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

RS2758

Incident date

November 25, 2017

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Possible Russian warplanes struck the city of Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, killing at least one civilian, local media reported.

MasarPress, who blamed Russian warplanes, reported how Hajeen village and the crossing of the village of Abbas al-Nahari east of Deir al-Zour were struck by several raids, killing a total of four civilians. The report did not, however, specify how many were killed in Hajeen.

Meanwhile, Euphrates, who did not apportion blame, reported the death of one civilian man, identified by name and image.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Abdel-Hafez al-Hamid Ibrahim
Age unknown male from the city of Mayadeen killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mahmoud Abdel-Hafez al-Hamid Ibrahim was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian shelling of Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, November 25th, 2017 (via Euphrates Post)

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 – 4
  • (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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2761

Incident date

November 25, 2017

Location

مسرابا, Masraba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55027, 36.39659 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a massacre, between seven and 34 civilians were killed and as many as 80 were wounded in airstrikes on Masraba, according to local media. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

One source reported that as many as 15 children were killed. Another put the death toll for children as low as three.

Two of the dead were brothers, according to The Observatory.

The Observatory documented the killing of “21 civilians in the air strikes of the regime forces on the towns of Mesraba”.

Not only was a popular market on the main road struck, but civilian housing was seriously damaged in the raid.

Sources reported that five civilians faced amputations and the scene in the aftermath was descried as “horrific” and gruesome.

Images show members of the Syrian Civil Defence taking injured victims to a nearby medical facility in the aftermath.

One non-civilian adult male was listed by VDC, named Akram al-Hanafi.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghosoun Mouhammad al-Qabouni
Adult female killed
Yousef Mouhammad Abu Wahda
Adult male killed
Issam Mouhammad al-Khouli
Adult male killed
Adnan Jamal al-Khouli
Adult male killed
Omar Abd al-Mou'een al-Khouli
Adult male killed
Ahmad Ibraheem Shehada al-Hamoud
Adult male killed
Omar Mouhammad Abd al-Raheem
Adult male killed
Noor Mahmoud Mahjoub
Child female killed
Abd al-Rahman Mouhammad Mahjoub
Child male killed
Rasha Jasem al-Elwan
Child female killed
Ahmad Mouhammad al-Meshref
Adult male killed
Mahdi Mouhammad al-Meshref
Adult male killed
Sumaya Anas al-Shehab
Child female killed
Mansour Qasem al-Taweel
Adult male killed
Saeed Ibrahim Balleh
Adult male killed
Khaled al-Ali
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Hussein Shaker
Adult male killed
Mouhammad Yaser Awad
Child male killed
Son of Mouhammad al-Basha
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 34
  • (3–15 children1 woman12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–80
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via Step News Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via S.M.O Syria)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via Qasioun)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via @HadiAlabdallah)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via @Orient)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via @ghaliakabbani)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via @Doumamedical)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via @JinaShashaah)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via @amsiiraq)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via @SCDHOMS)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via Syria Care Arabic)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via Syria Care Arabic)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrikes in Masraba, 25th November 2017. (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)

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
    7 – 34
  • (3–15 children1 woman12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–80
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2757

Incident date

November 25, 2017

Location

السيال, al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.5713889, 40.9066667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, at between seven but and as many 21 civilians, including 12 children and three women, were killed as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in a camp for displaced people in al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that “suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on gathering of IDPs tents in Badiya between al Sayyal and al Ghabra villages of al Bukamal city in Deir Ez-Zour.”

The large majority of sources, such as Step News Agency and Free-Syria, reported that “at least” 11 civilians were killed, including seven members from one family.

However, the day after the incident, SN4HR put the death toll at “at least” 21 civilians, including 12 children and three women.

All know sources pointed to Russia as the culprit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 21
  • (12 children3 women)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • News report about the alleged Russian shelling of Deir Ezzor, including al-Sayyal, November 25th, 2017 (via Aljisr Satellite Channel)
  • The moment the alleged Russian warplanes struck al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, November 25th, 2017 (via Qaryat Alsayal)

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.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 21
  • (12 children3 women)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2760

Incident date

November 25, 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

An unspecified number of civilians were injured in airstrikes which struck a camp for displaced people in Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported.

Sources all attributed blame to the Russia.

Sources have reported that rockets were fired onto the vicinity.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2755

Incident date

November 25, 2017

Location

المشهد, al-Marshad, Idlib , Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported that an alleged Russian warplane had carried out an airstrike in al-Mashhad, the southern eastern Idlib countryside, resulting in the injury of “a number of civilians.”

