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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
243 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS4490

Incident date

February 27, 2020

Location

شلخ, Shalakh, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, including up to four women and a child, were reported to have been killed and others were wounded by alleged Russian or regime air strikes in the village of Shalakh on February 27th, 2020.

A tweet from @almo3tasem91 stated that five “martyrs, including four women and a child” were killed in the village of Shalakh.  A tweet from @zaitunagency noted that three women and a child were killed by a bombing raid from Assad forces planes. Al-Jisr Tv correspondent reported that three women and a child were killed. A tweet from @EyadHoms20 noted “a number of wounded” along with the four civilians who were killed. Edlib News did report that five people were killed, including four women and a child, but Idlib TV reported that the death toll was four, with three women and a child. The majority of posts, from Ssyrian2011, Bsklaa16 and Ali Albd detailed the deaths of four civilians. The four names were later identified as Mrs. Maryam Shaaban Dweik, Mrs. Aisha Mustafa Shaaban Dweik, the wife of Safwan Shaaban Dweik and the daughter of Maryam Shaaban Dweik, with no ages given. A post from Rahmoo123 described four civilians killed through an air raid, while Freedom Press noted “five martyrs” along with “many wounded”.   A report from Alaraby News reported a series of bombing raids from Russian planes targeting civilian areas, with five people killed in Shalakh.  This number contrasted with the number reported to be killed. Shaam News reported that Syrian Defense Forces removed the bodies of four women and a girl from rubble in Shalakh.

The area of Shalakh was an area with a significant civilian population.

Smart News cited the Directorate of the Civil Defense in Idlib Governorate, Firas Khalifa, stated that Russian warplanes conducted the deadly raid while other sources attributed the strikes to the regime.

The incident occured at 15:48:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mrs. Maryam Shaaban Dweik السيدة مريم شعبان دويك
female killed
Mrs. Aisha Mustafa Shaaban Dweik السيدة عائشة مصطفى شعبان دويك
female killed
The wife of Safwan Shaaban Dweik السيدة زوجة صفوان شعبان دويك
female killed
Daughter of Maryam Shaaban Dweik ابنة مريم شعبان دويك
female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children1–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Airstrikes on the village of Shalakh in the northern countryside of Idlib on February 27, 2020. (Image posted by @our_syria)

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 – 5
  • (1–2 children1–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4291

Incident date

December 28, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Russian warplanes launched substantial attacks upon various villages outside of Idlib on December 28th causing numerous civilian casualties.

Shaam News, reporting on December 29th, stated that civilian casualties resulted from Russian airstrikes upon many villages, including Mhambel and Sarja.  No names, ages, or other pertinent information was released.

The air raids were part of a large, coordinated efforted by Russian and pro-Assad forces to intentionally target civilian areas. Homes, schools, and businesses were all struck by missiles and cluster bombs.

Shaam News and local sources both reported that the raids were conducted by Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4343

Incident date

January 22, 2020

Location

الاتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two women died and up to three other civilians including two children and a woman, were wounded in up to three alleged Russian airstrikes on an IDP camp in the outskirts of Al Atareb, local media reported.

Jisr identified the women that died as Mrs. Nofa Al Mohammed, aged 60, and Mrs. Khawla Al Hassan.  They also identified Narges Muhammad Owaid, aged eight, and Mrs. Abeer Muhammad Owaid, aged 38, among those injured.

The White Helmets said: “An aerial bombing with three consecutive raids on a camp in the vicinity of Atarib city resulted in the death of two women and the injury of several people, including the child Narjis Muhammad Awaid, 8 years old, and Abeer Muhammad Awaid, 38 years old.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Mrs. Noufah al Muhammad and Mrs. Khawlah al Hasan were killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on a gathering of IDPs tents in east of al Atareb city in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on January 22.”

The White Helmets said there had been “three successive raids”. LCCSY said that the raids occurred at 07:43 local time.

