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

RS1236

Incident date

September 7, 2016

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 19 civilians including six children died and up to 50 more were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Tadef in Aleppo, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible: the majority blamed Russia (citing the use of cluster bombs), though there were also allegations against the Syrian regime and Turkey.

Radio Alkul was among several sources that referred to “unidentified warplanes”. It put the death toll at ten with “dozens” more wounded.

Qasioun reported that it had been unable to identify whether the warplanes were Russian or Syrian. It also put the death toll at 10 with 30 more civilians injured.

However, according to gate Ahram, Turkish warplanes carried out the attack.

Souriat also reported on the allegations against Turkey – as well as providing more details on the event and the victims. It said: “Activists on social networking sites said that Turkish warplanes targeted Tadef, killing and wounding civilians. But sources in the city Tadef denied that the Turkish aviation targeted the town. It confirmed that the warplanes which carried out raids that killed ten civilians, but that the culprit was either Russian or the Syrian regime.

“The Ronaha channel on Facebook has published a story saying that the Turkish aviation targeted the town, then the channel published a story accusing the Syrian regime, without deleting the previous news. At the same time, activists quoted by the agency Hawar said that Turkey targeted Tedef, but the Hawar agency said that in fact the Syrian regime carried out the raids”.

Sources blaming the regime included Abdalghfourbyab, and LCCSY. the latter put the death count at 19 with 50 more wounded.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 14 civilians died including 10 members from one family. Al Jazeera put the death toll at 15.

Syrian News Desk, meanwhile said that a Russian aerial bombardment had coincided with regime artillery strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mohammed Asmaee
Adult male killed
Son of Mohammed Asmaee
Child killed
Son of Mohammed Asmaee
Child killed

Family members (2)

A civilian from Sado Hamid’s family
killed
A civilian from Sado Hamid’s family
killed

Family members (2)

A civilian from the Wahab family
killed
A civilian from the Wahab family
killed

The victims were named as:

A civilian from the Ubaid family
Age unknown killed
A civilian from the Kharenq family
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 19
  • (1–6 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike with cluster bombs on Tadef, Aleppo, Sept 7th (via AlKhaleejNews)
  • Remnants of cluster bombs found in Tadef, Aleppo - the source alleged Russian warplanes responsible (via AlKhaleejNews)
  • A man carries a civilian child in his arms who appears either wounded or killed in suspected warplane shelling (Tweet via @Alkhabar)
  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016

    SN4HR report entitled: ‘no less than 49 massacres in September 2016 including 46 at the hands of the russian and Syrian regimes’ details impact of strikes in Tadef, Aleppo (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016_en

    SN4HR report entitled: ‘no less than 49 massacres in September 2016 including 46 at the hands of the russian and Syrian regimes’ details impact of strikes in Tadef, Aleppo (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 19
  • (1–6 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1269 CS314

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.963172, 38.035655 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians reportedly died in an air raid on Maskanah which most sources said involved cluster munitions. Egypt Today put the death toll at five, “including a woman and her two daughters and her child”. Reportedly, the strikes injured up to 12 civilians, including six children.

While most reports blamed Russia, Baladi News claimed either the Coalition or the Syrian regime was responsible.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Issa Mohammad al Obeid or Edeib
Adult male killed
Sara al Hamoud
45 years old years old female Wife of Issa Mohammed killed
Asma or Ismat al Obeid
13 or 14 years old female Daughter of Issa Mohammed and Sara killed

Family members (2)

Alaa Al Mohammad al Obeid
Age unknown male injured
Dua’a al Mohamamd al Obeid
Age unknown female injured

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Hamadi al Jassem
Age unknown male injured
Nijma al Abdallah
55 years old female injured
Anoud al Hamed,
27 years old female injured
Juma’a al Hamashi
32 years old male injured
Ala’a al Mohammad
11 years old male injured
Asma al Abboud,
7 years old female injured
Wadha al Mohamamd
7 years old female injured
Ibrahim al Atheeb
6 years old male injured
Ismat al Obeid
14 years old male injured
Sara al Hamoud
45 years old female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Baladi news reports 3 dead, including a child, and 15 injured following alleged coalition strikes on Maskanah in Aleppo. 16th September 2016
  • Report of the death of Issa al Obeid, his wife and an unidentified woman following an alleged cluster bomb attack on the Cultural Centre in Maskanah. 16th September 2016 [Via: Aleppo 24]
  • Arabe 24 reports the death of 3 civilians and injury of 15 others in an air raid on Maskanah. 17th September 2016
  • News of Aleppo and Surrounding Areas tweets the death of 4 civilians and injury of 13 including women and children in air raids on Maskanah at noon. 16th September 2016
  • Khabar reports death of 3 civilian and the injury of 15 following air raids on Maskanah. 16th September 2016
  • Masar Press reports the death of 3 civilians, including two women, in air raids on Maskanah. 16th September 2016
  • Syria Post reports the death of 4 civilians including two women in air raids on Maskanah. 16th September 2016
  • Al Jazeera Breaking reports the death of 3 civilians and injury of 15 others in air raids on Maskanah. 16th September 2016
  • Halab Today reports the death of 4 civilians including 2 women in air raids on Maskanah. 16th September 2016
  • Amawi news reports the death of 4 civilians and the injury of 15 others including women and children following cluster bomb attacks on Maskanah. 16th Septem,ber 2016

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 September 1st – 30th 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
    37SDV130802
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 16, 2016, in Maskanah, 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. 3051/CS314 37SDV130802

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 15th-17th 2016, the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in the vicnity of Manbij.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1301

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.963172, 38.035655 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes killed one civilian, a young man, and wounded two others on the road outside the Maskana souk, Aleppo, local reports alleged.

