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

R4489

Incident date

November 14, 2022

Location

معربليت, Maarbalit, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 14th, 2022, according to local sources, one civilian, a man, was reportedly killed and another one injured while they were harvesting olives in farms near Maarbalit village, south of Idlib. The Syrian Civil Defense said the attack was conducted by heavy Syrian and Russian artillery shelling, while other local sources either blamed the Syrian forces only or the Russian forces only.

SNHR added that the shelling landed close to a group of civilians and described the man killed as Yousef Ibrahim Barhou “from Maarbalit village”. Baladi News said the attack occurred in the morning, and that the young man was killed instantly. It also stated that “civil defense teams went to the scene of the accident and transferred the body of the young man to his family after the doctors confirmed that he had passed away.”.

One source only, quoting local sources without further precisions, said that only material damage was recorded following the artillery shelling.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Ibrahim Barhou
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • One civilian was reportedly killed and one injured by Syrian and Russian artillery shelling on November 6th, 2022 in Maarbalit fields. Source: @SyriaCivilDefe

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4520

Incident date

June 22, 2023

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the evening of June 22, 2023, Sarmin, a town east of Idlib, was struck by intense artillery, allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime and/or Russian forces and resulting in the death of one woman and the injury of between five and six civilians, including four to five women and a young boy.

According to Baladi News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, a young woman named Khitam Al Abbas died due to injuries sustained from the attack the next day, June 23rd. In addition, multiple sources report that between five and six civilians were injured, including one young boy. His name has not been found within the sources. The Syrian Civil Defense put the number of injuries at six, including three serious injuries, and added that their volunteers took two of the women to the hospital for treatment. Other sources, including @spc_fr, put the number of injuries at five.

Twitter users @mzmgr941 and @khaleedalkhteb reported the names of five of the women that were injured, which are Jamila Abbas Maasran – seriously injured in the chest, Fatima Khalil Saraqib – light foot injury, Hamida Ahmed Hallaq Sarmin – shoulder injury (good condition), Marah Yassin Al Tarnbeh – light injury, and Faiza Qadr Al Tarnbeh – light hand injury. The shelling affected residential areas, including the vicinity of a school and mosque, according to the Syria Civil Defense. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported that one of the shells struck the center of the popular market in the city center.

Baladi News reported that Khitam Al Abbas, the woman who was tragically killed, had been displaced with her family from her hometown of Maasran to Sarman and that her grandmother was among those injured. Twitter user @anasanas84 stateds that the artillery fire came from Syrian regime forces in Saraqib; other sources reported that Syrian regime forces, Russian forces, or both working in tandem are responsible for the strike. A tweet from @anasanas84 mentioned that a rocket launcher was used in the attack.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Marah Yassin Al-Tarnbeh مرح ياسين الترنبة
female injured
Faiza Qadr Al-Tarnbeh فايزة قدر الترنبة
female injured

The victims were named as:

Jamila Abbas Maasran جميلة عباس معصران
Age unknown female injured
Fatima Khalil Saraqib فاطمة خليل سراقب
Age unknown female injured
Hamida Ahmed Hallaq Sarmin حميدة أحمد حلاق سرمين
Age unknown female injured
Khitam Al-Abbas ختام العباس
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace, Religious Institution, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    6 women were wounded by the bombing of the Assad forces and Russia on the city of Sarmin.
  • Civil Defense volunteers help the victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Revolution correspondent monitors the effects of the bombing on the city of Sarmin

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The first moments of our teams' response to the bombing that targeted yesterday, Thursday, June 22, the residential neighborhoods and the popular market in the city of Sarmin, northeastern #Idlib.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Woman injured by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • The effects of the bombing that targeted the town of Sarmin, east of Idlib. (Image posted by @sawarqi47568)

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
    Marketplace, Religious Institution, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4572

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

دير سنبل, Deir Sinbol, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one woman was injured after alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery hit the town of Deir Sinbol on October 5th, 2023. Neither the woman’s name, nor other identifying characteristics, have been made available.

@MohamadDaba9966 reported that the strike hit an armed vehicle, “killing and wounding” those inside the car “on the #Hantoutin-#Dersanbel road” but it is unclear if this is the same incident as it does appear that the injured woman was wounded in the village itself.

It is unclear which party was directly responsible for the strike. One source, @NagiNajjar on Twitter, attributed the strike to “Assad’s gangs” —pointing to Syrian regime involvement. Others claimed international involvement, such as @mhmdfaisel on Twitter/X, who alleged that the strike occurred because of “the Assad militia, Iran, and Russia.” @alking14399969 corroborated this, claiming that “Russian reconnaissance aircraft” was responsible. Mars Idlb on Facebook states that Syrian regime affiliates were stationed at checkpoints near the village, and it was from this position that the artillery strikes were fired.

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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe

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 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4436

Incident date

February 12, 2022

Location

معارة النعسان, Maaret al Nassan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, a Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling killed five to six civilians from the same family and injured two to seven civilians including one to two children and one woman.  Among those killed were reportedly two to three children, two women and two men.  The incident happend on February 12th 2022 in the town of Maarat Al-Naasan in the countryside of Idlib.