The incident occured at 07:43:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Narges Muhammad Awaid
8 years old injured
Mrs. Abeer Muhammad Awaid
38 years old female injured

The victims were named as:

Mrs. Noufa Al-Muhammad,
60 years old female killed
Mrs. Khawla Al-Hassan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (22) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via MMC)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via MMC)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via White Helmets)
  • A wounded child in a medical facility following an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via White Helmets)
  • A woman kneels beside the body of a civilian killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on an IDP camp in Al Atareb, Jan 22nd (via MMC)
  • "Two women, many wounded, and dozens of sheep died as a result of the Russian raids on the Al-Madajen camp near the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo" (Via @abo_aljod84 / Twitter)
  • Two women were allegedly killed by a Russian attack in the countryside of Aleppo on January 22nd 2020 (Image via @melhem095 / Twitter)
  • Two women were allegedly killed by a Russian attack in the countryside of Aleppo on January 22nd 2020 (Image via @melhem095 / Twitter)
  • "A displaced girl cries for her mother, who was killed by Russian raids by bombing a camp for the displaced near Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo this morning, Wednesday." Image taken on January 22nd 2021 via @brocarpress / Twitter
  • "A displaced girl cries for her mother, who was killed by Russian raids by bombing a camp for the displaced near Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo this morning, Wednesday." Image taken on January 22nd 2021 via @brocarpress / Twitter
  • 1 of 4: "As a result of the death of two women, the Russian bombardment pursues the displaced and affects the Al-Madajen camp on the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo." (Image via Hafez Al-Hamwi / ZaitunAgency)
  • 2 of 4: "As a result of the death of two women, the Russian bombardment pursues the displaced and affects the Al-Madajen camp on the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo." (Image via Hafez Al-Hamwi / ZaitunAgency)
  • 3 of 4: "As a result of the death of two women, the Russian bombardment pursues the displaced and affects the Al-Madajen camp on the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo." (Image via Hafez Al-Hamwi / ZaitunAgency)
  • 4 of 4: "As a result of the death of two women, the Russian bombardment pursues the displaced and affects the Al-Madajen camp on the outskirts of the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo." (Image via Hafez Al-Hamwi / ZaitunAgency)

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
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4367

Incident date

January 27, 2020

Location

شنان, Shannan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two men were killed and others injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the village of Shannan, Idlib governorate, on January 27th, 2020, according to local media reports.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that “Wael al Jisr and Mustafa al Deeb were killed as fixed-wing warplanes fired missiles on Shnan village in Jabal al Zaweya area in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on January 27th.”

Anastracey also named the two victims and said the strike occurred at 7:32 am.

An Orient reporter said the two victims had remained under the rubble because civilian and medical rescue teams were having trouble reaching the affected area due to the intensity of the bombardment.

Orient News, and several other sources, reported that additional people were injured but the sources did not provide a specific figure.

SMART Agency quoted local sources saying “two civilians were killed as a result of missile strikes by Russian warplanes on the village of Shanan in the Ariha region of the southern countryside.”

@WM_FREESYR and the Syrian Civil Defence Idlib said Syrian government forces had carried out the strikes which targeted “civilian homes in the center of the village” according to one of the sources.

The majority of the remaining sources implicated Russia in the bombing.

Shaam Network reported that Russian and Syrian regime forces used artillery and missile shelling on different areas of Idlib on that day. “Russian and Asadian air forces launched dozens of air strikes in the midst of artillery and missile shelling in the areas of clashes, cities, towns, villages, Maarat al-Numan, Sarqib, Kafrnbel, Jericho, Maarat Harima, Benin, Sarjat Maarzita, Mardikh, Hass, Ahsam, Tarnabah, Aafs, Kafr Fatekh, Shanan, Kafarma, Khan al-Sabil, Dadaekh, Marbessah, Dair Shanbut, Sirnakb, 2 martyrs In the town of Shannan

 

The incident occured at 07:32:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Wael al Jisr وائل الجسر
Age unknown male killed
Mustafa al Deeb مصطفى الديب
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo that was posted alongside text describing an alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the village of Shannan, Idlib governorate, on January 27th, 2020. (Uploaded by Syrian Civil Defence Idlib)

