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

RS2536

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

مشمشان كنيسة نخلة , Kanissa Nakhla and Mashmashan, Jisr al Shoughour countryside, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859696, 36.367021 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman died and up to six civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Mashmashan in rural Idlib, according to sources on the ground.

Idlib Media centre pointed to Russia, though the Smart News Agency – who said that six civilians were wounded in the attack – didn’t identify the culprit.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ratebah Dieb
Adult female She is described as Othman Dieb’s wife. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1533 RS2543

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

البلعوم, Al Mayadin, Al Baloum neighbourhood, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians, including one woman and one child, were reported killed following airstrikes on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor governorate. The Coalition and Russian warplanes were blamed by local media.

According to Al Natek, Russian raids targeted the city resulting in four civilians deaths. Smart also believed the attack was carried out by Russian warplanes, asserting that four died including one woman and one child.

However Step accused the Coalition, alleging that “More than five raids by the international coalition targeted Ina’ash al Reef and the water crossing and near al Rahba castle in the city of al Mayadin”.

Nasser Khalifa Al A’yada, his wife Houria Al Jaber and his nephew Ahmad Abd al-Khalifa Al A’yada were listed as killed by the Euphrates Post. However there was some confusion, as in a subsequent Euphrates Post report no civilians casualties were mentioned. In a third Euphrates Post report, it referred to “military aircraft believed to be members of the International Alliance” as culprits. According to the source “the house of Mr. Ahmad Al Hamad Al-Aboud and Al-Zubari and Al Toub and Sa’alo on the main Deir Ezzor – al Mayadeen road” were targeted.

The shelling reportedly focused on the house of Mr. Khalif Al A`yada an the houses adjacent to it.

In addition to the charred bodies and the fall of many wounded in the neighbourhood, a petrol shop was also bombed in front of Nasser al-Khalif’s home, and a fire broke out as a result of the burning of many cars.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, said that “Syrian regime forces killed several civilians from one family on September 26th in Al Mayadin”.

The incident occured at 01:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Nasser Khalifa Al A’yada
Adult male Husband killed
Houria Al Jaber
Adult female Wife killed
Ahmad Abd al-Khalifa Al A’yada
Age unknown male Nephew killed

The victims were named as:

Laith Allawi al-Jabr
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Jamal Jamal al-Ja'ayleh
  • Image supposedly showing the impact of the strikes
  • News bulletin in the aftermath. (via Jisr satellite Channel)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a burned body in the aftermath. (via Almayadin today)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Baloum (البلعوم) neighbourhood/roundabout in the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین). Sources also mention multiple additional strikes in different areas of the city: Ina’ash Al Reef, the water crossing, Al Rahba castle and a possible second airstrike on Al Baloum that didn’t result in any civilian casualties. The coordinates for the Al Baloum (البلعوم) roundabout are: 35.030682, 40.429162.

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
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 25th – 26th the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 25, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a fighting position, a heavy machine gun, and an IED.”

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
    3 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2537

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

سنجار , Sinjar, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.590091, 37.004896 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a woman was killed and others were wounded due to airstrikes on the town of Sinjar in eastern Idlib governorate. Idlib Media Center blamed the Russian side for the strikes, while Smart News and several other sources attributed the strike to the Syrian regime.

The Idlib Media Centre only reported injured as a result of the strikes, while Smart News Agency reported the killing of a woman and seven injured.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Najmah Khedr
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Civilians wounded by the targeting of the warplane of the regime with two air raids # Sinjar village in the countryside # Idlib East"

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
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2538

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

Qaiqoun village [al Qaderiya], Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.898908, 36.309807 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five civilians, among them two children, were killed and up to seven others wounded in an airstrike on Qainoun village, according to local sources.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 2 children were killed when suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on Qayqoun (al Qaderiya) village in Idlib governorate western suburbs on September 26, 2017.”

The Smart News Agency, citing the civil defence, reported the “killing of five civilians and injury of six others in other raids on the town of Qadriya”. The source didn’t identify the culprit.

Multiple sources published a very graphic image of one of the child victims, Mostafa Rashed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mostafa Rashed
Child killed
Ibrahiem Rashed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qaiqoun village [al Qaderiya], Sept 26th.
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qaiqoun village [al Qaderiya], Sept 26th.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mostafa Rashed, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Qaderiya, Sept 26th (via Abdul Halluf)

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 – 5
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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

RS2539

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

الجانودية , al Janoudiya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8839, 36.291466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and up to six others were wounded in an alleged Russian or

@jesrNEWSL reported: “A civilian was killed and three others were injured when Russian warplanes targeted the village of al-Janoudiya in the north of the northern countryside of Jisr al shughour “.

Meanwhile, the Smart News Agency  “te civil defense documented the killing of a civilian and wounding six others in raids on the town of al-Janoudiya”.

There were also reports that the regime had dropped barrel bombs on al Janoudiya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An airstrike hits Al-Janodiya, Sept 26th 2017 (via ALJANOUDIAatHEART)

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2540

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

معرة حرمة, Maarat Horma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5497387, 36.5422624 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were wounded in an airstrike, likely to be Russian, on the town of Maarat Horma in southern Idlib, according to the Smart News Agency. The wounded were transferred to nearby field hospitals.

According to @SyrianCoalition, the strike destroyed “the northern school” in the town.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The ruins of the "northern school" in Maarat Horma following an alleged Russian airstrike on Sept 26th 2017.
  • The ruins of the "northern school" in Maarat Horma following an alleged Russian airstrike on Sept 26th 2017

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2551

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

خان شيخون , Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town on Facebook said: “A number of civilians were injured as a result of four air strikes by Russian warplanes carrying cluster bombs targeting the eastern neighborhood of Khan Shikhun in the southern Idlib countryside.”

A woman was injured by bombs from warplanes, believed to be Russian, on Khan Sheikhoun, Smart News Agency reported.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (9) [ 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
    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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2553

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

الحوايج البومصعة, al Hawaij al Bou masa’a crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0528105, 40.4941326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 13 people were reportedly killed and dozens were reportedly injured after an airstrike, believed to be Russian, on al Hawayj al Boumsa’a crossing, according to Euphrates Post reporting. The date of the airstrike is unclear, but on September 27th Euphrates Post shared some pictures of the aftermath.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Pictures show the devastation in the aftermath of the alleged airstrike on al Hawayj al Boumsa’a crossing (via Euphrates Post)
  • Pictures show the devastation in the aftermath of the alleged airstrike on al Hawayj al Boumsa’a crossing (via Euphrates Post)
  • Pictures show the devastation in the aftermath of the alleged airstrike on al Hawayj al Boumsa’a crossing (via Euphrates Post)
  • Pictures show the devastation in the aftermath of the alleged airstrike on al Hawayj al Boumsa’a crossing (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]