Russian Military in Syria

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

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS861

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

حي العمال, Al Oummal (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3222686, 40.1443005 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman died and several other civilians were injured in an airstrike on Al Oummal in Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named one of the victims “following the insane Russian bombardments today.”

A second report also blamed Russia and said that one woman died.

Akhbaralan referred to “Russian and regime warplanes” carrying out raids on neighbourhoods in Deir ez-Zor, including Al Oummal.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Houriye al Khudar
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS893

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians including a member of the White Helmets and a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hraytan, according to local sources.

LCCSY said that four non-combatants were killed in a Russian raid.

@azazmedia2011 was among sources who said that Russia used phosphorous bombs.

The Shaam News Network also put the death toll at four and blamed Russia.

Activists informed SNN that the planes targeted civilian homes.

According to the White Helmets, a member of their team, “died after entering a coma that lasted around 20 days” following a raid by “warplanes” – though they didn’t identify the planes.

Additionally, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of a member of the White Helmets, but it didn’t name him.

SO4HR said in an earlier report that “four militants” did in a raid on Hraytan, but it didn’t name the culprit. Another report said that regime shelling had killed “four fighters from the al-Sham Islamic Freedom movement”.

Other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible or reported that raids were carried out by both Russian and regime aircraft.

@Jamshidzal690 named a ten-year-old girl victim following the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Fares Mohammad Ali
Adult male A member of the White Helmets. killed

Family members (1)

Ahlam Hayek
10 years years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (1 child1 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 Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (53) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Fares Mohammad Ali died in an airstrike on Hraytan, June 11th (via White Helmets)
  • "Fares Mohammad Ali, born in 1982, from Hraitan city, member of Civil Defense center in Hraitan city in Aleppo governorate, died due to his wounds from suspected Russain warplanes missiles fired on Hraitan city earlier, July 3" (via SN4HR)
  • "The first moments of the missile strikes that carry bombs Vosforahaly cities Anadan and Hraytan in the countryside north of Aleppo" (Youtube by Thiqa News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (1 child1 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 Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (53) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS925

Incident date

June 21, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to three civilians died and dozens of others were reported wounded following alleged Russian strikes on the town Kafra Hamra, local media reported.

A youtube video by Aldorar al-shyma reported the use of phosphorus bombs, a chemical weapon illegal under International Law, though the source did not apportion blame. [Video no longer available]

HalabTodayTv referred to “napalm incendiary” used by “Russian warplanes” which reportedly struck “the towns of Kafr Hamra and Hraytan and the village of Tal musibin and the Asia and Bureij in the countryside north of Aleppo”. “Stereochemistry” rockets were alleged used by @shahed_alep.

Detail of the location hit was provided by @syria_feed, who alleged “the industry” area of the town had come under fire from warplanes, though it didn’t say who they belonged to.

Civilians affected by the strikes reportedly fled the town, while others took “to the ground floors in buildings, to shelter from the impact of phosphorus bombs”, according to Alweam. The source added that dozens more civilians were suspected wounded, some critically.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "...civilians had to leave their areas and flee, while others resorted to the ground floors in buildings, to take shelter from the impact of phosphorus bombs placed on them" following alleged Russian action on Hraytan (via Alweam)
  • A civilian at the site of a blaze following alleged chemical weapon attacks by Russian aviation (via Qasioun)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS959

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Location

حي المغاير, Al Maghayer (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1894219, 37.1555268 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed and up to dozens more were wounded as a result airstrikes on the city al-Maghayer outside of Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

Aleppo White Helmets reported  that “a short while ago a missile fell on al Maghayer neighbourhood killing two children and injuring three others including a woman”.

According to local sources, the two children were siblings and among the wounded was their mother.

Most sources reported two deaths, with exception of Syrian Press Center who said that the strike led to the “death of four civilians and wounded dozens”.

The strikes were allegedly carried out with surface-to-surface missiles, according to LCCSY, Halab Today TV, Syrian Network for Human Rights and Jsirtv

Aleppo White Helmets, Halab Today TV and LCCSY pointed to Russia as the culprit and Syria Network for Human Rights and LCCSY (in another post) attributed the strikes to the Syrian regime.

