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

CS1559 RS2575

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.02134, 40.448522 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 14 named civilians died in an air and artillery strike in Al Mayadin, local media reported – though it was unclear who was responsible for the event, with sources pointing towards the Coalition, Russia and the regime. Many reports referred only to attacks by “warplanes”.

Although no specific sources put the death toll as high as 14, the total number of named casualties spread across sources was 14.

According to Euphrates Post and other sources, the raids occurred “in the vicinity of Al-Hammad Hospital and Teachers Syndicate in Al-Mayadeen”.

@Asharq_news reported that both “warplanes and helicopters had carried out 25 raids an hour ago”. However other sources claimed there were up to 50 raids. One source reported that the high intensity of raids caused a “great panic”. 

The Syrian Press Center said that “Russian warplanes and international coalition aircraft continue to commit the worst massacres against civilians in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Azzur. On Sunday, warplanes carried out a new massacre in the city of Al-Mayadeen, leaving four martyrs dead”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three including a child and reported that the warplanes responsible were “believed to be Russian”.

Sound and Picture said that five civilians including two children had died, but like many sources, didn’t identify who carried out the raids.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported regime warplanes had killed seven non-combatants, including two children and two women.

Two ISIS fighters named as Abu Yasser and Hamdan al-Shaher Abu Saleh were also reported killed.

It was reported by Baladi that the vicinity “was hit by a barrage of un-exploded ordnance, cluster bombs and more.”

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Awad Hassan al Jawad
Age unknown male killed
Child female killed
Child female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male son of “Abu Karem” killed
Adult female Mother of Saleh killed
Khaled Salem
Age unknown male injured
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Basem Mahmoud Al - Hammad Al - Zabrawi
Age unknown killed
Majali Fayyad Ahmed al-Hussein al-Afif
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 14
  • (4 children2 women3 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on the vicinity of Al-Hammad Hospital and Teachers Syndicate in Al-Mayadeen, 1st October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Al-Mayadeen, 1st October 2017. (via Syrian PC)
  • AN audio clip showing the sound of heavy shelling in Al-Mayadeen, 1st October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Civilians in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Al-Mayadeen, 1st October 2017. (via @ahhrrar123)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes in the town of Al Mayadin (لميادين‎). Sources mention the areas of Al Hammad hospital (الحماد) at these coordinates: 35.021340,40.448522, the Teachers Syndicate (المعلمین نقابة) and a river crossing. Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify these last two locations further  

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

For September 30th-October 1st the Coalition reported “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed an ISIS well head and engaged two tactical units. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS tactical vehicle.”

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
    3 – 14
  • (4 children2 women3 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2578

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Location

السعلو, Sa'lo, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.141173, 40.363297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source incident, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a man was killed in a bombardment by warplanes believed to be Russian on al-Salu village in the countryside of Deir Ezzor”.

Currently, there are no further details.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ 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 October 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2586

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

حي المهندسين الاول, Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.0962042, 36.9626427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young man was killed, and as many as eight more civilians were wounded – including five from the same family – following an air and artillery strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo. All sources either blamed Russia for the air and artillery strikes, or they did not attribute any blame.

The shelling allegedly struck civilian housing and the “Association of Engineers” – also known as the “Rif Al Mohandseen Society” – with what sources claim was as many as four airstrikes.

According to sources, RPG’s and missiles were used in the raid.

There was large material destruction including that to civilian housing.

Mohammed Owaid reported that there were “three air strikes, the most violent of the kind targeted civilian homes in the countryside of the first Al Mohandseen. The percentage of destruction is very large and there are wounded and trapped under the rubble.”

According to sources, civilians were trapped under the rubble of their homes, while Civil Defence forces attempting to pull them out of the rubble. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported later on that the death toll was likely to rise due to the severity of the injured.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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 (45) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian strikes on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Al - Jisr Satellite Channel )
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Baladi-News Network)
  • The exact moment the strike hit Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Hasan Jneed)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young man killed in alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Mohammed Owaid)
  • White Helmets dig victims out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Facebook )
  • White Helmets dig victims out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Facebook )
  • White Helmets dig victims out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Facebook )
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Mohammed Owaid )
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Mohammed Owaid )
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Mohammed Owaid )

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 October 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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 (45) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2584

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

الميادين, al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian and/or Syrian-waged airstrikes possibly killed one man and wounded several other civilians, including a child and a woman, in al-Mayadeen, according to sources on the ground.

Enab Baladi reported that more than 30 raids had hit al-Mayadeen, and many other sources put the figure at 20 air raids and more. DPN reported that “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships targeted the city of al Mayadeen with more than 20 rockets and an explosive grenade since the morning.” 

Enab Baladi, however, said that the strikes did not cause casualties among civilians, though several other sources reported the death of one named man when his house was hit by an airstrike.

