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

RS2345

Incident date

July 16, 2017

Location

حزة , Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52034, 36.36494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four children died and dozens more civilians were reported wounded in an airstrike on Hazza, according to sources on the ground. Most reports blamed the Assad regime, though there was also an allegation against Russia.

According to Akhbaralaan, “Activists said that the warplanes of the Assad forces fired several rockets on residential neighborhoods in the town of Haza on the outskirts of Zamalka, leaving four dead, including three children and a number of wounded”.

Aladeyehnews reported that “a medical source said four children were killed and more than a dozen others injured”.

@HadiAlabdallah put the death toll at five.

Jobar attributed the civilian harm to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: '5 martyrs, all of them children and dozens of wounded civilians as a result of the bombing of the Syrian warplanes on the areas of "Ein Tarma, Hazza, Zamalka" in Gouta # East Damascus'
  • Images of children wounded in airstrikes reportedly carried out by the Assad regime on Hazza, July 16th 2017.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: 'A child injured in the aerial bombardment of the Assad forces on the town of Haza in the suburb of Damascus, in which three other children were killed.'

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
    4 – 5
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2339

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

أم قيبة , Umm Qiba village, near al Sokhna, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.908458, 37.529984 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three women were killed and other civilians injured in alleged Russian raids on the village of Um Qiba in the eastern Homs countryside, local sources reported.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria said those killed included two daughters of Mkaimen al-Shihetan and Faysal al-Shihatan.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Daughter of Mkaimen al-Shihetan 1
Adult female killed
Daughter of Mkaimen al-Shihetan 2
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Hind Faysal al-Shihatan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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 (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2340

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighborhood of downtown Hamidiya, local sources reported.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1206 RS2341

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, al Arabaeen street and other areas, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.017177, 40.449051 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten civilians – including at least one woman and two children – were killed and dozens more were wounded following airstrikes near two schools in the city of Al Mayadeen. However, local sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. Both Russia and the US-led Coalition were reportedly responsible. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian Regime.

Nine of the 13 sources reporting the incident did not make any allegations as to who was responsible given the difficulty in identifying perpetrators (given that Coalition, Russian and Syrian government warplanes were all operating in the vicinity.)

Euphrates Post reported that the warplanes responsible were unidentified, but that they “probably belonged to the Russian air force”. Further sources, including Syria News Desk, @Syrian_Revolution and Deir Al Zor PN, directly alleged that Russia was responsible.

Meanwhile Step News Agency claimed the Coalition was to blame while the Syrian Network for Human Rights said the Syrian government was responsible.

Euphrates Post, among a number of other local sources, reported that the strikes hit civilian areas near the Al Nasswi School and the Khawla Bint Azwar School and that most of the damage was caused to the homes of Muhanned Hamoud al Hamran and Allawi al Helou.

The source added that the airstrikes caused “burning of two civilian vehicles and material damage to a number of shops and adjacent residential buildings”.

DeirEzzor24 reported that “the number [of civilian casualties] is likely to rise due to the large number of wounded and the lack of medical personnel” and added that “the search for survivors from the rubble is still ongoing”.

Many sources described the incident as a “massacre”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Allawi al Helou’s daughter
Child female killed
Fawaz al Awad
Adult female wife of Allawi al Helou killed
Saif Allawi al Helou
Child male Son of Allawi al Helou killed
Son of Fawaz al Awad
Adult male killed

Family members (5)

Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 1
Age unknown killed
Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 2
Age unknown killed
Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 3
Age unknown killed
Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 4
Age unknown killed
Member of the Muhannad al Ali al Hamoud al Hamran family 5
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Jamal al Husseinan
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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 Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 July 15th-16th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, eight strikes destroyed 44 ISIS oil storage tanks, 22 oil stills, five cranes, a vehicle, and a well-head.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

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
    10
  • (2–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2337

Incident date

July 14, 2017

Location

عين ترما,, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51602, 36.35078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian or Syrian warplanes committed “a massacre” in the city of Ain Tarma, local sources reported, killing at up to 21 named civilians including women and children. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there were up to 20 strikes on the town. Some reports also said that the town was hit by surface rockets.

The lowest death count was given by @SyrianCoalition at two with “dozens” more wounded. However, most other sources said that between five or seven civlians had died, though the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the death toll had risen to ” 10 including 2 children and 4 women”.

