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

R4447

Incident date

June 16, 2022

Location

القاهرة, Al Kahira, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Al Kahira on June 16, 2022.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that a civilian was wounded when Syrian regime and Russian forces struck his car with a guided missile in the town of Al Kahira in Al-Ghab Plain.

A tweet from @jamlyyyyy refers to the car as belonging to “Ankara militants” while @humam_isa stated that the vehicle belonged to “the opposition factions, which was heading to change the guard duty” without directly commenting on whether the injured person was a civilian or a militant. However, @77Mikiy reported that the car was a civilian car and @MasarPressNet identified a civilian as being injured.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the Syrian regime while the Syrian Civil Defense identified both Russia and the regime as being responsible. @ZaitunAgency  mentioned that “an ATG missile” was used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Vehicle destroyed by alleged Russian and regime strikes in the town of Al Kahira on June 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4446

Incident date

May 12, 2022

Location

اطراف قرية منطف في جنوبي ادلب, outskirts of Mantef village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a young man, was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Jabal Al-Arba’een area on May 12, 2022.

According to Baladi News, a civilian was wounded and a large number of poultry were killed by Russian strikes on a poultry farm located in the Jabal Al-Arba’een area in the southern countryside of Idlib. Roz Press reported that the injuries of the civilian were to “varying degrees”.

The correspondent of “Zaman Al-Wasl” said that the young man, Ammar Muhammad Khair Rihaniya, who was wounded, works as a blacksmith.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified four raids as being carried out in the vicinity of the villages of Mantef, Kafr Lata and Maarzaf in Idlib, resulting in the injury of one civilian and Macro Media Center reported that the outskirts of Jabal Al-Arbaeen and a poultry farm on the outskirts of the village of Bazabur and Mantaf were struck. @hawarhebo99 referred to the sites of the bombings as belonging to opposition factions.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Russian forces. Water FM also identified vacuum missiles as being used during the attack. @Step_Agency added that the bombardment by Russian warplanes coincided with the flight of reconnaissance aircrafts over the area.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Muhammad Khair Rihaniya عمار محمد خير
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Baladi News)
  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • Strikes on a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Ariha Today)
  • Strikes on a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage to a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Strikes on a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Roz Press)
  • The moment of one of the Russian air strikes on the southern countryside of Idlib
  • Strikes on a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by Xeber News)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the raids of the Russian occupation in two poultry farms on the outskirts of Jabal Al-Arbaeen and Mantef, south of Idlib, which resulted in the injury of one civilian
  • Strikes on a poultry farm in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. (Image posted by @hawarhebo99)
  • The death of a large number of chickens and the destruction of the infrastructure after the Russian occupier targeted a poultry farm in the village of Mantef, south of Idlib, with air raids. (Image posted by @CrSyrians)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the raids of the Russian occupation in two poultry farms on the outskirts of Jabal Al-Arbaeen and Mantef, south of Idlib, which resulted in the injury of one civilian

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4445

Incident date

April 4, 2022

Location

معارة النعسان, Maaret Al Nassan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (48) [ collapse]

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4444

Incident date

March 23, 2022

Location

بلدتي معارة النعسان و كفرنوران, between Maaret Al Nassan and Kafar Nuran, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, farmers, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling between the towns of Maarat Al-Naasan and Kafr Nuran on March 23, 2022.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that two farmers were injured in artillery shelling by Syrian regime and Russian forces on agricultural fields between the towns of Maarat Al-Naasan and Kafr Nuran.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that the shelling occurred near the administrative border with Aleppo province.

A tweet from @Blal_Haj_Ahmad, a local reporter, stated that “more than 50 mortar and artillery shells” had been launched in the vicinity of the village of Maarat Al-Naasan., in conjunction with the flight of reconnaissance planes in the area.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the shelling to regime forces, with North Press Agency specifically blaming “Syrian government forces stationed in the 46th Regiment”. However, the Syrian Civil Defense and Enab Baladi New mentioned both the regime and Russia as being responsible for the injuries. Enab Baladi added that the town is close to the front lines between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the regime forces.

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
    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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Impact from shelling on an agricultural field between the towns of Maarat Al-Naasan and Kafr Nuran on March 23, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

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
    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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4443

Incident date

March 16, 2022

Location

معارة النعسان, Miznaz, Maarat Al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.035556, 36.838611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Mustafa Haidar, aged 11, was injured while grazing sheep, when a Russian or Syrian regime forces shell hit him on March 16th 2022, in the town of Miznaz, on the outskirts of Maarat al-Naasan, in the northeastern countryside of Idlib.

