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

RS1011

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Location

أعزاز‎, Izaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Civil Service Defence Quarter was put out of service when two warplanes fired missiles on Izaz, Aleppo, a town close to the Turkish border in northern Aleppo. Up to  five civilians including a child reportedly died in the attack, which caused extensive destruction to the building and injured several Civil Defence workers.

Ara News blamed the Assad regime for the warplanes.

But  the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Aleppo24 blamed Russian warplanes for the bombardment on the area.

According to Syrian Press Centre, five civilians were killed in the raid. Several other local news sources also put the numbers killed at five including SRG_Syria. LCCSY put the death toll slightly lower at two.

The Syrian Coalition tweeted that there had been “more than 60 martyrs and dozens of wounded in Aleppo today due to warplanes shelling.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Sa’eed Karbo
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Sa’eed Karbo, who was killed by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes which bombarded Izaz in Aleppo on 16th July 2016. (via, SheroAlo1 tweet).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes on Aleppo, though the media does not specify the exact location (via Syrian Coalition tweet)
  • Footage of the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes on Izaz, Aleppo (via Sayf Al-Sama youtube)
  • Aftermath of the strikes on Izaz, Aleppo (via SN4HR)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1043

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 22 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on civilian homes and the main market in Al Atarib, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Many sources alleged that both parties carried out tens of strikes. LCCSY, for example, said that Russian raids were carried out “with the participation of Assad warplanes”.

According to SRG, Al-Atareb hospital was put out of service following Russian strikes, while Mohalkahtieb reported that “more than 20 raids” on the main market killed more than 20 and wounded 40.

Amna_Ali_ was MONG numerous sources that also blamed Russia and published extremely graphic images of victims. Most of the victims were children, said Syrianfreeyouth.

According to Sourita, “Russian and Syrian warplanes struck the local market in Al-Atareb and civilian houses which killed 22 civilians, the  majority children, and injured tens of people.”

Akhbar Alan provided more detail, though it didn’t identify the culprits. According to the source, “Warplanes carried out many raids in Al-Atareb city in Aleppo yesterday [July 24th]. In less than half an hour warplanes carried out 16 raids, six of them with cluster bombs, 5 with missiles, and 9 with heavy machine guns. The shelling focused on the local market, a main road and also the hospital in the city which resulted in it being out of service. Activists said 24 civilians were killed due to the intensive raids with 65 others were wounded, some critically”.

While this report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russia, there was some confusion in reporting, with an earlier report saying that regime missiles killed at least six civilians in Al Atarib.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mhammad Sayyed Hasan
53/54 years old male killed
Mahmood Othman Jalloul
Adult male killed
Mohammed Ahmad
Adult male killed
Ayyoub Mohammed
Adult male killed
Ramadan Al-Shilo
Adult male killed
Fayez Sabbagh
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 22
  • (1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–65
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • 'Mohammad Sayed Hasan, born in 1962, media activist, from Al Atareb city in Aleppo governorate, died on August 1, due to alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Al Atareb city in July 25, 2016.' (via SN4HR)
  • The destruction at the market in Al Atarib following suspected Russian shelling (Youtube via Qasioun)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A correspondent reports on the civilian cost of alleged Russian strikes at the market in Al Atarib (Youtube via Syrianpc)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic photograph of a civilian covered in blood, killed in alleged suspected warplane shelling on the market in Al Atarib (Tweet via Kmosto) [Page no longer available -accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A severely wounded civilian is treated for injuries to the head, the consequence of alleged warplane shelling on Al Marja (Tweet via Kmosto) [Page no longer available -accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian in Al Marja, the result of suspected warplane shelling (Tweet via Kmosto) [Page no longer available -accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic image of an adult male civilian either dead or severely wounded in Al Marja (Tweet via Kmosto) [Page no longer available -accessed via Airwars archive]
  • The market in Al Atarib, demolished after suspected warplane shelling (Tweet via @MohAlkhatieb)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the dead in Al Atarib after alleged Russian shelling - the tweet states "we only have Allah" (Tweet via @AmnaAli_0)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed by suspected Russian shelling in Al Atarib market (Tweet via @Syrianfreeyouth)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Further graphic images of critically wounded and dead, the human cost of alleged raids on Al Atarib (Tweet via @almnsterbalaah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little boy killed in alleged Russian shelling on the market at Al Atarib (Tweet via @taha _alhlo)
  • The White Helmets conduct rescue mission in Al Atarib (via Akhbar Alan)
  • A building destroyed in suspected Russian shelling on Al Atarib (via RFS)
  • Local people at the site of destruction in Al Atarib following alleged Russian strikes (via Syria news)
  • Dust remains in the air on a street in Al Atarib following alleged Russian raids (via Rudaw)
  • The_Yearly_Report_for_2016_en

