Israeli Military in Syria & the Gaza Strip

A child uses his mobile device in the ruins of a building in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip on May 26th 2021. © Mohamed Zaanoun

Belligerent
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS873

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center, reported one girl killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza. All4Syria and A_siba also blamed Russia, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not identify the culprit.

Summary

First published
June 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1670

LOCATION

Al Shafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

It was locally reported that the following six civilians died in an airstrike on Al-Sha’afa water crossing. Most sources didn’t say who was responsible, referring to ‘raids’ and ‘bombing by aircraft.’. However, Khafafeesh al Zalam reported that Russia carried out raids on a nearby town on November 11th, killing two civilians.

Summary

First published
November 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS903

LOCATION

Various locations in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, the Shaam News Network, reported that “Russian planes launched raids on the villages of Zeitan, al Zirba, Al Karassi, Khan Tuman, Al I’ss, Jib Kass and Aleppo – Damascus road – leading the fall of civilian martyrs and wounded.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
June 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1702 RS2813

LOCATION

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra

Summary

First published
December 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS013

LOCATION

إحسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria

Russian aircraft reportedly bombed the town of Ihsem in Idlib, killing five members of one family – four of whom were young girls. The victims were later named. The White Helmets civil defence force tried to reach the dead and injured, but were subjected to a ‘double tap’ strike which killed one of their rescuers

Summary

First published
October 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 11
(4 children1 woman2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
15 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1735

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A young man, identified as Omar Mohammed Ali Al Dakhoul, originally from Al Bu Ammru, was killed in an airstrike on the town of Al Baghouz, according to three local sources. None of the reports however specified on which date the bombardment took place, only mentioning that the man was killed “days ago”. Statements by

Summary

First published
March 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2015

Incident Code

RS232

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

15 civilians including eight children and five women were reportedly killed and 25 injured when Russian warplanes allegedly bombed the city of Raqqa, according to multiple sources. Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered said non-combatants were killed in the agricultural fields west of the city in Al Kahtaniya farm and at the crossroads of Hitteen farm.

Summary

First published
December 6, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(8 children5 women)
Civilians reported injured
25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1768

LOCATION

الحردان, Al Hardan village (al Shayer hill), Al Hassakah, Syria

Two to four civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Hardoun. Marsad al Hassaka stated that the house of Mohammed Ahmed Hardan was targeted at “dawn today”, where he was killed with his three children while his wife was seriously injured. Zaman al Wasl quoted a local activist who

Summary

First published
June 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–3 children1 woman1 man)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Incident Code

RS111

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

One woman, Mrs Zahra Hajj Khamees, was reported killed and more than 20 people injured after an alleged Russian airstrike on the traders’ market in the town of Maarat al Numan. Video footage showed extreme damage to shops and houses in the vicinity. Most sources blamed Russia. However, the Damascus Centre and the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
November 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1074

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

One named child died and a number of other non-combatants were injured in an airstrike on Ar Rastan, according to local media – though it was unclear whether planes belonging to the Syrian regime or Moscow caused the casualties. The victim was also named by some other sources, though they didn’t identify the warplane which

Summary

First published
July 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS164

LOCATION

الرحيبة, Al Rahiba, Damascus, Syria

The White Helmets reported the death of one man and the injuring of his wife, following several alleged Russian airstrikes during the evening on the town of Al Rahiba. However the VDC reported the death of an unnamed civilian male “due to regime`s army forces shelling.” And the Free Syrian Army noted only that an

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1154

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that two children died and several more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on the Al Ferdous neighbourhood of Aleppo. Most sources blamed Russia, though one said that the Assad regime had also carried out strikes on the area. Russia: LCCSY, @syriapost1, @ShahbaPress and @SRG_Syria all blamed Russia. LCCSY also initially pointed to

Summary

First published
August 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(2 children)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS024

LOCATION

معصران, Ma'asaran, Idlib, Syria

An alleged Russian airstrike killed seven civilians at Ma’asaran in Idlib governorate. Most of those who died were from one family. A neighbour told Smart News: “This is my house, I arrived and I found everyone OK. But our neighbours? May God have mercy on them. I went to pray and then went to the

Summary

First published
October 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(2 children2–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1454

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians died and up to 12 more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local sources. Multiple reports said that a bakery was struck. The majority of sources attributed the deaths to Russia, though one report also said that the regime had carried out strike on Aleppo

Summary

First published
October 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS102

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Between seven and eight civilians including three children were killed in what were reported by most as four Russian airstrikes on the town of Maarat al Numan. However a local activist group and the Homs Meda Network attributed the attack to the Assad regime. The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(3 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1229

