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

R4216

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة,, Several towns in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian warplanes launched intense and very violent air strikes, which were associated with heavy artillery and missile shelling targeting the vicinity of the city of Dara Azza and the cities and towns and villages of Andan, Atareb, Hurriyan, Kafr Hamra, Al Abzmu, Tadil, Kfartal, Kafr Amadah, Qadin, Ainjarah, Bastaroon, Sahar, Kabashin, Assaadiya, al-Mahfah, al-Shurfiyyah, al-Shafarwi, al-Shamfariyyah, al-Shamsharh Aqeel, Salloum, Al Qasimia and Banshatra, which led to the fall of 4 martyrs in the Al sahara village, and one martyr near the Dara Azza, and a number of wounded people in the rest of the targeted areas”.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4486

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

أبلين, Ableen, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ableen, Idlib governorate, on February 26th, 2020, according to Shaam News Network.

Shaam reported that “Russian and Assad’s air forces launched dozens of airstrikes amid artillery and missile shelling, which led to the fall of four martyrs in the village of Arnaba, and five martyrs in the village of Kafr Awaid, and two martyrs in Ableen.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4511

Incident date

July 14, 2020

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between four and five civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured and 2 civilians, a child and his father, died as a result of alleged Russian, Syrian or Iranian artillery shellings or air strikes on residential neighborhoods of the city of Ariha in the southern countryside of Idlib on July 14, 2020.

Numerous sources, including @MMC, @ArihaToday and @Asma, reported on the death of Muhammad Deeb Halabiya Abu Subhi, a 40-year old father, and his son, the 12-year old Karam Muhammad Deeb Halabiya, who succumbed to his injuries as communicated by @SyriaCivilDefence, @Worldarabnews and @SCD. However, other sources referred to only one civilian killed in the incident but it is unclear if they are not counting the injured child who later died.

Sources differ on the amount of wounded civilians that resulted from the strikes. @Wesal_TV, @MMCSYR and @SN4HR merely mention the existence of several injured civilians, including one or more children. The majority of sources reported four to five wounded, including Mohammed Al-Madhi (13 years old), Mohammed Al-Hassan (12 years old), Nour Abras (30 years old) and Youssef Al-Hassan. Karam Halabiya is oftentimes mentioned among those that sustained injuries but he later died as a result of his wounds. A tweet from @ShahbaPress also mentions that three children and a woman were injured in the strikes.

Aside from causing death and injury, both @MMCSYR and @Alaraby reported that the strikes resulted in significant damage to residential buildings. A correspondent of Step New Agency also stated that the missile shelling in Ariha, that was part of a wider campaign of aerial and artillery shelling in the governorate of Idlib, caused massive displacement from people living in the southern countryside of Idlib, some of them having only recently returned to their homes after the Turkish-Russian armistice in mid-March.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strike. More than 15 sources identified Syrian regime forces as the one having carried out the strikes. However, a multitude of sources, including @mhmdfaisal, @Weshal_TV, shaam, SCD and MMC attributed the strikes to regime forces as well as Russian armed forces. @pressrahhal was the only source who mentioned that Iranian forces took part in the strikes on Ariha.

MMC, Enab Baladi and Shaam News Network noted that the shelling possibly came in response to a car bomb explosion on international road “M4” during a joint Russian-Turkish patrol that allegedly wounded three Russian and one Turkish soldier.

According to the Syrian Civil Defence and @asma, the incident occurred in the afternoon.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Muhammad Deeb Halabya محمد ديب حلبية
40 years old male killed
Karam Halabya كرم حلبية
12 years old male Was injured but then died because of wounds he sustained in the attack. killed

Family members (2)

Mohammed Al-Hassan محمد الحسن
12 years old male injured
Youssef Al-Hassan يوسف الحسن
male injured

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Al-Mady محمد الماضي
13 years old male injured
Noor Abras نور ابرص
30 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • According to SCD, Ariha was a target of 14 rocket launchers by the Syrian regime on July 14th, 2020.
  • SCD volunteers in Ariha after it was struck with alleged Russian or Syrian regime rockets on July 14th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • SCD volunteers in Ariha after it was struck with alleged Russian or Syrian regime rockets on July 14th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • Civil Defense volunteers in Ariha after alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attacks on July 14th, 2020. (via SCD Aleppo)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attacks on Ariha on July 14th, 2020. (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Civil Defense volunteers in Ariha after alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attacks on July 14th, 2020. (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Fires in the aftermath of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on Ariha on July 14th. 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on Ariha on July 14th. 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on Ariha on July 14th. 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on Ariha on July 14th. 2020 (via MMC)
  • A man taking a look at the weapons used in the attack on Ariha on July 14th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • A man taking a look at the weapons used in the attack on Ariha on July 14th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damage to a civilian building in the aftermath of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on Ariha on July 14th. 2020 (via MMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of Muhammad Deeb Halabiya Abu Subhi, killed along with his son in alleged Russian strikes on Ariha on July 14, 2020/ (Image posted by EyeOnAriha via Facebook)
  • Muhammad Deeb Halabiya Abu Subhi, killed along with his son in alleged Russian strikes on Ariha on July 14, 2020/ (Image posted by EyeOnAriha via Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4532

