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

RS4504

Incident date

March 5, 2020

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 16 civilians, including between two and five children and 5 to seven women, were killed and up to 35 civilians, including two women and four children were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on March 5th, 2020, according to local sources.

@seerij80 tweeted 14 names of some of the civilians who were killed: Mohammed Hussein Harkoush, an Unknown woman, Mohammed Mustafa Eid, Mohammed al Hussein Saleh Harkoush, Mohammed Al Saleh Harkoush, Ahmad Al Ghadban, Yasser Hamoud, Aya Salem Qoutaish, Maya Salem Qoutaish, Irein Mohammed Qoutaish, Jamila Ibrahim Al Saleh, Yaza Hamoud, Zainab Harkoush, Fatima Harkoush and Ibrahim Harkoush. Other sources reported the civilian death toll as high as 16.

Edlib Media Center reported that there were “civilian martyrs and wounded as a result of Russian occupation warplanes targeting a building inhabited by displaced people near the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib, at dawn today [March 5th, 2020].”

Multiple sources added that most of the civilians harmed by the strike had been women and children, Smart News reported that 7 of the civilian deaths were women. Others reported as many as 5 of the civilian deaths were children.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “the presence of at least 18 wounded people, some of them in critical conditions, in addition to information about other martyrs, as rescue teams continue to remove the rubble and search for missing persons”. Other sources reported that the number of injured was as high as 35.

Witnesses told Smart News Agency that the Russian warplanes targeted a farm inhabited by displaced people from the Ma’arat Al Numan area, killing nine civilians and wounding 20. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the farm was a poultry farm. According to SOHR, the victims are displaced people from Hama, Aleppo and other areas of Idlib.

Ahmed Sheikho, director of the Syrian Civil Defence Media office in Idlib told Smart News Agency that “Russian warplanes launched two raids on a farm inhabited by displaced families in the vicinity of the city of Ma’arat Misrin, killing 16 civilians, including seven women and two children, and wounding 21 others, including two children and four women”. Edlib Media Center reported that 32 people were wounded.

The airstrike took place around 2-3:00am and hit derelict farm buildings in which displaced families had been seeking refuge.

Bab Al Taka added that 6 of the civilians killed had previously been residents of “Bab al-Taqa village”. Other sources reported Aleppo and Hama as other areas where the displaced people living in Ma’aret Misrin had previously fled from.

Reuters reported on the ensuing situation of talks between President Putin and Erdogan, where “Putin expressed his regret to Erdogan over the recent killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an air strike, saying that the Syrian army did not know their whereabouts. Civil defense workers helping to clear the rubble and search for survivors said that at least 16 civilians were killed”.

Human rights watch later reported that “at least five munitions” had hit the buildings in which “14 displaced families were living”. The Human rights watch source also gave the harrowing account of a man and his son who said “For some families, no one was left. For other families, only one or two people survived, and they left. Others whose shelter was destroyed also left. We are the only family who stayed behind, because we found a room nearby. We didn’t stay willingly, but we have nowhere else to go…”

A witness described the scene as “I saw a woman and her husband under the rubble with their daughter, who was about 6 years old. The man was waving his hand for help… I dug the girl out from under the rubble and placed her on a mattress on the ground while we waited for the ambulance. Suddenly, an airplane dropped a complete load of [munitions] on us. I heard a huge bang and the explosion threw me to the ground and I couldn’t move. My clothes got ripped off. I finally stood up afterwards and realized I had burns to my head and could not hear from one ear.”

Human rights watch added that “the area where he had laid the girl down had been blown up, killing the girl, he said. Two SCD volunteers who arrived after the first two munitions hit found seven people wounded, whom they took to hospital. Several team members remained there when the next set of munitions hit, killing some of those who had been wounded in the first set of strikes.”

According to Human Rights Watch, “All witnesses interviewed said they knew of no military objectives in the vicinity before or at the time of the attack, nor were there signs of military weapons, equipment, or personnel in the imagery reviewed.”