Halab Today, Halab News and Nabd Syria News named the two child victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Samar Mashnouk
3 years old killed
Hassan Mashnouk
1 and a half years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets at the scene of alleged Russian strikes on al-Magheyar, holding what apears to be a civilian child (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive)
  • The White Helmets at the scene of alleged Russian strikes on al-Magheyar (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive)
  • A childs teddy-bear among the destruction following alleged airstrikes on al-Maghayer (via Halab Tv Today)
  • A photo of civilians weeping over the body of a civilian child allegedly killed in airstrikes (via Baladi)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS991

Incident date

July 11, 2016

Location

Bizza Square and Bab Maqam, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.204919, 37.152397 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two attacks reportedly occurred in Bab Maqam, Old Aleppo within moments of one another. The first incident took place specifically in Bizza Square, and the other in another part of Bab Maqam. Two sources reported that all together, in both incidents, 30 people were killed in Bab Maqam. LCCSY said that “Assad forces intensive shelling and the Russian bombardment led to two massacres in Old Aleppo region, where 15 civilian martyrs were reported by bombardment of the monumental neighbourhood of Bab Maqam.” The source went on to say that “10 other martyrs and wounded were reported in Bizza Square due to Assad’s warplane bombardment.”

It has been reported by various sources that in Bizza Square between 10 and 17 people were killed, including women and children. Video evidence showed a resident of Bizza Square carrying his deceased son through the streets screaming “my son Mohammed Jalal“.

Jisrtv reported that Syrian regime warplanes were responsible for the destruction caused in this area of Bab Maqam. Smart News Agency posted a video which shows men, and children being dug out of the rubble by Civil Defence members, and later went on to claim that the air raids were resultant of Russian warplane shelling. Alsharq News, Sinn News and LCCSY both blamed the Syrian regime for the air raid attack.

Various local news sources stated that the second raid killed 20 people. Once again, both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes have been blamed for the shelling.

There have been claims that 15 people were wounded in this attack, however most other reports such as those from Enab Baladi are vague, claiming that “others” were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Jalal
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25 – 30
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A father screams "my son Mohammed Jalal", as he carries his body through the streets following Assad regime and Russian bombardments in Bizza Square, Bab Maqam, 11th/12th July 2016.
  • Photographs of the destruction in Bizza Square, Bab Maqam - the aftermath of alleged Russian strikes (Tweet by @ShehabAgency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bizza Square, Aleppo. A man walks through the streets carrying his son killed in alleged Russian attacks (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • A JCB works its way through the rubble at Bizza Square (via Jisrtv)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man walks down the road in Bab Maqam holding a young boy in his arms following alleged airstrikes (via SNN)
  • Destruction in Bizza Square (via Smart)
  • A destroyed vehicle amongst rubble and clouds of dust in Bizza Square (via Smart)
  • Signifactn material damage at Bizza Square following suspected Russian or Regime airstrikes (via Smart)
  • A White Helmet member at the site of destruction in Bizza Square (via Smart)
  • Local people work their way through the rubble at Bizza Square (via Smart)
  • The White Helmets provide aid at Bizza Square following suspected Russian or Regime attacks (via Smart)
  • The interior of a paint store in disarray following th suspected Russian or Regime raids on Bizza Square (via Smart)
  • Numerous vehicles destroyed and masses of rubble at Bizza Square (via Smart)
  • Local people in the devasted Bizza Square, results of alleged Russian warplanes (via Baladi)
  • Civilians covered in dust try and save victims of the alleged attacks on Bizza Square (Tweet by @MehdenL)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25 – 30
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1023

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Raids continued overnight from the 19th to the 20th of July in Idlib, and Idlib City, killing up to 23 civilians, according to sources on the ground. Alamawi reported that missiles were continually fired throughout the night and into the next morning. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported sighting helicopters dropping explosive barrels after midnight on areas in the towns of al-Hbyt and al-Taman’aa in Southern Idlib.

On the 20th, Ibn Sina hospital was struck  with missiles, and according to Halab News, it was struck by the Assad regime. Smart News supported this claim.

According to other local sources, Russian warplanes continually raided Idlib overnight with varying death tolls from each source.

The Shaam News Network roundup reported that nine civilians were killed in Idlib, however, other sources placed the numbers much higher.

LCCSY tweeted that there were “15 civilian martyrs and others wounded as believed-to-be-Russian warplanes launched over 6 airstrikes on the neighbourhoods in Idlib city.”

The Al Ann TV broadcaster reported that both “Russian and Syrian warplanes carried out more than 7 raids in the morning (of the 20th) and killed more than 15 civilians.” Sinn News placed the death toll slightly higher at “23 people killed and dozens were wounded due to warplane raids on residential neighbourhoods in Idlib.” The source added the registration of more than 21 airstrikes on the city, where the Al-Rawda mosques was bombed by military aircraft. Alsouria News also supported these figures.

Syrian Press Center, however, reported that “tens were killed and wounded”.