Incident date

November 17, 2020

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5816284, 36.9212293 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a man, was reported killed and one civilian sustained injuries as the result of an alleged Russian and/or Regime strike on the village of Sarja in the southern countryside of Idlib on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

Regarding civilian harm, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reported that “A 30-year-old Syrian citizen, named as Munif Ahmad Naddaf, died when the roof of his home in Sarja village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate collapsed on November 17, 2020.” SNHR quoted local activist according to whom “the roof had been severely damaged by intensive bombardment of the village by Syrian-Russian Alliance forces in previous military campaigns, including the dropping of barrel bombs weighing between 50 and 1,000 kilograms.”

The Syrian Civil Defence and Thiqa News agency provided that a civilian was killed an another civilian sustained injuries when a cracked roof, resulting from previous Regime bombing, collapsed on Tuesaday evening, November 17. According to the SCD, this was the second incident that day in which a civilian died because a destabilized roof collapsed.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strike, with @dbOFRYEU7XqMrTc attributing the strike to the russian Armed Forces while @Khaled_Sheikh1 and @thiqanewsagency referred to the Regime as having carried out the attack on Sarja that caused the roof to collapse. The SNHRnamed both forces as responsible for the strike.

The incident allegedly took place in the evening.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Munif Ahmad Naddaf
30 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence teams carrying a victim after a civilian home in Sarja village collapsed on November 17th, 2020, following alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on an unknown date (via SNHR).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sarja (سرجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.5816284, 36.9212293. 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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4309

Incident date

June 7, 2021

Location

بليون, Balioun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.693358, 36.502486 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man was killed and another civilian was wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Balioun villiage on June 7, 2021. Sources are contested as to whether the man killed was a civilian, with one source referring to him as a fighter.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “a man from Kansafra village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, named as Khaled Yousef al Khalil, was killed on June 7, 2021, when Russian forces used a missile launcher to fire a missile equipped with a Krasnopol laser guidance system at Balyoun village in the southern suburbs of the governorate.”

The Syrian Civil Defense reported “one person was killed, and another was wounded, this morning, Monday, June 7, by missile strikes by the regime forces targeting a fuel station in the middle of the town of Balion in the southern countryside of Idlib. @SyrianCoalition quoted the Civil Defense as referring to the man killed and the other person wounded as civilians and Shaam News also referred to the man killed as a civilian.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred to the man killed as “a fighter of the factions” and a “fighter of the regime-backed factions” but pointed out that he was killed in his home, not on the frontlines.

Sources were contested in attributing the strikes, with Syrian Civil Defense and @IdlibPlus blaming the regime while Syrian Network for Human Rights identified Russia as being responsible.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Assad regime
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: A man from Kansafra village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, named as Khaled Yousef al Khalil, was killed on June 7, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Caption translation: Russian forces used a missile launcher to fire a missile equipped with a Krasnopol laser guidance system at Balyoun village in the southern suburbs of the governorate. (Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Caption translation: Civil Defense (White Helmets): A civilian was killed and another wounded, today, by missile strikes by the regime forces on the town of Balion in the southern countryside of Idlib. (Image posted by @SyrianCoalition)
  • Caption translation: Artillery and missile shelling by Assad's gangs since morning until now targeting the village of Balion and its outskirts, in addition to targeting the village of Maarata. Jabal Al-Zawiya, southern countryside of Idlib (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: Artillery and missile shelling by Assad's gangs since morning until now targeting the village of Balion and its outskirts, in addition to targeting the village of Maarata. Jabal Al-Zawiya, southern countryside of Idlib (Images posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation: Pictures of artillery shelling by Assad forces targeting the village of Balion in the southern countryside of Idlib this morning (Image posted by @hadikhraat)
  • Caption translation: One person was killed, and another was injured, by the regime’s missile bombing on the town of Balion in the southern countryside of #Idlib..the regime’s shabiha deliberately bombard the villages of the southern countryside of Idlib to prevent civilians from safely returning to their homes and forcing them to flee (Image posted by @syria55s)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: One person was killed and another was injured this morning, Monday morning, in a missile attack by the regime forces that targeted a fuel station in the center of the town of Balion in the southern Idlib countryside (Image posted by @WM_FREESYR)
  • Caption translation: Civilians take photos of some of the remnants of bombs and rockets used by regime militias today to shell civilian areas in rural Idlib. (Images posted by @OGNreports)
  • Caption translation: Civilians take photos of some of the remnants of bombs and rockets used by regime militias today to shell civilian areas in rural Idlib. (Images posted by @OGNreports)
  • Caption translation: Civilians take photos of some of the remnants of bombs and rockets used by regime militias today to shell civilian areas in rural Idlib. (Images posted by @OGNreports)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Balioun (بليون). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of the strike to these coordinates: 35.693358, 36.502486.