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4361

Incident date

January 25, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched air strikes in the midst of artillery and missile shelling on the points of clashes and cities and towns and villages of Ma`rat al-Numan, Kafr Nubil, Saraqib, Jericho, Kafr Nabikh, Benin, Tlemans, Marshourin, Farkia, Dana, Sarjah, Rami, Khan al-Sabil, Bazpur, Dercenbl, Balchun, Ghadfa, Babilah, Shantouti, Danana. There were martyrs (a woman and her two children, one of whom is a baby) in the town of Shannan, and a martyr in Kafar Albatiekh, and a number of wounded people fell in the rest of the targeted areas. The Civil Defense said that Russian planes targeted his headquarters in the town of Talmens with three missiles, which resulted in the injury of three volunteers, lightly injuring the center and leaving the service, in addition to destroying the rescue car and some equipment.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4426

Incident date

February 9, 2020

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four people, including a four year old child, were reportedly killed and up to nine civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the city of Al Atarib, western Aleppo countryside, on February 9th, 2020, according to local sources.

The child was identified as Hatem Abdulllah Haid, who was four years old boy. Others identified as Ahmed Ibn Abdullah Mesto Yassin, a young man, Amjad Zikra, and Tamer Jaber.

Shabha Press reported that “two martyrs and nine wounded civilians, as a result of raids by Russian occupation planes on the city of Al Atarib in the western Aleppo countryside”. Earlier that day, Shabha reported that civilians were wounded in Syrian regime helicopter bombings with explosive barrels on the city.

@Step_Agency stated that the death toll of the airstrikes had risen to four civilians, including a child, and reported the use of vacuum missiles.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo posted a video of the recovering of the body of Amjad Zekra, a young man displaced from Ma’arat Al Numan, “from among the rubble caused by the artillery shelling that targeted civilian homes in Atarib city”. SCD Aleppo also posted a video of the burning of a car of a displaced person as the result of Russian airstrikes.

The SCD Aleppo gave conflicting reports about whether the incident occured in the afternoon or during the night.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Amjad Zekra
Adult male displaced from Ma'arat Al Numan killed
Ahmed Abdullah Mesto Yassine
Adult male killed
Hatem Abdullah Hiad
4 years old male killed
Tamer Jaber
Age unknown male displaced from Homs killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Atarib, Aleppo governorate, on February 9th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • A large fire broke out in the city of Atarib, as a result of the bombing with barrels and vacuum missiles (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • A large fire broke out in the city of Atarib, as a result of the bombing with barrels and vacuum missiles (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • A large fire broke out in the city of Atarib, as a result of the bombing with barrels and vacuum missiles (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • A large fire broke out in the city of Atarib, as a result of the bombing with barrels and vacuum missiles (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • A large fire broke out in the city of Atarib, as a result of the bombing with barrels and vacuum missiles (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • A large fire broke out in the city of Atarib, as a result of the bombing with barrels and vacuum missiles (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • A large fire broke out in the city of Atarib, as a result of the bombing with barrels and vacuum missiles (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • A large fire broke out in the city of Atarib, as a result of the bombing with barrels and vacuum missiles (Image posted by @Sy24ria)

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4457

Incident date

February 17, 2020

Location

الأبزمو, Al Abzimo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was killed alongside their mother and four others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Abzmo, Aleppo governorate, on February 17th, 2020, according to local sources.

Edlib Media Center reported that “a mother and her child were martyred due to the targeting of the Russian occupation air force of the town of Al Abzmo, in the western countryside of Aleppo”. Alaraby News refers to the child as being her “daughter” while others refer to the child as being a male.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo identified the victims as the wife of Ahmed Al Eid Al Houary and Ibrahim Ahmed Al Eid Al Houary.

A Facebook post from Sa`a hora reported that three civilians were killed in the airstrikes, also identifying the wife of Ahmed and Ibrahim.

SMART News reported that a woman and child were killed in a missile strike by Syrian regime forces.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the Syrian regime, and confirmed that Ibrahim Ahmed Al Eid Al Houary died alongside his mother.

@ShahbaPress reported that, in addition, several civilians were injured. @ahmmaddaak put the number of injured civilians at four.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Eid Al-Houary إبراهيم أحمد العيد الحوري
Adult male killed
Wife of Ahmed Al-Eid Al-Houary زوجة الحاج أحمد العيد الحوري
Adult female first name unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Woman in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Abzimo, Aleppo governorate, on February 17th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4499

Incident date

March 2, 2020

Location

الفوعة, Al Fou’a, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 11 civilians were killed, including at least one child, and 6 to more than 10 others, including a woman, were wounded as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on residential neighborhoods in the town of Al Fu’ah, northeast of Idlib on the evening of March 2nd, 2020 according to local sources and news agencies.

