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

RS2489

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Location

قلعة المضيق, Kala'at al Madeeq, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.409617, 36.390495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed and nine others, including children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Kala’at al Madeeq in northwestern Hama, according to local sources. The initial estimate of two civilians killed was reported by Smart News Agency while Al Latamna reported the next day (September 22nd) that a child had died of their wounds sustained in the airstrikes, bringing the estimate to three civilians killed.

Smart News Agency reported that the city center was struck by the airstrikes, resulting in the death of a young man and a woman. The civil defense teams transported the wounded to nearby field hospitals and among the wounded, the injuries varied between medium and critical. According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, around five airstrikes were launched against the town.

Conflicting reports were given as to who was responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. Smart News Agency identified Russian planes as responsible while Syrian Network for Human Rights only identified the planes as belonging to the Syrian-Russian alliance. The other two sources that reported on the incident, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Al Latamna, did not identify who was to blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Maamoun Shamsi
Child male Reportedly died on Sept 22nd from injuries sustained in the strike killed
Hijazi Abdel rahman al hallaq
Age unknown VDC listed him as killed in Aalat al Madiq on 22nd but other sources say they died following injuries sustained on the previous day killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Witness the moment that Qalat al Madiq was targeted with cluster bombs."
  • Translation: "The Russians are using cluster bombs which are internationally banned- in five raids on civilians"
  • Translation: "One of the raids a short while ago with cluster rockets on the town of Qal'at al-Madiq in Shal al Ghab. Oh God, peace be upon our people"
  • Rescue teams attend the scene of a strike on Kala'at al Madeeq, Sept 21st 2017.
  • Khaled Maamoun Shamsi , who died from injuries sustained in a strike on Kala'at al Madeeq, Sept 21st 2017.
  • Khaled Maamoun Shamsi , who died from injuries sustained in a strike on Kala'at al Madeeq, Sept 21st 2017.

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2490

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Location

رسم الطويل, Rasim al Taweel, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.806389, 37.433889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Smart News Agency, there were “dead and wounded as a result of a Russian air bombardment on the village of Rasim al Taweel, east of Hama”.

No other sources civilian harm, but they said that the regime had taken control of the village.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ 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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2491

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Location

التمانعة, al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between two and six civilians – an entire family, according to one source – died in alleged Russian or regime strikes on al Tamana’a. Sources blamed both Russian airstrikes or missiles fired from Russian battleships. Some other sources also pointed to regime warplanes.

HNN reported that there had been “martyrs and wounded as a result of shelling byRussian battleships in the Mediterranean on the villages of Jabal al-Zawia in southern countryside Idlib”.

According to the Facebook group ‘Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town’ on Sept 22nd: “The warplanes of the Russian air force and the regime continue to intensify their air raids on the town of Al-Tamanah for the fourth day in a row. The number of raids reached 36, resulting in the injury of a whole family (father, mother and four children), in addition to the large destruction of civilian homes and farms surrounding the town.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Farah-Ismail al-Bakri
Child female killed
Judd Ismael al-Bakri
Child male Died following "severe burns" killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • An airstrike hits Al Tamana'a, Sept 22nd 2017 (via Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town on Facebook)
  • Judd Ismael al-Bakri (via Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Judd Ismael al-Bakri (via Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Farah-Ismail al-Bakri (via Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of a strike on Al Tamana'a. KIt is unclear from the source who the vicitm is. (via Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town)

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2492

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Location

بنين الدير الشرقي, Banin and al Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.711012, 36.640349 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian strikes on Banin and al Deir al Sharqi. Most sources said that missiles had been fired on Banin from Russian battleships.

Khaled al Waleed and Adam.sy said that three civilians had been wounded.

According to HNN, there were “martyrs and wounded in shelling by Russian battleships” – but the source didn’t provide numbers.

Violations Documentation Centre reported that a man died from his injures three days later. He was reportedly from from Deir al-Sharqi town.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Khalaf al Hamoud
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Intensive air raids, believed to be Russian, targeted the towns of Kafarnabal, Deir al-Sharqi, Hass and Kafr Sajna"
  • Translation: "Watch a Russian air strike targeting the outskirts of the town of al Deir al Sharqi in southern countryside Idlib"

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
    1 – 2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2524

Incident date

September 22, 2017–July 25, 2019

Location

قريه الشميطية , Shumita village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On Sept 25th Euphrates Post reported: “The martyrdom of Haj Mukhlaf Khalaf Al-Ahmad from the village of Al-Shmitiya, from the wounds he sustained as a result of an air strike that targeted the village a few days ago”.

