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

RS4287

Incident date

December 24, 2019

Location

جوباس, Joubas, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between eight and 12 civilians including five children and two women were reported killed and seven others injured in Joubas, Idlib in Syria on December 24th, 2019 when Russian warplanes attacked a school building that is used as a shelter for displaced people in the village.

A Syrian Civil Defence statement said that “Russian warplanes launched raids on a camp for displaced persons near the village of Jobas village, east of Idlib, killing five children, two women and a man, and wounding seven others, including two children and two women.”

Images of the deceased children were tweeted by local sources, and the deaths were later confirmed by Al-Jazeera and their reporter Milad Fadl, along with Syrian Civil Defense, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The number of dead was later raised to ten, and the Syrian Human Rights Committee reported ten confirmed deaths and five wounded individuals, although one local source stated that twelve had been killed, but that number was not confirmed by any other source.  The victims were five children and five adults, with all five children being siblings. The adults were identified as Saleh Al Ashiq, Rahaf Saleh Al Ashiq Hamada, Rowaida Hammadi, Hanan Mazal Al Hammadi, and Fatuma Saleh Al Hammadi.  The five children were named Safa Ahmed Hammadi, Moataz Ammar Hammadi, Muhammad Ashiq Hammadi, Yamen Ammar Hammadi, and Aisha Saleh Hammadi.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the death toll is expected to increase as many of the wounded are in a serious condition.

The warplanes specifically struck a school that was being used as a home for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) within the village of Joubas.

All local sources stated that the warplanes were Russian planes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Saleh Al-Asheq Hamada صالح للعاشق حماده
male killed
Rahaf Saleh Al-Asheq Hamada رهف صالح العاشق حماده
female killed

Family members (8)

Safa Ahmed Hammadi صفا احمد حمادي
Child female killed
Mo’taz Ammar Hammadi معتز عمار حمادي
Child male killed
Muhammad Asheq Hammadi( محمد عاشق حمادي
Child male killed
Yamen Ammar Hammadi يامن عمار حمادي
Child male killed
Ruwaida Hammadi رويدة حمادي
female killed
Aisha Saleh Hammadi عائشة صالح حمادي
killed
Hanan Mazal Al Hammadi حنان مزعل الحمادي
killed
Fatuma Saleh Al Hammadi فطومة صالح الحمادي
killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (5–6 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (51) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two of the children reported killed in the Russian airstrike on Jobas in Idlib (via EuphratesPost)
  • One of the victims of alleged Russian strikes on Jobas on December 24, 2019. (Image posted by @mahmoudalbakor1)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Jobas on December 24, 2019. (Image posted by @AM_AHMAD90)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Jobas on December 24, 2019. (Image posted by @AM_AHMAD90)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Jobas on December 24, 2019. (Image posted by @AM_AHMAD90)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Jobas on December 24, 2019. (Image posted by @AM_AHMAD90)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Jobas on December 24, 2019. (Image posted by Al Hurra News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Jobas on December 24, 2019. (Image posted by @AM_AHMAD90)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (5–6 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (51) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4281

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان , International road to Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between four and seven civilians were killed as the result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on a convoy with displaced people on the international road to Ma’arat Al Numan on December 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. On December 28th, a local source reported that one of the victims died of his injuries sustained in the attack.

Step News Agency put the preliminary death toll at three killed civilians and an unknown number of wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that seven civilians were killed.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the death of the brothers Muhammad and Ahmad Subhi Sharaf al Din, displaced from Taqana village, and their father. Ahmad Okab identified the name of their father: Sobhi Sharaf El-Din.

Eyewitnesses told Smart News Agency that “Russian warplanes targeted the cars of the displaced and an agricultural tractor carrying a displaced family and the furniture of its house in the city of Ma’arat Al Numan (32 km south of Idlib), killing two civilians and wounding another, as a result of which he was transferred to a nearby hospital.”

@abuhuzaifa_ posted a video on Twitter reportedly showing the remains of children burned in the incident.

The Step News Agency correspondent stated that “the Syrian and Russian aviation are trying to cut off the road for civilians trying to get out of the city of Ma’arat Al Numan, by targeting the cars of the displaced people on the international road at the northern entrance to the city”. Shaam News Network added that the bombing happened despite activists’ “escalating calls to stop the shelling and allow civilians to leave”.

