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

RS2453

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Location

طابية جزيرة , Tabya Jzaeera, near Al Sekka, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.279167, 40.311111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five members of one family were among those killed in an alleged Russian bombardment on the village of Tabiya Jazira, east of Deir al-Zour, local sources reported.

The Ismail al-Jadan family died when four shells hit the area of the town near the railway, Syrian Press Centre said.  A total of 13 civilians were reportedly killed, according to a local source on Twitter. The airstrikes also destroyed a number of houses.

Mrs. Fiddha al-Abd al-Azim and the mother of Judge Ramadan al-Zahman were named dead.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mrs. Fiddha al-Abd al-Azim
Adult female killed
the mother of Judge Ramadan al-Zahman
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2458

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Latamina, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russian warplanes and the Syrian regime for the raids.

Some sources reported that there were no casualties.

There were several strikes with shells, artillery and RPG’s.

One source reported that there was some material damage.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (7) [ 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 type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2455

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Location

الأزغير, Al'azghir, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.501347, 40.021305 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and nine civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al’azghir, according to local media. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

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
    7 – 9
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1495

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Location

السوا, Al Sa'awa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.53226, 39.96322 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to six civilians died in airstrikes on an IDP camp in the village of Al Sa’wa in the western suburb of Deir Al Ghazur, according to local sources. The location is disputed, as Sharqiya24 and Deirezzor24 cited “the water crossing” as the location and not the camp.

Marsad Al Hasaka named victims. The source added a “number” were “wounded” in addition to the fatalities. The civilians were from Al Shmitiya.

Regime forces were alleged responsible by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who documented “several civilians” killed.

Baladi said the offensive was likely carried out by “Russian” planes, and reportedly the camp was targeted by “a number of rockets”, Baladai also mentioned the river crossing, suggesting that the crossing was hit in the same raid. Syriahr noted “material damage” and referred to unidentified “shelling” as the cause. Step News Agency also referred to “Russian fighters”.

The US-led Coalition was blamed for the attack by Masar news who documented six civilians killed.

In a report by Alaraby, three civilians were documented killed, and “dozens” wounded, in a village in the west of Deir Ezzor under control of the so-called Islamic State organization, the village was unnamed in the report.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq Al Ahmad Al Fayyad
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Samad Al Abdul Mohsin Al Ahmad
Age unknown male killed
Bara’a Abdullah Al-A’aka’ab
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a river crossing or IDP camp in or near the village of Al Sa’awa (السوا), the coordinates for this village are: 35.53226, 39.96322. The only known river crossing in the vicinity of this village can be found here: 35.519024, 39.925432. On satellite imagery (of February 2017) there are no visible IDP camps in this area, but people often set up their tents near the river, which might explain the confusion. Russian forces also bombed this river crossing around that time, as seen in this video: https://youtu.be/o3AwJ15NdW0?t=9s.

  • River crossing in the vicinity of the village of Sa'awa (السوا)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.“ and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

For September 15th - 16th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes [1 British?] engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions" and "Additionally, 13 strikes consisting of 18 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 15 that closed within the last 48 hours. On Sept. 15, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node"


UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1496 RS2451

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Location

شميطية, Shumaytiyah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4710166, 39.9351239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman, died after unidentified warplanes conducted a raid on the town of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة) in rural west Deir Ezzor, local sources said. There is limited information on the incident, Airwars will update the entry when new information arises.

Additionally, Deir Ezzor 24 and Asharq Asouri named two adult males as killed at a refugee camp i n Shumaytiyah – and blamed Russia for their deaths.

