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

RS3041

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

بيت سوى , Beat Sawa, Damascusus , Syria

Geolocation

33.537531, 36.399937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what was described as a “massacre”, up to 55 civilians, including 40 children and women were killed and “dozens” wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime continued its heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta, this time in Beat Sawa, local media reported.

While many towns of eastern Ghouta were subject to lethal air raids and artillery shelling around February 19th, the shelling of Beat Sawa was one of the most intense. While the initial reports counted 17 fatalities, the final update, provided on February 21st by Marshad al-Hassaka and Euphrates Post reported 55 fatalities, hereof 40 women and children. The report added that many were still left under the rubble.

Ghouta Media Center (GMC) posted an image of some of the dead bodies noting that “entire families were martyred” by the shelling.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) identified one male civilian by name and photo,  a member of the civil defence who reportedly was struck as he was helping the already wounded locals.

According to Baladi News, who blamed Assad-launched explosive barrels and artillery shells, additionally  “dozens” were likewise left injured.

Several sources, including above-mentioned Baladi News, attributed blame to the Syrian regime. However, Russian culpability cannot be ruled out as Marsad Al Hasaka and Euphrates Post blamed Russian forces and SN4HR pointed to shared Russian/Assad responsibility.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Firas Jum’a
Adult male Civil Defence member killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 55
  • (2–20 children2–20 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Firas Jum’a, member of the civil defence, was reportedly among the victims by the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Both children and women were among the victims of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Entire families were reportedly among the fatalities of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via GMC)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 55
  • (2–20 children2–20 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3042

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

كفربطنا , Kafar Batna, Damascusus , Syria

Geolocation

33.514529, 36.374577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians, two men and one woman, were killed and several were left wounded as Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to air and artillery shelling as reported by local media. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame.

Damas Press, who did not identify a culprit, reported how “rocket-propelled grenade launchers” had struck residential neighbourhoods, and other reports mentioned aerial shelling.

Following the incident, most sources reported two fatalities and several wounded. However, Ghouta Media Center (GMC) updated its initial report from two to three victims; two men and one woman.

It was, however, unclear who carried the blame. Orient News pointed to the Syrian regime while others, such as GMC, identified Russia as responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • One of the victims of the contested shelling of Kafar Batna, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via HalabTodayTV)
  • Smoke rising from Kafar Batna following the contested shelling of the town of February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • Smoke rising from Kafar Batna following the contested shelling of the town of February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • A wounded child following the contested shelling of Kafar Batna on February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • A wounded child following the contested shelling of Kafar Batna on February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • A wounded man following the contested shelling of Kafar Batna on February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3032

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and up to dozens more were left wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Hamouriya, Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

The strikes in Hamouriya were part of a widespread shelling of multiple neighbourhoods in eastern Ghouta on February 19th, local media reported. However, according to Zaman al-Wasl, the incident in Hamouriya was the largest and had been carried out in a total of three raids. According to the Smart News Agency, mainly residential buildings were struck.

While the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported  “at least 15 fatalities”, the remaining reports mentioned 20 civilian deaths, including women and children.

Zaman al-Wasl, who put the death toll at 20, identified 14 by name; ten men and four women, and according to the surnames, some of the victims were most likely related. However, the report did not specify the age of the victims, meaning it’s unclear how many were children.

Sakr121 blamed Russia, SN4HR the regime, and  Free Deir Al Zour Radio pointed to both belligerents. But many sources didn’t apportion blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Amir Khaled Al-Jabbawi
Age unknown male killed
Imad Khalid Al-Jabbawi
Age unknown male killed
Mariam Haidar Jabbawi
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Abdullah Ahmed Laila
Age unknown male killed
Ali Mohamed Laila
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Hamdu Qadoura
Age unknown male killed
Abdel Latif Bakri
Age unknown male from Malihah killed
Dia El Ghourani
Age unknown female killed
Mahmoud Abdel Majid El Zein
Age unknown male killed
Dalal El Hageh
Age unknown female from Otaya killed
Hamouda El Asali - Goober
Age unknown male killed
Noor Adnan Tohma
Age unknown female killed
Yahya Homs Abou El Zahab
Age unknown male killed
Mamoun Said Badra
Age unknown

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (6) [ collapse]