On December 28th, 2019, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Mustafa Absi al Khalaf died because of wounds he sustained as a result of this incident.

@john_marquee provided the geolocation for the incident.

While nearly all sources pointed to Russian forces, Step News Agency reported that the aircraft that carried out the strikes belonged to the Syrian regime. @HadiAlabdallah pointed out that vacuum missiles were used in the attack.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Muhammed Subhi Sharaf al Din حمد صبحي شرف الدين
Age unknown male brother of Ahmad Subhi Sharaf al Din, displaced from Taqana village killed
Ahmad Subhi Sharaf al Din أحمد صبحي شرف الدين
Age unknown male brother of Muhammed Subhi Sharaf al Din, displaced from Taqana village killed
Sobhi Sharaf El-Din
Adult male first name unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Absi al Khalaf
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (2 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Destruction after alleged Russian or Syrian regime aircraft bombed a convoy with displaced people on the International Road to Ma'arat Al Numan on December 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Displaced woman sitting on the side of the road after alleged Russian or Syrian regime aircraft bombed a convoy with displaced people on the International Road to Ma'arat Al Numan on December 22nd, 2019 (via Shaam News Network).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video posted on Twitter of reportedly the remains of children burned in an alleged Russian airstrike on a convoy of displaced people on the International Road to Ma'arat Al Numan on December 22nd, 2019 (via @abuhuzaifa_ ).
  • The body of a victim on the side of the road after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the international road to Ma'arat Al Numan on December 22nd, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Mustafa Absi al Khalaf, killed in strikes on Maarat al-Numanon December 22, 2019. (Image posted by Syria Today Network)
  • Mustafa Absi al Khalaf, killed in strikes on Maarat al-Numanon December 22, 2019. (Image posted by Mustafa Abu Abdo)
  • Mustafa Absi al Khalaf, killed in strikes on Maarat al-Numanon December 22, 2019. (Image posted by Mustafa Abu Abdo)
  • Mustafa Absi al Khalaf, killed in strikes on Maarat al-Numanon December 22, 2019. (Image posted by Mustafa Abu Abdo)

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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (2 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4283

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Location

تلمنس, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians, initially reported as three, were killed and others were wounded in the town of Tal Menes after warplanes fired missiles into the town on the 21st of December.

A series of news outlets as well as the Idlib Civil Defense confirmed the deaths. Orient Net, Al-Muharrer Network, and Stab News with their reporter Omar al-Omar, listed the casualties as Hussein Hasan al-Hasan, Suleiman al Halabi, Hussein Makkawi, and Ahmed Abu Al-Laith al-Maati, described as an unarmed civilian, husband, and father.

None of the sources were able to confirm the exact number of wounded. The Syrian Civil Defense members could not immediately treat those wounded due to the fury of the bombing.

The bombing raids struck Talmans in the southern countryside of Idlib. Local reports confirmed that houses and residential areas were targeted by the missiles.

All local sources detailed the planes as Russian warplanes as responsible for these strikes.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Suleiman Al-Halab سليمان الحلبي
Age unknown male killed
Hussein Hassan Al-Hassan حسين حسن الحسن
Age unknown male killed
Hussein Makkawi حسين مكاوي
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Abu Al-Laith al-Maati أحمد المعاطي
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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]

  • Image of Ahmed Abu Al-Laith al-Maati, killed in airstrikes on Tal Menes on December 22, 2019. (Image posted by Al-Maata clan via Facebook)
  • Suleiman Al-Halab, killed in airstrikes on Tal Menes on December 22, 2019. (Image posted by Abdul Jabar via Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

RS4284

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Location

معصران, Masran, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources confirmed the death of five siblings in the village of Maasran on December 22nd. Four individuals were wounded with one eventually dying to raise the total of civilian deaths to six.

The names of victims were released and confirmed by Civil Defense Service in Idlib. The dead were identified as Muhammad Abdullah Al-Agha, Bakr Abdullah Al-Agha, Hussein Abdullah Al-Agha, Jumaa Muhammad Al-Saghir, Khaled Abdullah Al-Ezzo, and Abdul Razzaq Abdullah Al-Agha, who was initially wounded and later died. Three additional wounded civilians were later discovered according to a local medical source.

The bodies were found under the rubble of farmhouse targeted by warplanes, according to news agency SMART. Numerous other homes in the village of Maasran were destroyed during the afternoon strike that also targeted Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing towards the Turkish border.

