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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
4803 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

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:

Abu Mohammed al-Julani
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]

Incident Code

RS2596 CS1583a

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Hatla, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia, the Syrian regime and the US led Coalition.

There is one allegation made by the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies which claims the named victim was killed by the US-led alliance.

There were as many as ten raids fired onto the vicinity. However, Hasan Al Barry put the number as high as 47.

They reported that “The number of raids targeting the towns of Halta and Salhia since yesterday night, so far more than (47) air raid, in addition to heavy artillery and rocket fire, resulting in the injury of a number of civilians and there are serious injuries”.

In the aftermath of the missile bombardement, many women and children were reportedly missing, or trapped under the rubble.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghannam Al Kreimat
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (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, US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ 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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (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, US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1580a RS2591

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

معبر مائي بين هجين و العباس, Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between ten and 30 civilians were killed, including four named men, and “dozens” more were injured, following a continuation of airstrikes on the river crossing, however this time the crossing linking Hajeen with Al A’bbas town. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, however others blamed the Syrian regime and US-led Coalition.

According to local media, the civilians struck were mostly displaced women and children. It was reported by multiple sources that a father and son were killed on the outskirts of Hajeen after their prayers.

The intensity of the shelling meant it was difficult to retrieve injured and dead civilians from the rubble.

Cluster bombs and 12 missiles were used on the vicinity.

Overall, between 100 and 150 civilians were killed by bombing on multiple water-crossings on this day.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hassen Nahar al Werdi
Adult male killed
His son Ahmad Hassan al-Wardi
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Ayyam Farih Al - Hussein Al - Issa.
Adult male killed
Bassil Freih Al - Hussein Al - Issa.
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • (4 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 (48) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Hajin City)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Hajin City)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Abu Kamal)
  • The exact moments an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Ahmed al-Obeidi)
  • News bulletin reporting on an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Al Jazeera)
  • "# Deir al-Azur dozens of martyrs targeting Russian aircraft cluster bombs of the words of civilians less than # Al-Ashra to the south-east bank of the Euphrates River" (via JinaShashaah)
  • News bulletin reporting on an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Radio Alwan)
  • Hassen Nahar al Werdi and his young son Ahmad Hassan al-Wardi, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Abu Abdullah)
  • Hassen Nahar al Werdi and his young son Ahmad Hassan al-Wardi, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Dirzalzor 24)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Ayyam Farih Al - Hussein Al - Issa and Bassil Freih Al - Hussein Al - Issa, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Almayadee)
  • Ayyam Farih Al - Hussein Al - Issa and Bassil Freih Al - Hussein Al - Issa, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates post)

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU669400
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Oct. 4, 2017, near Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3151/CS1580a 37SFU669400

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
    10 – 30
  • (4 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 (48) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2595

Incident date

October 4, 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 or Assad-waged airstrikes killed two brothers in al-Mayadeen, local media reported.

DeirEzzor24 reported  “an aerial bombardment of the city of Al-Mayadim in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Azur with an explosive barrel and guided missiles on 4 October 2017,” without appointing blame.

Most sources agreed that the strike had killed two brothers. However, their names were not spelt the same way among the reports, as they were identified as either Hamad Maher al-Tawfiq al-Ali and Ahmed Maher Tawfiq Al-Ali Al-Hamad or Mohammad Maher Al Ali Al-Hamad and Ahmed Maher Al-Ali Al-Hamad.

Due to the similarities in the names, it is Airwars’ assessment that only two men died, and not four as the different names could indicate.

