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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Russian Military
Country
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Incident Code

RS2244a

Incident date

May 17, 2017

Location

الحويقة, Al Hwaighe, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.342102, 40.14576 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, an adult male, was killed and others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the neighborhood of Al Hwaighe in Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

According to @AhrarDeirezzor, the civilian was killed after he left the mosque and other members of his family were also injured. The majority of local sources, including Violations Documentation Center, identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes while the remaining sources did not identify who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul al-Hakim Al Alloush
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Abdul al-Hakim Al Alloush, killed in airstrikes against Al Hwaighe on May 17, 2017 (via AhrarDeirezzor Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2244

Incident date

May 17, 2017

Location

رسم الحمام , Rasim al Hamam, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.41304, 37.15712 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians were killed, including two children, and others were wounded in more than five alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the town of Rasim al Hamam in Eastern Aleppo, according to local sources.

The majority of sources, including Smart News and Syrianoor, reported that Russian planes were responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. However, @AJA_Syria published a contradictory report, identifying regime planes as to blame for the airstrikes.

According to Baladi News, the five civilians that were killed were members of the same family (Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh’s family).

Some of those that were injured were in critical condition at the time of reporting, which was expected to increase the death toll. In addition to the human cost, the airstrikes also caused considerable damage to houses and property.

Aljazeera reported that at the time, the area that was struck was under control of the Islamic State.

 

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
Child killed
One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
Child killed
One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
killed
One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
killed
One member from Hassan Aliawi Al Shekh's family
killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2241

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

سوحا, Soha , Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.000015, 37.401581 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 15 civilians were killed – and as many as 30 were wounded – following an airstrike on a bakery in Soha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed Russia, except Syrian News Desk, which blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Sources reported that ten out of the 15 casualties were civilians who were working at the bakery early in the morning. 7al news added that the bakery alone was hit by two raids. However, overall up to seven strikes were reported in the vicinity.

@HamahNow reported that the causalities were “mostly women and children”. 

Tustar news calls the building that was struck by the raids Almayawimin, which out researchers believe was the name given to the bakery. 

Smart news reported that few other details were discovered from the incident.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between May 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
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2242

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.519286, 36.382427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child died from his wounds on May 21st from an air and artillery strike on Saqba,  according to local sources. As many as four civilians were reportedly wounded in this raid. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributed blame to Russia, while others pointed to the Syrian regime.

An image of the injured child was published on the day of the strike by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, but it was later reported that he died from his wounds – which were extensive.

Similarly, sources reported that Civil Defence workers pulled injured civilians from the rubble and their wounds were severe therefore the death toll was likely to rise.

On the day of the strike itself there were no reported casualties.

Aksalsear reported that missiles were used in the raid, however, Aleitihadpress alleged that artillery and rocket fire were to blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Tawfiq al-Khatib
Child male died due to his wounds on the 21st killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured due to an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saqba, 6th May 2017. (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between May 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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

RS2243

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in an air and artillery strike on Hamouriya, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others pointed to the Syrian regime.

According to Qasıoun, a guided missile struck an old Mosque in the town. Footage shows the ruins of the building in the aftermath. It was later declared inoperable by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Multiple sources such as Al Jazeera alleged that as many as three missiles hit the vicinity. 

@akhbar said that the raids were conducted by “Assad forces with short-range land-to-ground missiles”. They are not the only source to make this allegation.

More footage shows children being pulled from the rubble of buildings which were struck in the raid. During the film, another airstrike hits the vicinity causing more panic and chaos.

@SyrianCoalition reported two women and two children were killed in the strikes, whereas other sources report as many as four men. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Ramadan
10 years old female killed
Israe Eisa
10 years old female killed
Mariam Eisa
30 years old female killed
Amer Hijazi
21 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children1–2 women1–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–24
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment after an airstrike hit a Mosque and the surrounding area in Hamouriya, 16th May 2017. (via Qasıoun news agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children are pulled from the rubble during rescue operations in the aftermath of an airstrike on Hamouriya, 16th May 2017. (via Syrian Civil Defence in Rural Damascus)
  • Another airstrike hits the vicinity while rescue operations are taking place. 16th May 2017, Hamouriya. (via Syrian Civil Defence in Rural Damascus)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between May 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
    6
  • (2 children1–2 women1–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–24
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2238

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Location

سوحا, Soha , Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.000015, 37.401581 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two brothers were killed and others civilians were wounded – according to one source – following an airstrike on Soha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some reported that Russia was to blame, and others attributed blame to the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the “Russian-Syrian alliance”.

According to Syrian Press Centre, “warplanes targeted the area of ​​Akerbat and the villages of Suha and Hammadi Omar in the eastern Hama countryside on Monday afternoon with six air strikes with space rockets”. They did not specify a belligerent.

Only one source reported that some civilians were wounded in the raid.

Hasan Khalif said that Azzam al-Abo Ezo was 19-years-old, while the Violations Documentation Centre listed him as “a child”.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Azzam al-Abo Ezo
Adult male brothers killed
Bostan al-Abo Ezo
Child male brothers killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 children0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between May 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
  • (1–2 children0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2239

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Location

رسم الطويل, Rasim Al-taweel, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An unspecific number of civilians were killed and wounded in an aerial bombardment on Rasim Al-taweel, according to local sources. All sourced either blamed Russia for the strikes, or did not attribute blame.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2240

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An entire family of displaced peoples from Palmyra were killed – and an unspecific number of civilians were wounded – following an airstrike on Akeirbat, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. 

Initially reporting suggested than an unspecific amount of civilians had been killed, however, on May 22nd three sources put forward the names of eight civilians from one family, including four women, three men and a child, who were all killed in the raid. Researchers art Airwars contacted all three sources, and they confirmed the strike was indeed on May 15th 2017.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Mohammad al Khalaf
Adult male nurse, displaced from Palmyra killed
wife of Mohammed Khalaf
Adult female displaced from Palmyra killed
mother of Mohammed Khalaf
Adult female displaced from Palmyra killed
Ahmed Mohammed Al Khalaf
Adult male displaced from Palmyra killed
wife of Ahmed Mohammed Al Khalaf
Adult female displaced from Palmyra killed
Mahmoud Mohammed Al - Khalaf
Adult male displaced from Palmyra killed
Fatima Mohammed Al Khalaf
Adult female displaced from Palmyra killed
son of Ahmed Khalaf
Child male displaced from Palmyra killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (1 child4 women3 men)
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (1 child4 women3 men)
  • 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]