DeirEzzor24 reported “the injury of a child and a woman”

Step News added that the strikes had stopped most of the lines of communication due to the bombardment of cables and more.

Sources were unclear as to whether carried out the strikes. Several sources identified Russia as the responsible, while Euphrates Post reported “for the first time in years regime helicopters target the city of al-Mayadeen with explosive barrels, in addition to dozens of air raids by Russian warplanes between yesterday night [Oct 1st] and the present date [Oct 2nd]. There are no accurate statistics for the number of martyrs and wounded and missing under the rubble.” This suggests that Russia and the Syrian regime shared culpability.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The city of al-Mayadeen was subject to aerial shelling on October 2nd, 2017, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via @Abohg4)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes striking in al-Mayadeen, October 2nd, 2017, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via @Abood_Dwehe)
  • Images from al-Mayadeen, that on October 2nd, 2017, was subject to airstrikes carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Euphrates Post)
  • Footage from al-Mayadeen, that on October 2nd, 2017, was subject to airstrikes carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Abed Salama)

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 October 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
    0 – 1
  • (1 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2585

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

منطقة السدة الطيبة, Al Sadda area, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.08831, 38.914261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and her four children were killed, and as many as two others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al Sadda area, Al Tayba. Sources all either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids or did not attribute any blame.

There are no other details at this time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • 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

CS1563 RS2588

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.090833, 40.398056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 12 civilians, including an entire family, died in an airstrike on Bokros Foqani, local media reported. The culprit is currently unclear, though Airwars understands that the Coalition was not bombing in this territory at the time, while Russia reportedly was. Some sources also attributed the blame to the Syrian regime. 

According to Yasser Al-Zatra, “12 civilians, mostly children and women, died as a result of bombing by the American air force to the village of Buqrs Foqani”.

Euphrates Post put the death toll at 10 but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. In addition to those listed below said that Zuhair al-Ayed’s entire family had died.

However, Step News Agency attributed the event to Russia, putting the death count at 10, “mostly women and children”.

One source reported that the raids struck “Hussein al-Ghandour house, Khader al-Rahil house, Samir al-Karim house, Al-Farabi secondary school, Post office centre, mosque (Issa al Mulla)” as well as some other unknown civilian homes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zuhair al-Ayed
Adult male killed
Mahran Al-Shatti
Age unknown male killed
Wife of Ammar Al Asmar
Adult female daughter of Mohammed Al Hamdan killed
Mrs. Malikah Al-Ali Al-Thiab
Adult female killed
Hussein Al-Hassan Al-Mallah
Adult male killed
Son of Khaled Al-Hassan Al-Mallah
Age unknown male killed
Asaad Al-Hussein Al-Mallah
Age unknown male killed
Saad Hussein Al-Mallah
Adult male
Daughter of Khaled Hussein Hasan al-Mallah
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (3 children1–4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Bokros Foqani, 2nd October 2017. (via Al Habiba Bokros Abu Almais)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Bokros Foqani, 2nd October 2017. (via @MousaAlomar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Buqrus Fawqani (بقرص فوقاني), eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, for which the coordinates are: 35.090833,40.398056. Note that Buqrus Fawqani (فوقاني بقرص, upper Bokros) and Buqrus, or Buqrus Tahtani (تحتاني بقرص, lower Buqrus) are neighbouring towns

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 1st-2nd the Coalition reporetd: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed two ISIS well heads and a fighting position.Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two headquarters.”

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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (3 children1–4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1564 RS2583

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

Abu Kamal, al Mohadatha school, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 11 and 15 civilians including an entire family died and dozens more were wounded in a reported airstrike near the al Mohadatha school in Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources, however, were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. A number of reports did not identify the warplanes responsible.

Almayadeen reported that the raids struck “Al Katef street, grain silos (Sawame’ Al Huboub) and the perimeter of Al-Shafei Mosque, and Dwar Al Masrya in the city of Albuqmal, killing five civilians.”

Another source reported that “Street Furn next to the mosque of Zahra, Al Sukaria, Siht house, buildings next to al Muhadetha school, Hari two houses, Alduir 9 raids material damage, al Mujawda material damage” were also damaged in the raid.

Jisr TV attributed the event to the Coalition, reporting that “international coalition aircraft carried out a new massacre in the town of Abu Kamal, killing 13 civilians, nine of them from one family. A further 15 were seriously wounded.”

Al Boosleh (a pro-regime source), also pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at twelve. Citing the state-run SANA news agency it reported “a new attack by the International Coalition led by the United States of America. SANA said that 12 civilians, mostly children and women, were killed as a result of the bombing of the American coalition aircraft to the homes of the people in the village of Baqrs Fuqani and the city of Albuqmal rural Deir Alzour.”

