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

Incident Code

RS2496

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Location

بلدة تل مرديخ جنوب سراقب, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81117, 36.79093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian airstrikes on the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham in Mardikh town, south Saraqeb, killed at least two civilians and possibly injured dozens more, local media reported. Most of the sources reported the death toll among fighters of Faylaq Al Sham, but at least five civilians including four women were named as killed in the strikes, which also reportedly struck and wounded members of the  White Helmets as they attended the scene.

According to Edlib Media Center, the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham Corps was hit by the airstrikes. The Violations Documentation Centre listed the names of 33 “non-civilians” killed – alongside the names of five civilians. Sharif Sarmada noted “dozens of martyrs and wounded among Faylaq al Sham fighters who were killed when Russian aviation targeted their headquarters in the town”. Aksalser, meanwhile, put the number of “fighters” killed at 45.

Step reported that “more than thirty-five Russian air raids targeted the village of “Tel Mardikh” Saturday, September 23, and focused on the headquarters of the faction “Failaq al Sham “of the opposition forces, killing seven fighters “.

Syrianoor reported that there had been “dozens of martyrs and wounded, most of them civilians, who were killed in an air strike by Russian airliners this morning [Sept 23rd] on the village of Tal Mardikh”.

Zaiton said that  “a number of civilians were killed” and went on to add that a young man died and two members of the White Helmets were wounded while they tried to inspect the site.

Citing activists on the ground, Syrianoor added that “10 martyrs have so far have been killed by the Russian airstrikes that targeted the village of Tal Mardikh”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Combat status unclear. He is named by Edlib EMC who do not give his combat status. VDC list a "Dirar Mohammad al-Mokhtar" as a non-civilians, so they could be the same man. killed
Moeawia Ibraheem al-Shbeeb
Adult male killed
Najat Mohammad al-Derwan
Adult female killed
Shagila Yousef al-Darwan
Adult female killed
Um Mohammad Yousef al-Darwan
Adult female killed
Majida Abd al-Rahman al-Othman
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians being pulled out the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Mardikh. (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Image of an injured civilian being carried by a White Helmet following airstrikes against Mardikh on September 23rd, 2017 (via Edlib EMC)
  • The White Helmets are reportedly targeted when attending the scene of a strike in Mardikh, Sept 23rd.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of a strike on Mardikh, Sept 23rd are pulled from the ground.
  • Translation: "10 martyrs and dozens wounded, including 5 of the civil defense, as a result of the bombing of the Russian air force targeted the village of Tal Mardikh countryside # Idlib."
  • Translation: "Martyrs from # Darya killed today in # Idlib in the Russian bombing on the # Tel-Mardikh". Note: the combat status of these men is unclear.

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
    2 – 10
  • (4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2502

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

سلمية, Salamiya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.012175, 37.053022 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, including a woman and her three children, were killed and others, including two children, were wounded in airstrikes against the neighbourhoods of Salamiya east of Hama in central Syria, according to local sources.

Many sources, such as Smart News Agency, did not identify who was responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. Airwars researches believe that either Russia, the Syrian regime or ISIS were responsible for the raids which killed civilians. The town was under the control of the Syrian regime so researches have suggested it was unlikely to be Russian or regime.

Four dead civilians were taken to the hospital, including two children, in addition to three wounded, two of them seriously injured by the shrapnel of rocket shells – according to an Al-alam tv report. They also reported the attacks were from Da’esh.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • 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, ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment the strike hit, 24th September 2017. (via Elnashra)

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

ISIS Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    ISIS
  • ISIS position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • 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, ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2508

Incident date

September 24–25, 2017

Location

قرية معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6675976, 36.7290564 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians, including a woman, were killed and four others, including three children, were injured in two alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Ma’ar Shoreen in northern Syria, as reported by local sources.

According to Smart News, all of those affected by the airstrikes were from the same family and included a woman who was killed immediately by the airstrikes, her husband who later died of his injuries, and their three children that sustained injuries ranging from light to medium in seriousness.

One local source tweeted that there were as many as five injured civilians from one family. A bride and groom were included in the injured.

In an interview with local woman around 0’20” in the Qasioun footage, ‘the planes were flying all night over us. My son and I were asleep. We were fast asleep when the missile hit us.  God protected us and we were rescued. Some people were killed, others lost their homes and kids were crying. We were all crying, we were in a real state. This is no way to live.. God protected us.. What have we done to deserve this? Are our kids terrorists? Let them fight elsewhere. We are simple people we’re citizens.

The airstrikes reportedly struck an apartment building and a factory, which resulted in rendering the factory unable to continue manufacturing. Yusif al-Jarrak, one of the plant’s shareholders, told Smart News Agency that the damage to the the machines and warehouses resulted in a loss of between $50,000-60,000.

