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

RS2055

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6477913, 36.6591881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten and as many as dozens of civilians were wounded in three alleged Russian airstrikes on the National Hospital in Maarat al Numan in rural Idlib, according to multiple local sources. Reports stated that the hospital, which served 500,000 people in Idlib and nearby areas of Hama, was rendered out of service and that patients, including children in incubators had to be transferred to other medical facilities. The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations condemned the attack, saying that it could be considered a war crime.

The media activist, Jaber Abu Mohammed told Alaraby: “One raid targeted the ambulance department, while a second hit the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The rockets fell in the third on the top floor, which led to significant damage to the construction and equipment.”

According to RFS Media Centre, “the Russian bombardment of Maarat al-Nu’man hospital came days after the bombing of the hospital in the northern Lebanese town of Latamna, which also rendered that hospital out of service.”

Reports of the number of civilians wounded in this attack varied. The Smart News Agency put the figure at 10 including a child and a nurse. However, Idlib Media Centre said that “dozens” were injured.

Geroun reported that “Farhan Haq, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, confirmed on that attacks on medical facilities and hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib in northern Syria over the past few days ‘could amount to a war crime.'”

Geroun’s report went on to give some context to this event: “Russian airliners and airliners are targeting facilities and medical points operating in areas beyond their control. The most recent of these was the targeting Al-Latamah hospital in the northern Hama district with a barrel of chlorine poison gas; 30 people were suffocated, while the hospital director, Dr. Ali Darwish, died.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Translation: ' Russian troops bomb the national hospital in the town of Ma'rat al-Nu'man in the countryside # Idlib, on April 2. # Network_Suria'
  • Translation: '10 people injured in three air strikes targeting the national hospital in the city of # Ma'arra_Nanman in rural Idlib, and the civil defense teams rushed to search and rescue'
  • Damaged equipment in the National Hospital, Maarat al Numan, following an alleged Russian airstrike April 2nd 2017 (via RFS)
  • The National Hospital, Maarat al Numan, following an alleged Russian airstrike April 2nd 2017 (via RFS)
  • The National Hospital, Maarat al Numan, following an alleged Russian airstrike April 2nd 2017 (via RFS)
  • The National Hospital, Maarat al Numan, following an alleged Russian airstrike April 2nd 2017 (via RFS)
  • Damaged equipment in the National Hospital, Maarat al Numan, following an alleged Russian airstrike April 2nd 2017 (via RFS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the National Hospital, Ma'rat al-Nu'man, April 2nd (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the National Hospital, Ma'rat al-Nu'man, April 2nd (via Alaraby)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the National Hospital, Ma'rat al-Nu'man, April 2nd (via Alaraby)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the National Hospital, Ma'rat al-Nu'man, April 2nd (via Alaraby)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2059

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Location

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.429388, 36.49078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three civilians from the same family – including a child and a woman – were killed, and up to four more were wounded, following a raid on Kafr Nbouda. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, except the Syrian Network for Human Righhst who pointed to both Russia and the Assad regime. which blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Video footage published by the Syrian Civil Defence shows dead and wounded civilians trapped under the rubble. Members of the Civil Defence worked into the night to dig them out.

A journalist reported to Smart News that “it is not clear how many [wounded] were transferred to nearby medical points”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead and wounded civilians are pulled from the rubble following a raid on their home in Kafr Nbouda, 3rd April 2017. (via Syria Civil Defence)

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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

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
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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

RS2060

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians were killed and up to 15 more were injured following an alleged Russia or Assad regime missile strike on Khan Sheikhoun.

Syria News Desk said that up to 20 people were killed and wounded, specifying that three civilians were killed, meaning as many as 17 were likely injured in the raid.

Aljazeera put the death toll at four civilians.

Additional reporting suggested that many civilians were trapped under the rubble and sustained serious injures. Syria News Desk added that the death toll was likely to rise due to serious injures, such as amputations. Furthermore, the hospital asked for a blood donation through “wireless observatories” from members of the public.

According to Smart News, there were more than four rocket attacks in various locations within Khan Sheikhoun city. Idlib Media Centre added that C5 missiles were used in the raid. 

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to Russia, though Ahmad Sheiko blamed “Al-Sukhoi warplanes of the regime for launching an airstrike on residential neighbourhoods of Khan Sheikhoun”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–17
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment a missile hit Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd April 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The exact moment a missile hit Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd April 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The exact moment a missile hit Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd April 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Translation: 'The moment warplanes with S8 missiles struck the western neighborhood of the city of Khan Sheikun in the southern Idlib countryside.'

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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–17
  • 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

RS2062

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Location

بزابور, Bzabor, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.774919, 36.615474 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bzabor, local media said. Both sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes.

According to SMO, “activists reported that the Russian occupation aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Khan Sheikun and the town of Bazabor, killing three people and wounding others.” 

Whereas Step reported “Russian planes target Bzabor town killing a civilian and injuring another in southern Idlib”.

There are no other details at this time.

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ 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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2066

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55869, 36.36515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported the death of one civilian and injury of several more in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Harasta.

The Smart News Agency reported: “The civil defense said that a civilian was killed and another wounded by two aircraft strikes on the area linking the town of Madara and the city of Harasta (5 km northeast of Damascus). Activists suggested that the warplanes belonging to the regime forces bombed the city of Harasta with space rockets.”

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an “aerial bombardment targeted Harasta and killed a man and wounded others.”

 

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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'Evacuation of the injured as a result of the aerial bombardment of the area between the town of Manara and the city of Harasta 03-04-2017'

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

  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2063

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Location

النقير, Al-Nakir, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.499547, 36.540818 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult female civilian was reported  wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on the outskirts of Al-Nakir.

There were no details of any other wounded civilians or any casualties.

There are no other details at this time.

The incident occured at 17:25:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ 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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2058

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Location

حلفايا, Halfaya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.261787, 36.606151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young man was killed, and several more were wounded, following an air or artillery strike on Halfaya. Sources were conflicted as to who whether this was the work of Russia or the regime, though most reports pointed to the regime.

Most sources blamed Syrian regime rocket launches and barrel bombs.

There were no specific reports indicating the number of wounded civilians – though reports noted that people were injured.

According to multiple sources, including Al Jazeera, the raids were to counter a “a large ground offensive on the armed opposition sites in the area”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed al-Awad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 (8) [ 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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

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
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2064

Incident date

April 3, 2017

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

As many as five civilians were killed – including a child and two women – and others were injured, following an alleged air and artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime for the raids.

According to Abohanin617 and Shehab there were multiple strikes on eastern Ghouta in the countryside Damascus since the morning of the 3rd of April, resulting in dozens injured and wounded.

Civilian homes were reportedly damaged in the strikes. Footage shows injured civilians being carried from their homes amidst the chaos of the aftermath.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians are carried from the wreckage of their homes in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Sky2018 - originally Civil Defence footage)
  • The exact moments an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Aladeya)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians are carried from the wreckage of their homes in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Nawras)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Aladeya)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Aladeya)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Smart)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Abohanin617)
  • A civilian being rescued from the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Shehab)
  • A civilian being rescued from the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Shehab)
  • A civilian being rescued from the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Shehab)
  • A civilian being rescued from the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 3rd April 2017. (via Shehab)

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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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]