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

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

RS2501

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians were killed, including a man and a pregnant woman, and five others, including three women and two children, were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes in the agricultural vicinity of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib, according to local sources.

A correspondent from the Civil Defence Centre Anas Diab told Smart News Agency that “neighbourhoods inhabited by displaced people” were struck by the airstrikes and Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the area hit by the airstrikes as Tal Ja’far farms.

Aalan TV reported that “a woman was killed and members of her family were injured following Russian raids on farmland near khan sheihoun in southern Idlib.”

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence were pulling injured civilians from the rubble, according to media. The wounded suffered from different degrees of severity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin reporting on the strikes in Khan Sheikhoun, 24th September 2017. (via Aalan TV)
  • A child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, 24th September 2017. (via Sada al Sham)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (15) [ 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]

Incident Code

RS2495

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from one family were killed in air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources all attribute the blame to Russia.

Two of the victims were women and one was a child. According to one source, this was followed by artillery shelling on the city during the funeral of the victims.

“Russian air strikes targeting a gathering of civilians living in tents east of Khan Shikhun city resulted in the deaths of two civilians and the wounding of a third seriously.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Najat Mohammad Al Darwan
Age unknown female killed
Shagila Yusuf al Darwan
Age unknown female killed
Umm Mohammed Yousif Al-Darwan
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Khairiya Yousef Al-Darwan
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2496

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Location

بلدة تل مرديخ جنوب سراقب, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81117, 36.79093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian airstrikes on the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham in Mardikh town, south Saraqeb, killed at least two civilians and possibly injured dozens more, local media reported. Most of the sources reported the death toll among fighters of Faylaq Al Sham, but at least five civilians including four women were named as killed in the strikes, which also reportedly struck and wounded members of the  White Helmets as they attended the scene.

According to Edlib Media Center, the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham Corps was hit by the airstrikes. The Violations Documentation Centre listed the names of 33 “non-civilians” killed – alongside the names of five civilians. Sharif Sarmada noted “dozens of martyrs and wounded among Faylaq al Sham fighters who were killed when Russian aviation targeted their headquarters in the town”. Aksalser, meanwhile, put the number of “fighters” killed at 45.

Step reported that “more than thirty-five Russian air raids targeted the village of “Tel Mardikh” Saturday, September 23, and focused on the headquarters of the faction “Failaq al Sham “of the opposition forces, killing seven fighters “.

Syrianoor reported that there had been “dozens of martyrs and wounded, most of them civilians, who were killed in an air strike by Russian airliners this morning [Sept 23rd] on the village of Tal Mardikh”.

Zaiton said that  “a number of civilians were killed” and went on to add that a young man died and two members of the White Helmets were wounded while they tried to inspect the site.

Citing activists on the ground, Syrianoor added that “10 martyrs have so far have been killed by the Russian airstrikes that targeted the village of Tal Mardikh”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dharar Muhammad al-Shabib
Adult male Combat status unclear. He is named by Edlib EMC who do not give his combat status. VDC list a "Dirar Mohammad al-Mokhtar" as a non-civilians, so they could be the same man. killed
Moeawia Ibraheem al-Shbeeb
Adult male killed
Najat Mohammad al-Derwan
Adult female killed
Shagila Yousef al-Darwan
Adult female killed
Um Mohammad Yousef al-Darwan
Adult female killed
Majida Abd al-Rahman al-Othman
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians being pulled out the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Mardikh. (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Image of an injured civilian being carried by a White Helmet following airstrikes against Mardikh on September 23rd, 2017 (via Edlib EMC)
  • The White Helmets are reportedly targeted when attending the scene of a strike in Mardikh, Sept 23rd.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of a strike on Mardikh, Sept 23rd are pulled from the ground.
  • Translation: "10 martyrs and dozens wounded, including 5 of the civil defense, as a result of the bombing of the Russian air force targeted the village of Tal Mardikh countryside # Idlib."
  • Translation: "Martyrs from # Darya killed today in # Idlib in the Russian bombing on the # Tel-Mardikh". Note: the combat status of these men is unclear.

