Nawar Kurdiya, was injured in the eye as a result of artillery shelling. Mahmoud Khalifa, a maintenance technician at Al Atarib Surgical Hospital, was also injured in the attack.

Syrian Archive reported that Mohammed Abdul Hamid Haji Ahmed, who was only 18 years old and recently married, was killed while taking his mother, who was injured in the bombing, to the hospital for treatment. His daughter was born five days after he was killed in the hospital attack.

The Directorate of Education in Aleppo posted on Facebook that two of its teachers and one of its students were killed in the attack on Al Atarib. The student named by the directorate is Ahmed Abdullah Ayoub (known as Ahmed Rajab Hallaq) and the teachers named are Mustafa Ahmed Ayoub and Ahmed Khattab Khattab.

Images and videos posted by @IndyArabia and other sources show severe damage to the hospital and injured patients being removed on stretchers. France 24 reported that according the the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the courtyard and the entrance to the hospital were struck by shells. DW News reported that an AFR reporter witnessed damage to the hospital entrance, shells penetrating the roof, windows of the information room shattered, and blood stains spread around. According to The New Arab, in a statement by Fadi Hakim,a spokesman for the Syrian American Medical Society, which supports the hospital, said the structural damage includes destruction of the orthopedic clinic and the emergency room and One News added that the electric generators on the roof of the hospital were knocked out. Syrian archive reported that “the first artillery shell hit near the hospital’s emergency room entrance and the other two shells followed hitting the orthopedic clinic and the waiting area in the hospital yard as well as the hospital roof near the obstetrician room and hospital staff accommodations.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the hospital is located far from residential areas and there is no military equipment. Al Jazeera and various other sources also pointed out that this occurred in a rebel-held part of Northwest Syria.

According to Syrian Civil Defense, the attack resulted in physical damage to the hospital so severe that the hospital could no longer serve patients. An Al Jazeera correspondent Adham Abu Al-Hussam pointed out that the hospital served more than 100,000 civilians in the city of Atarib and the surrounding areas but no longer can from the damage. Syrian Archive reported that the hospital conducts general as well orthopedic, urologic, and ENT operations and the average number of hospital beneficiaries ranges from 5,000 – 6,000 patients a month.

Following the attack, civil defense teams took the injured to the nearest hospital and transported those killed to their families. Baladi News reported that six of those injured were transferred to Turkish hospitals and the rest went to hospitals across the northern countryside of Idlib. Images posted by @MMCSYR also show the victims being buried.

France 24 and most other sources identified regime forces as responsible for the artillery shelling, including a post by Al Atareb City on Facebook that specifically identified the 46th regiment of the regime and DW News identifying the regime forces stationed in the town of Urem Al-Soghra as responsible. However, a tweet from @ZaitunAgency attributed the attack to both the regime and Russia. According to Syrian Archive, the 46th regiment is about 5km away from the hospital and could be the potential launch point.

Russian media posted a video following the attack showing Russian surveillance guided the artillery strike. Analysis by @Charles_Lister also shows that Russian “Kasnopol” laser-guided artillery shells were used in the attack. The missiles require external laser markers and the target must be illuminated with a laser for an accurate strike. By analyzing the remnants from the attack, they were able to point out that they closely match the laser-guided “Krasnopol” used in Ukraine. A tweet from @rien4djri also identified the times that Russian and regime planes get over Al Atarib, showing Russian involvement.

Anadolu Agency News attributed the attack to the regime and Iranian-backed foreign terrorist militias.

Anadolu Agency News and France 24 both pointed out that the shelling occurred in a UN de-escalation zone that was agreed upon by Turkey, Russia and Iran but the regime has recaptured three of the four areas covered by the deescalation. Al Jazeera also pointed out that the hospital is located underground, which is a tactic often used by the opposition to avoid targeting. Also, as Syrian Archive pointed out, “Al Atarib Surgical Hospital is remotely located, meaning it is situated distinctly separate from main centres of population and is not near to or surrounded by many other, unrelated (non-medical) structures.”