Human Rights Watch also identified “Sentry messages sent that morning between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., on the messaging app Telegram, included continuous sightings of a Russian aircraft in the area and the COI, in the report it released in July 2020, said it had “reasonable grounds to believe” the attack had been carried out by Russia.” The vast majority of other sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Russia, with only Shaam News mentioning both Russian and regime planes carrying out strikes. Therefore, we grade this as likely carried out by Russian forces.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Yaza Hamoud يازة حمود
killed
Yasser Hamoud
killed

Family members (3)

Aya Salem Qoutaish آية سالم قطيش
killed
Maya Salem Qutaish مايا سالم قطيش
killed
Irene Muhammad Qutish إيرن محمد قطيش
Child female killed

Family members (6)

Mohammed Hussein Harkoush
killed
Mohammed al Hussein Saleh Harkoush
killed
Mohammed Al Saleh Harkoush
killed
Zainab Harkoush
killed
Fatima Harkoush
killed
Ibrahim Harkoush
killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Al Ghadban أحمد الغضبان
Age unknown killed
Jamila Ibrahim Al Saleh جميلة عبدو ابراهيم الصالح
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Mustafa Eid
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 16
  • (2–5 children5–7 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • 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 (51) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (67) [ collapse]

  • Belongings of civilians after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • Child walking in rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SOHR).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer carrying a killed or injured child after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer holding a child victim in an ambulance after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim into an ambulance after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim into an ambulance after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Footage of the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Mission on March 5th, 2020 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a victim into an ambulance after alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Ma'arat Misrin on March 5th, 2020 (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • Damaged building near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNHR).
  • Child standing in front of the destoyed farm near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Damaged poultry farm near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Damaged building near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Destruction near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Damaged poultry farm near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).
  • Destruction near Ma'arat Misrin after alleged Russian airstrikes on March 5th, 2020 (via SNN).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @fatina_sam98)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child critically injured from airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @fatina_sam98)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Rescue workers with one of the victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • One of the victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • "A horrific massacre committed by Russian warplanes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib The raids targeted poultry farms and around them some rooms and tents, all inhabited by displaced people from the southern countryside of Idlib" (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • "A horrific massacre committed by Russian warplanes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib The raids targeted poultry farms and around them some rooms and tents, all inhabited by displaced people from the southern countryside of Idlib" (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • "A horrific massacre committed by Russian warplanes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib The raids targeted poultry farms and around them some rooms and tents, all inhabited by displaced people from the southern countryside of Idlib" (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Rescue workers help victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Rescue workers help victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Rescue workers help victims of airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Arabic names of those killed in airstrikes on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by @seerij80)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a man killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Misrine news via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a child critically injured from airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Misrine news via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Muhammad Mustafa Eid, killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Misrin on March 5, 2020. (Image posted by Al Mastouma coordinate 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 16
  • (2–5 children5–7 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • 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 (51) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4326

Incident date

June 22, 2021

Location

منطف, Mantef, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.777234, 36.651806 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and at least two other civilians, a woman and one to two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Mantef village on June 22, 2021.

According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, “a 17-year-old girl, named as Wafaa Abdul Hamid Qassoum, was killed while two other civilians were injured when Syrian regime artillery forces used shells to target Mentef village”.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a female civilian was killed and her child was wounded in a rocket fire” while various other sources gave different numbers for wounded. Syrian Civil Defense identified “the killing of a woman, and the injury of a woman and a two-month-old child” while @ZaitunAgency gave the account that “a woman was killed and two children were injured”. @anasanas84 tweeted that “a two-month-old girl was injured and another 19-year-old was injured”.

The woman referred to in these and other sources as being killed seems to be the same as the girl listed above, Wafaa Abdul Hamid Qassoum, but since she is under the age of 18, she is classified as a child by Airwars. Images provided by @Omar_Madaniah and @Gurbtwatan show the same baby from this pictures with injuries from the strikes.