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
    2 – 10
  • (4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2494

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5816284, 36.9212293 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians were killed and “dozens” more  were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Sarja in rural Idlib South, local media reported. Some sources said that the strikes originated from Russian ships in the Mediterranean, while others pointed to warplanes.

Idlib Media Centre reported “the death  of three martyrs and dozens of wounded as a result of the bombing of Russia aircraft carrying out 10 strikes in the outskirts of the town of Sarja in Jabal al-Zawia”.

Al Latamna Youth Group put the death toll at five and also blamed Russia.

According to Al Aan TV, “nine civilians were killed and others were wounded, including children and women, as a result of the bombing by Russian warplanes and boats in the Mediterranean of cities and towns of the southern countryside of Idlib.”

Other sources, including the Violations Documentation Centre, published names of non-civilians who were killed. The Step News Agency noted that “a Russian air raid targeted the headquarters of Souqour al Sham in the town of Siraj in Jabal al-Zawiya, killing four of its members and injuring six others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a victim of the alleged Russian airstrikes against Sarja on September 22nd, 2017 (via Al Latamna Youth Facebook)
  • An alleged Russian airstrike hits Sarja, Sept 22nd.
  • A strike hits Sarja, Sept 22nd.
  • Translation: "The targeting of civilian houses in the village of Siraja by vacuum and concussion bombs, resulting in 5 civilian martyrs and a large number of wounded"
  • Translation: "more than 15 injuries as a result of the targeting of the village of Sarga by Russian air and ballistic missiles."

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2493

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5261134, 36.5813398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Kafr Sajna in southern Idlib. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

One local source included wounded in the casualty estimates but did not specify whether it was in Kafr Sajna or Deir al Sharqi. Both sources that reported in the incident, Smart News Agency and Idlib Media Centre, attributed the airstrikes to Russian planes.

Step tweeted photographs and claimed that a salt factory was targeted.

The child Ahmad Khaled Al-Qasoum, was also named in a previous incident. It is unclear in which incident he was killed.

Graphic footage shows the bodies of children who were burned alive due to the raids.

Local media suggested that children were burned to death due to Russian warplanes.

Al Jazeera tweeted that “The rocket attack targeted the positions of al Nusra Front in Idlib”. They blamed Russian warplanes.

eqtsad reported that “Russian battleships on Friday, with several missiles of the type “Caliber”, targeted the villages and towns of the southern countryside Idlib, as part of its fierce air attack on the elements of life there.”

They added that, “A rocket landed in a salt factory in the village of Kafrsajna in the southern suburb of Idlib, killing the child, “Ahmad Khalid al-Qassum al-Issa”, an only child for the family that works as guards for the factory in order to earn their living. The rocket caused the child to be burnt and the villagers were unable to save him. The fire turned him into a charred body. A number of wounded, in addition to the exit of the plant from the service and destroyed completely.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Khaled Al-Qasoum
Child male killed
Ahmed Ibn Khaled Al-Issa
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Khaled Al-Qasoum, killed in airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via VDC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Qasioun)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Syrian Coalition)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic video of a child burning to death.
  • Alleged Russian warplanes.
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2492

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Location

بنين الدير الشرقي, Banin and al Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.711012, 36.640349 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian strikes on Banin and al Deir al Sharqi. Most sources said that missiles had been fired on Banin from Russian battleships.

Khaled al Waleed and Adam.sy said that three civilians had been wounded.

According to HNN, there were “martyrs and wounded in shelling by Russian battleships” – but the source didn’t provide numbers.

Violations Documentation Centre reported that a man died from his injures three days later. He was reportedly from from Deir al-Sharqi town.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Khalaf al Hamoud
Age unknown killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Intensive air raids, believed to be Russian, targeted the towns of Kafarnabal, Deir al-Sharqi, Hass and Kafr Sajna"
  • Translation: "Watch a Russian air strike targeting the outskirts of the town of al Deir al Sharqi in southern countryside Idlib"

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
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]