However western Deir Ezzor falls into the regime/Russian part of the deconfliction line, making this highly unlikely to be a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

AbdulSamad Al Abdul Mohsen Al Fayyad
Adult male killed
Abdul Razzaq Al Ahmad Al Fayyad
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Fatima Moussa al-Aloush
Age unknown female killed
Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'Martyrdom of both Abdul Razzaq Al Ahmad Al Fayyad AbdulSamad Al Abdul Mohsen Al Fayyad'.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.4710166, 39.9351239. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 al Shammatia, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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 September 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.“ and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

For September 15th - 16th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes [1 British?] engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions" and "Additionally, 13 strikes consisting of 18 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 15 that closed within the last 48 hours. On Sept. 15, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2449

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Location

الصعوة, Al Sa'wa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.539167, 39.976667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed and several others were wounded when warplanes bombed a camp for displaced persons near the village of al-Sawa in Deir Ezzor Governorate on September 15th 2017.

All three victims were identified by the Syrian Press Center and Marsad al Hasaka.

It is not known which belligerent was behind this airstrike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq Al-Ahmad Al-Fayadh
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Samad Al-Abd Al-Mohsen Al-Ahmad Al-Fayadh
Adult male possibly related to the first victim only because they have the same last name, but I'm not sure killed
Abdullah Abdullah Al-Akkab
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a camp for displaced people in Al Sa'wa that was hit by an airstrike on September 14th 2017. (via Syrian Press Center)

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1494 Rs2450

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

سعلو, Deir Ez-Zor, Sa'alu, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.141173, 40.363297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female civilian, died in an alleged airstrike on the village of Sa’alu, according to local media. The US-led Coalition and Russia were both cited as culprit, amongst multiple references to unidentified aircraft.

According to Qasioun, the Coalition bombed Sa’alu as part of an aerial offensive that targeted multiple villages in the east of Deir Ezzor – Baqiras, Sa’alu and Zubari. Qasioun noted “significant material damage” and alleged no civilian casualties.

Sdusyria was the only source that named Russia responsible, they reported “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships launched dozens of air raids on the neighborhoods of the city of Deir Ghazur” including Sa’alu, one civilian casualty was documented in the report. @asharqasouri also reported the effects “limited to material damage”, and did not specify an actor.

A later report by Deirfree documented the death of one woman and injury of others, allegedly caused by the “spread of cluster bombs among civilian houses”, which caused “panic among the people”, they did not attribute blame. Euphrates Post subsequently named Ms. Aisha Ahmed Al-Zaher. The majority of sources did not identify the aircraft responsible, with the Coalition receiving one allegation, as did Russia. The US-led Coalition had informed Airwars that as a result of their deconfliction agreements, they had ceased to conduct strikes entirely in Deir Ezzor city.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ms. Aisha Ahmed Al-Zaher “Umm Daham” wife of Jarad Al-Hamdan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sa’alu (سعلو), for which the coordinates are: 35.141173, 40.363297. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th - 14th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes [2 or more British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position"

For September 14th – 15th, the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.” and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 13 September – a Reaper twice engaged terrorists on foot, as well as a truck-bomb, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck a Daesh building, all near Dayr az Zawr…On Wednesday 13 September, another Reaper continued patrolling near Dayr az Zawr. It used two Hellfire missiles to attack terrorists spotted on foot, then employed a third missile to destroy an armoured truck-bomb positioned next to a main road. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair meanwhile targeted a group of Daesh in a building nearby, scoring a direct hit with a Brimstone.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1489 RS2448

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

الخريطة, Al Kharita, river crossing, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.479404, 40.021391 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources named one woman as killed and her husband and “some members of his family” wounded in an airstrike on a river crossing at al Kharita.

Most sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, according to Sadaa alsham, Russia was to blame for the death of one civilian in al Kharita. The regime captured the crossing on September 17th, meaning that this was highly unlikely to have been a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima al Muhammad al Muhaisin
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the river crossing at the village of Al Kharita (الخریطة). A known river crossing is further downstream in Hawayij Abu Arab, for which the coordinates are: 35.469775, 40.050530. This crossing was hit by a Russian airstrike around the same time (as can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/o3AwJ15NdW0?t=1m20s​ @1:20). However, boats may have also crossed at this location: 35.479404, 40.021391

  • Two river crossings that could potentially have been targeted near the village of Al Kharita (الخریطة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]