However, according to Deir Ezzor 24, Step News Agency and Sound and Picture, Russia was responsible. Death counts in reports varied between 11 and 14 civilians.

There was serious damage to civilian homes and many victims trapped under the rubble for hours, according to local media.

As well as the nine named victims, VDC named five unidentified adult males.

The incident occured at 05:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Awad Hasan al-Jawad
Adult male killed
Yousef Mahmoud al-Hawalah
Adult male killed
Wala’a Al-Sayed Hibet
Adult female killed
Othman al-Rawi
Child male killed
Lian Al-Rawi
Child female killed
Wife of Ahmad al-Thabet al-Rawi
Adult female killed
Son of Ahmad al-Thabet al-Rawi 1
Child male killed
Son of Ahmad al-Thabet al-Rawi 2
Child male killed
Son of Ahmad al-Thabet al-Rawi 3
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (5 children2 women7 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 (46) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Abu Kamal, 2nd October 2017. (via Al Aan TV)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Abu Kamal, 2nd October 2017. (via Fjr Albokamal)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Abu Kamal, 2nd October 2017. (via Fjr Albokamal)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Abu Kamal, 2nd October 2017. (via Fjr Albokamal)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Abu Kamal, 2nd October 2017. (via @MousaAlomar)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Abu Kamal, 2nd October 2017. (via Syrian PC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Abu Kamal (البوكمال), for which the coordinates are: 34.466049, 40.907593. The strikes targeted residential buildings near Mohadatha school (المحدثة) and the area around the Fatima al Zahra mosque (الزهراء فاطمة) for which due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further    

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 Abu Kamal, 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

For October 1st-2nd the Coalition reporetd: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed two ISIS well heads and a fighting position.Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two headquarters.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (5 children2 women7 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 (46) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2587

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

ابو الظهور, Abu Alduhur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.738034, 37.047858 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of civilians were killed and wounded alongside members of the militant jihadist group “Hay’t Tahrir Al Sham” – also known as al-Qaeda – in airstrikes on the Hay’t Tahrir Al Sham military airbase in Abu Alduhur, as well as surrounding residential housing, local media said.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most attributed pointed to Russian warplanes, though some identified the Assad regime as the culprit.

There was confusion amongst local sources as to how many civilians died in the raids. Baladi reported that seven members of al-Qaeda were killed. According to Al Jazeera, five “people” were killed, but the source didn’t specify whether the victims were jihadists or civilians. Similarly @BassamJaara reported that eight “people” were killed.

Syrian National Coalition specifically reported that five civilians were killed and that six others were wounded. It was reported by @almahernews however, that “seven gunmen” died during a raid on the “Court of Abu Thahir”.

According to Masrawy, “at least eight people, including five members of the Islamic police of the Sham Liberation Organisation, were killed”. Another source said the raids killed 12 leaders of the organisation.

Syriacivilcenter reported that “Syrian warplanes launched more than 20 violent raids targeting the town of Abu al Dhuhour in southern Idlib on Tuesday morning October 3, 2017, resulting in a massacre that killed five civilians and wounding of six others, in addition to destruction and fires in houses and roads”.

@mohanadalshekh noted as many as six Russian warplanes were circling the vicinity before carrying out a continuous bombardment with the use of “high-explosive missiles”. Other sources counted up to 23 raids which lasted hours. Zaman Alwsl added that a source informed them “the raids were carried out continuously without interruption and the crews and ambulances could not approach the target area until all the raids had ended.”

According to Kazem Basbous, there was “destruction of the most important ammunition depot for the terrorists of the Sham Liberation Organisation. This  was completely destroyed, including dozens of Grad missiles, anti-tank missiles and various tank shells. There was also destruction of the tank compound in the Greater Hanjak, in which five T72 tanks were destroyed and burned. Four vehicles were destroyed, including an armoured vehicle belonging to the terrorist Abu Tarab al-Dagestani. [There was also] destruction of the Sharia court and the killing of the most important judges of the Party of Turkmenistan and the most important judges of the liberation of Sham Abu Abdul Rahman Muhajir. The final death toll was 14 with 21″.

RPG’s were reportedly used.

The incident occured at 09:26:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 14
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–21
  • 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 (44) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a Russian airstrike on Abu Alduhur, 3rd October 2017. (via Syriacivilcenter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A casualty in the wreckage of a building struck by alleged Russian raids on Abu Alduhur, 3rd October 2017. (via Hosein Alabdallah)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Abu Alduhur, 3rd October 2017. (via Tribal fighters news)
  • The aftermath of a Russian airstrike on Abu Alduhur, 3rd October 2017. (via Zaman Alwsl)

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 – 14
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–21
  • 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 (44) [ collapse]