Rehana Zawar, the IRC’s country director for northwest Syria, said in a statement “Although SAMS shared the hospital’s coordinates through the UN’s notification system, it came under attack and has now been damaged so severely that it can no longer be used. Health facilities are protected under international law and should be safe havens in times of crisis, but after 10 years of war this is not the case in Syria.”

Aljazeera reported that the White Helmets released a statement that the attack is a “continuation of the regime and Russia’s systematic policy of targeting medical facilities and hospitals.”

The Turkish Defense Ministry released a written statement that “the Assad regime once again has carried out a brutal attack on innocent civilians” according to Daily Sabah.

The US Department of State also released a statement, “Reported artillery shelling on the Al-Atareb Surgical Hospital in western Aleppo killed several patients, including a child, and injured more than a dozen medical staff.  This hospital’s coordinates had been shared with the UN-led deconfliction mechanism.”

The incident occured between 8:41 am and 8:45 am local time.

  • Muhammad Abdel Hamid. Haji Ahmed 18 years old male killed
  • Hikmat Hussein Al Khalaf Age unknown male killed
  • Mustafa Ayoub Age unknown male Teacher killed
  • Mustafa Ahmad Hallaq Child male Ahmed Abdullah Ayoub (or as he is known in his village Ahmed Rajab Hallaq) killed
  • Nawar Kurdiya Age unknown Director of the Free Aleppo Health Authority, injured in the eye injured
  • Sami Ali Kaddour Age unknown (or as he is known in his village Ibin Sami Ali Al Kheir, where he was the goal keeper for the Al Fajr Sports Club) killed
  • Ahmed Khattab Age unknown Teacher killed
  • Ahmed Abdel Qadir Ayoub Child male killed
  • Mahmoud Khalifa Age unknown male maintenance technician at Al Atarib Surgical Hospital injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–22
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (62) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (81) [ collapse]

  • Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense show the damage and injuries caused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense show the damage and injuries caused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense show the damage and injuries caused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense show the damage and injuries caused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense show the damage and injuries caused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense show the damage and injuries caused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Image posted by Anadolu Agency News shows the damagecaused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Zakariya Mohammed Zilo show the victims of the alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images posted by Zakariya Mohammed Zilo show the victims of the alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Abean Saman martyrs identifies Sami Al Qaddour as a victim of the alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Ahmad Fou'ad on Facebook identifies Mustafa Ahmed Ayoub as a victim of the alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Mohammed Mahmoud Haji Ahmed on Facebook identifies Ahmed Khattab as a victim of the alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Image posted by Mohammed About Omar on Facebook identifies Muhammad Abdul Hamid Haji Ahmed as a victim of the alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights show the damage to the hospital caused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights show the damage to the hospital caused by alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Image posted by Al Atareb city shows Director of Health in Free Aleppo, doctor "Nawar Kurdiya" who lost an eye from the alleged regime shelling on Al Maghara Hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • A man walks past a damaged room at the entrance of a field hospital in the the village of Atareb in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo on March 21, 2021, after it was reportedly targeted by regime shelling. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)
  • A man stands amid the debris at the entrance of a field hospital in the the village of Atareb in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo on March 21, 2021, after it was reportedly targeted by regime shelling. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)
  • Syrian mourners pray during a funeral in the the village of Atareb in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo on March 21, 2021, for civilians killed in regime artillery fire on a hospital. - Regime artillery fire killed five civilians including a child when it hit a hospital entrance in Syria's last major rebel bastion of Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images posted by @Charles_Lister of the artillery parts used to attack the hospital in Al Atareb on March 21, 2021 and linking the attack to Russia as well as the regime.
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Images from the Syrian Archive report detailing the alleged Russian/regime airstrike against Al Atarib Hospital on March 21, 2021
  • Image translation: One of the Syrian pain stories One of the victims of artillery bombardment of Al-Atarab Hospital is the young orphan ′′ Mohamed Abdel Hamid Haji Ahmad ′′ (18 years old) who married nearly (10 months ago) and his wife is eighth month pregnant with his father and sister are martyrs of victims Assad's regime bombardment and brought his mother to the hospital for a doctor, but Assad bombardment killed a young man ′′ Muhammad ′′ and his sick mother was shrapneled after which was transferred to Bab Al-Hawa Hospital to receive aid. (Image posted by Mahmood Talha via Facebook)
  • Image caption translation: After the funeral of his father.. the wife of the martyr ′′ Mohamed Abdel Hamid Haji Ahmad ′′ who was killed by Russia in Al-Atarab Hospital.. makes an orphaned child. (Image posted by Thiqa Agency via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • A tweet from @MarkCutts shows the damage caused by the airstrike on the Al Atarib hospital on March 21, 2021
  • A tweet from @rien4djri shows a schedule of Syrian regime and Russian planes flying over Al Atareb on March 21, 2021.
  • Caption translation: Medics stand next to the body of a victim following an artillery attack on at Al-Atareb City Hospital. 7 civilians including a child and a woman were killed and 15 medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital, Aleppo together with visitors were wounded as the Assad regime forces targeted the hospital with several artillery shells, making the hospital out of service. Syrian Civil Defense teams are treating the wounded at the nearest hospital and transported the bodies of the dead to their families.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: Medics stand next to the body of a victim following an artillery attack on at Al-Atareb City Hospital. 7 civilians including a child and a woman were killed and 15 medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital, Aleppo together with visitors were wounded as the Assad regime forces targeted the hospital with several artillery shells, making the hospital out of service. Syrian Civil Defense teams are treating the wounded at the nearest hospital and transported the bodies of the dead to their families.
  • Caption translation: Medics stand next to the body of a victim following an artillery attack on at Al-Atareb City Hospital. 7 civilians including a child and a woman were killed and 15 medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital, Aleppo together with visitors were wounded as the Assad regime forces targeted the hospital with several artillery shells, making the hospital out of service. Syrian Civil Defense teams are treating the wounded at the nearest hospital and transported the bodies of the dead to their families.
  • Caption translation: Medics stand next to the body of a victim following an artillery attack on at Al-Atareb City Hospital. 7 civilians including a child and a woman were killed and 15 medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital, Aleppo together with visitors were wounded as the Assad regime forces targeted the hospital with several artillery shells, making the hospital out of service. Syrian Civil Defense teams are treating the wounded at the nearest hospital and transported the bodies of the dead to their families.
  • Caption translation: Medics stand next to the body of a victim following an artillery attack on at Al-Atareb City Hospital. 7 civilians including a child and a woman were killed and 15 medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital, Aleppo together with visitors were wounded as the Assad regime forces targeted the hospital with several artillery shells, making the hospital out of service. Syrian Civil Defense teams are treating the wounded at the nearest hospital and transported the bodies of the dead to their families.
  • Caption translation: Medics stand next to the body of a victim following an artillery attack on at Al-Atareb City Hospital. 7 civilians including a child and a woman were killed and 15 medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital, Aleppo together with visitors were wounded as the Assad regime forces targeted the hospital with several artillery shells, making the hospital out of service. Syrian Civil Defense teams are treating the wounded at the nearest hospital and transported the bodies of the dead to their families.
  • Caption translation: Medics stand next to the body of a victim following an artillery attack on at Al-Atareb City Hospital. 7 civilians including a child and a woman were killed and 15 medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital, Aleppo together with visitors were wounded as the Assad regime forces targeted the hospital with several artillery shells, making the hospital out of service. Syrian Civil Defense teams are treating the wounded at the nearest hospital and transported the bodies of the dead to their families.
  • Caption translation: Medics stand next to the body of a victim following an artillery attack on at Al-Atareb City Hospital. 7 civilians including a child and a woman were killed and 15 medical personnel working at Al-Atareb City Hospital, Aleppo together with visitors were wounded as the Assad regime forces targeted the hospital with several artillery shells, making the hospital out of service. Syrian Civil Defense teams are treating the wounded at the nearest hospital and transported the bodies of the dead to their families.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Maghara Hospital (مشفى المغارة), within Al Atarib (أتارب‎), for which the exact coordinates, as reported by The Syrian Archive, are: 36.154972, 36.842553.