According to local news source, Al Khaleej, “Russian warplanes targeted the city of Idlib with 6 airstrikes, killing 15 people in an initial toll, and wounding more than 30 others who were taken to medical points for treatment.”

According to Syrian Human Rights Network, eight raids struck parts of Idlib on the 20th including “near the cultural centre, al Jala’a gardens and Shia’ar residents”. Further to this, Ara News claimed that the alleged Russian warplanes also occurred around Khaled Shia’ar school and Mashtal and Jala’a parks and Al-Thawra neighbourhood in Idlib.

Shaam News Network argued that “Russian warplanes targeted Idlib City this morning, more than six air raids targeted several locations within the city most notably near the Mosque of the righteous and the University Park Arboretum and dizziness Alkestna civilian homes in Maosafar.”

Other sources pointed out that “the bombing targeted residential buildings, the headquarters of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent organisation within the city severely damaged a number of houses and civilian cars.”

Al Ann TV reported that overall in Idlib ad its countryside, 80 civilians were killed or injured. Sinn News claimed “activists said the death toll from air strikes in Idlib and its countryside during the twenty-four hours reached 80 people with large numbers of injured people reached more than 200 people.”

Seriously injured civilians were taken to hospitals in Tabaah according to Shaam.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 23
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes. 20th July 2016, Idlib, (via Al-Khalij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian victim of the contested strikes in Idlib (via Yusufaziz8282 tweet)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian victim of the contested strikes in Idlib (via Yusufaziz8282 tweet)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Heavily injured victim due to the contested strikes in Idlib (via Yusufaziz8282 tweet)
  • Footages of the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes in Idlib (via Moaz Al-Shami Youtube)
  • Footages of the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes in Idlib (viaEdlib Media Center)
  • Broadcaster says that Russian and Syrian warplanes carried out more than seven raids in Idlib this morning and killed more than 15 civilians (via Al-Ann TV)
  • Aftermath of the raids targeting Idlib (via Al-khalij online)
  • Aftermath of the raids targeting Idlib (via Alsouria)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Idlib (via LCCSY facebook)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Idlib (via LCCSY facebook)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of injured civilians targeted by the contested strikes in Idlib (via Mouaz al Sham)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of injured civilians targeted by the contested strikes in Idlib (via Mouaz al Sham)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 23
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1055

Incident date

July 26, 2016

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayan, according to local sources.

Alaraby and LCCSY blamed Russia, however, most sources referred only to “warplanes”.

Halab Today named one victim, but did not apportion blame. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Khaled Saraj
20 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 16th – 27th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS442 RS1829

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed – including a girl and a man – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied responsibility.

According to Raqqa 24,Coalition planes targeted al Andalus bakery as well as the area behind al Rawda restaurant in al Majma’ street”. Baladi also attributed the incident to the Coalition. Additionally, Al Haal reported that “planes thought to belong to the coalition bombs a bakery and a restaurant in Raqqa.”

According to a source the bakery was rendered inoperable.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “warplanes” – it didn’t identify them – carried out raids at midnight striking the following locations in Raqqa: Al Amir restaurant opposite the Health Care building, and Al Andalus bakery on Tal Abiyad street. It said two civilians died in the raid on the bakery including a child and a bakery worker.

Many sources also claimed that residential buildings were destroyed in the raid.

The man who died was allegedly a baker who worked at Al Andalus bakery. It is worth noting that the man died on the 15th due to wounds sustained in an airstrike. Although the reporting does not mention where he sustained wounds, Airwars researchers and assessors have determined as he was from Palmyra (the same town as the other victim) and there were few other strikes in the vicinity at this time, he was wounded in the attack on the bakery.

One source reported that members of Daesh were allegedly injured in the raid.

In a video interviewing civilians from Raqqa, one man says “this is the crusader planes.. Look what he’s done.. They’ve destroyed buildings, they’re destroying people, they’re destroying Muslims. We here are Muslims. They have struck a whole building.” Another says “they’re hitting a bakery. This is people’s livelihood”. According to Airwars researchers this is an ISIS propaganda video.

On March 4th – in a reference to this event – the Coalition reported: “Jan. 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child female killed
Mahmoud Al Othman al Wajeeh 
Age unknown male From Palmyra, Homs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Rimas Mohammad Mirwah, aged three, killed in an airstrike on a bakery in Raqqa, Jan12/13th. Sources blamed both the Coalition and Russia (via RBSS)
  • Rimas Mohamad Abdullah Merwah (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 12th-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 30 oil refinement stills, six fighting positions, three oil tanker trailers, an ISIL headquarters, a weapons cache and an oil well headand”.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]