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

RS2551

Incident date

September 27, 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

Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town on Facebook said: “A number of civilians were injured as a result of four air strikes by Russian warplanes carrying cluster bombs targeting the eastern neighborhood of Khan Shikhun in the southern Idlib countryside.”

A woman was injured by bombs from warplanes, believed to be Russian, on Khan Sheikhoun, Smart News Agency reported.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2550

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

قرية الزعينية , al Zayniyeh village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.841314, 36.225318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was killed and six others injured as a result of airstrikes, likely to be Russian, reportedly targeted houses in the village of al Zayniyeh, according to Smart News.

Other sources reported one adult male killed and a number of other civilians wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Mustafa Amro
Adult male

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2549

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

سنجار العوجة , Al A'wja and Sinjar, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.635442, 37.021793 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed and others were injured as a result of an airstrike, likely to be Russian, on the road between al A’wja and Sinjar in rural Idlib, according to an Idlib Media Centre Facebook post.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

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

RS2548

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

اليعقوبية, al Ya’koubiya town, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.920004, 36.313441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly killed and as many as 15 others were wounded in an airstrike on the village of al Ya’koubiya by warplanes, according to the Idlib Media Centre. Sources all either attributed the blame to Russia or did not blame a belligerent.

The local hospital published a list of 13 named victims who were suffering from injuries.

There was some material damage to the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bayan Maher Ghalia
16 years old female killed
Ahmed Walid Doubleau
33 years old injured
Walid Doublo
60 years old injured
Nawar Mustafa Doublou
27 years old injured
Khaled Abdel Salam Bashoush
47 years old injured
Ziad Ahmed Jerji
45 years old injured
Ahmed Ziad Jerji
17 years old injured
Ahlam Zaher Abdo
12 years old injured
Zaher Mustafa Abdo
35 years old injured
Rashid Mustafa Abdo
5 years old injured
Khaled Adham Al - Omar
Age unknown injured
Ahmed Abdel-Karim Obaid
Age unknown injured
Nour Yousef Haj Khedr
2 years old injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2547

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

Bdama, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.811903, 36.202275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six people were wounded after an airstrike, believed to be Russian, hit the town of Bdama near Idlib, according to local media.

The planes struck several sites holding armed groups, according to media, including Jisr al-Shughour, Bdama, Qunya, al-Sanameh, Yacoubiya, and Abu al-Dahour.

There was much material damage.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bdama, 27th September 2017. (via Qasioun News)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bdama, 27th September 2017. (via Qasioun News)
  • The exact moment airstrikes hit Bdama, 27th September 2017. (via @ShehabAgency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2546

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

التمانعة , Al-Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reportedly injured by an airstrike, likely to be Russian, on the town of al Tamana’a in Idlib on September 27th, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian C25 planes for the raids.

According to “Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town”, there were more than 18 Russian raids on the town of Al-Tamana’a in half an hour. “Five aircraft took turns in the raids causing light injuries to one man and one woman.  C8 warplanes used vacuum missiles and bunker busting missiles cause destruction on homes of civilians.”

A farm was also damaged in the raid.

One source reported that helicopters were sighted at the scene.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A farm struck by alleged Russian warplanes, 27th September 2017. (via Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town)

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
    4
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1533 RS2543

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

البلعوم, Al Mayadin, Al Baloum neighbourhood, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians, including one woman and one child, were reported killed following airstrikes on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor governorate. The Coalition and Russian warplanes were blamed by local media.

According to Al Natek, Russian raids targeted the city resulting in four civilians deaths. Smart also believed the attack was carried out by Russian warplanes, asserting that four died including one woman and one child.

However Step accused the Coalition, alleging that “More than five raids by the international coalition targeted Ina’ash al Reef and the water crossing and near al Rahba castle in the city of al Mayadin”.

Nasser Khalifa Al A’yada, his wife Houria Al Jaber and his nephew Ahmad Abd al-Khalifa Al A’yada were listed as killed by the Euphrates Post. However there was some confusion, as in a subsequent Euphrates Post report no civilians casualties were mentioned. In a third Euphrates Post report, it referred to “military aircraft believed to be members of the International Alliance” as culprits. According to the source “the house of Mr. Ahmad Al Hamad Al-Aboud and Al-Zubari and Al Toub and Sa’alo on the main Deir Ezzor – al Mayadeen road” were targeted.

The shelling reportedly focused on the house of Mr. Khalif Al A`yada an the houses adjacent to it.

In addition to the charred bodies and the fall of many wounded in the neighbourhood, a petrol shop was also bombed in front of Nasser al-Khalif’s home, and a fire broke out as a result of the burning of many cars.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, said that “Syrian regime forces killed several civilians from one family on September 26th in Al Mayadin”.

The incident occured at 01:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Nasser Khalifa Al A’yada
Adult male Husband killed
Houria Al Jaber
Adult female Wife killed
Ahmad Abd al-Khalifa Al A’yada
Age unknown male Nephew killed

The victims were named as:

Laith Allawi al-Jabr
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Jamal Jamal al-Ja'ayleh
  • Image supposedly showing the impact of the strikes
  • News bulletin in the aftermath. (via Jisr satellite Channel)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a burned body in the aftermath. (via Almayadin today)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Baloum (البلعوم) neighbourhood/roundabout in the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین). Sources also mention multiple additional strikes in different areas of the city: Ina’ash Al Reef, the water crossing, Al Rahba castle and a possible second airstrike on Al Baloum that didn’t result in any civilian casualties. The coordinates for the Al Baloum (البلعوم) roundabout are: 35.030682, 40.429162.

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 al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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 September 25th – 26th the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 25, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a fighting position, a heavy machine gun, and an IED.”

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
    3 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2538

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

Qaiqoun village [al Qaderiya], Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.898908, 36.309807 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five civilians, among them two children, were killed and up to seven others wounded in an airstrike on Qainoun village, according to local sources.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 2 children were killed when suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on Qayqoun (al Qaderiya) village in Idlib governorate western suburbs on September 26, 2017.”

The Smart News Agency, citing the civil defence, reported the “killing of five civilians and injury of six others in other raids on the town of Qadriya”. The source didn’t identify the culprit.

Multiple sources published a very graphic image of one of the child victims, Mostafa Rashed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mostafa Rashed
Child killed
Ibrahiem Rashed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qaiqoun village [al Qaderiya], Sept 26th.
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qaiqoun village [al Qaderiya], Sept 26th.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mostafa Rashed, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Qaderiya, Sept 26th (via Abdul Halluf)

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
    2 – 5
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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]