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

RS2507

Incident date

September 24–25, 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

At least one male civilian was killed and three others were wounded in six alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khan Sheikhun in southern Idlib as reported by local sources.

Saidat al Yasmin reported that “A squadron of Russian planes in the sky of the province of Idlib” – highlighting the presence of Russian planes.

According to Al Latamna Youth, three of the casualties were members of the same family, including the man killed, his sister in law who had to have her leg amputated, and another relative that lost an eye.

There were conflicting reports given as to when the incident occurred, with Smart News Agency reporting that it occurred along with other incidents on Sunday night (September 24th) while Al Latamna Youth claimed that it happened on September 25th.

The city’s civil defence spokesman Anas al-Diab told Smart News Agency that Russian planes were suspected to have carried out the airstrikes. Smart News Agency and Al Latamna Youth were the only sources to report on the incident and both identified Russian planes as responsible.

The incident occured at 04:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Mhammed Khaled al-Muhammad
26 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Mohammed Khaled al-Muhammad, killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against Khan Sheikhoun on September 24th/September 25th, 2017 (via Al Latamna Youth Facebook)

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
    3
  • 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

RS2497

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

خان السبل, Khan al Subul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.753927, 36.770468 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians and five alleged members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – a militant Islamist group – were killed and seven other civilians and four members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Khan al Subul in southeast Idlib. All sources attributed the blame to Russian missiles.

According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes struck Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s headquarters in Khan al Subul.

Aleppo Eyewitness later added that four displaced civilians were killed whilst sheltering in a school due to Russian warplanes. Zaiton Magazine also added that “Four martyrs as an initial death toll and others under the rubble following the targeting of the Russian occupation aircraft on a school, housing a large number of displaced people in the town of #Khan_AlSabal”.

One source reported that “four gunmen were killed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and others were injured”, suggesting militants were killed by militants.

It is unclear whether these attacks were different or separate, however the date and vicinity are the same.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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

RS2499

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

كفرحلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.062057, 36.871512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and two to eight others were injured in four airstrikes against the village of Kafr Halab in southwest Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing the blame to Russia while others, such as Aleppo24, blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The military information centre in Kafr Halab told Smart News Agency that the aircraft responsible for the attack were “likely to be Russian” and those that were injured sought medical attention nearby.

RFS Media Office reported that “Russian air raids targeted farmers during their work in agricultural land near the town of Kafr Aleppo, killing a farmer and wounding two others.” It was later added by another source that it was specifically a cattle farm.

A local media activist tweeted that vacuum missiles were used in the raids.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment an airstrike hit the farm in Kafr Halab, 24th September 2017. (via Marsad sarmada)
  • The moment an airstrike hit the farm in Kafr Halab, 24th September 2017. (via Shehab Press)

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
    8
  • 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

RS2502

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

سلمية, Salamiya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.012175, 37.053022 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, including a woman and her three children, were killed and others, including two children, were wounded in airstrikes against the neighbourhoods of Salamiya east of Hama in central Syria, according to local sources.

Many sources, such as Smart News Agency, did not identify who was responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. Airwars researches believe that either Russia, the Syrian regime or ISIS were responsible for the raids which killed civilians. The town was under the control of the Syrian regime so researches have suggested it was unlikely to be Russian or regime.

Four dead civilians were taken to the hospital, including two children, in addition to three wounded, two of them seriously injured by the shrapnel of rocket shells – according to an Al-alam tv report. They also reported the attacks were from Da’esh.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • 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
    Unknown, ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment the strike hit, 24th September 2017. (via Elnashra)

Unknown Assessment:

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

ISIS Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • 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
    Unknown, ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2508

Incident date

September 24–25, 2017

Location

قرية معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6675976, 36.7290564 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians, including a woman, were killed and four others, including three children, were injured in two alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Ma’ar Shoreen in northern Syria, as reported by local sources.

According to Smart News, all of those affected by the airstrikes were from the same family and included a woman who was killed immediately by the airstrikes, her husband who later died of his injuries, and their three children that sustained injuries ranging from light to medium in seriousness.

One local source tweeted that there were as many as five injured civilians from one family. A bride and groom were included in the injured.

In an interview with local woman around 0’20” in the Qasioun footage, ‘the planes were flying all night over us. My son and I were asleep. We were fast asleep when the missile hit us.  God protected us and we were rescued. Some people were killed, others lost their homes and kids were crying. We were all crying, we were in a real state. This is no way to live.. God protected us.. What have we done to deserve this? Are our kids terrorists? Let them fight elsewhere. We are simple people we’re citizens.

The airstrikes reportedly struck an apartment building and a factory, which resulted in rendering the factory unable to continue manufacturing. Yusif al-Jarrak, one of the plant’s shareholders, told Smart News Agency that the damage to the the machines and warehouses resulted in a loss of between $50,000-60,000.

Smart News Agency gave conflicting reports as to when the airstrikes took place, reporting in one article that it was among airstrikes that occurred Sunday night (September 24th) while reporting in another article that it was carried out early in the day Monday (September 25th), which is when Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the airstrike occured. However, in both articles published by Smart News Agency and the report by Syrian Network for Human Rights, all identified Russian planes as responsible for perpetrating the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghadal al Omar
Age unknown killed
Ahmad Abd al Wahab al Omar
Age unknown cause of death is russian strikes but place of death listed as turkey [so maybe died as a result of injuries? killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes. (via Qasioun)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes. (via Step)

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
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2503

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

مخيم النور, al Nour camp, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.186607, 36.75637 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 13 civilians were injured, including three in a critical condition, by alleged Russian airstrikes against al Nour refugee camp in the town of Jarjanaz, according to local activists.

Sources either identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes or did not attribute blame.

According to Smart News Agency, around 20 tents in the refugee camp were destroyed by the airstrikes. The property of displaced peoples was also destroyed.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Al Laith al A’ss)

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
    13
  • 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

RS2504

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

البويب, al Boueb, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

31.464395, 35.155867 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were injured in airstrikes against the village of al Boueb in the Shahshabo mountain in the western Hama countryside. Media blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

The “warplanes” which launched three raids on the vicinity were unidentified by some media. It was reported that the village “[is] inhabited by purely civilians working as shepherds. There are no more than 25 families in this village living in 15 houses.”

No specific estimate was given as to how many 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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2500

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

قرية الشيخ سنديان, al Sheikh Sundian village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians were killed, including a family of three, and three others, including a woman, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of al Sheikh Sundian, according to local media.

According to the sources that reported on the incident, Russian planes were likely responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

Some sources such as SN4HR reported that four civilians were killed, whereas others put the figures at three. There were however five names published overall by local media, including VDC.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Sharifa Abd al Wahi Dico
Age unknown female from al Sarminia killed
Mariam abd al Wahid Dico
Age unknown female wife of Ahmad Jawdat Qarout killed

The victims were named as:

Abdel Hadi from al Qarqour Hama
Age unknown male son of Ahmad Jawdat Qarout killed
Mohammad Jawdat Qarout
Age unknown male from al Qarqour Hama killed
Ahmad Jawdat Qarout
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Jawdat Qarout, killed in airstrikes on al Sheikh Sundian village, 24th September 2017. (via VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim is taken from the scene in the aftermath of airstrikes on al Sheikh Sundian village, 24th September 2017. (via @allazkani95)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]