Smart News Agency gave conflicting reports as to when the airstrikes took place, reporting in one article that it was among airstrikes that occurred Sunday night (September 24th) while reporting in another article that it was carried out early in the day Monday (September 25th), which is when Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the airstrike occured. However, in both articles published by Smart News Agency and the report by Syrian Network for Human Rights, all identified Russian planes as responsible for perpetrating the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghadal al Omar
Age unknown killed
Ahmad Abd al Wahab al Omar
Age unknown cause of death is russian strikes but place of death listed as turkey [so maybe died as a result of injuries? killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes. (via Qasioun)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes. (via Step)

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
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2503

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

مخيم النور, al Nour camp, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.186607, 36.75637 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 13 civilians were injured, including three in a critical condition, by alleged Russian airstrikes against al Nour refugee camp in the town of Jarjanaz, according to local activists.

Sources either identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes or did not attribute blame.

According to Smart News Agency, around 20 tents in the refugee camp were destroyed by the airstrikes. The property of displaced peoples was also destroyed.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Al Laith al A’ss)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2504

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

البويب, al Boueb, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

31.464395, 35.155867 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were injured in airstrikes against the village of al Boueb in the Shahshabo mountain in the western Hama countryside. Media blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

The “warplanes” which launched three raids on the vicinity were unidentified by some media. It was reported that the village “[is] inhabited by purely civilians working as shepherds. There are no more than 25 families in this village living in 15 houses.”

No specific estimate was given as to how many civilians.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2500

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

قرية الشيخ سنديان, al Sheikh Sundian village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians were killed, including a family of three, and three others, including a woman, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of al Sheikh Sundian, according to local media.

According to the sources that reported on the incident, Russian planes were likely responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

Some sources such as SN4HR reported that four civilians were killed, whereas others put the figures at three. There were however five names published overall by local media, including VDC.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Sharifa Abd al Wahi Dico
Age unknown female from al Sarminia killed
Mariam abd al Wahid Dico
Age unknown female wife of Ahmad Jawdat Qarout killed

The victims were named as:

Abdel Hadi from al Qarqour Hama
Age unknown male son of Ahmad Jawdat Qarout killed
Mohammad Jawdat Qarout
Age unknown male from al Qarqour Hama killed
Ahmad Jawdat Qarout
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Jawdat Qarout, killed in airstrikes on al Sheikh Sundian village, 24th September 2017. (via VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim is taken from the scene in the aftermath of airstrikes on al Sheikh Sundian village, 24th September 2017. (via @allazkani95)

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
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2501

Incident date

September 24, 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

Between two and three civilians were killed, including a man and a pregnant woman, and five others, including three women and two children, were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes in the agricultural vicinity of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib, according to local sources.

A correspondent from the Civil Defence Centre Anas Diab told Smart News Agency that “neighbourhoods inhabited by displaced people” were struck by the airstrikes and Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the area hit by the airstrikes as Tal Ja’far farms.

Aalan TV reported that “a woman was killed and members of her family were injured following Russian raids on farmland near khan sheihoun in southern Idlib.”

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence were pulling injured civilians from the rubble, according to media. The wounded suffered from different degrees of severity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin reporting on the strikes in Khan Sheikhoun, 24th September 2017. (via Aalan TV)
  • A child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, 24th September 2017. (via Sada al Sham)

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
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2505

Incident date

September 24–25, 2017

Location

قرية حير الصبي, Hayr al-Sabi near the town of al Dana , Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.213186, 36.770897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three to seven civilians were killed, including a family of seven, and six others, including women and children, were injured in airstrikes against the village of Hayr al-Sabi near the town of al Dana in northern Idlib according to local activists. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while the others blamed the Syrian regime.

The date of the incident is contested. Step says 06:am on 25th, however, some tweets appeared night of 24th and others early on 25th. The first tweet was 9pm on 24th.

Some sources have only reported that a family of three was killed, including a mother, father and a son, however others put the numbers as high as seven.

An interview with one of injured residents ‘Abu Mahmoud’ goes as follows. “I heard a noise of a plane then a noise of a missile – I couldn’t hear the plane anymore- I was sure it was a missile. Most residents were sleeping on their roofs. It is an entirely civilian area there are no militants here. The result of the raid, as you can see, the house was totally flattened. There were about five injured and five martyrs.  In our neighbours house there were two people injured.”

An interview with another resident ‘abu Hussein’ goes as follows:, “This is my house. We suddenly heard a plane we looked up and the missile fell. These are civilian home there is no free army and no one else. It is civilian homes.”

Footage shows huge fires in the aftermath of the raid, which occurred at dawn.

The incident occured at 06:05:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Tayseer Ahmad al-Namer
Adult male killed
Ahlam Fares Shihadeh
Adult female killed
Ahmad Tayseer al-Namer
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Sayed Abu Sbeih)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Sayed Abu Sbeih)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Sayed Abu Sbeih)
  • Members of the Civil Defence in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Syrian Coalition)
  • Members of the Civil Defence in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Tuan Thuoc)
  • Members of the Civil Defence in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Ibrahim Yusuf)
  • Members of the Civil Defence in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Al Jazeera 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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]