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Balioun (بليون). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the site of the strike to an exact location.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Assad regime
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4341

Incident date

July 15, 2021

Location

الفوعة, Al Fu'ah, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between five and six civilians, including one to four children, were killed and between seven and eight others, including two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on the Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at the time of reporting “the number of civilians killed in regime massacre in Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town in north-eastern Idlib jumped to six. Moreover, the death toll is expected to rise further as the bombardment left seven over persons injured, some seriously.” Their earlier reporting identified that five civilians, including one child, were killed and those killed “were workers who were breaking stones”. Shaam News also reported that five civilians, including a child, were killed.

In their report that identified six deaths and eight injuries from the strikes, Enab Baladi specified that all of those involved in the incident were civilians.

@Jon94447934 provided the names of the three children that were killed in the strikes: Hamza Ahmed Walid Sabbagh, Mohamed Khaled Sabbagh, Hussein Khaled Sabbagh.

A post from Khaled Abo Haydar on Facebook added three more names of civilians killed, including a child: Mohamed Khaled Abdel Gawad nicknamed Abu Khaled, Abdo Omar Qahawati  nicknamed Abu Omar, and Child Abdel Rahman Adel Slat.

A tweet from @Najdat567 emphasized that five of the civilians killed were the providers of their families and were doing back-breaking work as stone breakers for just “20 Turks per day” and that those workers were targeted with three shells.

Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported a similar number of civilians killed, six, but added that three of them were children. A post by Syrian Civil Defense also identified eight others as being wounded, including two children, and listed the locations that were shelled as “civilians who cut stones, a swimming pool and a playground”.

SN4HR blamed Russian forces for the casualties, identifying “a shell equipped with a Krasnopol laser guidance system” as being used in the attack. However, SOHR named the regime as being responsible for the shelling. The other sources that reported on the incident, including Syrian Civil Defense and Shaam News, did not distinguish whether Russia or the regime was responsible, blaming both.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Hamza Ahmed Walid Sabbagh
Child killed
Mohamed Khaled Sabbagh
Child killed
ussein Khaled Sabbagh
killed

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Khaled Abdel Gawad
Adult male killed
Abdo Omar Qahawati
Adult male killed
Abdel Rahman Adel Slat
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • Workers were carrying rocks when they were stuck by alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Remnants of the shell fired by alleged Russian or regime forces on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • White Helmets carry the bodies of the victims following alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • “Their only fault is that they seek to secure the livelihood of their families.” The first moments of the response of the Syrian Civil Defense teams to the massacre committed today by the regime forces and Russia by targeting civilians who were cutting stones in the village of Al Foah in Idlib countryside, which killed 6 civilians, including a child, and wounded 8 others, including two children. #whitehelmets
  • White Helmets load the bodies of those killed into an ambulance following alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets retrieve the body of one of the victims of the alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Rescue workers put out a vehicle fire caused by alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Rescue workers put out a vehicle fire caused by alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @MMCSYR)
  • Damage and blood from the victims caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @baladinetwork - Photo: Moaz Al-Abbas)
  • Rescue workers attempt to put out fires caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @baladinetwork - Photo: Moaz Al-Abbas)
  • Damage caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @baladinetwork - Photo: Moaz Al-Abbas)
  • Damage and blood from the victims caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Remnants of the shell fired by alleged Russian or regime forces on Masbah area nearby al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @Najdat567)
  • An aerial image of the funeral for three children, Hamza Ahmed Walid Sabbagh, Mohamed Khaled Sabbagh, Hussein Khaled Sabbagh, killed in the strikes on al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Images posted by @Jon94447934)
  • Image of Mohamed Khaled Abdel Gawad nicknamed Abu Khaled who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Khaled Abo Haydar via Facebook)
  • Image of MAbdo Omar Qahawati nicknamed Abu Omar who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Khaled Abo Haydar via Facebook)
  • Image of Abdel Rahman Adel Slat who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Khaled Abo Haydar via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of Abdel Rahman Adel Slat who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Binnish deaths via Facebook)
  • Image of MAbdo Omar Qahawati nicknamed Abu Omar who was killed in al-Fu’ah town on July 15, 2021. (Image from Binnish deaths via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by strikes on the town of Al Fu'ah on July 15, 2021. (Image posted by Al Souria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS113 R4374

Incident date

August 18, 2021

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, including one to two women and a child, were killed and three to four others were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces or Russian or regime strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “three civilians, including a child and a woman, were killed on August 18 when Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) used a missile launcher to shell al Mazout Street in west Afrin city”. Radio Al Kul specified that two women and a man made up the three civilians that were killed in the strikes.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified three civilians as being killed and added that others were also injured in the strikes but did not provide a number. However, Syrian Civil Defense put the injury toll at four but referred to this as being the “preliminary toll”.