A tweet from @abuhuzaifa_ includes a picture that is identified as the two children of someone killed in the strikes on Mantef – the post does not identify their mother by name but may be referring to Wafaa Abdul Hamid Qassoum.

@Gurbtwatan reported that a woman was preparing lunch for her husband when she heard the sound of shelling and then raced to grab her three month-old baby who was napping and run outside of the house. Zaman Al Wasl confirmed that this woman was Wafaa Abdul Hamid Qassoum, who was “trying to escape from her home with her daughter to a nearby underground shelter. “Wafaa” was hit by shrapnel, and her fall to the ground did not prevent her from holding onto her 3-month-old daughter, Jana. He added that shrapnel in the thigh affected the girl, who was taken to hospitals in Idlib governorate for treatment, while her mother was buried in the town’s cemetery.”

@abdalazezketaz pointed out that civilian homes were destroyed in the bombing.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with Syrian network for Human Rights attributed the shelling to the regime while @EdlibNN blamed Russia. Syrian Civil Defense did not distinguish between whether the regime or Russia was responsible.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Wafaa Abdul Hamid Qassoum
17 years old female killed
Jana, daughter of Wafaa Abdul Hamid Qassoum
2 months years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Image of Civil Defense crews removing the body of a deceased civilian killed in airstrikes on Mantef on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Image of Civil Defense crews removing the body of a deceased civilian killed in airstrikes on Mantef on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Facebook)
  • Damage to a building in Mantef sustained from bombings on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Facebook)
  • Damage to a building in Mantef sustained from bombings on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "She martyred...God is one... We are all exposed to this thing" Harsh moments during the recovery of a woman who was killed today by artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia on the village of Mantef, south of Idlib.
  • "Their mother was martyred today by the bombing of the Russian occupation and Assad militias on their house in the countryside of Idlib." The identity of their mother is unclear. (Image posted by @abuhuzaifa_ )
  • Image of a baby who was injured in the strikes on Mantef on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by @Omar_Madaniah)
  • Image of a baby who was injured in the strikes on Mantef on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by @Gurbtwatan)
  • Image of Civil Defense crews removing the body of a deceased civilian killed in airstrikes on Mantef on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Image of a baby who was injured in the strikes on Mantef on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by Zaman Al Wasl)
  • A blanket and clothes from the baby that was injured in strikes on the town of Mantef on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by Zaman Al Wasl)
  • Image of Civil Defense crews removing the body of a deceased civilian killed in airstrikes on Mantef on June 22, 2021. (Image posted by Zaman Al Wasl)

Geolocation notes (8) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mantef (منطف). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of this strike at these exact coordinates: 35.777234, 36.651806.

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  • Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources shows Minaret in the background. Shadow analysis shows this to be North-West of the strike location.

    Imagery:
    Syrian Civil Defense

  • Tagged panoramic stitch showing multiple landmarks.

    Imagery:
    Syrian Civil Defense

  • Tagged audio-visual material showing area of strike from different perspective.

    Imagery:
    Qasim Al Furati

  • Tagged audio-visual material showing large boulder beneath tree present in other sources.

    Imagery:
    Syrian Civil Defense

  • Tagged audio-visual material showing large boulder beneath tree present in other sources.

    Imagery:
    Qasim Al Furati

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 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4463

Incident date

August 29, 2022

Location

الغانية, Al Ghaniya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one woman was injured in alleged Russian or regime shelling of the town of Al Ghaniya on August 29, 2022.

@SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that a woman was injured by intense artillery shelling carried out by the regime or Russian forces on the town of Al Ghaniya. @snhr also identified a woman as being wounded, and added that several houses were damaged.

According to @shaamnews and @thiqanewsagency, “civilians” were wounded by artillery without specifying how many civilians.

@1973syr1 tweeted that the heavy artillery was against “terrorist movements” but did not specify whether those injured were civilians or “terrorists”.

