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

RS860

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

الشحيل, Al Shuhail, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0915407, 40.4523468 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians including at least two children and one woman died in a airstrike on Al Shuhail, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently put the death toll at six. Some of their reports referred only to “warplanes”, however, two later reports identified them as Russian.

The Shaam News Network blamed Russia, putting the death toll at six and a number of wounded. They also said that dozens of sheep had been killed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 37 civilians, including 11 children and seven women died when an aerial bombardment “targeted al-Ashara and al-Shehel in addition to other areas of Der-Ezzor western countryside”. It did not say who was responsible.

Other sources, including Halab Today and Euphrates Post, documented raids but didn’t identify the warplanes.

However, JFLDZ blamed the regime, putting the death toll at three including one woman.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mrs. Tamador Abd al Ghaffour al Hattab
Age unknown female killed
Khaldiya Ibrahim al Khudar
Age unknown female killed
Wassim al Hussein al Hafi
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "more than 25 martrys in Al-A’shara and dozens of wounded in Russian shelling and a massacre in Al-Shaheel" (Tweet by @SyrianRevolutin)

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS892

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Location

قباسين, Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.43304, 37.5671053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and ten civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasin, according to local media.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Activists said Russian warplanes targeted a popular market crowded with civilians in the city of Qabasin, north of Al Bab city in the eastern Aleppo countryside, leaving six dead and dozens wounded – at an initial count. There was also widespread damage to the marketplace and public property.”

Qasioun, also blaming Russia, put the death toll at eight and then at six.

Alaraby added more detail, reporting that the six people killed – again, at the hands of Moscow – were from the same family

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also put the death toll at six but didn’t say who was responsible.

Similarly, @AlMaghribToday didn’t identify the culprit, but said that as many as ten non-combatants died.

Other reports said that dozens of civilians were still trapped under the rubble.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ 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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS924

Incident date

June 20, 2016

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and eight civilians including one child and up to four women died – and many more were wounded – in airstrikes on Tareeq al Bab, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame.

Many local sources reported that between four and five of the victims were from the same family. Accpording to Halab Today TV, “the child Ahmad, the only survivor from his family of 4 who were killed following the air raid on Tareeq al bab in Aleppo”.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee put the death toll at five with six more wounded. Orient News, however, said that as many as eight died.

Ammar al-Halabi, an activist, told Syrian News Desk “Russian warplanes carried out two air missile strikes on a four-storey apartment building in the central nieghbourhood, killing six civilians, including a child. Others were taken to a field hospital for treatment.

LCCSY and the Shaam News Network blamed Russia, however, Nabd syria was among other sources blaming the regime. It said that four women and a child died, with “dozens” more people injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Falak Obeid, the wife of Kareem Abdul Salam
Adult female killed
Kareem Abdul Salam
50 years old male killed
The mother of Kareem Abdul Salam
Adult female killed
The daughter of Kareem Abdul Salam
20 years old female killed
Abdul Rahman Karim
5 years old male

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (1 child3–4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–24
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Tareeq al-Bab, June 20th (via LCCSY)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is removed from the rubble following an airstrike on Tareeq al-Bab in Aleppo, June 20th (via aa)
  • "Russian airstrikes on Tariq al Bab neighbourhood" (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction in Tareeq al bab neighbourhood in the city (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction in Tareeq al bab neighbourhood in the city (via LCCSY)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child civilian wounded following air raids on Tareeq Al Bab (via SNN)
  • Rescue team uncover civilians from rubble following alleged strikes (via SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian covered in dust and rubble following air strikes (via SNN)
  • A boy is carried away from the destruction on a stretcher by the White Helmets (via SNN)
  • Material destruction of Tareeq Al Bab (via SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "the child Ahmad, the only survivor from his family of 4 who were killed following the air raid on Tareeq al bab in Aleppo. Photograph by Ammar al Halabi" (via Halab Tv Today)
  • The White Helmets at the site of aerial raids on Tareeq al Bab (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • "@0’23” Tareeq al bab. Abd al Salam Kareem 50 years old and his wife Falak al Obeid and his mother and daughter and Abd al Rahman Karim 5 years old" (Youtube by Halab Tv Today)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets pull a small boy from the rubble at Tareeq al Bab (via Enabbaladi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian boy rescued following alleged airstrikes (via Zamanalwasl)
  • "Six civilians were killed and others injured this morning, due to the Russian warplanes targeting the neighborhood Tareeq al-Bab under the control of the opposition in the south of the city of Aleppo" (via Syrianewsdesk)
  • "my house was here..." (via @mohalkhatieb)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian is pulled from the destruction in Tareeq Al Bab (via Jisrtv)
  • "Four women and a child was killed and dozens of bombing al-Assad warplanes neighborhood injured by the Al-Bab in bombing also caused the martyrdom of five children from one family" (via Nabd Syria)
  • "rescuing one of the children stuck under the rubble as a result of Russian strikes on the neighbourhoods of Aleppo" (Video via SNN Facebook)