Sources were also unclear as to whether who carried out the strike. While sources such as Euphrates Post and Syrian Human Rights Committee pointed to Russia, Almanarnews and AJA_Syria identified the Syrian regime as the culprit. Meanwhile, Enab Baladi attributed blame to both.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hamad Maher al-Tawfiq al-Ali
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Maher Tawfiq Al-Ali Al-Hamad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment al-Mayadeen is being hit by airstrikes, carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia, October 4th, 2017 (via @DeirEzzor24)

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
    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

RS2592

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

معبر مائي بين الميادين, Water Crossing linking al Mayadeen and Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A man and a woman were killed, and as many as 15 more civilians were wounded, following airstrikes on the water-crossing linking al Mayadeen and Dhiban. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged strikes, however Aawsat News blamed the Syrian regime. 

According to a local source, @Zahra_Jaber, Russian ‘Caliber’ missiles struck the vicinity, with as many as ten raids. 

A single source, @ahraralmyadein, alleged that a hospital was struck with cluster bombs. 

According to sources, Russian and US-led Coalition aircraft bombed multiple water crossings in the vicinity on the 4th, killing between 100 and 150 civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

As'ad al-Awad al-Hammadi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • As'ad al-Awad al-Hammadi, killed by alleged Russian warplanes by bombing at the Water Crossing linking al Mayadeen and Dhiban, 4th October 2017. (via Soukhna Deira Heli)

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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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

RS2593

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

معبر هجين المائي, water crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a “massacre”, between 12 and 54 civilians were killed, and up to 80 more were seriously wounded, in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on a water crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes, some sources blamed “unknown” warplanes, however the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the “Syrian-Russian” alliance. Aletihadpress reported that a “Su-22 fighter targeted the crossing”.

Fourteen civilians from one family are included in the death tolls, as well as eight Iraqi refugees.

The seriousness of injures meant that local mosques were allegedly calling for blood donations, “in light of the lack of medical resources in the region”, according to SyrianPC. Additionally, it was reported by multiple sources that the number of civilian causalities was likely to rise.

The “six Russian warplanes” which carried out more than six raids “targeted ships carrying displaced peoples” according to a source. Syrian Press Centre reported that there were as many as “three cluster bomb attacks”.

There were many unidentified casualties, and many more missing civilians in the aftermath. According to Geroun News, “continuous shelling of the region and the extent of destruction” made it difficult to recover victims.

Over the course of the day, between 100 and 150 civilians were reportedly killed at multiple river crossings in the vicinity. The US-led Coalition were alleged to have been bombing in the vicinity at the same time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Maddah Ali Al Matar
Age unknown killed
Son of Abdul-Hamid Al-Saleh
Child male killed
Son of Awad al-Ali Al Matar
Child male killed
Issam Al-Ahmad
Age unknown killed
Ibn Hamad Sultan
Child male killed
Ibn Khuldoun al-Hasan
Child male killed
Ibn 'Awad al-Ali al-Matar
Age unknown killed
Ibn Abd al-Hamid al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Hamada
Age unknown male killed
Asaad al-Gharbi Haj Sulayman
Adult male a pharmacist killed
Fouad Al-Karwan
Adult male killed
Khuder Omir Al Razzj
Adult male killed
Iyad al-Mughair
Adult male killed
his son Mazen Ayad al-Mughair
Child male killed
Ahmad Saleh Abd Al Rahmman
Age unknown killed
Alaa
Age unknown killed
Alaa's mother
Age unknown killed
Alaa's sister
Age unknown killed
saeed the Al Arif Al Jassem
Age unknown killed
Osama Al-Ahmad
Age unknown killed
Farouk Al Saleh
Age unknown killed
Son of Hadi Al Ramadan
Age unknown killed
Waleed Al Khalid
Age unknown killed
Nawal Al - Olayan Wife Ahmed Al - Makhlaf
Age unknown killed
Hammad al-Ali Al Matar
Age unknown killed
son of Abd al-Hamid al-Saleh al-Hammad
Age unknown killed
Khdoue Ameer al-Rezzj
Age unknown killed
Hussein Al Khalifa from Al Bal’aoum
Age unknown killed
Nedal Fouad Al Karwan from Al Bal’aoum
Age unknown killed
Alaa Nassar Al Sahou
Age unknown killed
Ayad Almogir
Age unknown killed
Mazen Iyad al-Mughirr
Age unknown killed
Hamad Adnan Almthhour
Age unknown killed
Mokhtar Nasser al-Hamash
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 54
  • (9 children12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–80
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (55) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Radio Alwan)
  • Asaad al-Gharbi Haj Sulayman, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates post)
  • Fouad Al-Karwan, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Riyad Al Khlaed)
  • Khuder Omir Al Razzj, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Usama.rizg)
  • Mazen Ayad al-Mughair, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Tariq Mughir)
  • Iyad al-Mughair, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Tariq Mughir)
  • Nasser Al - Hamash, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via ahmad.alnory.1/)
  • Khalid Jameel Hinidi Abu Khalid, killed along with 13 people from his family, in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates post)

