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

RS3235

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.519286, 36.382427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family were – a man, his wife, and their baby girl – died and others wounded in airstrikes on Saqba, local media reported. Sources mostly attributed the blame to Russia, however VDC blamed the Syrian/Russian alliance.

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence pulled the bodies of the family form the rubble of their home. SHRC.arabic reported that they died in a previous strike, however they are the only source to report this.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Tasnim Jamal al-Deen
Child female killed
Mohammed Jamal al-Deen
Adult male killed
Ekhlas Kharban
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The family who was killed in airstrikes on Saqba, 11th March 2018. (via SCDrifdimashq)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

CS1257 RS2361

Incident date

July 23, 2017

Location

الشميطية, Shumeteya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.470833, 39.935556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from one family died (a father, his son and his daughter) and up to 20 more people were wounded in airstrikes in Shumeteya, according to local sources. No reports pointed directly at the Coalition – though several referred to unidentified “warplanes”. Other sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The majority of sources (including Jisrtv, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrianfreearmy) attributed the event to Moscow.

According to 7al, “”Russian warplanes carried out more than three raids on the village of al-Shamita, killing three civilians and injuring more than 20 others, mostly women and children, in addition to destroying a large amount of property,’ said Sufian al-Issa, a resident of the western countryside.”

The Syrian Press Center added, “Activists said that Russian air strikes targeted five civilian homes in the village of Shamitiya in the western countryside of Deir al-Zour, which resulted in the death of a father, his son and his daughter, in addition to destruction of property.”

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, regime warplanes were to blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mr. Salama Saleh Al-Fawaz
Adult male killed
Hassan Salama Saleh Al Fawaz – Salama Saleh Al-Fawaz’s son
Child male killed
Najah Salama Salih Al Fawaz – Salama Saleh Al-Fawaz’s daughter
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a strike on Shumeteya, July 23rd 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Shumeteya, July 23rd 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Shumeteya, July 23rd 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
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 Shumeteya, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 23rd – 24th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, an oil tanker, and an oil storage tank.“

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah, Daech continue de perdre du terrain, jour après jour, face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes. Les combattants terroristes continuent néanmoins de disposer de solides positions défensives dans le cœur de la ville, à partir desquelles ils mènent des contre-attaques régulières et des actions de harcèlement. En Irak, Les forces de sécurités irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation de la ville de Mossoul, face à des équipes isolées de combattants qui continuent de mener des actions symboliques de harcèlement. Dans le même temps, Daech consolide ses positions autour de Tal Afar, pour tenter de résister à l’offensive prochaine de la Coalition pour libérer aussi cette ville. Daech poursuit par ailleurs ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement, en se concentrant dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah. Certaines actions ont également été menées cette semaine dans l’Ouest de l’Irak, dans la région de Rutbah. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 45 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 06 de ravitaillement en vol. Un C135-FR récemment déployé a en effet réalisé de nombreuses missions en quelques jours à peine, soutenant ainsi, à son niveau, la bascule des efforts de la Coalition vers les autres bastions de Daech. Deux frappes ont été menées dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, détruisant deux positions de combattants ennemies, au contact des troupes alliées engagées. De ces positions, des tireurs de Daech tenaient sous leur feu les soldats alliés à une centaine de mètres à peine. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a réalisé 21 missions de tir dont 07 de harcèlement et 14 d’éclairement. Ces missions interdisent une offensive de contre des terroristes vers Mossoul. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 324 frappes, 2 092 objectifs détruits et 6 857 sorties. Le bilan global de l’activité artillerie atteint 1 331 missions.’

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2751

Incident date

November 23, 2017

Location

الباغوز, Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.43221, 40.99226 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed by airstrikes, possibly supplemented by artillery shelling, in Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though the apportion of blame was unclear.

While all reports agreed that three civilians were killed in this event, they disagreed in terms of cause and responsibility.

While Step News Agency, Violations Documentation Center Syria and Masar Press all blamed Russian aerial shelling, Euphrates Post blamed the Syrian regime for launching rockets and artillery shelling.

Finally, Sound and Picture said that the three victims were killed by artillery shelling carried out by Iraqi forces – a very rare allegation in this context.

 

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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, Iraq Government Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The streets of Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, as it was struck by the contested shelling on November 23rd, 2017 (via Masar 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 November 4th - 20th 2017.


Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

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
    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, Iraq Government Forces, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2769

Incident date

November 29, 2018

Location

العباس و هجين, al-Abbas and Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one and as many as three civilians were killed in an airstrike in the al-Abbas/ Hajeen crossing in al Bukamal, local sources reported, though it was unclear who was to blame.

Step News Agency put the death toll at three while the others reported one male fatality, identified by name in multiple reports.

There were no reports of injuries.

While Step News Agency blamed Russia, the remaining reports did not apportion blame, merely referring to “warplanes”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Sameer Nayef al-Zaaiter
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (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 November 4th - 20th 2017.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1264

Incident date

September 13, 2016

Location

البزاعة, Bazaa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3829071, 37.56666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians including two children died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Bazaa village, according to local media. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia – though there was also one allegation against the Syrian regime.

LCCSY, Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian Press Center (SPC) all blamed Russia. SPC said three people died with 20 more injured – including children.

According to the Smart News Network, “Three civilians were killed including two children, and 20 more wounded including women and children in five raids, thought to have been carried out by Russia”.

Only one source, Syrianevent1, blamed the regime for the event – though a number didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18–20
  • 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]

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 – 3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18–20
  • 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

RS1297

Incident date

September 21, 2016

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.212011, 37.171227 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were killed in the al Maysar neighbourhood of Aleppo following heavy air strikes with cluster bombs, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes or regime helicopters were to blame.

@ShahbaPress, @Step_Agency, SNN, and @ALAMAWI all tweeted that one civilian was “martyred” in the strikes.

Alsharq said that cluster bombs were used, as did @shahed_alep and the Shaam News Network (SNN). The SNN report mentioned that phosphorus was used in other strikes that day in Aleppo, but was unclear on whether it was used specifically in al Maysar.

According to Alsharq, “many explosive barrels” (a weapon used by the Assad regime) were dropped on al Maysar on this day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • 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]

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 – 3
  • 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

RS1394

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Location

شيخ سعيد, al Sheikh Said, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.163899, 37.154603 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strikes in Sheik Said, Aleppo, killed up to three civilians.

“So_ria98” attributed the strike to Russia, while the media Zaman al-Wasl pointed to both the Assad regime and Russia.

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
  • 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 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
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1459

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8420186, 36.711974 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three women died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike Talbissa, according to sources on the ground.

Homs Media Centre added that 16 civilians were wounded in the incident.

There are no other details available at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khayria Al Naji
Age unknown female killed
Fatima Abdel-Kafi El-Marai
Age unknown female killed
Safia Shanat
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    16
  • 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]

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
    3
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    16
  • 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]