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

RS006

Incident date

October 1, 2015

Location

الهبيط, Al Habeet, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.437757, 36.536166 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including one or two children were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike at Al Habeet.

The 9pm attack was said to involve high-explosive rockets, and three of the the dead, two men and a child were later named. Another child may also have died in the incident according to some reports.

Raghat’s mother Suheer told the Guardian her daughter had died of her injuries on the way to hospital: “We were supposed to be going home the next day. My husband never saw his daughter again.”

A video released at the time features a civil defence official discussing the attack: “The raid took place around 9pm. We were surprised to see the extent of the destruction as you can see. It is 3 or 4 times what the regime is capable of. We found an entire family, women and children, there are no military in this area… The victims are an old man, and a young man – a teacher – and a little girl and a little boy. As for the injured there are two little girls and an adult woman.”

Asked what message he had for the international community, the rescuer replied: “I don’t have a message to them. They are all enemies of the Syrian people. The Americans, the Russians, they’re with different faces but the death is the same.”

The incident occured at 21:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Abdulrazzaq Khanfourah
Adult male 58 years old killed

Family members (1)

Wife Of Abdulrazzaq Khanfourah
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Majid Khanfourah
Adult male 28 year old, maths teacher killed
Raghad Ala Khanfourah
Child female 5 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1–2 children2 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of children killed in an alleged Russian strike at al Habeet , Oct 1st 2015 (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tweet by Abu Mohammed from the group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently showing one of the victims. (via Abu Mohammed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tweet by Abu Mohammed from the group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently showing another of the child victims. (via Abu Mohammed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Report showing aftermath of the targeting by alleged Russian planes of the town of al Habeet. includes interview with a member of the White Helmets saying the strike took place at 21:00 (via: journalist Hadi Al Abdallah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Report showing the child victims of the raid on the town of al Habeet. includes interviews with injured children (via: journalist Hadi Al Abdallah)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Habeet (الهبيط), for which the general coordinates are: 35.4379459, 36.5379524. Based on satellite imagery in which structural damage can be seen (see below), a possible location of the incident is: 35.437757, 36.536166

  • Structural damage seen on satellite imagery (left: 2 May, 2014; right: 21 February, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2021 Google

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Russian MoD confirmed carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate on October 1st-2nd 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, Su-24M and Su-25 effectuated 18 combat missions attacking 12 ISIS facilities on the territory of Syria. Ten flights were performed at night. Pinpoint attacks engaged 7 terrorist objects… Su-25 attack aircraft hit the field base of the ISIS militants near Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib). Terrorist bunkers as well as ammunition and POL depots were completely destroyed. Pinpoint bomb attacks eliminated a facility used by militants as a transshipment base and a large ammunition depot.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1–2 children2 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS007

Incident date

October 1, 2015

Location

بليون‎, Belyon, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.695922, 36.50804 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Belyon, near Jabal al Zawiyah in southern Idlib, reportedly killed four civilians including a woman and child. ‘Several others’ were said to have been injured in the attack, some seriously.

SN4HR placed the civilian slightly higher at six deaths, noting that “the town is under the control of the armed opposition in partnership with [al Qaeda affiliate] the Al Nusra Front.“

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Belyon (بليون‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.695922, 36.508040. 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

The Russian MoD did not report any strikes in the dierct vicinity of Belyon for October 1st-2nd 2015, though did note: “Su-25 attack aircraft hit the field base of the ISIS militants near Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib). Terrorist bunkers as well as ammunition and POL depots were completely destroyed. Pinpoint bomb attacks eliminated a facility used by militants as a transshipment base and a large ammunition depot.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS008

Incident date

October 2, 2015

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least 19 civilians and as many as 80 – including children and women – were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab.

According to al Jazeera – which placed the death toll as high as 80 with 200 injured – the attacks were carried out by helicopters, most likely Russian Hind-24 gunships. According to the Syrian Network, the town’s vegetable market was hit. Shaam Times placed the civilian death toll at 50.

The city had regularly been targeted by both Assad regime and international Coalition airstrikes, and on October 2nd there were also reports of Assad regime aircraft carrying out other strikes on the city. Enabbaladi reported that “nearly 15 air strikes targeted al Jabal Hospital, and the areas surrounding the Mosque Osama bin Zaid, and Adassat Alzaleq. Also hit were the top of Albugzal street from the eastern end of the city and the Great Mosque and the Mosque of Omar ibn al-Khattab, in addition to the surrounding Association picnic area.“

Enabbaladi also said that Russian Sukhoi aircraft may have targeted the nearby town of Tadeef three times “killing several civilians and wounding others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 80
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    200
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin made no mention of strikes on al Bab for October 2nd-3rd 2015, although did note other attacks in Idlib governorate: “On October 2, in the course of the day, the Russian air grouping continued making pinpoint strikes at the “Islamic State” international terrorist grouping. Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft carried out 14 sorties from the Hmeymim air base attacking 6 ISIS objects. At Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib), Su-25 attack aircraft completely destroyed a large workshop aimed for production of bombs and improvised explosive devices and disguised as a plant for gas cylinders.Terrorist base for armament and military equipment was also eliminated. As a result of an air strike, over ten pieces of military hardware including infantry fighting vehicles were burnt down…

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 80
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    200
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS009

Incident date

October 2, 2015

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Intense bombardment was reported on the 2nd of October 2016 in and around the province of Aleppo.  In the town of Tadef two people were reported to have been killed as a result raids that were widely blamed on Russia.

