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

RS2709

Incident date

November 10, 2017

Location

مخيم قصر علي, Qasir Ali Camp, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.401924, 37.026672 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecifiied number of civilians were injured in airstrikes which struck Qasr Ali Camp in Al-Hamra district in the eastern suburb of Hama. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes.

There were no reports of civilian deaths. However, @7ama_east reported that “A Russian military bombardment targeting a camp near the village of Qasr Ali in the eastern suburb of Hama resulted in several civilian casualties”.

The camp was housing internally displaced peoples.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2710

Incident date

November 10, 2017

Location

السكرية, Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.471667, 40.911111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a “massacre” by local sources, 11 to 44 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, by warplanes which struck a camp for displaced people in Sukkariya. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes.

Most sources reported that civilians were killed, however Baladi News put the toll as high as 35.

Although the death toll was reported at its highest of 35, 44 victims were named by various sources.

Entire families were reported dead, as well as there being many unidentified bodies which were – according to Marsad Al Hasaka – near the Euphrates River.

Dozens were reported wounded, with most of them women and children according to Marsad Al Hasaka.

The Syrian Observatory reported that “the martyrs are 25 civilians, including 15 children were killed in the bombing, sources suggested that the source of the Iraqi popular crowd targeted the camp of displaced people of Al bukamal in the area of ​​Sukkarya.”

They later specified that “bombing of rockets targeted a camp in agricultural land on the road to Al-Hamdan Airport”. They did not apportion blame.

Another source reported that the air strikes also hit “Ashir, Al-Ghubra, Sayal, Al-Jala` and Al-Salihiyah”, however there were no injuries or casualties from these raids. There was however reported material damage.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

Family members (3)

Member of the Al Hayawan family 1
Child killed
Member of the Al Hayawan family 2
Child killed
Member of the Al Hayawan family 3
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Al Mahmoud Al Khalaf
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Shaker
Adult male lawyer injured
Faisal Jawal Al-Hammadi
Age unknown killed
Khaled al-Gharbi al-Attiyah
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Shaker al-Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Ali Ahmed Al-Awad
Age unknown male killed
Omar al-Hamid al-Marai
Age unknown male killed
Abdullah Mohammed Turki
Age unknown male killed
Alioui Hamoud Al-Thalaj
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Khalif Al-Issa
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Ahmed Al-A’kla
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Al - Mahmoud alkhalaf
Age unknown male injured
Young man from al haiwan family
Age unknown male injured
Young man from al haiwan family
Age unknown injured
Mohamed Sherif El - Zaghir
Age unknown male injured
Abdul Hadi Al-Mahmoud Al-Hajij
Age unknown killed
Son of Abdul Hadi Al-Mahmoud Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
Daughter of Abdul Hadi Al-Mahmoud Al-Hajij
Age unknown female killed
Maher Al-Ahmad Al-Hajjij
Age unknown killed
Mother of Maher Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Adult female killed
Maher Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij's sister
Age unknown killed
Wife of Khalid Al-Ahmad AAl-Hajij
Age unknown female killed
Son of Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
Second son of Khaled Al - Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
Third son of Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Ali Al Saleh Al Hayawan
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Jassim Mohammed Al-Hayawan
Age unknown male killed
Rashid Khalaf Al-Jassim
Age unknown killed
Wife of Tarek Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown female killed
Son of Tariq Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
Second son of Tariq Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
Wife of Adnan Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown female killed
Daughter of Adnan Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown female killed
Second daughter of Adnan Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown female killed
Mohammed Al-Ahmad AAl-Hajij
Adult male killed
First son of Mohammed Al - Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
Second son of Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
Third son of Muhammad Al-Ahmad Al-Hajij
Age unknown male killed
First son of Rashid Khalaf al-Jassim
Age unknown male killed
Second son of Rashid Khalaf al-Jassem
Age unknown male killed
ife of the son of Rashid Khalaf al-Jassem
Age unknown

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 44
  • (15 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Sukkariya, 10th Nov 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Mohammed Al - Sharif, victim of airstrikes on Sukkariya, 10th Nov 2017. (via Khawater Shawi)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 44
  • (15 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1670

Incident date

November 10, 2017

Location

Al Shafa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.617246, 40.922012 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was locally reported that the following six civilians died in an airstrike on Al-Sha’afa water crossing.

Most sources didn’t say who was responsible, referring to ‘raids’ and ‘bombing by aircraft.’.