  • The immediate, chaotic aftermath of the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Smart News Agency)
  • Up to 20 civilians were reportedly killed by the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (al-Souria News)
  • The immediate, chaotic aftermath of the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Hadi Abdullah)
  • Members of the Civil Defense trying to extinguish fire that broke out following the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Up to 20 civilians were reportedly killed by the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (Sakr 121)
  • Many civilians were trapped under the rubble following the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (Syria Civil Defense)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

RS3031

Incident date

February 18, 2018

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Idlib , Syria

Geolocation

35.3586059, 36.6483307 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, a husband and wife, were killed and several others were left wounded in alleged Russia or regime air or artillery strikes on Latmeen, Idlib, according to local media.

Smart News Agency, who cited a military spokesman of the Free Syrian Army, said that “warplanes likely to be Russian launched eight raids on agricultural land in the village, killing a woman and an old man”, while adding that another three civilians were wounded.

Several sources echoed the death of the married couple, who were both identified by name by Shbaballatamneh3.

Reports agreed that between two and three civilians were left wounded.

While the large majority of sources pointed to Russian culpability, HalabToday TV blamed regime artillery shelling, while Mahmoud Al Hamoudi attributed blame to both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

bdullah Mahmoud Al-Hamid (Al Baghl)
55 years old male killed
Sobhiya Mohamed El Hassan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment the Russian or Syrian regime warplanes strike Latmeen, Idlib, February 18th, 2018 (via Mahmood Hamwi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdullah Mahmoud Al-Hamid (Al Baghl) was along with his wife killed by the contested shelling of Latmeen, Idlib, February 18th, 2018 (via Shbaballatamneh3)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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

RS3027

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

مورك, Mourk, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3729476, 36.6820998 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were left wounded as aerial and/or artillery shelling struck Mourk, Hama, local sources reported. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame.

Sources reported both air and artillery strikes, adding that “a number” of civilians were left wounded.

According to the sources, no civilians were killed by the shelling.

While Shaam News Network blamed Russia for carrying out both aerial and artillery shelling of the village, Shbaballatamneh3 pointed to “regime artillery.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3028

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

كفرزيتا, Kaarzeta, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3747033, 36.5923691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were possibly left wounded as aerial and/or artillery shelling struck Kaarzeta, Hama, local sources reported.

Numerous sources reported how the village of Kaarzeta had been subject to aerial, and possibly also artillery shelling, the latter reported by Hamah Now.

Horrya News said that unidentified warplanes struck a hospital in the village.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (5) [ 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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3029

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were possibly left wounded as aerial and/or artillery shelling struck al-Lataminah, Hama, local sources reported, who pointed to Russia as responsible.

Numerous sources reported how al-Lataminah had been subject to aerial, and possibly also artillery shelling, the latter reported by Hamah Now.

However, it was unclear among the sources whether the incident resulted in civilian harm. Only one source, Shaam News Network, reported about “a number of wounded” following the shelling of al-Lataminah.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3030

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

حزانو, Hazano, Idlib , Syria

Geolocation

36.08965, 36.71404 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians, all children, were killed and as many as seven, including women and children, were wounded as alleged Russian warplanes struck the village of Hazano, Idlib, local media reported.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that the air raids had hit “near al Kabir Mosque in Hazano village”

Like the majority of reports, the Smart News Agency, who cited the local police in Hazano, reported that two children were killed and seven others were injured, adding that the strikes occurred in the morning.

Other sources, including SN4HR, only reported the death of a female child, who was identified by name.

According to the Shaam News Network, “heavy air raids” killed two brothers while wounding two children and two women from the same family.

The number of wounded spanned from two to as many as seven, including both women and children as reported by multiple media.

All of the known sources agreed that Russia was responsible.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Khawla Mohammad Othman
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The Civil Defense digging up the body of a dead child from under the rubble following the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Jsirtv)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Smart News Agency)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Jsirtv)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Syria Noor News)
  • The alleged Russian strikes ignited fire to a civilian house as Hazano, Idlib, was subject to aerial shelling on February 17th, 2018 (via Mohammed Aldaher)
  • Civil Defence trying to extinguish the fire ignited upon civilian houses by the alleged Russian strikes in Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Some of the many civilians that were left wounded following the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Mohammed Aldaher)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling of Hazano, Idlib, February 17th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]