The Syrian Civil Defense said that they inspected the site that was bombed and made sure that there were no other casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Mustafa Haider
11 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • One child was injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian shelling on the outskirts of Maarat Al-Naasan on March 16th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Mustafa Haider, aged 11, was injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian shelling on the outskirts of Maarat Al-Naasan on March 16th 2022 (Image via @Almohrar1 / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Maaret Al Nassan (معارة النعسان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.035556, 36.838611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4442

Incident date

February 27, 2022

Location

اّفس, Afes, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and between two and four other civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling of the town of Afes on February 27, 2022.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that two civilians were killed and two others were injured when the regime forces and Russian forces bombed a market in the center of Afes.

Syrian Network for Human Rights gave the names of the two civilians killed: Hussein Aboud al Aboud and Ismail Farzat Mas’oud. Local news channel @Almohrar1 reported the names of the civilians injured: Iyad Zreik and Zaher Masoud. Zaman Al Wasl added that Iyad Zreik is the principal of the school of the town of “Afes”.

Shaam News quotes activists who said that a popular market was struck with several artillery shells, which led to the death of two civilians and the wounding of others, including a teacher, in addition to the “massive destruction of the facilities” of the market. @Syrianfreeyouth also identified a kindergarten as being struck by the shelling and Zaman Al Wasl add details of the location as being ” in the center of the town of “Afes”, near the city of “Saraqib” at the intersection of the two international highways (M4 and M5)”.

Macro Media Center reported on the incident, providing information that four people were injured and one person was killed in the artillery shelling.

According to Zaiton Mag, “the civil defense teams rescued the victims and treated the injured from the village clinic to the hospitals in Idlib city.”

Syrian Network for Human Rights noted that “the village’s main market has been almost empty recently as most of the village residents were displaced as a result of previous military operations by the Syrian-Russian alliance in the region.”

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified Afes village as “considered as one of the “Turkish Army” strongholds in “De-escalation Zone” where number of points and bases of the Turkish Army are located”.

The majority of sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to the Syrian regime. However, local journalist @anasanas84 and a local nonprofit @Syrianfreeyouth blamed the shelling on Russian forces.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Aboud al Aboud مسعود حسين عبود
Adult male killed
Ismail Farzat Mas’oud اسماعيل فرزات
Age unknown male killed
Iyad Zreik إياد زريق
Age unknown injured
Zaher Masoud زاهر مسعود
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets rescue and treat one of the civilians injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Afes on February 27, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • The bombing of a popular market in the town of Afes in the countryside of Idlib led to the fall of two martyrs and the injury of civilians.
  • Here in Idlib, death has been going on for 10 years now... And no one wants to hear or see... As if everyone is enjoying our death... #Martyrs and wounded in #Efes, east of #Idlib
  • The crime of #Russia continues from #Syria to #Ukraine Two martyrs and several wounded as a result of Russian artillery shelling on the town of Afs, east of Idlib, a while ago
  • Our correspondent reported the killing of two civilians and the wounding of others in shelling by the regime forces targeting the town of Afes in Idlib countryside
  • Hussein Aboud al Aboud, killed in alleged Russian or regime shelling of Afes village on February 27, 2022. (Image posted by Hussein Al Hadidi 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 Regime

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4441

Incident date

February 22, 2022

Location

عدوان, Adwan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.87263, 36.50219 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 22nd 2022, two children were seriously injured, according to local reports, as a result of the explosion of previously unexploded ordnance left from previous Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes in the village of Adwan, west of Idlib, Syria. One of those children was reported to have died from his injuries the next day, named in local sources as Khaled Shadi Al-Assaad, aged nine.

According to other sources, his cousin Ahmed was wounded.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that these injuries were the third incident of its kind in the past 24 hours, for example see Airwars incidents R4438, R4439, R4440.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khaled Shadi Al-Assaad
9 years old male killed
"Ahmed"
Child male cousin of Khaled injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • One child was killed and one was injured when a reported unexploded ordnance left over from previous airstrikes from the Russian or Syrian regime forces exploded in Adwan on February 22nd 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Khaled Shadi Al-Assad, aged 9, was reportedly killed by an explording ordnance left by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in Adwan, west of Idlib on February 22nd 2022 (Image via @Almohrar1 / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Adwan (عدوان), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.87263, 36.50219. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4439

Incident date

February 21, 2022

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three children were injured by an unexploded ordinance belonging to Russian or regime forces on February 21, 2022.

According to Baladi News, three children were seriously injured when an unexploded ordnance from a previous bombing by regime and Russian forces exploded in the city of Jisr Al Shughur. All other sources reported similar details about the vicitims. No additional information is currently available.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the original bombing, with @Almohrar1 blaming Russian forces while Syrian Civil Defense attributed the previous bombing to the regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Jisr Al Shughur (جِسْرُ ٱلشُّغُورِ), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.81425, 36.319812. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]