Local sources and witnesses described the warplanes as Russian fixed wing planes.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Bakr Abdullah Al Agha
male killed
Hussein Abdullah al Agha
male killed
Muhammad Abdullah Al-Agha
male killed
Abd Al Razzak Abdullah Al-Agha
male killed
Khaled Abdullah Al-Ezzo خالد عبدالله العزو
killed

The victims were named as:

Jum'a Muhammad Al-Sagheer
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4285

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Location

الطريق الزراعي الواصل بين الدانا و ترمانين, The agricultural road between Al Dana and Termanin, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed on the agricultural road linking Termanin to Dana in Idlib, Syria on December 22nd, 2019 when Russian or Syrian regime warplanes attacked the area, according to Shaam Network.

No other sources were found on this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ 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

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4286

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Location

عدة بلدات, Many towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to Shaam network, “Russian and Asadi warplanes launched violent airstrikes, accompanied with intense artillery and missile shelling targeting the cities and towns of Maarat al-Numan, Saraqib, Kafrnbel, Talmans, Babila, Jarajnaz, al-Ghadfa, Khan al-Sabil, Ma`radbis, al-Kinda, al-Najiya, al-Dir al-Gharb ومع, Mar`dbasa, Tal Mordikh and al-Ma`shurain, which resulted in the fall of 4 martyrs”.

No more details available yet.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ 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

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4282

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Location

خان السبيل, Khan Al Sabil, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on vehicles of displaced civilians on the international highway near the town of Khan al Sabil, Idlib governorate, on December 22nd, 2019, as reported by local sources.

Local tweets included video of the bombing raid that injured the three civilians and targeted Internally Displaced People (IDPs). Syrian Response Coordinators attempted to assess the numbers of IDPs in the area, with one estimate as high as 350,000, but they could only confirm 175,000.

Step News Agency reported that besides wounding a civilian, the Syrian and Russian airstrikes of cars caused the burning of a car, motorcycle and agricultural machinery.

@AM_AHMAD90 reported that three civilians were injured on the international road when Russian warplanes launched three raids against displaced civilians and arrivals.

Shaam News Network wrote that the airstrikes occurred “amid calls to stop the bombing and secure the exit of thousands of civilians in the area”.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the regime or Russia were responsible for the strikes. @oulaalassaad attributed the strikes to su22 warplanes and identified vacuum missiles as being used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ 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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4279

Incident date

December 21, 2019

Location

بداما , Badama, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A civilian was killed and his father, mother, and brother were injured as the result of an alleged Russian or regime drone strikes on the town of Badama, Idlib governorate, on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. In total, up to five injuries were reported by local sources.

A Syrian Civil Defence source told SMART News Agency that “a child was killed and his father was wounded as a result of the throwing of bombs by drones, which are likely to be Russian, near Badama”. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the incident as a drone attack.

A Facebook post by Wasim Alkhalaf reported that at 12:21 A drone strike targeted the vicinity of the town of Bdama, killing the child Ayham Majno and wounding his father (displaced). At 13:20 another drone strike targeting the vicinity of Bdama town, resulting in three injuries.

Syria TV identified the child killed as being a girl while other sources refer to Ayham as a boy and Ain al-Bayda field hospital put the age of Ayham at 20 years old.

A Facebook post by Yamen Huossah also reported that Ayham’s brother Ibrahim Majno, and their father and mother were injured in the strikes. Ain al-Bayda field hospital, who treated the victims, named them as: Ayham Manjo, a 23-year-old killed; Basil Manjo, 53 years old, is critically injured; Lubna Manjo, 40 years old, is critically injured; Omar Manjois 11 years old;Ibrahim Manjo 19 years old is critically injured.

Jisr Media Center reported that three people were “slightly injured” while Ain al-Bayda field hospital said that they received five injuries as a result of the drone strikes.

The majority of the sources that reported on the drone strike did not identify who was responsible. However, Smart News attributed the strikes to Russian forces while Anadolu Agency blamed the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Ayham Majno ايهم مجنو
23 years old killed
Basil Manjo
53 years old male injured
Ibrahim Majno
19 years old Brother of Ayham injured
Lubna Manjo
40 years old female injured
Omar Manjo
11 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Body of the man killed in strikes on Bdama on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by Ain al-Bayda field hospital)

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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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]