The bombing apparently began at 11.30am to midday.

Six reported names of the deceased were: Ruaa Oqab, Aisha Oqab, both described as “little girls”, Hayat Oqab, Noor Oqab, Diba Oqab and Fawas Oqab. Other names which were mentioned, different from these were Imad Oqa (Abu Muhammad) and Aysha Oqab, although these were likely alternative names for those already mentioned. They were reported to have been from the same family.  One member of the family was reported to have died from injuries.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that “the tea drinking session turned into a massacre, death overshadowed the place, and laughter turned into tragedies and pain. A mortar shell fired by the regime forces and Russa on the outskirts of the town of Maarat Al-Naasan left family members and their relatives dead.”

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Ruaa Oqab
Child female killed
Aisha Oqab
Child female killed
Hayat Oqab
Age unknown killed
Noor Oqab
Age unknown killed
Diba Oqab
Age unknown killed
Fawas Oqab
Adult male killed
Imad Oqab
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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.

Sources (51) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (56) [ collapse]

  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Raqqa RWB / Facebook)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @DeirEzzorNow / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @DeirEzzorNow / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Al Khabour 2011)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Syrian Network for Human Rights posted a photo of some of the deceased, allegedly killed by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via SNHR)
  • SNHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • A child's shoe, the destruction after Russian or Syrian regime missile reportedly hit the Oqab family house on February 12th 2022 (Image via @hamza_hindawie / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @abdalwhab761 / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Imad Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Maaret Al Nassan / Facebook)
  • Fawas Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Abd Al Hay Oqab / Facebook)
  • Imad Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Mohammed Motlaq / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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.

Sources (51) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4468

Incident date

September 8, 2022

Location

ديرسنبل, Deirsnbul, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One woman was wounded by reported artillery shelling as a result of either Russian or Syrian regime forces on Deir Sunbal village, south of Idlib, on September 8th 2022.

Apparently the villages of Benin and Shanan were also bombed but there were no injuries reported.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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 (4) [ 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
    Airstrike and/or 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4501

Incident date

January 28, 2023

Location

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 15 year old child was injured by an alleged Russian military vehicle in the city of Ain Issa in Raqqa on January 28, 2023.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a 15 year old child was seriously injured when a Russian military vehicle ran the child over on the Main Street in the center of Ain Issa. SOHR added that the injured child was first transferred to the “Martyr Omar Alloush” hospital for treatment, and then was later transferred to the city of Raqqa.

Euphrates Post added that the name of the child is Dijwar Mahmoud.

All of the sources that reported on the incident identified the vehicle as belonging to Russian forces. @ANFArabicNews added that the vehicle tried to flee but it was prevented from it by local people.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Dijwar Mahmoud دجوار محمود
15 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of child injured when he was run over by alleged Russian vehicle on January 28, 2023. (Image posted by @khaleedalkhteb)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4539

Incident date

August 16, 2023

Location

Maaret Al Nassan, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 16th, 2023, at least one civilian was injured in shelling allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime and/or Russian forces in the Syrian village of Maarat Al-Nassan.

The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) reported that a civilian was injured by artillery shelling carried out by the Syrian regime and Russian forces, adding that their volunteers inspected the bombing location and made sure no one else was injured.

However, a military source told North Press that “Damascus government forces targeted with heavy artillery shells and missiles sites in the town of Maarat al-Naasan, east of Idlib, which resulted in the injury of two people of varying severity.” Qasioun News stated that one civilian was injured during a bombing with artillery and rocket launchers, and another civilian was injured in the afternoon by continued shelling of civilian homes. The source added that the second injured civilian was transferred to a medical point for treatment.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the Syrian regime or Russian forces were responsible, with the majority of sources attributing the shelling to the Syrian regime while the Syrian Civil Defense blamed both Russian forces and 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
    1–2
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Maaret Al Nassan on August 16, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The effects of artillery shelling by the gangs of regime, on residential neighborhoods in the town of Maarat Al-Naasan in the northern countryside of Idlib

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 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4559

Incident date

September 23, 2023

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the night of September 23, 2023, in Sarmin, Idlib, an incident with contested responsibility—reportedly either by Syrian regime forces or the Russian military—struck an agricultural area, injuring a civilian man, which was confirmed by multiple sources including the White Helmets organization.

The civilian injured was reportedly a farmer who was picking figs in a residential area, when the projectiles struck. The strike was attributed to have been from the Syrian regime or the Russian military. It is contested whether it was a rocket bombing, missile strike, or artillery shelling by different local news sources on Twitter. The White Helmets of the Syrian Civil Defense were photographed helping the injured civilian, and they reported his injuries as minor superficial injuries and followed up with him. However, @AsharqNewsSYR identified the farmer’s injuries as “serious”.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @SyriaCivilDefe

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Binnish888

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 infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]