The majority of courses attributed the shelling to the regime forces, while the Syrian Civil Defense identified both the regime and Russia as being responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the site of shelling by alleged Russian or regime forces on Al Ghaniya on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4498a

Incident date

January 19, 2023

Location

قسطون, Qastoun, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four to nine civilians, including three children and a woman, were reported injured as a result of alleged Russian forces, Syrian regime, or Iranian militia artillery fire on January 19th 2023 in Qastoun, Idlib, according to local sources.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense, four civilians were injured from the same family (three children and their grandmother). One child was reported to be in critical condition. The artillery fire hit their home in the village south of Idlib.

@mzmgr941 identified the injured as slightly different including two men, and three children, and that the names of those injured were: Riyad Radwan Ahmed Attia Al-Khalil, aged 7; Ahmed Radwan Attia Al-Khalil, aged five; Abdel-Dominant Khalil, aged 35; Khalil Juma Muhammad Al-Hamoud, aged 35; and another “injured girl.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the number of injured at five, including three children. Alaraby News put the number of casualties at nine injuries, adding that the shelling struck civilian homes and close to the vicinity of the Turkish base in Qastoun.

The majority of sources attributed the shelling to the Syrian regime forces, while the Syrian Civil Defense blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian forces and @Almohrar1 identified the “Russian external occupation” as being responsible. Daily Sabah News, a Turkish pro-government source, quoted “civilian sources” who said that the Syrian regime and accompanying Iranian militias in the village of Jourin launched the artillery shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Riyad Radwan Ahmed Attia Al-Khali
7 years old injured
Ahmed Radwan Atiya Al-Khalil
5 years old injured
Abdel-Dominant Khalil Khalil
35 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Juma Muhammad Al-Hamoud
35 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–9
  • 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, Iranian Military
  • Suspected target
    Turkish Forces

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to civilians injured by shelling in Qastoun on January 19, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to civilians injured by shelling in Qastoun on January 19, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to civilians injured by shelling in Qastoun on January 19, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to civilians injured by shelling in Qastoun on January 19, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense via Twitter)
  • "3 children, their grandmother, and a child from another family were wounded in artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia, targeting their house in the village of Qastun in Sahl al-Ghab, south of Idlib" (@HalabTodayTV)
  • shelling in Qastoun on January 19, 2023. (Image posted by @Almohrar1 )
  • "#injuries The child, Riyad Radwan Ahmed Attia Al-Khalil, 7 years old The child Ahmed Radwan Atiya Al-Khalil, 5 years old There is also an injured girl The young man, Abdel-Dominant Khalil Khalil, 35 years old The young man, Juma Muhammad Al-Hamoud, 35 years old" (Image posted by @AlsarwtJ)

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

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–9
  • 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, Iranian Military
  • Suspected target
    Turkish Forces

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4529

Incident date

July 10, 2023

Location

كفرعمة, Kafer Amme, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Monday, July 10th 2023, an alleged artillery shelling by Syrian regime forces and Russian armed forces hit the village of Kafarama (or Kafr Amma), west of Aleppo, northwest Syria, injuring one civilian.

Sources including @SyriaCivilDefe, @HalabTodayTV twitter accounts, and Orient News reported one civilian, a woman, being injured by the airstrike on the village.

Orient, Baladi, and @SyriaCivilDefe twitter account also reported that the attack took place on the village of Kafarama, in the western countryside of Aleppo as a result of heavy artillery shelling.

The suspected attackers are alleged to be Russia and Syrian regime forces, as reported by most of the sources including @SyriaCivilDefe and @Almohrarmedia2 twitter accounts, with some accusing either Russia or the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4556

Incident date

September 19, 2023

Location

الفطيرة, Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two farmers were injured during the afternoon of September 19, 2023, by an artillery strike allegedly from the Syrian regime and/or Russian forces in the town of Al-Fatira, in the south of Idlib. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported the farmers were injured while picking figs and received treatment in a hospital in the city of Idlib.

