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

RS2312

Incident date

June 29, 2017

Location

جديدة بكارة, Jadida Bakara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.243656, 40.366945 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male died, and ” a number of others” were wounded, in an airstrike on Jadida Bakara desert, according to local media. Almost all sources blamed Russian shelling for the civilian casualties, however, two sources did not apportion blame.

Euphrates Post reported that “Hammadi Aboud al-A’tish (civilian) was killed in a military air strike which targeted the village of Jadida Bakara”.

Free DeirEzzor also reported the death “in addition to the wounding of a number of civilians”. 

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hammadi Aboud al-A’tish
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hammadi Aboud al-A’tish, killed in an airstrike on Jadida Bakara, 29th June 2017. (via VDC)

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 June 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

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

RS2313

Incident date

June 29, 2017

Location

دير الزور, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was seriously injured and his father was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground.

It was reported that “a young man from Deir al-Azur was hit by Russian-made cluster munitions and is now desperately in need of treatment. Name: Daoud Makhlaf Yassin.

Daoud was severely injured during a cluster bomb attack by Russian aircraft on his home in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor The bombardment caused parts of his body to be mutilated, a large section of the head lashes and an 80% paralysis in the lower limbs and other burns in the back and shoulder were lost. … [he] requires an urgent process to implant platinum plates in the skull bone, and the vaccination of head lashes, and another operation in the spinal cord as it is currently fully seated due to nerve damage in the bone.”

According to the source, his father was also killed during the raid.

The source asked for donations or European doctors to aid the young man.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Daoud Makhlaf Yassin
Adult male injured
Father of Daoud Makhlaf Yassin
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the injured man in the aftermath of an alleged Russian cluster bomb on Deir Ezzor, 29th June 2017. (via Ahmad Adel)

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 June 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1137 RS2313a

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Location

المجاوده, Majawdeh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6574984, 40.7948971 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and a number of others were injured following airstrikes on Majawdeh, roughly 85km southeast of Deir Ezzor. However responsibility was contested.

The victim was identified by a number of sources, which also reported that his wife and daughter were injured.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that the wife of Hadlan had also died, but it was the only source out of many to do so.

Two of the ten sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was “likely” responsible whereas one source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, alleged that the Syrian government was behind the attack and published images of cluster munitions which it claimed were used. The remaining sources said that the warplanes were unidentified or did not make any reference as to who was responsible within their reports.

The victims were named as:

Raed Subhi al Hadlan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Raed Subhi al-Hadlan, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Majawdeh, 1st July 2017. (via Dier Ezzor24)
  • Raed Subhi al-Hadlan, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Majawdeh, 1st July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Evidence of cluster munition remnants in the aftermath of the alleged Coalition raid on 1st July 2017. (via Sharqiya voice)
  • Evidence of cluster munition remnants in the aftermath of the alleged Coalition raid on 1st July 2017. (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

The village is 85 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor, according to SMART News Agency. It used to be known as “Al-Qataa”. Coordinates: 34.6574984, 40.7948971. However, munition shown in two photos published on social media likely shows AO-2.5RTM / AO-2.5RT cluster munition, suggesting this was an attack by the Syrian Arab Air Force or the Russian Air Force.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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 Majawdeh, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 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 June 30th-July 1st, the Coalition reported: ” Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed six ISIS oil tanks, three well heads and two oil trucks.” It additionally reported that “On June 30, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four ISIS-held buildings, two command and control nodes and three oil stills.”

For July 1st-2nd: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed 20 ISIS oil storage barrels and six oil tankers.”

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2314

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

رسم العوابد, Rasim Al-Awabid, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.002409, 37.46019 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russian airstrike killed up to four civilians, including two children and wounded several as the village of Rasim Al-Awad in Hama was struck from the air, local media reported.

Most sources reported the death of two male children. @AlkhaleejOnline’s correspondent reported that “two children were killed and a number of wounded in an air raid on the village of Rasim Al-Awad”. The two children were identified by name by several sources.

Only one source, M-Syria-d News, reported that the airstrike had killed four civilians, including two children.

All of the known sources identified Russia as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghaith Ziad Mouhammad al-Obeid
Child male killed
Ahmad Jomaa al-Shayesh
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2314A

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

حطلة , Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were killed and as many as 11 were wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes in Hatla, Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

Deir Ezzor24 reported that the “warplanes launched several raids” leading to “many” civilian casualties, while most sources reported between two and three fatalities. Two male victims are identified by name. 