This victim was also named by the Violations Documentation Centre, along with a second victim Mekhlef al Hamadi.

There were also reports that ISIS had downed a regime helicopter in Shumita around Sept 18th, though Euphrates Post said these were “completely untrue”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haj Mukhlaf Khalaf Al-Ahmad
Age unknown killed
Mekhlef al Hamadi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 (10) [ 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2493

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5261134, 36.5813398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Kafr Sajna in southern Idlib. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

One local source included wounded in the casualty estimates but did not specify whether it was in Kafr Sajna or Deir al Sharqi. Both sources that reported in the incident, Smart News Agency and Idlib Media Centre, attributed the airstrikes to Russian planes.

Step tweeted photographs and claimed that a salt factory was targeted.

The child Ahmad Khaled Al-Qasoum, was also named in a previous incident. It is unclear in which incident he was killed.

Graphic footage shows the bodies of children who were burned alive due to the raids.

Local media suggested that children were burned to death due to Russian warplanes.

Al Jazeera tweeted that “The rocket attack targeted the positions of al Nusra Front in Idlib”. They blamed Russian warplanes.

eqtsad reported that “Russian battleships on Friday, with several missiles of the type “Caliber”, targeted the villages and towns of the southern countryside Idlib, as part of its fierce air attack on the elements of life there.”

They added that, “A rocket landed in a salt factory in the village of Kafrsajna in the southern suburb of Idlib, killing the child, “Ahmad Khalid al-Qassum al-Issa”, an only child for the family that works as guards for the factory in order to earn their living. The rocket caused the child to be burnt and the villagers were unable to save him. The fire turned him into a charred body. A number of wounded, in addition to the exit of the plant from the service and destroyed completely.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Khaled Al-Qasoum
Child male killed
Ahmed Ibn Khaled Al-Issa
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Khaled Al-Qasoum, killed in airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via VDC)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Qasioun)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Syrian Coalition)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic video of a child burning to death.
  • Alleged Russian warplanes.
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Kafr Sajneh, 22nd Sept 2017. (via eqtsad)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2494

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5816284, 36.9212293 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians were killed and “dozens” more  were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Sarja in rural Idlib South, local media reported. Some sources said that the strikes originated from Russian ships in the Mediterranean, while others pointed to warplanes.

Idlib Media Centre reported “the death  of three martyrs and dozens of wounded as a result of the bombing of Russia aircraft carrying out 10 strikes in the outskirts of the town of Sarja in Jabal al-Zawia”.

Al Latamna Youth Group put the death toll at five and also blamed Russia.

According to Al Aan TV, “nine civilians were killed and others were wounded, including children and women, as a result of the bombing by Russian warplanes and boats in the Mediterranean of cities and towns of the southern countryside of Idlib.”

Other sources, including the Violations Documentation Centre, published names of non-civilians who were killed. The Step News Agency noted that “a Russian air raid targeted the headquarters of Souqour al Sham in the town of Siraj in Jabal al-Zawiya, killing four of its members and injuring six others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a victim of the alleged Russian airstrikes against Sarja on September 22nd, 2017 (via Al Latamna Youth Facebook)
  • An alleged Russian airstrike hits Sarja, Sept 22nd.
  • A strike hits Sarja, Sept 22nd.
  • Translation: "The targeting of civilian houses in the village of Siraja by vacuum and concussion bombs, resulting in 5 civilian martyrs and a large number of wounded"
  • Translation: "more than 15 injuries as a result of the targeting of the village of Sarga by Russian air and ballistic missiles."

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2495

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from one family were killed in air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources all attribute the blame to Russia.

Two of the victims were women and one was a child. According to one source, this was followed by artillery shelling on the city during the funeral of the victims.

“Russian air strikes targeting a gathering of civilians living in tents east of Khan Shikhun city resulted in the deaths of two civilians and the wounding of a third seriously.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Najat Mohammad Al Darwan
Age unknown female killed
Shagila Yusuf al Darwan
Age unknown female killed
Umm Mohammed Yousif Al-Darwan
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Khairiya Yousef Al-Darwan
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ 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
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]