According to a correspondent from the Baladi News, the farmers were injured to varying degrees of seriousness from artillery shelling, reportedly from the Syrian Regime and the militias supporting it. However, @VedengAgency1 and @ralshhwan9 attributed the shelling to Russian forces, who reportedly launched more than 30 rockets and artillery shells at the town of Al-Fatira.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS054 RS1847a

Incident date

January 18, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, Halab News, reported eight of the nine civilians in “Russian enemy raids” in Tadef, Syria. It also named the victims.

According to Al Jazeera, “The Russian and Turkish air forces, for the first time, carried out a joint operation against militants of the Islamic State Organization in Bab in countryside of, Aleppo, in an agreement with the Syrian regime, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.”

However, the US-led Coalition also reportedly carried out strikes on Al Bab. Shahed-ayan.co reported: “The United States-led International Alliance announced on Tuesday (January 17th) that it had launched four air raids for the first time near the city of Bab in support of the Turkish-led military operation against the Da’ash organization in northern Syria. ‘We have spotted targets near Bab al-Bab in cooperation with Turkey, and we expect to continue this type of raid,’ said coalition military spokesman Col. John Durian at a news conference in Baghdad.
‘We noticed an opportunity in which it was in our common interest to destroy those targets, which included an armored personnel carrier and tactical units of the organization,’ Durian said.”

According to Terror Monitor, “AR ISIS published photos claiming to be targeting heavy weapons in the west of the city of Bab in the countryside of Aleppo.”

Misrin Post added that the regime also carried out raids on Tadef.

However, none of these sources made any mention of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Hassan al Zein
Age unknown male named by Halab News reported as killed by Russian forces killed
Ahmad Jumaa al Zein
Age unknown male named by Halab News reported as killed by Russian forces killed
Abd al Hamid Rahmo Dalati
Age unknown male named by Halab News reported as killed by Russian forces killed
Hussam Mohammad Sobhi al Othman
Age unknown male named by Halab News reported as killed by Russian forces killed
Wife of Mahmoud al Eido
Age unknown female named by Halab News reported as killed by Russian forces killed
Daughter of Mahmoud al Eido
Age unknown female named by Halab News reported as killed by Russian forces killed
Ahmad Wahab al Raziya
Age unknown male named by Halab News reported as killed by Russian forces killed
Yahiya Ahmad Khalilo
Age unknown male named by Halab News reported as killed by Russian forces killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "The military aircraft of the regime forces targeted several raids in the city of Bab in the countryside of eastern Aleppo." (via mersin_post)
  • ISIS published photos claiming to be targeting heavy weapons in the west of the city of Bab in the countryside of Aleppo. (via TerrorMonitorAR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab city (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Wednesday 18 January – Tornados destroyed a terrorist armed truck near Al Bab in Syria…Surveillance and strike operations have also been maintained against Daesh in Syria, and on Wednesday 18 January, Tornados conducted an armed reconnaissance patrol near Al Bab, where they used a Paveway IV to destroy an armed truck which Daesh had attempted to conceal in a vehicle shelter.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Turkish Military, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS028

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

بليون, Belyon, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.696091, 36.504654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six people were reported killed at Belyon due to warplane shelling. VDC named one woman as a victim of the strike.

Smart News later posted a video showing a civilian clear-up operation in the village. One witness noted: “Here there were six martyrs, two from the village of Balian and four displaced from Sahil Al Ghab. Are these the terrorists? There were two women, two children and two older men over 60 or 70 years old. We don’t have any armed elements either in the bombed area or outside of it. Russian planes are using around 8 bombs for each raid. We could tell it was Russian planes via some sources. The pilot was speaking Russian.”

Another witness said “I suddenly saw a red line descend from the sky to the ground. It struck just 100 meters this way and then they came back and struck this way killing lots of people.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Wife of Ibraheem al-Jassem
Adult female VDC says she is from Badria but killed in Balyoun due to Russian shelling. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Belyon (بليون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.696091, 36.504654. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia reported a total of 22 lethal sorties for October 8th 2015, although made no mention of Idlib governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]