LOCATION

الصالحين, Al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two members of the civil defense were killed and up to five other civilians were wounded in a raid on Al Salheen, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to the Smart News Network, “regime Helicopters targeted Al-Salheen with

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS153

LOCATION

الميسر, Myassar, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were killed – an uncle and nephew – and two or more people injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the  Myassar neighbourhood of Aleppo. Local media activist Hassan al Ahmad posted an image of the dead boy with the comment: “This is how Syria’s children are being killed as if their blood is

Summary

First published
November 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2018

Incident Code

CS1806

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to four civilians including a child were reported killed in Coalition airstrikes on al Sha’afa, according to a number of sources. The victims were described as internally displaced people (IDPs) by al Sha’afa town’s Facebook page, which noted “Confirmation of the killing of four civilians in Al-Sha’afa in the recent raids on the town.

Summary

First published
October 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS923

LOCATION

‏كفر بسين‬, Kafr Bisin, Aleppo, Syria

One woman died and several other civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Basin in Aleppo, according to local media. A Tweet by thiqanewsagency said that “rocket chemistry and phosphorous bombs” were used in the attack. HalabTodayTV also tweeted that stereochemistry had been used – it specified that these missiles were realised from Russian warplanes.

Summary

First published
June 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1252

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilians died and as many as 22 more were wounded in an airstrike on Salheen, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work or Russia or the Syrian regime. Baladi, Halab Today and LCCSY blamed Russia. The lowest death toll – of one –

Summary

First published
September 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
Civilians reported injured
10–22
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS288

LOCATION

حي المرجة, Al Murja, Aleppo, Syria

Dozens were reported killed and injured in a friendly fire incident when Russian warplanes allegedly targeted Al Murja, killing dozens of regime fighters by mistake, according to the Shaam News Network. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1267

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to HNN, “20 civilians were killed in Russian raids on Abu Kamal.” However, Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “all news reporting a massacre in al Boukamal has been dismissed and is totally untrue.” USEmbassySyrau tweeted “ten raids by the coalition in Abu Kamal in Syria destroyed 29 targets of ISIS near Abu Kamal in

Summary

First published
September 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS300

LOCATION

بزينة, Bzeina, Damascus, Syria

Between 20 and 40 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in devastating alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bzeina, according to multiple reports. While the destruction of the market and surrounding homes was extensive, the aircraft may have been targeting rebels. Videos filmed at the scene show some casualties and rescuers in military

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 40
(13 men)
Civilians reported injured
40–200
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
13 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1505

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Colonel Shawqi Ayoub, “commander of the Homs operations room of the Free Syrian Army”, died in an alleged Syrian regime airstrike on Al Rastan, according to local media. According to Qasioun, Ayoub (pictured below) died “while inspecting the field situation in Ain Hussein’s front. The engineer Faisal Awad also died”. Qasioun added that the regime

Summary

First published
October 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS318

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Four civilians including a child were reported killed in major alleged Russian air raids on Palmyra. Revolution Palmyra reported as many as 60 strikes on the city by Russia, including with cluster munitions. It said the raids were concentrated as follows: “- 10 air strikes on the city hospital which led to massive destruction –

Summary

First published
December 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child3 men)
Civilians reported injured
25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2018

Incident Code

CS1818

LOCATION

الظهرة ,الشعفة, Dhahra, Al Shafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On October 30th a single source, Al-Sha’fa Facebook page, reported an alleged Coalition airstrike “on a house in the outskirts of Dhahra.” The source said: “We don’t know who the house belonged to, but the whole family was killed”. The source was unable to specify the precise date of the reported civilian harm, noting that

Summary

First published
October 27, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2015

Incident Code

RS336

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including a woman and child were reported killed at a camp for displaced people in A’zaz. Radio Al Kul reported that “Three civilians were killed and tens injured, among them many children in critical condition, by Russian airstrikes on A’zaz and a refugee camp on the outskirts of the town.” The three victims were

Summary

First published
December 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2018

Incident Code

CS1821a

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of four civilians in an airstrike near Hajin. There are indications that this was either a French or Dutch action. In its April 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted one strike on a Daesh improvised explosive device

Summary

First published
October 31, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
4
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS349

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Twelve civilians were killed including two to three women and two to four children and  as many as 85 injured in airstrikes on Arbeen, according to multiple sources – although reports were conflicted as to whether Russian or Assad regime forces were responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 non-combatants died including

Summary

First published
January 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(2–4 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
80–85
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1445a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, 15 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. Only five of the victims were

Summary

First published
September 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(3 children2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident