Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS1484 RS2442

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

جديد بكارة, Jadid Bakara, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.243656, 40.366945 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major civilian casualty incident took place on the village of Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Reporting remains contested and various local sources have blamed Russia, the Regime and the US-led Coalition. Between 11 and 15 civilians died, “dozens” were reportedly wounded, and the death toll included at least one women and five children.

The Euphrates Post reported “Russian warplanes” targeted “the village of Jadid Bakara with three air raids targeting the perimeter of the telephone exchange in the village and another raid targeting al Jaraf [the valley]”. Multiple sources said the raid hit close to a car where people were distributing bread.

The Euphrates Post later published a list of suspected victims.

Smart reported the Russian Ministry of Defence announcement, “the Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino submarines in the eastern part of the Mediterranean had targeted “locations” of the “Islamic State” in the south-eastern Deir es-Zour countryside (without specifying the location)”. Though it unclear if this statement relates to the incident at Jadid Bakara village.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged Moscow responsible, and referred to “shelling” by their forces, however in an earlier report they attributed blame to a “Syrian-Russian alliance”.

Two sources, Baladi and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, blamed the Coalition, SOHR noted that buildings and civilian homes were destroyed in the offensive.

A majority of sources blamed the Russians, however many of the reports are unclear on the specificities of the incident, and many suspected Russia, the Regime and the US-led Coalition to be operating in the area of Deir Ezzor at the time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdul Qadir Mohammed Al-Bakar
Age unknown male killed
Ali Hussein Al-Bakar
Age unknown male killed
Muhannad Al – Hussein Al – Bakar
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Farhan Ahmad al A’bd
Age unknown male killed
Fadila Ahmed Al – Abd
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Nisrin al Farhan
Age unknown female killed
Farhan Abdul Farhan
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Najia Al-Othman Al-Issa
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (5 children1 woman5 men)
  • 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, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a post building, the perimeter of the telephone exchange and Al Jaraf ((الجرف) or the valley area) in the village of Jadid Bakara (جدید بكارة), for which the coordinates are: 35.243656,40.366945. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify these locations further

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 Jadid Bakara, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (5 children1 woman5 men)
  • 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, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1668

Incident date

November 8, 2017

Location

حريزة, Harizah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2110563, 40.4731349 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Harizah, local media said – though they were unclear whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The US-led alliance reported no strikes in Syria that day.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “six civilians died in a bombing on the village of Harizah, though it was unclear whether the warplane responsible belonged to the Coalition”.

However, Eldorar reported that Russia carried out strikes “targeting the vicinity of the town of Qouriya and the village of Hariza”, killing seven non-combatants.

Euphrates Post said that “a man displaced from al-Sabha town was killed as a result of a military air strike” on the village. A later report blamed the Coalition for the death of four civilians and named them – see below.

Free Deir Ezzor Radio also blamed the Coalition.

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Nov. 8, 2017, near Harizah village, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Farhan al – Sayyah
Age unknown male killed
Uncle of Farhan al – Sayyah
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Qadeef al-A’ttallah Abu A’ref
Age unknown killed
An unnamed displaced person from the town of Al Subha
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incidents mention the village of Harizah (حريزة) for which the coordinates are: 35.2110563, 40.4731349

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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Harizah village, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU340974
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018
  • Nov. 8, 2017, near Harizah village, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 8th-9th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Syria.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1100

Incident date

August 5, 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 two and seven civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Tareeq Al Bab, according to sources on the ground.

Radio Alkul gave the lowest death count of two with three more wounded – from the same family, blaming Russia.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that four died, including a child and a woman, and blamed the regime – though in a separate post it published an image of a man and said that Russia was responsible for his death.

According to Alaraby, six people died after a barrel bomb was dropped from a regime helicopter.

Egypt Today said that as many as seven were killed.

There are multiple reports that “dozens” were injured, with no specific numbers.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A man trapped under the rubble in Tareeq al Bab. 5th August 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • An image showing the extent of the destruction in Tareeq al Bab. (via, RadioAMCFM)
  • White Helmets sift through the rubble in the aftermath of the incident. (via, ShahabPress)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 1st – 10th 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 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1132

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Location

منطقة المتحف وسوق الهال, Souq al Hal, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.945833, 39.016667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and six civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Souq al-Hal near the town of Orme al-Kubra, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the regime were responsible for the casualties.

The Smart News Agency and All4syria for among sources blaming Russia. Most reports put the death toll at six civilians. However, some other sources referred to raids by the regime and Russia. The Shaam News Network said that the strikes had killed four civilians in Souq al-Hal and injured dozens more.

According to @b6gmQHK3rV6HtT, there were nine strikes near Souq al-Hal.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult It reported they were killed in Orme – though Orme is close to Souq al-Hal, suggesting this is the same incident. killed
Adult male It reported they were killed in Orme – though Orme is close to Souq al-Hal, suggesting this is the same incident. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmad Ali Mhaimid al-Ammar, killed in an alleged raid. (via, VDC)
  • Ahmad Ali Mhaimid al-Ammar, killed in an alleged raid. (via, VDC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged raid on a popular market. (via, Step)
  • The aftermath of an alleged raid on a popular market. (via, b6gmQHK3rV6HtT)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 12th – 13th 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 – 6
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1164

Incident date

August 18, 2016

Location

الحميدية, Hamidia, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported an unspecified number of civilian deaths in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hamida, Sinaa and Kanamat in Deir Ezzor.

According to LCCSY, “The Russian aviation raided a gas station near Dawar Al-Halabiah and Al-Orwa gas station in the town of Al-Ginenah, while another raid struck the town of Ayyash in the western countryside. Hamidiya, Sinaa, and Kanamat neighborhoods in the city also suffered similar raids which resulted in rising the number of martyrs.”

Other reports aid there had been strikes in the area but made no mention of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

On August 18th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that, "Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 tactical bombers took off from airbases on the territories of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran and carried out a group air strike on objects of the ISIS terrorist grouping in the Deir ez-Zor province. As a result, the strikes have eliminated 5 large depots with armament, munitions and fuel, 6 control centres, a large number of militants, artillery positions and armoured hardware of terrorists."

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1197

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Location

معارة النعسان, Maarat al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.0351379, 36.8356507 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians died and several more were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes on fuel markets in Maarat al Naasan, according to local media.

According to Zaitonmag, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on residential neighborhoods in the town of Maarat Al-Nassan. Four raids, phosphorous bombs and cluster munitions targeted fuel markets in the town. Casualties are currently unknown.” However, Thefreesyria reported that “nine people were killed and several others were wounded”. As with some other sources, it didn’t identify the culprit.

@ShababRevolution and @ALAMAWI reported Russian use of cluster bombs on the town.

But LCCSY blamed the regime for carrying out a strike, reporting that it had “led to the outbreak of a major fire at one of the stores selling diesel fuel”; while Syrians News said there had been strikes by helicopters as well as warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment the raids hit Maarat al Naasan. (via, ShababRevolution)
  • The exact moment the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid hit Maarat al Naasan, 28th August 2016. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Damaged vehicles in the aftermath of the incident. (via The White Helmets)
  • The remnants of cluster bombs and missiles in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, The White Helmets)
  • The remnants of cluster bombs and missiles in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, The White Helmets)
  • The remnants of cluster bombs and missiles in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Buildings destroyed in the aftermath of the incident. (via, ShababRevolution)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Maarat al-Naasan (معارة النعسان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.0351379,36.8356507 . Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 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
    9
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1229

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Location

الصالحين, Al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807701, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two members of the civil defense were killed and up to five other civilians were wounded in a raid on Al Salheen, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

According to the Smart News Network, “regime Helicopters targeted Al-Salheen with explosive barrels and wounded three people. When the civil defense team came to rescue the wounded, the helicopters struck again and killed three civil defense members.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also said that the regime was responsible.

But Syria News Desk blamed Russia, reporting that “three civilians were killed and five others injured following two raids launched by Russian planes.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Hanan
Adult male killed
Ihsan Dalati
Adult male ambulance driver killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • 'Hasan Hanan and Ihsan Al Dalati, civil defense members in Bab Al Nayrab center, died in government warplanes missiles fired on Al Saleheen neighborhood in Aleppo city as they were aiding the injured of previous shelling, September 6, 2016.'
  • The two White Helmets killed in alleged Russian strikes were buried by team members and local people (via AMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 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
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1261

Incident date

September 11, 2016

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807701, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians including three children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes in Aleppo’s Al Salheen, neighbourhood according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

The Smart News Agency, Umayya and Step News Agency were among sources blaming Russia – and put the death count at either seven or eight civilians.

However, Al Jazeera attributed the event to the regime.

Some sources blamed both the regime and Russia. For example, Fouadhallak98 said that five people died and dozens were injured in “Assad/Russian warplanes shelling.”

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian and Assad planes continued their violent air raids using phosphorous and cluster bombs on the neighbourhoods of Aleppo and the towns and villages of its countryside. The raids led to the death of seven martyrs in al Salheen neighbourhood in Aleppo and several wounded in Anadan to the north.”

Multiple reports published images showing significant destruction to the neighbourhood – along with wounded civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • A young boy stands in the middle of a ruined street following an airstrike on Al Salheen, Sept 11th (via Step News Agency)
  • Footage of Russian warplane shelling in Al Salheen, Sept 16th, civilians carry the bodies of victims away from the scene (Youtuvbe via SNN)
  • The White Helmet rescue mission in Al Salheen reveals the human cost of suspected Russian warplane attacks (Youtube via Step)
  • The White Helmet rescue team works through the rubble in Al Salheen in an attempt to find civilians (Youtube via CDS)
  • A civilian is pulled from the rubble in Al Salheen by The White Helmet rescue team, Sept 11th (via Step)
  • Destruction and rubble in Al Salheen - the material consequences of alleged Russian warplane shelling (via Step)
  • A photograph of the buildings in Al Salheen destroyed by alleged Russian warplane shelling (via Step)
  • Local people walk through the streets of Al Salheen - destroyed in susepcted Russian warplane raids (via Step)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of the injured and the dead in Al Salheen reveals the human cost of suspected Russian warplane shelling (Tweet via @laith1919)
  • A man climbs through a demolished building in Al Salheen (via RFS) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A street in Al Salheen full of rubble and demolished buildings following suspected Russian shelling (via RFS) [Page no longer available accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A civilian male, covered in dust, washes his hands in Al Salheen. (via RFS) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archived]
  • A stretcher is carried through the streets of rubble in Al Salheen (Tweet via @SMARTNewsAgency)
  • Extensive material damage on the streets of Al Salheen. The White Helmets provide aid to victims of alleged Russian warplane shelling (via @thiqanewsagency)
  • Local people and The White Helmet rescue team at the scene in Al Salheen where suspected Russian shelling hit. (Tweet via @Fouadhallak89)
  • Two babies are carried in the arms of local men in Al Salheen. The aftermath of suspected Russian strikes on the neighbourhood (Tweet via @ZakariaNassani)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 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
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]