Most of the sources initially reported the death of 9 civilians. However, some other sources such as SCD stated the day after the attack that the raids allegedly committed by Russian warplanes on Al Fu’ah killed 11 civilians. SCD added that the civil defense team spent three hours searching for the missing under the rubble and recovering their bodies. Two days after the attack Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the names of two of the victims killed but it is unclear if this was their final death toll. The lowest number of civilians killed provided by a source was six civilians reported by Shaam News.

Among the people killed, local sources mentioned the names of the child Muhammad Fadi Al-Hafyan who is originally from the city of Ma’arat Al Numan, young Amer, young Mohammed Abu Hudhaifa, and his father Abdo Abu Fayyad who were displaced from the city of Darayya and Abu Ali Qassem. SNHR documented only the names of the child Muhammad Fadi Al-Hafyan and Abdo Abu Fayyad. A tweet from @anasanas84 mentioned that the victims of the strikes were “displaced persons from the city of Damascus”.

Most of the sources said that many were wounded to varying degrees in the attack. SCD reported that 6, including a woman, were injured while Shahba press said that there were more than 10 civilians injured. Ambulances transported the wounded to medical points in the area.

SNHR mentioned that the airstrikes were on the victims’ place near a military site of a faction of the armed opposition in Al Fu’ah. A Syrian Journalist called Rami Mustafa reported that Russian warplanes attacked civilian homes in the center of the town with four air raids. On the other hand, one source called TN Network claimed that the airstrikes were on gatherings of militants inside the town of Al Fu’ah and the gunmen inside the town were on their way to the fronts of contact with the Syrian army.

The airstrikes caused great destruction and significant damage in residential neighborhoods in the town of Al Fu’ah according to local sources and pictures posted from the affected areas.

All the sources that reported on the incident claimed that Russia was responsible for the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdo Abu Fayyad عبدو أبو فياض
Adult male killed
Mohammed Abu Hudhaifa محمد أبو حذيفة
male killed

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Fadi al Hafyan
Age unknown male killed
Amer عامر
Age unknown killed
Abu Ali Qassem ابو علي قاسم
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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 (45) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (31) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering victims after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Fou'a, Idlib governorate, on March 2nd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers helping a presumbably injured man after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Fou'a, Idlib governorate, on March 2nd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching the rubble after after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Fou'a, Idlib governorate, on March 2nd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Abdo Abu Fayyad and his young son Mohammed Abu Hudhaifa, both killed in killed in strikes on Al Fou’a on March 2, 2020. (Image posted by Mohamed19801980 via Facebook)
  • One of the victims of strikes on Al Fou’a on March 2, 2020. (Image posted by Mohamed19801980 via Facebook)
  • Mohammed Abu Hudhaifa, killed along with his father in strikes on Al Fou’a on March 2, 2020. (Image posted by Mohamed19801980 via Facebook)
  • Abdo Abu Fayyad, killed along with his son in strikes on Al Fou’a on March 2, 2020. (Image posted by Abu Omar via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrike on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by GhoutaaGMC via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrike on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by GhoutaaGMC via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrike on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by GhoutaaGMC via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrike on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by GhoutaaGMC via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrike on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by GhoutaaGMC via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Shafak.med.56 via Facebook)
  • Airstrike on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Shafak.med.56 via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Shafak.med.56 via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Shafak.med.56 via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Shafak.med.56 via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Zaitun Media via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Zaitun Media via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Zaitun Media via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Zaitun Media via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Zaitun Media via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Zaitun Media via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Zaitun Media via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Zaitun Media via Facebook)
  • Rescue crews respond to airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Turke3s via Facebook)
  • Rescue crews respond to airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Turke3s via Facebook)
  • Rescue crews respond to airstrikes on Al Fou’a on March 3, 2020. (Image posted by Sada.media.foundation2 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
    6 – 11
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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 (45) [ collapse]