    SN4HR report entitled 'The Yearly report for 2016' - gives details of the death of Mohammed Sayyed Hassan - a media activist suspected killedin Russian shelling on Al Atarib (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • The_Yearly_Report_for_2016

    SN4HR report entitled 'The Yearly report for 2016' - gives details of the death of Mohammed Sayyed Hassan - a media activist suspected killedin Russian shelling on Al Atarib (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • Mohammad Sayyed Hasan - allegedy killed in Russian shelling (via SN4HR PDF)
  • The media activist Mohammad Sayyed Hasan - allegedy killed in Russian shelling (via SN4HR PDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Sayyed Hasan - allegedy killed in Russian shelling (via SN4HR PDF)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

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
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 22
  • (1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–65
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1075

Incident date

July 30, 2016

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

Five civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local sources.

Syrian Press Center, Smart News Agency, Zakaria Nassani, Eldorar, Iraqsunahnews, RFS, EMC and LCCSY all blamed Russia.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Ma’arat Al-Nu’man (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian wounded in suspected Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Numan (Tweet via @ZakariaNassani)
  • A civilian girl is treated for injuries sustained following alleged Russian shelling on Maarat al Numan (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little girl recieves medical treatment in Maarat al Numan - wounded in alleged Russian attacks (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the wounded in Maarat al Numan - the impact of suspected Russia attacks (Tweet via @baladinetwork)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 29th – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1206 RS2341

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, al Arabaeen street and other areas, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.017177, 40.449051 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten civilians – including at least one woman and two children – were killed and dozens more were wounded following airstrikes near two schools in the city of Al Mayadeen. However, local sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. Both Russia and the US-led Coalition were reportedly responsible. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian Regime.

Nine of the 13 sources reporting the incident did not make any allegations as to who was responsible given the difficulty in identifying perpetrators (given that Coalition, Russian and Syrian government warplanes were all operating in the vicinity.)

Euphrates Post reported that the warplanes responsible were unidentified, but that they “probably belonged to the Russian air force”. Further sources, including Syria News Desk, @Syrian_Revolution and Deir Al Zor PN, directly alleged that Russia was responsible.

Meanwhile Step News Agency claimed the Coalition was to blame while the Syrian Network for Human Rights said the Syrian government was responsible.

Euphrates Post, among a number of other local sources, reported that the strikes hit civilian areas near the Al Nasswi School and the Khawla Bint Azwar School and that most of the damage was caused to the homes of Muhanned Hamoud al Hamran and Allawi al Helou.

The source added that the airstrikes caused “burning of two civilian vehicles and material damage to a number of shops and adjacent residential buildings”.

DeirEzzor24 reported that “the number [of civilian casualties] is likely to rise due to the large number of wounded and the lack of medical personnel” and added that “the search for survivors from the rubble is still ongoing”.