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 54
  • (9 children12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–80
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (55) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2594

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

دبلان, Dablan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.855, 40.568611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A girl died and up to four others were injured – including a young girl – following airstrikes on Dablan, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, however most blamed Russian warplanes, while others blamed “unknown” warplanes.

According to sources, a school was struck as well as residential housing. Dablan Net reported that primary school (near the siphon) was struck as well as “Ammar al-Hussein’s house [which] was damaged and his daughter cut her hand.”

Helicopters, rocket launchers and other warplanes were sighted in the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

The daughter of Hussein al Herata
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (20) [ 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 infrastructure
    School
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1583 RS2590

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

البوكمال الباغوز , Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.467345, 40.932505 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a “massacre” between seven and 55 civilians died, and “dozens” were left injured, following suspected airstrikes on the Al Bagouz water crossing, between Bagouz village and Abu Kamal city, on the northern bank of the Euphrates river. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes, with some alleging the US-led Coalition were to blame, others blamed Russia and SN4HR even blamed the Syrian regime.

Despite this, nearly all sources blamed Russia. Activists told Smart “Russian-made warplanes” conducted the attacks, Jisr TV referred to “Russian occupation aircraft”. Baqras did not apportion blame, though provided a list of three of the victims.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed blame to the Syrian Regime, and documented “at least 7” killed following “warplane missiles”. Baladi totalled nine killed, as did Smart, which both cited Russia as responsible. Most other sources put the death toll between 17 and 35, Euphrates Post however put the death toll as high as 55.

Sources estimated that between 100 and 150 civilians were killed over the series of strikes on river crossings in that vicinity.

Many of the bodies were unidentified according to VDC, due to burns and decapitation.

Local media reported that it was difficult to rescue civilians trapped in the rubble due to the intensity of the fire.

It is unclear from the sources who was responsible, however the Coalition did confirm strikes in the vicinity of Abu Kamal that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamadi Ju’ma Al-Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Kassar Amer Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Barakat Abdul Hamid Ibrahim
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 55
  • (7 children1 man)
  • 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 (63) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Barakat Abdul Hamid Ibrahim, killed in Russian and Coalition airstrikes on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties in the aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via@kmal961)
  • Rivers run with blood in aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via@MGhorab3)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Muhaned al Weka’a)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Haijin al Maheba)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Haijin al Maheba)
  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via @wassilaoulmi)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Syria direct News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Syria direct News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Sound and picture)
    The aftermath of an airstrike in eastern Syria in October 2017
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Sound and picture)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Huweija al Khanafer water crossing (حویجة الخنافر) between the villages Al Bukamal (البوكمال) and Al Baghouz (الباغوز). The coordinates for this crossing are: 34.467345, 40.932505.

  • The Huweija al Khanafer water crossing (حویجة الخنافر) between Al Bukamal (البوكمال) and Al Baghouz (الباغوز)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 Haweij al Khanafer, 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 October 4th – 5th the Coalition reported No strikes near Al Bukamal.

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
    7 – 55
  • (7 children1 man)
  • 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 (63) [ collapse]