As of now, no further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (1) [ 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.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2759

Incident date

November 5, 2017

Location

العباس, al Abbas river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that Russian warplanes struck “Hajeen village and the crossing of the village of Abbas al-Nahari east of Deir al-Zour, [with] several raids, killing 4 civilians.”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2754

Incident date

November 24, 2017

Location

مخيم سوق الرفاعي, Souh Al Rifa’i camp , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.461111, 40.396944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this incident, described by some as a “massacre”, up to 37 civilians, including children, women, and entire families were killed and dozens were wounded as Russia or the Assad regime carried out aerial shelling of Souh Al Rifa’i camp for displaced people in Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

The local reports differed to a great extent as the death toll spanned from three to as many as 36. However, as understanding of the events unfolded it became clear that the lower end of the death toll was closer to 21, yet 37 fatalities were named by sources.

According to the correspondent of DeirEzzor24; “the warplanes of the Assad forces targeted several missiles at the camp of Suh Rifai for displaced people (…), resulting in more than ten martyrs, including children and women.” Initially, DeirEzzor24 identified eight civilian fatalities by name, including women and children.

However, their correspondent added that the number of fatalities was expected to rise due to the “large number of injured, some of them in critical condition and due to the absence of medical services in the region.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at 21, said that 12 children and three women were among the fatalities.

Two days after the strikes, on November 26th, MadaSyriaMedia reported that the death toll had risen to 22, including 11 members of the Fahmi al-Kassar family and one Woman from al-Murabdeh.

36 civilians were later named by Euphrates Post, yet it remains unclear how many of these were children.

According to this source, “a large number” of civilians were left wounded while Thawra Suria referred to “dozens.”

Though the majority of reports identified Russia as responsible, the incident remains contested as DeirEzzor24 blamed the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Daughter of Deeb Alwahsh
Age unknown female killed
Child of the daughter of Deeb Alwahsh
Age unknown female killed
Child of the daughter of Deeb Alwahsh
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Daughter of Hamad Hamadah
Age unknown female killed
Daughter of Hamad Hamadah
Age unknown female killed

Family members (3)

daughter of Aboud Saleh al-Lok
4 years old female killed
The daughter of Aboud Saleh Al-Louk
10 years old female killed
The son of Muhaidi Saleh Al-Lok
14 years old male killed

Family members (3)

Ali Almouthri al Hama
Age unknown killed
The first sister of Ali al Hama
Age unknown female killed
The Second sister of Ali al Hama
Age unknown female killed

Family members (6)

Abdel Fazza Al-Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
The daughter of Abdul Fazza Al-Abdullah
Age unknown female killed
Second daughter of Abdul Fazza Al-Abdullah
Age unknown female killed
Third daughter of Abdul Fazza Al-Abdullah
Age unknown female killed
Sister Abdul Fazza Al-Abdullah
Age unknown female killed
Fazza Abdel Fazza Al-Abdullah
Age unknown male killed

Family members (12)

Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
Adult male killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed
Family member of Saad Fahmy Al-Kassar
killed

The victims were named as:

Hassan al-Wahish al-Hamad al-Juru)
Age unknown male killed
The child of Ibn Muhammad Al-Hamad
Child killed
Wife of Awad al-Ubaid al-Ali
Age unknown female killed
Abdel Hamid Al-Muhaisen
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Sabah Al-Khuzaim
Age unknown male killed
Wife of Mahawi Al-Sharjee
Age unknown female killed
The daughter Mahil Al Sharjee
Age unknown female killed
A martyr [female] from the family of Al Murabdeh
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 37
  • (2–12 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ 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.

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
    21 – 37
  • (2–12 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2753

Incident date

November 24, 2017

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One named civilian was killed by airstrikes striking in the Al-Abbas river crossing, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, several media reported, though no-one identified the culprit.

The victim was identified by name and photo by multiple sources, though no further information about the strike was provided. However, the same victim, Haj Abdul Karim al-Aran (al-Jameel), was also reported killed in a strike in Hasarat on November 23rd (RS2750).

Finally – while most sources reported about unidentified airstrikes killing one civilian, Newsjorf reported as the only one four civilian deaths, while blaming “an air raid believed to be an Iraqi attack”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haj Abdul Karim al-Aran Abu Jamil
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Iraq Government Forces, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Haj Abdul Karim al-Aran Abu Jamil was killed by the airstrikes in Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, November 24th, 2017 (via @Ahmad_1alshble)

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Iraq Government Forces, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]