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (1 child3–4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–24
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS958

Incident date

June 29, 2016

Location

المسرب, Al Masreb, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.5207354, 39.887538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed in airstrikes on the village al-Mashreb, reported local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths.

Most sources, including Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, al-AMAWI, Baladi News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that the incident led to the deaths of four named civilians, hereof two children and one woman – allegedly from the same family.

Syria Human Rights News reported “Warplanes bombed areas in the town of rural Al Masreb west of Deir ez-Zor, which resulted in the death of a man, his wife and daughter as well as other citizens”.

According to Al-Hal, “the warplanes  several evening raids on civilian houses in the village, killing a man and his wife and child and another child, and wounding more.”

ShahbaPress and @khaled_qhtan attributed the strikes to Russia while SN4HR, al-AMAWI and Baladi News pointed to the Assad regime as culprit.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, Paldf News and the Syria Free Army, named four victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mariam Abdul Ibrahim
Child female killed
Faisal al Ramih
Child female killed
Matra (Mother)
Adult female killed
Abd Ibrahim al Wayel (Father)
Adult killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS990

Incident date

July 11, 2016

Location

Turmanin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.22833333, 36.81527778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian warplanes struck an oil market on the road between Termanin and Darat Ezza causing huge fires, chaos and destruction on July 11th 2016 and killing up to 20 civilians, according to sources on the ground. Reports referred to the attack as a “massacre” due to the level of destruction and high death toll.

None of the reports mentioned the Syrian regime. Local sources such as Zaman Alwasl News reported sighting Russian warplanes. Al Jazeera, Syrian Network for Human Rights and LCCSY also suspected Russian warplanes for the  attack on the oil tanks.

According to the Halab News Network, “Russian warplanes launched more than six raids on the town of Turmanin. It was targeted with rockets on the outskirts of the town on the side near Dara Aza. It also targeted a public road between the two towns [A road dedicated to crossing vehicles and holding diesel tanks].”

The Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes also targeted Altahmana – the outskirts of the Southern countryside of Idlib – with no documented injures.

Different sources claimed varying numbers of killed and wounded. Smart News put the numbers as high as 20 killed, whereas, Ana News reported the death of nine civilians. Halab News Network said that eight people were killed and several others wounded, “in addition to the burning of about 30 trucks to transport fuel oil, as a result of air strikes on the town of Turmanin”.

Smart News said that more than 20 were injured, the majority civil defence members left in critical conditions. It added that the critically injured were transferred to a hospital in Turkey. Ara News claimed that three members of the civil defence team who were injured were from Killi and Darat Ezza centres.

Quaison News put the numbers slightly lower, at 15 injured, but also reported that the death toll was likely to rise due to the seriousness of the injures.