  • Imagery:
    Google Earth

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Armed Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–22
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces

Sources (62) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4300

Incident date

March 14, 2021

Location

الحمران, Al Hamran, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.618697, 37.769365 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Village

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and three others injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling with surface-to-surface missiles carrying cluster bombs on the village of Al-Hamran, east of Aleppo on March 14th, It coincided with similar shelling on the village of Tarhin which reportedly caused major fires in the makeshift fuel refineries. The shelling targeted Al Hamran’s fuel market near the crossing in Jarablus countryside, and led to massive fires as well.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that attack injured a number of workers and civilians.

This attack comes a week after a similar attack which resulted in the outbreak of the largest fires in the area, which burned down over 180 oil trucks. The area is under the control of Turkish forces and Syrian National Army.

@Step_Agency reported that a ballistic missile fell on the Al-Hamran crossing in Aleppo countryside. They said “A number of dead and wounded, as a result of shelling by a ballistic missile originating from the Syrian regime forces stationed at Kuiris airport, which targeted the vicinity of the Hamran crossing in the eastern countryside of Aleppo shortly before.”

@Ahmadaboalmged said “Bombardment with cluster missiles originating from the military bases of the militias of the regime and Russia in the village of Saidia targeting the Al-Hamran area in the Jarablus countryside, east of Aleppo.”

Local sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for this incident.

@syriapostnew1 said that the attack was undertaken by the Syrian regime which targeted a gathering of oil tanks in Hamran crossing in Jarablus leading to fires.  However @HalabTodayTV blamed Russia, and @anasanas84 said ‘Russian and Iranian militias’. Some sources said the rockets came from unknown sources.

@Ahmadaboalmged said that regime and Russia militias stationed in Al Saidiya village shelled the area, while Baladi said it was from regime stationed at Kuweiris military airport.

 

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: For the second time during the current month only. Violent missile strikes by the Syrian regime target a gathering of oil tankers at the Al-Hamran crossing in the Jarablus countryside, east of Aleppo, causing huge fires, and the area is under Turkish influence and the control of militias of the so-called Syrian National Army.
  • Caption translation: Unidentified missiles target the private fuel market under the control of Turkish-backed militants in Al-Hamran in the Jarablus countryside in northeastern Aleppo.
  • Caption translation: Assad gangs target with ballistic missiles from the Kuwairis airport, the Al-Hamran crossing in Jarablus countryside, and the fuel refinery stations in the Terhine area, east of Aleppo.
  • The location in Al Hamran and Tarhin allegedly targeted by Russia or the Syrian regime on March 14th. (via @Najdat567)
  • The location in Al Hamran and Tarhin allegedly targeted by Russia or the Syrian regime on March 14th. (via @Najdat567)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hamran ( الحمران), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.618697, 37.769365. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Armed Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4299

Incident date

March 5, 2021

Location

الحمران, Al Hamran , Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.631991, 37.772713 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Exact location (other)

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer were killed, up to 42 others injured, and one civilian went missing as a result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling with surface to surface missiles on oil refinery stations in Tarhin and Hamran villages in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. The Syrian Civil Defence referred to the targeted area as ‘fuel market’. The injured civilians endured burns as a result of the fires, as it took the Civil Defence volunteer teams more than 19 hours to put the fire off.

In the total toll of those killed and injured, Syrian Civil Defence said that four people were killed including a civil defence volunteer and 42 injured, 38 in Al Hamran and 4 in Tarhin.

The shelling caused huge fires which consequently led to the explosion of an oil tank killing the Syrian Civil Defence volunteer Ahmad Al Waki who was among the team working to put off the fires. Ahmad is a father of two children who are not older than 4 years. Local sources also named a missing civilian as Ahmad Al Junaid Al Barho from Marran village.

