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

RS2744

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Location

زملكازملكا, Zamalka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Possible Russian airstrikes hit Zamalka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported, resulting in three civilian injuries.

Several media reported that Zamalka was subject to aerial shelling. According to @Hamza42129319, the town was hit by four raids.

However, only Smart News Agency reported that the strikes had caused civilian harm: “Three wounded [civilians] by warplanes likely to be Russian raid on the city of Zamaleka in rural Damascus”.

Also, Smart News Agency was the only available source that attributed blame.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ 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
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2746

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Location

القورية, Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.96, 40.55 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, a father and son, were killed and at least another two were wounded as an unidentified drone struck in Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, local sources reported.

In the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights general reporting from the Euphrates River, the media reported that “two men were killed and another were wounded after being targeted by a drone in al-Quriyah area.”

Several sources reported that the two victims, both identified by name, were father and son.

Meanwhile, @mo7ama6 reported three civilian fatalities along with “dozens of wounded”. However, it should be noted that it said that the airstrike struck the Suf al-Rifai camp which is a few kilometers from al-Qouriya.

Finally, Sharqiya Voice, reported that two victims were “injured in the eyes, as they were targeted by an unmanned drone after they lost their way and approached the front line of IS in the city of Qouriya.”

None of the sources apportioned blame, but as the event took place on the Syrian regime/Russian side of the river, both are, as of now, suspected belligerents.

Also, it is unclear whether the strikes in the Suf al-Rifai camp are the same as reported by the two other sources, but as of now, they will be treated as the same incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Ali Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al-Aboud
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Hamid Al-Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Sayel
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al-Aboud reportedly died in an unidentified air or drone strike along with his young son in Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, November 20th, 2017 (via Ahmad Al Kar`an)
  • Ali Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al-Aboud reportedly died in an unidentified air or drone strike along with his father in Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, November 20th, 2017 (via Ahmad Al Kar`an)

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 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2743

Incident date

November 19, 2017

Location

مديرا, Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.544613, 36.3861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians, including four children and one woman, were killed while as many as dozens were wounded, local media reported, following Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in Madyara village, aastern Ghouta, Damascus.

While the death toll spanned from five to seven, most reported six civilian fatalities.

For example, The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “Six civilians (four children and their parents) killed as Syrian- Russian alliance warplanes fired missiles on Madyara village in Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus suburbs governorate on November 19 2017.”

Several sources tweeted the names of six victims from the same family, including Violations Documentation Center for Syria (VDC).

The Step News Agency put the death toll at seven, adding that “dozens” more were wounded.

Enabbaladi reported on regime strikes in Eastern Ghouta: “According to statistics published by Al-Gawta Media Center on Saturday (November 18th), 14 children and eight women were killed after the aerial bombardment of the eastern towns and villages of Ghouta.”

Sources were, however, conflicting in terms of culpability, as blame was attributed to both Russia and the Syrian regime across the reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Mahrous al-Zein
Adult male The father killed
Fadia Shahrour
Adult female The mother
Bassam Al-Zain
Child male killed
Wissam Al-Zain
Child male killed
Raghad Al-Zain
Child female killed
Noor Al-Zain
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • "Image shows a member of civil defense holding body parts of victim of massacre committed by Syrian-Russian alliance warplanes in Madyara village in Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus suburbs governorate, on November 19, 2017." (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • Aftermath of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, aastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via Abdullah Mustafa)
  • Some of the victims of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via Abdullah Mustafa)
  • One of the child victims of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via Abdullah Mustafa)
  • Many parts of eastern Ghouta were subject to aerial shelling on November,19th, 2017, depicted on the footage, possibly from Madyara village (via Sakrr121)
  • Aftermath of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via @op2065)
  • Aftermath of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via @op2065)
  • Aftermath of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via @op2065)

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

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
    5 – 7
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2763

Incident date

November 18–28, 2017

Location

الباغوز, Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A child died from his wounds following a shrapnel injury from a Russian air and artillery strike, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russian and Syrian regime raids.

It is unclear which date the original strike occurred.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amir Mohammed Tayeh Sheikh Hamad
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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

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 child)
  • 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

RS2741

Incident date

November 18, 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

A single source reported that seven civilians, including two children, were killed in an airstrike undertaken by an “unknown” belligerent in Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, on November 18th.

Smart News reported that “seven civilians, including two children, were killed and 20 others were wounded in an “unknown” aerial bombardment of a camp for displaced people in Deir al-Zour, near the town of Hajin, 95 kilometers east of Deir al-Zour city, activists said on Saturday.”

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2739

Incident date

November 17, 2017

Location

السوسة, Al-Sousse, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One male civilian was killed in airstrikes on Al-Sousse, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes.

An image published shows the victim to be wearing military style dress and carrying a gun suggesting he may be a militant. Despite this, all sources reported he was a civilian.

There were no reported injuries.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Kahhar Gharib Al-Amash Al Ghazi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Rebel Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Kahhar Gharib Al-Amash Al Ghazi, killed in airstrikes on Al-Sousse, 17th Nov 2017. (via Mohammad Mukhlef algokifi)

Rebel Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Rebel Forces
  • Rebel Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Rebel Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2740

Incident date

November 17, 2017

Location

River crossing between al Duweir and Graneej, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.76714, 40.650959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Euphrates post reported:  “Military aircraft launched several air raids today [Nov 17th] targeting the crossing of the town of Al-Dweir River – the town of Graneej – which led to the destruction of all cars and river vessels and the wounding of a number of civilians”.

Other sources said the regime carried out strikes, while Zaman al wasl pointed to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The river crossing between الدوير al Duweir and غرانيج Graneej, Deir Ezzor, was reportedly hit by a strike on Nov 17th (via Euphrates Post)

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
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2738

Incident date

November 17, 2017

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians were killed, and as many as 11 were wounded in air and artillery strikes on the popular market and residential homes in Arbeen. Sources blamaed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

According to local sources, there were between seven and 13 raids on the vicinity which caused mass local damage.

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence carried out rescue operations in the vicinity and transferred victims to medical points.

One image shows a young wounded girl receiving medical treatment in the aftermath.

The raids allegedly began in the morning and were long and intensive forcing people to leave their homes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Omer Safsaf
Adult male killed
Anwar Ali Mosa
Adult male killed
Abd al-Razzaq al-Marji
Adult male killed
Khaled Qwaider "al-Rahawan"
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via Arbeen Media Office)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Omar Safsaf, killed in airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via goutaDamas)
  • Anwar Ali Mosa, killed in airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via goutaDamas)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Omar Safsaf, killed in airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via goutaDamas)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via SCD Eastren Ghouta)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim in the aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via Zamanalwasl)
  • Sighting of jets before the raids, Arbeen 17th Nov 2017. (via @SiegeWatch)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via @Syria4Twitte)
  • An injured child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 17th Nov 2017. (via @said_abusbaih)

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
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]