According to Orient, “warplanes targeted residential neighborhoods in the city of Ein Tirma with several air raids, causing the deaths of 12 martyrs, mostly women and children, after houses were demolished over their heads”.

The strikes came hours after the city was hit by poison gas, according to Orient News, who reported seven families remained stuck under the rubble.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mohammad Jawdat Santiha
Adult male Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Aya Mohammad Jodeh Santiha
Child female Daughter of Mohammad Jawdat Santiha killed
Amineh Qosaibati
Adult female Wife of Wife of Mohammad Jawdat Santiha killed

The victims were named as:

Ali Daedae
Adult male Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Mohammad Rhayem
Child male Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Giyath Dahrouj
Child male Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Mohammad Rhayem
Child male Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Tagreed Morjan
Adult female Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Alia Bader al-Deen
Adult female Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Nisreen Jarrah
Adult female Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Soliman Taslak
Adult male Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Ayman al-Homsi
Adult male Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Maysae al-Badawi
Adult female Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Amid al-Rawwas
Adult male Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Batoul al-Sageer
Adult female Killed by "Syrian government and affiliated militias" killed
Atia Badr Eddin
Age unknown killed
Mohanad Rihani
Age unknown killed
Nizar Ghaleb Yusuf
Age unknown killed
Mona Fayoumi Khatib
Age unknown killed
Ameed Al Rawas
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 21
  • (1–2 children1–7 women5–10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

  • 'The massive destruction caused by the bombing of the airfield of Ein Tarma in the eastern Ghouta'
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017 (via Jobar)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017 (via GhoutaGMC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017 (via GhoutaGMC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017 (via GhoutaGMC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017 (via GhoutaGMC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017 (via GhoutaGMC)
  • More scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017
  • More scenes from the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017.
  • Widespread destruction following airstrikes on on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017.
  • Mohammad Jawdat Santiha, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ain Tarma, July 14th 2017 (via Mohammad Al Shami)
  • Ghayath Dahrouj Abu Hassan, killed in an airstrike on Ain Tarma, July 14th - though VDC listed him as a child (via Amer Zaidan )

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 – 21
  • (1–2 children1–7 women5–10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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

RS2335

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Location

المكيمين , Al-Mkimin, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.129444, 37.415278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed in an alleged Russian bombardment on the village of Al-Mkimin, local media reported.

Hisham Sarhan Hisham Al Zubin was also reported dead by his cousin. Four others were wounded.

Syria Newsdesk said the the bombing came after the regime forces failed to win back villages under the control of Daesh, “despite more than a thousand raid and thousands of rockets and artillery.”

“More than 30 houses have been totally destroyed in the past two days,” its source said.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hisham Sarhan Hisham Al Zubin, killed in a strike on Al Makimin village, Julyt 13th (via Mohannad Al Terkawi)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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

RS2333

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Location

مراط,, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.31407, 40.23865 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Al Hassaka Rasd reported: “The Russian air force targets with several air raids the vicinity of Deir Ezzor military airport, brigade 137, the cemetery area and the town of Mrat Foukani”.

Other sources mentioned an unspecified number of wounded civilians but didn’t identify who carried out the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2332

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Location

الغوطة الشرقية, Easter Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51388889, 36.49861111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that areas in Eastern Ghouta, specifically Hazza and Ein Tarma, were subject to heavy aerial shelling, killing up to four civilians and wounding “dozens”, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame.

@AJA_Syria cited al-Jazeera correspondent who reported “dozens of civilians, including women and children, were wounded by Syrian and Russian shelling of the towns of Ain-Terma and Hazza in Al Ghouta Damascus.”

Sources reported between two and four fatalities, the highest reported by Orient News. Three male victims were identified by name, two being killed in Hazza while the third in Ein Tarma. 

Besides from @AJA_Syria who reported “dozens” of wounded, most of the remaining sources reported that just as few were left wounded.

Sources were not clear as to whether attribute blame to Russia or the Syrian regime. A couple of sources identified Russia as the culprit while most, including Violation Documentation Centre (VDC) and the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) pointed to the Syrian regime. As cited above, @AJA_Syria, blamed both belligerents. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Soliman Ramadan
Adult male Killed in Hazza killed
Ali Hilal al-Obaid
Adult male Killed in Hazza killed
Nizar Galeb Yousef
Adult male Killed in Ein Tarma killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image published in association with the reporting of airstrikes in Eastern Ghouta, July 13th, 2017 (via Jobar News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]