However, Khafafeesh al Zalam reported that Russia carried out raids on a nearby town on November 11th, killing two civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hisham Mash’an Al-Shaji
Age unknown killed
Bassam Ghaleb Al-Shaji
Age unknown killed

Family members (2)

Ahmed Awad Akash al-Kharamit
Age unknown killed
Waleed Hamad Awad Al Kharamit
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Salah Hamad Al-khulyawi
Age unknown killed
Abdullah Mohammed al-Hassan al-Badawi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the river crossings between the village of Al Sha’afa (الشعفة), for which the coordinates are: 34.57888,40.93441, and the village of Al Ramadi (الرمادي), for which the coordinates are: 34.6388889,40.8755556. Possibly there were strikes on multiple river crossings within the stretch of 7-10km between these villages on opposing sides of the river. Hundreds of cars are seen on the western side of the river on satellite images available to Airwars from mid November to early December 2017 (an example can be seen around this area: 34.617246,40.922012), most likely abandoned by fleeing villagers or IS militants

  • River between Al Sha'afa (الشعفة) and Al Ramadi (الرمادي)

    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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 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 November 10th-11th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and damaged a heavy machine gun.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2715

Incident date

November 11, 2017

Location

صراع, Sara'a, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.572152, 37.051156 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians were wounded, including five women and five children, due to alleged Russian airstrikes in Sara’a village. Sources all blamed either Russian warplanes or Syrian regime raids for the strikes.

According to Smart News Agency, four of the victims were in a serious condition, and elderly.

Local media additionally reported that “Russian air strikes targeted the camp Um Muwaylat and villages #Sara’a and #Sheikh_barka and #Ramle east Idlib earlier.”

SCD reported that “A fire broke out in the house of a civilian in the village of Sara`a Rural # Ma’arah-Na’aman East. As a result of the air strikes that targeted the village this evening, the Civil Defence immediately went to the scene and worked to extinguish the fire and cool it.”

There were no reported civilian deaths.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Sara'a, 11th Nov 2017. (via Taha Alawi)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Sara'a, 11th Nov 2017. (via Kamel Asad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Sara'a, 11th Nov 2017. (via SCD Idlib)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Sara'a, 11th Nov 2017. (via SCD Idlib)

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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2716

Incident date

November 11, 2017

Location

الشيخ بركة, Sheikh Baraka, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.559414, 36.979632 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilian were injured in airstrikes which struck the village of Sheikh Baraka. Sources all blamed Russia for the strikes.

“Um Muwaylat refugee camp, the villages of Sara’a, Sheikh Baraka and Ramleh” were all “targeted” in the raids.

EdlibEMC1 described the raids as “heavy”, however there were no reports of civilian deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2717

Incident date

November 11, 2017

Location

رملة, Ramla, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.714183, 37.411194 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were injured in a continuation of blanket airstrikes Idlib, which struck Ramla. Sources blamed either Russia or the Syrian regime for the raids.

“Um Muwaylat refugee camp, the villages of Sara’a, Sheikh Baraka and Ramleh in the eastern countryside” were all targeted in the raid.

There are no details of civilian deaths.

While most attributed blame to Russian warplanes, @M_alassad_sy and The_H16 reported that the town was struck by Assad forces, attacking Jahbat al-Nusra fronts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (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 strikes between November 4th - 20th 2017.

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
    0
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2724

Incident date

November 11, 2017

Location

معبر الخنيفيس النهري, Al Knfeis river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.820779, 40.609717 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed and others were wounded, including women and children, in airstrikes on Al Knfeis river crossing, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes.

Many of the sources are carbon copies of one another and there are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Ja`ifis -Subekhan
14 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2719

Incident date

November 11–12, 2017

Location

al Ramadi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.634722, 40.871389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and seven civilians were killed in al Ramadi river crossing, by alleged Russian warplanes. Most of the sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. However, it is understood that Khafafeesh al Zalam is an ISIS run Twitter feed.

There are some details of a number of wounded civilians.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rashid A’ylan al Mukhlif
Age unknown killed
Hamad Asa’ad Hamida
Age unknown killed
Salah Hamad Al-Khalawi
Age unknown killed
Hisham Misha`an Al-Shaji
Age unknown killed
Sam Ghaleb Al - Shaji
Age unknown killed
Waleed Hamad Awad Al Khoramit
Age unknown killed
Abdullah Mohammed Al - Badawi
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • 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 (18) [ 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 – 7
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]