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

RS2298

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Location

داعل, Dael, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.756529, 36.138453 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two adult males were killed, and as many as 30 civilians were wounded, following air and artillery shelling on Dael, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming Russia, others blaming the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the “Syrian-Russian alliance”.

Images show wounded civilians being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the incident. Additionally, footage released by Shab Da’eli lens, shows the exact moment – just before midnight – that the strikes hit the vicinity. 

The Smart News Agency reported that “13 children and eight women” were included in the numbers of wounded civilians. 

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Yazan Khalifa Shahadat
Adult male killed
Ahmad Jameel al-Mohsen al-Asemi
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Yazan Khalifa Shahadat, killed in an airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad Jameel al-Mohsen al-Asemi, killed in an airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via VDC)
  • Wounded civilians being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via AmjadAssaf)
  • Wounded girl being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via AmjadAssaf)
  • Wounded girl being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via AmjadAssaf)
  • Wounded girl being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via AmjadAssaf)
  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Dael, 21st June 2017. (via Shab Da’eli lens)

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 June 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
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2391

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Location

حسيا, Hasya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.410945, 36.758151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that “Russian warplanes targeting several vehicles carrying displaced people in the area of #Hassia area #Aqirbat [with] news of martyrs and wounded among the displaced.”

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
    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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2627

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

الطيبة, al-Taybah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in airstrikes in al-Taybah in Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though sources didn’t identify the culprit.

One of the two sources reporting from the incident merely reported  airstrikes, not  civilian harm, while the other, Euphrates Post, reported the death of two named civilians.

While no belligerent was associated with the incident it is worth noting that Russia was active in Deir Ezzor on this time, as noted in preceding events.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Jamal Mahmoud Obaidi Al-Sallan,
Age unknown male killed
Qais Nasr Al-Dibis
Age unknown Nephew of Jamal Mahmoud Obaidi Al-Sallan killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2866

Incident date

January 7, 2018

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes which struck a camp for Internally Displaced Peoples in Saraqeb in the middle of the night. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some sources blaming Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. A number of sources also blamed that “warplanes and helicopters” without naming a belligerent.

The bombing – described by local media as an “aerial bombardement” – left tents destroyed and livestock dead. Public roads were also damaged in the raids.

Civilians were taken to a nearby hospital to receive treatment following the two raids which struck the vicinity.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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, Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A wounded civilian taken to hospital in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrike on Saraqeb, 7th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrike on Saraqeb, 7th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)

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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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, Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2894

Incident date

January 13, 2018

Location

معصران, Ma'saran, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.70683, 36.802053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A father and son were killed and an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Ma’saran, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes, making this a contested event.

According to local media, missiles were used in the strike which “targeted” the residential buildings.

As many as 11 civilians were killed in both Khan al-Asbal and Ma’asran by the Russian airforce, according to Step News Agency.

Step also reported that “raids on the outskirts of the town of “Maasran” targeted one of the brooks and killed a father and son”.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Ma'saran, 13th Jan 2018. (via Thiqa News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS319 CS159

Incident date

December 26, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The IS-linked agency Al A’maq posted a video showing destruction in the city following reported airstrikes

Local monitoring group Raqaa is Being Slaughtered suggested the attack may have been the work of the US-led Coalition: “Warplanes targeted with seven missiles on Friday night the area of February 23rd Street in Raqqa city center. This resulted in injuries and the loss of a number of civilians, as well as the destruction of shops. The strike coincided with intensive reconnaissance flights, and the sound of explosions in the northern rural areas were likely to have been raids by the international Coalition.”

Photos published on IS media showing the destruction caused in the area blames Russian ‘crusader’ planes for the strikes.

In its July 2017 report the Coalition said it had not conducted any strikes in the near vicinity, and classed the event as non credible: “Dec. 26, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Wife of Taj Khattab al Mattar
Adult female killed
Daughter of Taj Khattab al Mattar
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Massive damage to Raqqa's February 23rd Street following a Coalition or Russian airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered)
  • A photograph of some destroyed buildings in Raqqa. (via, Raqqa Post)
  • Destruction in the streets of Raqqa in the aftermath of the contested raid. (via, Raqqa Post)
  • Damaged infrastructure in Raqqa after a raid. (via, Raqqa Post)
  • A view of the aftermath of the raid. (via, Raqqa Post)
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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m

Civilian casualty statements

Unknown
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • "Dec. 26, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties."

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

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 Dec 25th-26th, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, one strike [British] wounded an ISIL fighter."

For 26th-27th: " Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed three ISIL excavators, two ISIL bulldozers, and damaged an ISIL excavator."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Incident Code

RS3761

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Location

معرة الصين, Ma’arat Al Sin, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Ma’arat Al Sin, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources.

@HalabTodayTV tweeted that “one person was killed and others were wounded, as the regime’s warplanes targeted the village of Ma’arat Al Sin in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

@MasarPressNet reported “two martyrs and several wounded in the village of Ma’arat Al Sin in the southern countryside, as a result of cluster missile strikes.” The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Shaam News Network also reported two killed civilians.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and @HalabTodayTV attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, while Shaam News referred to both Russian forces and the Syrian regime in discussion of a number of incidents. Others did not identify the responsible belligerent.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3792

Incident date

June 11, 2019

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Two women were killed and an unknown number of other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Hass, Idlib governorate, on June 11th, 2019, according to local sources.

Smart News reported that “two women were killed and others were wounded on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, by aerial bombardment of warplanes in the town of Hass near Idlib, northern Syria. Local activists told “Smart” that the warplanes bombed the village, killing two women and wounding several other civilians in addition to the destruction of a number of houses in the village.”

Multiple other sources also stated that both of those killed were women. The Local Coordination Committees for Syria alleged that a “number” was wounded in the incident.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two women from the same family were killed” in the incident.

@ShahbaPress tweeted: “Two women were killed and other civilians were wounded in airstrikes on the town of Hass in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

While most sources attributed the strikes to the Syrian regime, two others also named Russian forces alongside the regime in reporting of the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Warplanes bomb residential homes in the town of Hass in the countryside of Idlib, expecting martyrs and wounded 6-11-2019" (via Hadi Al Abdallah).
  • Translation: “Al Assad sectarian warplanes are changing civilians today in Hass, Idlib countryside” (via @Ahmadmuaffaq).

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]