@EdlibEmc1 did not provide a specific number of how many people were injured but reported that “dozens” were injured.

The strikes reportedly caused a nearby fuel station selling diesel to catch fire. Shaam News added that “activists broadcast scenes of the bombing and the rise of smoke columns resulting from the bombing and fires, while the civil defense teams worked to secure the place and put out the fires.”

According to Baladi News’ correspondent, the bombing “was concentrated near one of the camps in the city, which resulted in massive destruction of public and private properties” and @Almohrar1 pinpointed the location as “near Al-Shifa Hospital and Dersim in the city of Afrin”. @SyrianCoalition identified 13 shells as being used in the bombing.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the SDF, with Zaman Al Wasl referring to the source of the strikes as an area controlled by the SDF called the “Tal Rifaat pocket” and Radio Al Kul sourcing the strikes from “the village of Al-Alqamiya and the town of Deir Jamal”. However, the Syrian Civil Defense identified the strikes as originating from an area controlled by the SDF and regime while the North Press Agency attributed the strikes to Russian planes. Enab Baladi added that the SDF did not claim responsibility for the strikes.

The incident occured at approximately 2:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (39) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets with one of the victims of the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Fires caused by the bombing of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Fires caused by the bombing of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • White Helmets bring an injured civilian to an ambulance following strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • The first moments of our teams' response to a missile bombardment on residential neighborhoods in the city of #Afrin, coming from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces north of #Aleppo, which led to the killing of 3 civilians and the injury of 4 others
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Missile strikes and shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Missile strikes and shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Macro Media Centerl)
  • Rocket shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Step_Agency)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Huge fires in a gas station in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, as a result of the bombing of the city (Image posted by @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Smoke from the shelling and the fires it caused in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Alassaf1977)
  • Smoke from the shelling and the fires it caused in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @Alassaf1977)
  • Destruction and fires caused by the shelling of Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @SyrianCoalition)
  • Fires broke out from strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)
  • Fires broke out from strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Radio Al Kul)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Image of the body of one of the civilians killed in the bombing and fires in Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @ibrahim78197182)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by @maamo_walid)
  • Fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Rescue crews try to put out the fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Fires from the strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin Mejilis)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)
  • Smoke rising from the fires caused by strikes on Afrin on August 18, 2021. (Image posted by Afrin News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces 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
    3
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 Democratic Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4403

Incident date

October 16, 2021

Location

الطريق بين باب الهوى وسرمدا, Road between Bab Al Hawa and Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.213399, 36.712567 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians were injured in the second incident of a ‘double-tap’ strike on the Sarmada, reportedly carried out by Russian or Syrian regime forces, on October 16th 2021. The strike represents a significant escalation of violence observed in the past month.

Details of the first incident are archived under incident R4402 on the Airwars site.

Syria Civil Defense described the incident: “Less than an hour after the first targeting, the regime forces and Russia bombed the area again, resulting in the injury of 10 civilians, and the outbreak of large fires in industrial facilities in the area”.

The first incident was reported to have killed at least four civilians, including the chief of police, and injuring at least 13 others – with some reported to be in critical conditions.

The incident occured during the day.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • First responders put out fires caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada October 16th 2021. Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • Smoke rises over Sarmada after alleged Russian or Regime strikes. Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • First responders put out fires in Sarmada after alleged Russian or Syrian strikes. Note this image is also included in R4403 - the first of the two strikes. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • First responders in the rubble of a building in Sarmada after alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes carried out two strikes on October 16th 2021. Note this image is also included in R4403 - the first of the two strikes. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • First responders try to put out fires in Sarmada after alleged Russian or Syrian strikes on October 16 2021; in the second stirke at least ten people were wounded. Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada October 16th 2021; Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.
  • First responders try to put out fires after alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Sarmada, October 16th 2021. Note that images may have been taken after the first strike - covered in R4403. Image via Atareb0city on Facebook.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an industrial building being struck on the road between Bab Al Hawa border checkpoint (باب الهوى) and the city of Sarmada (سرمدا). Based on satellite imagery the coordinates of the exact location are: 36.213399, 36.712567.

  • Reports of the incident mention an industrial building being struck on the road between Bab Al Hawa border checkpoint (باب الهوى) and the city of Sarmada (سرمدا). Analyzing visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to exact coordinates.

    Date taken:
    September 16, 2020

    Imagery:
    Google

  • Tagged photo from sources.

    Date taken:
    October 16, 2021

    Imagery:
    Agence France-Presse

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
    10
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]