Syrian Civil Defence posted images and videos showing their volunteers respond to the fires and trying to put them off. The fires erupted in the oil refinery stations in Tarhin and fuel tanks that crossed through Hamran crossing.

The Syrian Observatory mentioned that over 180 oil tanks were burned and between 30 people were killed and injured. Step News said the losses calculated of the attacks amounts to 6 million dollars. “200 trucks were burned, 20 of them loaded with oil, in addition to the burning of 15 tanks and 4 oil burners, with losses estimated at 6 million dollars, as a preliminary outcome.” SCD said that the area was reportedly targeted with 7 missiles (Three Tochka missiles loaded with Cluster Bombs) and another 4 Tocka and Surface to Surface missiles also loaded with Cluster Bombs. More than 200 oil tankers were destroyed and 2 SCD vehicles were damaged during the efforts to put out the fire.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that “Russian warplanes stationed near the Syrian coastline fired three surface-to-surface missiles near an oil market and oil refineries close to Al-Hamaran area in Jarabulus in north-eastern Aleppo. ” However, the source accused the Syrian regime of responsibility for attacking Tarhin. “everal rockets, believed to be fired from regime military barracks in Aleppo, hit refineries in Tarhin in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, which resulted in the outbreak of large fires in the area.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights provided some details on the incident. “Russian carried out two synchronous attacks using long-range missiles on the eastern suburbs of Aleppo governorate. The first attack took place at 19:05 targeting the crossing at al Humran – a square where tanks loaded with fuel were gathered – in the area on the dividing line between the territories controlled by Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian National Army in eastern Aleppo governorate. The bombardment resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians and the injury of 23 others, in addition to the burning of dozens of tankers in the area. Less than an hour later, at 20:00, the same forces carried out another attack on the area against a group of fuel burners – rudimentary refineries used in refining operations for crude oil – in Tarhin village in the south of Jarablos city, also in eastern Aleppo governorate, resulting in the death of a Civil Defense member, named as Ahmad al Waki, while he was extinguishing fires that broke out in the area, as well as putting two emergency vehicles out of service.”

Shaam Network said “The Assad forces and the Russian forces targeted the fuel market in the Hamran area in the countryside of Jarablus city, and the oil burners in the village of Tarhine in the countryside of Al-Bab city, with surface-to-ground missiles, which led to the outbreak of huge fires. To put out the fires, three civilians were also killed and 27 others were wounded in the area.”

At the start, the Syrian Civil Defence said that the missiles source is unknown but later accused Russia and the regime for responsibility.

Step News correspondent said that the oil trucks belong to Ahrar Al Sharqiya  and that most workers in the refinery belong to Ahrar Al Sharqiya.

The incident occured between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–42
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (51) [ collapse]