“Airstrikes also targeted the main highway near Bado neighbourhood and the entrance to the souq of Maskana city in the eastern suburbs where a young man was martyred and others were injured,” said an LCCSY Facebook post. Other sources corroborated this report: @HalabTodayTV, @RadioAlKul, @ALAMAWI, and Step News all ran reports using similar language.

Most reports did not state the identity of the warplanes, but LCCSY and the Smart News Agency said the planes were Russian.

However, Radio Alkul said that the regime was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ 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 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
    1
  • (1 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1333

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Location

كرم حومد, Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.196287, 37.181253 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and eight civilians were killed and as many as 22 more injured in airstrikes in Karam Homad in Aleppo, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The lowest death count was given by Almustaqbal and Zamanmasdar at one civilian – though these source, as with some others, didn’t apportion blame.

Micro Syria was among the majority of reports attributing the event to Russia. It put the death count at six, and referring to the event as “a massacre”.

According to the Step News Agency, “eight civilians were killed and more than 20 injured by airstrikes targeting the Karam Homad neighborhood in the city of Aleppo.”

However, other sources pointed towards the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed shelling by “government forces” and LCCSY said that both Russian and Assad jets had carried out strikes in Aleppo on this day, including in Karam Homad.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–22
  • 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]

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 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
    1 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–22
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS1365

Incident date

September 29, 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 three and six civilians including up to three children were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib.

LCCSY wrote that “three died and some were wounded among civilians as Russian warplanes bombarded Khan Sheikhoun city.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, on the other hand, accused the Assad regime of the attack: “At least four civilians including two children died when government warplanes fired missiles on Khan Sheikhoun city in Idlib governorate.”

Zamanalwasl reported the highest death count with six civilians, three of them children,  and claimed the attack was conducted by the regime.

Syria News Desk said that one child was killed.

A number of sources reported the used of both phosphorus and cluster bombs.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo showing the remains of cluster munitions, which reportedly was used in the contested strikes on the town of Khan Shaykhoun, 29 September (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Shaykhun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.44208, 36.65095. 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
Official source

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
    3 – 6
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1398

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources air and artillery strikes hit the city Anadan north of Aleppo, killing one or two civilians.

According to Nabd Syria, “two people were killed and others wounded in Anadan due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling”.

One source, Muslm, attributed the strikes to both the Assad regime and Russia, while Jsirtv pointed to Russia alone.

However, most sources – al-Meghreb Today, RFS North, @Syriamubasher and @AnadanMedia – pointed to the Assad regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hussein Jewaid
Adult male though Yousef Kharfan and Halabtoday said he was a fighter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Hussein Jewaid, a fighter. (via, Yousef Kharfan)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1431

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Location

صوران, Souran, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.26343, 37.37414 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in either Russian, Turkish or ISIS artillery shelling on Souran near Aleppo.

Baladi wrote that “three civilians were killed due to artillery shelling by ISIS in Souran.” However, according to Syrian Mirror, “three women were killed in Turkish artillery shelling in Souran north of Aleppo.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Gharib also blamed Turkey for the strikes. LCCSY reported that Russia was behind the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (0–3 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, ISIS, Turkish Military, ISIS

Sources (7) [ 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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

ISIS Assessment:

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

ISIS Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (0–3 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, ISIS, Turkish Military, ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1463

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Location

ترمانين, Termamin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.229519, 36.816833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 11 civilians died and up to 25 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Termamin town, according to local sources.

The lowest death count was given by @NewsFlashNet at at least nine. RevoSpring said that 10 people died, while Halab News joined most sources in putting the figure at 11. All of these reports attributed the event to Russia.

According to Smosy, “on Saturday [Oct 15th] the Russian occupation aircraft carried out a horrific massacre in the town of Termanin in Idlib, killing 11 civilians and wounding 25 others. Activists reported that the aircraft bombed a drug store and a civilian defence headquarters located in residential areas in town, leading to a horrific massacre”.

However, one source, Sdusyria, blamed the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ayman Ahmad Ju’weiyar
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–25
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the extent of the damage to civilian homes in Termamin following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Termamin town, Oct 15th (via AMC)
  • Damage to the drug store which was struck in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smosy)
  • Damage to the drug store which was struck in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via revoSpring)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A member of the White Helmets pulls a man from the rubble in Termamin. (via Madardaily)
  • Damage to the drug store which was struck in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via cameraman961)
  • Damage to the drug store which was struck in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via cameraman961)
  • Damage to the drug store which was struck in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via cameraman961)

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 October 1st – 19th 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 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–25
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]