However, on July 5th, Euphrates Post reported that Asaad Awad Al-Nasr, the wife of the son of Awwad Al-Nasr, died from the wounds she sustained by the airstrikes on July 2nd. Her death raises the initial death toll to four. 

At least two and as many as 11 civilians were wounded. Euphrates Post also identified one child who was among the wounded.

The airstrikes struck next to the al-Halabiya roundabout in Hatla, several media mentioned. Free Deir Ezzor added that the three victims had died a so-called al-Ahmadi resturant near the train station.

It is unclear when the incident took place. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it occurred during the night while Euphrates Post reported it took place around noon.

Among the sources who identified a culprit, all pointed to Russia. The remaining did not attribute blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mukhles Al-Azzawi
Age unknown male killed
Abdulqader Osman
Age unknown male killed
Asaad Awad Al-Nasr
Age unknown female killed
Hazem Mekdad Al-Nasr
Child male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–11
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Hatla, Deir Ezzor, July 2nd, 2017 (via Euphrates Post)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Hatla, Deir Ezzor, July 2nd, 2017 (via Euphrates Post)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Hatla, Deir Ezzor, July 2nd, 2017 (via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Hazem Mekdad Al-Nasr was reportedly among the wounded following the contested airstrike in Hatla, Deir Ezzor, July 2nd, 2017 (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–11
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2315

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

مخيم الحقاف, Hakaf Camp, Sweida, Syria

Geolocation

33.002185, 36.710386 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this incident, described as a “massacre”, between ten and 20 civilians, including children and women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian or Assad-waged warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Hekaf Camp, Sweida, local media reported.

Several airstrikes reportedly hit on the afternoon of July 2nd Haqaf camp in Sweida, which is home to displaced Syrians. al-Araby reported that Russian-waged warplanes had dropped cluster bombs. 

Sources reported between ten and 20 civilian casualties. The highest death toll was given by Zaman al-Wasl, who cited Saad al-Haj, head of the Information Office, who said that between 16 and 20 civilians had been killed.

But most sources reported about 16 fatalities, including three to four children and three to six women. The Violation Documentation Centre (VDC) identified 16 victims by name, three male children, six women and seven men.

Among the victims was the al-Shu’ail family, who, according to Smart News, was from the al Hadia clan.

Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while a smaller portion blamed the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Enab Baladi attributed blame to both.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Bkhaitan al-Shaail
Adult male killed
Daughter of Bkhaitan al-Shaail
Adult female killed
Daughter of Bkhaitan al-Shaail
Adult female killed
Daughter of Bkhaitan al-Shaail
Adult female killed
Son of Bkhaitan al-Shaail
Adult male killed
Son of Bkhaitan al-Shaail
Adult male killed

Family members (9)

Abdulla al-Shaail
Adult male killed
Son of Abdulla al-Shaail
Child male killed
Son of Abdulla al-Shaail
Child male killed
Isa al-Shaail
Adult male killed
Son of Isa al-Shaail
Adult male killed
Son of Isa al-Shaail
Adult male killed
Son of Jameel al-Shaail
Child male killed
Daughter of Jameel al-Shaail
Adult female killed
Daughter of Jameel al-Shaail
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Sbaiteh al-Sayah
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Some of the victims following the the contested airstrikes in Hekaf, Sweida, July 2nd, 2017 (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 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
    10 – 20
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2316

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

الضاحك, al-Dahek, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.590259, 39.295349 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians from the same family, including children and women, were killed and several were wounded as airstrikes, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, struck the village of al-Dahek, on the countryside of al-Sukhna, Homs, local media reported.

The Violations Documentations Center identified four victims; one child, two women and one adult man. Meanwhile, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that among the four victims were two children and one woman. Revo.palmyra3 mentioned that the female victim Haqla Shehab al-Barmil was a “young woman” which possibly explains the unclarity regarding her age.

Sources did not specify the number of wounded, but merely reported about “several”.

While most sources attributed blame to Russia, SN4HR reported that the “the Russia-Syrian alliance” was to blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Hameed al-Ahmad al-Barmil
Adult male killed
Son of Hameed al-Barmil
Child male killed
Haqla Shehab al-Barmil
Adult female killed
Reem Ali al-Barmil
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 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 (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 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
    4
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2317

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Location

السخنة, al-Sukhna, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported: “a number of air raids targeted the vicinity of the city of Sukhna and some of its neighbouring villages in the eastern Homs countryside, resulting in civilian injuries”, without identifying the responsible.

This event is very likely related to the airstrikes in al-Dahek, al-Sukhna, on the previous day, July 2nd, reported in incident RS2316.

As of now, no further details are available.

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
    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

  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]