Syrian Network for human rights use of cluster bombs have proved with photographic evidence that cluster bombs were used in Turmanin.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Mohamed Omar
37/38 years old male from Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Correspondent for Al Jazeera Direct killed
Haitham Abd Alelah Al Hasan
31/32 years old male from Kelli town, Civil Defence member in Kelli, Idlib killed
Hasan Abdul Raheem Barade’i
24/25 years old male from Kelli town, Civil Defence member in Kelli, Idlib killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 20
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (49) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (35) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defence members mourn their friends who were killed by Russian warplanes in Turmanin on 11th July 2016.
  • Image of cluster ammunition remnants fired by suspected Russian warplanes on Termanein town, July 11th 2016.
  • Suspected warplane shelling at the oil market between Termanin and Darat Ezza (Youtube by Baladi)
  • Further scenes of alleged shelling in Termanin - The White Helmets extinguish the fires (Youtube by Baladi)
  • Plumes of smoke rise from the oil market between Termanin and Darat Ezza - the aftermath of alleged Russian shelling (via Sin)
  • Local people at the aftermath of an alleged Russian shelling on the oil market near Termanin (via Ana news)
  • A large cloud of smoke rises from the oil market between Termanin and Darat Ezza - the result of alleged Russian strikes (via Syrian_newsdesk)
  • The scene at the oil market between Termanin and Darat Ezza - following alleged Russian shelling (via Zamanalwasl)
  • The White Helmets attempt to put out the blaze following an alleged attack on the oil market (via Aljazeera)
  • A photograph of smoke rising from where alleged Russian warplanes targeted the oil market (via Syrianpc)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians flee the site of destruction following alleged Russian shelling (via Qasioun)
  • The journalist Ibrahim Al Umar from aljazeera was killed by suspected Russian warplanes (via Enab baladi news)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of the wounded paramendics and civil defense team (Tweet by @AhmadRashed1986)
  • Destruction at the oil market due to alleged Russian shelling (Tweet by @ShehabAgency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The civil defense team arrive at the scene to rescue the wounded - contains graphic footage. (Youtube by The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The civil defense team arrive at the scene to rescue the wounded - contains graphic footage. (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • Suspected evidence of warplane shelling at the oil market (Tweet by @Hasan_khaleil) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A destroyed oil truck, allegedly struck by Russian warplanes (Tweet by @Hasan_khaleil) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • Charred ground at the oil market following alleged Russian strikes (Tweet by @Hasan_khaleil) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic photographs of the wounded following alleged Russian raids on the oil market (via Smart)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded man is treated in a clinic for injuries sustained during an alleged attack by Russian warplanes (via Smart)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic photographs of the wounded following alleged Russian raids on the oil market (via Smart)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two civilians are treated in a clinic after sustaining injuries caused by alleged Russian attacks (via Smart)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian is treated by a medic after sustaining injuries in alleged Russian airstrikes (via Smart)
  • Hassan Baradi’ - killed in alleged an Russian warplane attack on the oil market (Tweet by @SN4HR)
  • Burnt out vehicles on the Mazut road - where suspected Russian planes targeted an oil market (Tweet by @taha_alhlo)
  • Numerous photographs of burnt out trucks at the oil market (Tweet by @alhadathnews)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The journalist, Ibrahim Al Umar, from Aljazeera was killed in the alleged Russian attacks (Tweet by @mohamad_msry)
  • Haitham Al-Hassan, a member of the civil defense, was killed in Turmanin due to alleged Russian warplanes shelling (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)
  • Footage of the suspected Russian warplanes shelling in Termanin (Youtube by Smart)
  • A cluster incubator, suspected Russian, at Termanin (via SN4HR)
  • Footage by The White Helmets of fires and smoke following alleged Russian attacks on the oil market near Termanin (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • Cluster bombs and missiles allegedly Russian targeted the oil market (Video by Halab Today TV Facebook)
  • The_Yearly_Report_for_2016_en

    The Yearly report by SN4HR includes details about the Aljazeera journalist, Ibrahim Mohammad Omar, killed in the alleged Russain attacks on the oil market (PDF by SN4HR) [English]

  • The_Yearly_Report_for_2016

    The Yearly report by SN4HR includes details about the Aljazeera journalist, Ibrahim Mohammad Omar, killed in the alleged Russain attacks on the oil market (PDF by SN4HR) [Arabic]

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 1st – 14th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 20
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (49) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1022 CS273a

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a massacre, committed by both Russian and Assad regime and coalition warplanes, between 10 and 23 civilians were killed and as many as 35 more wounded on July 19th in Idlib city. Other sources claimed that the Coalition was involved in the incident. According to Shaam News Network the raids took place just before midnight.