Many sources described the incident as a “massacre”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Allawi al Helou’s daughter
Child female killed
Fawaz al Awad
Adult female wife of Allawi al Helou killed
Saif Allawi al Helou
Child male Son of Allawi al Helou killed
Son of Fawaz al Awad
Adult male killed

Family members (5)

Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 1
Age unknown killed
Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 2
Age unknown killed
Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 3
Age unknown killed
Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 4
Age unknown killed
Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 5
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Jamal al Husseinan
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

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 al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 15th-16th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, eight strikes destroyed 44 ISIS oil storage tanks, 22 oil stills, five cranes, a vehicle, and a well-head.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1433

Incident date

August 31, 2017

Location

Sagheer Shamiya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.477377, 39.98723 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three or more civilians died in an airstrike on Zaghir Shamiya, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian Regime were responsible for the event.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that between two and three people were killed following an aerial offensive in Deir Ezzor Governorate. Initially, the SOHR said that three “persons” were killed in the West of Deir Ezzor, a later report said that two civilians, a man and a woman were killed. The SOHR did not specify who was to blame. Airwars will update the entry when new information arises regarding the civilians killed; the death toll is expected to rise due to “several injured people in serious conditions”.

According to Asharq al Souri, three members from “the family of Hamdah“ were killed in a strike, though the source didn’t identify the culprit.

SHRC named a victim and blamed the Coalition. DPN also named a victim but who blamed “the bombing of the regime’s airliner and its Russian occupier”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Huriat Al-Nasser Al-Abdullah
Age unknown male named as a further victim by DeirEzzor24. killed
Obeid Al-Hamdah
Age unknown was named by SHRC as a victim killed
Huraira Nasser Al-Abdullah
Age unknown named by DPN killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of incident mention Zaghir Shamiya (زغير شامية) village, for which the coordinates are: 35.477377, 39.987230.

  • Zaghir Shamiya (زغير شامية) village in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 31st – September 1st the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed five tactical vehicles and a machine gun, and damaged a bridge.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1658 RS2669

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Location

السكرية, Al Sukkariya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.491136, 40.886135 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians – two women and two girls – died in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of al Sukkariya, local media reported. It was unclear who was responsible, though one source attributed the event to Russia.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “four citizen women including two girls were killed as a result of bombing by the warplanes on areas in Al-Sokkariyeh village in the countryside of Al-Bokamal city in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor during the past 24 hours”.

However, according to Baladi, Russia was responsible. It put the death toll at “two women and two children”.

Jisir TV didn’t say who carried out the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incidents mention residential houses in the village of Sukkariya (السكرية) for which the coordinates are: 34.491136, 40.886135

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 2nd-3rd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS line of communication. Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS line of communication, a VBIED factory and an ISIS headquarters.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1093

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Location

شغور, Shaghuor, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8504774, 36.2822629 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian, as killed by a Russian cluster bomb. While the source reports that the victim was from Shahour village, it’s unclear whether he was killed there.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Ahmad Abd al Raheem Abd al Monem
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 1st – 10th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1125

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and six civilians – four from the same family – were killed and at least two others were wounded by more than two airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether the planes belonged to Russia or the regime. Most of those injured were reportedly in critical condition.

The majority of sources, including RadioAlKul and Smart News, attributed the strikes to regime forces while other sources, including Al Jazeera and the Shaam News Network blamed Russian forces.

Activists reported that the air raids targeted civilian home and resulted in the destruction of large buildings.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mohammed Darwish
Age unknown male named by VDC killed
Hazem Mohammed Darwish
Age unknown named by VDC killed
Hassan Mohammed Darwish
Age unknown male named by VDC killed
Mohammed Waei Darwish
Age unknown male named by VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Imad Ahmad al Abdullah
Age unknown named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the incident where an entire family of 4 were killed. (via, Syrian PC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Many critcally injured an being treated in medical facilities following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, Baladi News)
  • The Whit Helmets attempt the rescue of civilians buried in the rubble in Khan Shaykhan. (via, JisirTV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On August 11th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that, "six Tu-22M3 long-range bombers took off from the territory of the Russian Federation and carried out concentrated strikes with high-explosive fragmentation munitions on objects of the ISIS terrorist grouping located to the south-east, north, and north-west regions from the Raqqah city. A large weaponry, ammunition and POL storage located near the Raqqah city, a plant producing chemical munitions located in the north-western suburbs of the city, and a large ISIS terrorists’ training camp have been destroyed by the aviation strike." Further to this they added that "Terrorists have suffered significant material damage. A lot of insurgents have been eliminated." According to the report the bombers took off from Hmeymim airbase.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]