  • Huge fires erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers responding to huge fires that erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers responding to huge fires that erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers responding to huge fires that erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Fires that erupted in oil finery stations in Tarhin, Al Baba as a result of shelling on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Ahmad Al-Waki, a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer was killed while participating in putting off fires that broke out in oil refinery stations in Tarhin as a result of shelling. A fuel tank exploded and killed Ahmad. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Fires in oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo as a result of alleged Russia or Syrian regime missiles. Syrian Civil Defence volunteers worked to put the fire off and lost a volunteer during the operation. (via SCD)
  • Volunteers of the Syrian Civil Defence resting during their efforts to put off fires in the oil refinery stations in Hamran, Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD).
  • Funeral of Ahmad Al Waki, SCD volunteer who got killed while responding to fires in oil refinery stations in Tarhin/Hamra in Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Funeral of Ahmad Al Waki, SCD volunteer who got killed while responding to fires in oil refinery stations in Tarhin/Hamra in Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Funeral of Ahmad Al Waki, SCD volunteer who got killed while responding to fires in oil refinery stations in Tarhin/Hamra in Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Funeral of Ahmad Al Waki, SCD volunteer who got killed while responding to fires in oil refinery stations in Tarhin/Hamra in Aleppo on March 5th. (via SCD)
  • Translation: Pictures taken by SY24 correspondent show the effects of the fires that afflicted a makeshift fuel refinery in the town of Tarhin in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, as a result of yesterday's ballistic missile strikes.
  • Aftermath of huge fires caused by shelling on oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @Sy24ria)
  • Aftermath of huge fires caused by shelling on oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @Sy24ria)
  • Aftermath of huge fires caused by shelling on oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @Sy24ria)
  • Aftermath of huge fires caused by shelling on oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @Sy24ria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: Pictures of a number of civilian casualties as a result of the Iranian Russians targeting the Tarhin and Al-Hamran areas in the Jarablus countryside.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: Pictures of a number of civilian casualties as a result of the Iranian Russians targeting the Tarhine and Al-Hamran areas in the Jarablus countryside.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of shelling that led to a fire in oil refinery stations in Tarhin, Jarablus on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Translation: Pictures of a number of civilian casualties as a result of the Iranian Russians targeting the Tarhin and Al-Hamran areas in the Jarablus countryside.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of fires caused by alleged Russian shelling on Tarhin in Jarablus, Aleppo on March 5th. (via @L1YXASnkTiI2fcR)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian shelling on oil refinery area in Hamran, Aleppo. (via @ZaitunAgency)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian shelling on oil refinery area in Hamran, Aleppo. (via @ZaitunAgency)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian shelling on oil refinery area in Hamran, Aleppo. (via @ZaitunAgency)
  • Unidentified injured man in Jarablus hospital. (via Al Bab FB)
  • Satellite images by Associated Press of the location where missiles hit oil refinery stations in Jarablus.
  • Satellite images by Associated Press of the location where missiles hit oil refinery stations in Jarablus.
  • Satellite images by Associated Press of the location where missiles hit oil refinery stations in Jarablus.
  • Ahmed Al-Junaid Al-Barhu from the village of Maran went missing due to the bombing on Al-Hamran village. (via Abd Al Ghani Al Ahmad)
  • Syrian Defence volunteers surveying the area that was a target of regime or Russia shelling in Tarhin to clear it of any exploded ordinances. (via SCD),
  • Syrian Defence volunteers surveying the area that was a target of regime or Russia shelling in Tarhin to clear it of any exploded ordinances. (via SCD),
  • Syrian Defence volunteers surveying the area that was a target of regime or Russia shelling in Tarhin to clear it of any exploded ordinances. (via SCD),
  • Syrian Defence volunteers surveying the area that was a target of regime or Russia shelling in Tarhin to clear it of any exploded ordinances. (via SCD),
  • The outcome of the targeting by the regime and Russia, on March 5th evening evening of the villages of Tarhin and Al-Hamran, east of Aleppo, with missiles carrying cluster bombs. (via SCD)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the oil refineries of Al Hamran (الحمران) for which the exact coordinates, as reported by the Associated Press are: 36.631991, 37.772713.

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Armed Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–42
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Armed Forces, Syrian Regime Armed Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4298

Incident date

March 5, 2021

Location

معرة الإخوان, Maaret Al Ikhwan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.064641, 36.672084 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Village

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured as a result of an alleged Russian airstrike on Ma’aret Al Ikhwan in Idlib on March 5th.

@jisrtv tweeted “Russian bombing raids with cluster rockets on the outskirts of the town of Maarat al-Ikhwan, northwest of the city of Maarat Misrin in the northern countryside of Idlib.”

Edlib Media Center posted images showing destruction in the area as a result of the Russian strikes.

Syrian Civil Defence said that their volunteers evacuated some civilians from the area to a safe place because of fears of renewed bombing.

No further information is available.

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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation of second tweet: Meanwhile a civilian was injured as a result of two raids by the Russian warplanes on Ma'aret Ikhwan village in Idlib's northern countryside. Our teams checked the area for injured civilians, and evacuated a number of civilians to a safe place.
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteers on the rubble of a destructed building in Ma'aret Ikhwan that was earlier allegedly bombed by Russian warplanes. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Maaret Al Ikhwan (معرة الإخوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.064641, 36.672084. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Armed Forces 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Armed Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]