A local journalist tweeted that three locations in the city were targeted. “Russian warplanes shelling targets three areas in Idlib; Al-Nakhla roundabout, Al-Saha parking lot near Omar Bin Al-Khattab mosque and young offenders jail”. He also reported that 10 were killed and 35 civilians were injured.

Smart News reported that 10 civilians were killed, and a local added that an entire family including a woman and her unborn baby were included in those killed. Smart News called the incident a massacre and also blamed Russia for the airstrikes.

Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “allied warplane shelling” for the airstrike.

A local news channel tweeted that “At least 12 martyrs and and many injured due to Russian warplanes shelling in neighbours of Idlib tonight.” However, another local news channel – Alsouria News – claimed that “23 were martyred including children and no less than 30 wounded in Russian and coalition warplanes shelling in Idlib.” This was the highest reported death toll.

Most of the civilians killed were already displaced from Aleppo, according to Shaam News Network.

Activist Ghayth Al-Sayed told Alsouria “a Russian warplane and another one from the coalition took turns in shelling Idlib with more than 15 raids in the morning which killed 15 in initial toll and wounded more than 30 who were taken to medical points for treatment.”

The scale of the injuries meant that local field hospitals announced it needed quantities of blood for the injured.

The raids continued overnight in Idlib to the 20th of July.

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 23
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–35
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The destruction caused by alleged Russian and coalition warplanes on 19th July 2016, Idlib. (via Alsouria).
  • Tweet reporting alleged Russian raids on various locations in Idlib city: Al Nakhla roundabout, Al Saha parking lot near Omar Bin Khattab mosque and the Young Offenders jail killing 10 and injuring 35. 20th July 2016
  • Syrian Network for Human Rights tweets that government warplanes [and allies] carried out raids on Idlib on the 19th killing three people at least including a woman and a baby. 20th July 2016
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

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

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV865788
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • July 19, 2016, in Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3017/CS273a 37SBV865788

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 23
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–35
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1054

Incident date

July 26, 2016

Location

Jel al Omar, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.899166, 38.285294 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that a woman and her two daughters died and the father was badly injured in an airstrike on Jel al Omar.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Arabstoday pointed towards Russia, though the Syrian Press Center didn’t identify the warplane responsible.

There are no other details available at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (3) [ 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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS440 RS1825

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

جبل الاربعين, Al Arbaeen Mountains, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.805363, 36.618816 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 20 civilians were killed, and others were wounded, according to reports, following an alleged Russian and or Coalition airstrike on a militant-occupied building in the Al-Arba’een Mountains.

Shaam News reported that seven civilians died including “four children and three women in addition in addition to others wounded.”

Step News blamed the US-led Coalition, reporting that “International Coalition aircraft launched several air strikes this afternoon targeting a residential building belonging to Turkestan fighters in Al-Arba’een Mountain area in the outskirts of Ariha in western Idlib.”

This led to the complete collapse of the building, allegedly killing more than ten people in an initial toll which included women and children from Turkestan families who were in the building.

Members of the civil defense team were allegedly digging civilians out of the rubble hours after the incident.

Similarly, AlAmawi news said that “Coalition planes launched several raids at noon today targeting al Turkistan HQ in al Araba’een mountain”.

In addition, Syrian media activist Omar madaniah said that the Coalition “bombed a building in al Arba’een mountain housing Turkistani families,” leaving “more than 20 martyrs under the rubble”.

Almasdar reported that Russian jets struck “a six-story building inhabited by Turkestan militants who used it as HQ – which also housed their families leading to the total collapse of the building.”

According to sources the extent of the damage to residential homes was great, and many civilians remained trapped under the rubble for hours.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 20
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A victim in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrikes on Al-Arba'een Mountain, 12th January 2017. (via @MousaAlomar)
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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 11th-13th the Coalition did not publicly note any strikes in Idlib governorate.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 20
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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

Sources (18) [ collapse]