Only one source, Sada Islamic, blamed the coalition for the strikes publishing photos of the aftermath.  They were also the only source to mention one victim instead of two.  None of the sources named the victims.

Centcom press release covering the period made no mention of strikes in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Photo showing the aftermath of raids on Tadef and blaming 'Crusader Nusairi Coalition' (via Sada Islamic)
  • Photo showing the aftermath of raids on Tadef and blaming 'Crusader Nusairi Coalition' (via Sada Islamic)
  • Photo showing the aftermath of raids on Tadef and blaming 'Crusader Nusairi Coalition' (via Sada Islamic)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS010

Incident date

October 2, 2015

Location

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.151494, 37.707842 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including three children were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Hafir. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, ten civilians were also injured when the attack struck the local market. Al Jazeera placed the death toll at 25 while Shaam Network said that 20 were killed.

There were some local claims the attacks were the work of the Syrian regime, and not Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 25
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Al Aan TV reports unspecified raids on a market in Dayr Hafir having killed at least 20 civilians. An activist being interviewed blames the regime. (via Al Aan TV)
  • Tweet by an activist alleges that there are 103 dead in Russian raids on the countryside of Aleppo: 80 martyrs in the city of al Bab 20 martyrs in Dayr Hafir and two martyrs in Tadif. (via hatem_6868)
  • Tweet by Hamza AlHairi Free Syrian army says that 20 people were killed in Dayr Hafir following alleged regime raids on a local market. (via Hamza AlHairi)
  • Tweet by Azaz Media alleges Regime warplanes were the ones to commit 'a terrible massacre' in Dayr Hafir. (via Azaz Media)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Dayr Hafir, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.151494, 37.707842. 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

The Kremlin made no direct mention of strikes on Dayr Hafer for October 2nd-3rd 2015, although did note other attacks in Idlib governorate: “On October 2, in the course of the day, the Russian air grouping continued making pinpoint strikes at the “Islamic State” international terrorist grouping. Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft carried out 14 sorties from the Hmeymim air base attacking 6 ISIS objects. At Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib), Su-25 attack aircraft completely destroyed a large workshop aimed for production of bombs and improvised explosive devices and disguised as a plant for gas cylinders.Terrorist base for armament and military equipment was also eliminated. As a result of an air strike, over ten pieces of military hardware including infantry fighting vehicles were burnt down…

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 25
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS011

Incident date

October 2, 2015

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Latamnah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russian airstrike on a field hospital at Al-Latamnah resulted in injuries to a number of medics and severe damage to the building, according to the Syrian Observatory.

Although the Syrian Network for Human Rights described the attack as the work of the Syrian regime, the Russian MoD has confirmed a number of airstrikes on the city that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Latamnah (اللطامنة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.3219885, 36.6234398. 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

The Kremlin confirmed a number of attacks on Latamnah for October 2nd-3rd 2015, noting: “In Al-Latamna district (Hamah), Su-34 bombers equipped with guided air bombs blew up a militants’ underground HQ. The command centre and its ground facilities are destroyed according to the objective monitoring data. Moreover, Su-25 aircraft engaged two bunkers at the same district. There were situated command centres of militant units and depots of terrorists. Munitions of one of the depots detonated and caused their total destruction.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS012

Incident date

October 2, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory, “Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes on several places at the town of al-Ghadqa in the countryside of Maarat al Numan in the eastern countryside of Idlib, and we have information about injuries to several people, including paramedics from the civil defence.”

While no other sources reported the attack, the Russian MoD has confirmed strikes in the near vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the Russian strike near the town of al-Ghadqa in the countryside of Maarat al Numan. (via Russian Defence)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin noted that for October 2nd 2015, “At Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib), Su-25 attack aircraft completely destroyed a large workshop aimed for production of bombs and improvised explosive devices and disguised as a plant for gas cylinders.Terrorist base for armament and military equipment was also eliminated. As a result of an air strike, over ten pieces of military hardware including infantry fighting vehicles were burnt down.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS014

Incident date

October 3, 2015

Location

عقرب, Akrab, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.16310, 36.46512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network reported that Russian warplanes attacked Akrab, a town under the control of the Free Syrian Army, in a joint attack with the Assad regime. All4Syria also reported that “regime forces tried to storm the town, in southern Hama, after several raids by Russian aviation, resulting in several casualties among civilians.“

Two rockets, which SN4HR said contained cluster bombs (pictured below), reportedly killed two civilians including a child: “Four cluster bombs were left un-exploded and the FSA dismantled them by shooting from a very long range. The Russian aerial strikes were accompanied with shelling from rocket launchers by the Syrian regime.”

The incident occured at 13:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Cluster munitions reportedly retrieved from Akrab, October 3rd 2015 (via SN4HR)
  • The Civil Defence transporting the injured. (via SN4HR)
  • Rescue workers at Akrab. (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the sheep market in the village of Akrab (عقرب), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.163100, 36.46512. 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

The Russians made no direct reference to strikes in Hama for October 3rd-5th 2015, noting only that “Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 pilots performed 20 flights over the last day. They hit 10 ISIS facilities.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]