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

RS2030

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

الحانوتة, Al-Hanoute, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.051667, 37.548333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source event, the Smart News Agency reported that an alleged Russian airstrike killed four civilians, including a woman and her child, and wounded another six in village of al-Hanoute in eastern Hama.

According to Smart, who cited a activist on the ground, Russian warplanes had launched “a rocket-propelled grenade attack” on the village, which at the time was under the control of ISIS.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 March 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2029

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9266201, 36.6180588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, reportedly women, were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib city, local media reported.

All the sources pointed to Russia as the culprit and reported that the incident had wounded two civilians. UAR added that the wounded were women.

According to Smart News Agency’s correspondent, Russia carried out the strike using vacuum missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment Idlib city was struck by the alleged Russian airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes that caused great destruction in Idlib city on March 25th, 2017 (via UAR)

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 March 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2028

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

معر شورين, Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6675976, 36.7290564 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on village of Ma’ar Shureen in Idlib, local media reported.

According to the Smart News Agency, four civilian were wounded. Other sources put the figure at two.

Zamanalwasl said that the strike hit a popular market in the village.

While several sources did not identify the culprit, most sources attributed blame to Russia. However, al-Jazeera indicated that both Russia and the Syrian regime were responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage from Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, after being struck by either Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Qasioun News)
  • Footage from the moment Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib was struck either Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Omawi News Agency)

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 March 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2027

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6477913, 36.6591881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and nine civilians, including women and children, were wounded when the village of Ma’arat Al-Nu’man, Idlib, was hit by aerial shelling, local media reported, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Mustapha al Gharib, a media manager in the civil defence in Maarat al Numan, told Smart that nine civilians including three children and two women were left with “medium” level injuries . Moreover, Zaman al-Wasl reported that the wounded were from the same family.

Most sources attributed blame to Russia while a few pointed to both the Syrian regime and Russia as the responsible. Just one source, Aleppo White Helmets, pointed to the Syrian regime as the only culprit.

The incident occured around midday.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage from the chaotic aftermath of the contested airstrikes on Ma'arat Al-Nu'man, Idlib, March 25th 2017, that badly wounded several civilians (via Ma’aret Al Numan Media Center)
  • Two children were rescued from under the rubble following the contested airstrikes on Ma'arat Al-Nu'man, Idlib, March 25th 2017 (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Footage of the moment were two children ere rescued from under the rubble following the contested airstrikes on Ma'arat Al-Nu'man, Idlib, March 25th 2017 (via Syrian Civil Center)

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 March 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2026

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In this major incident, referred to by many sources as “a massacre”, alleged Russian or Assad-launched airstrikes on Hamouriya, Damascus killed up to 18 civilians, including women and children, and wounded between 24 and 80 more, local media reported.

Residential areas in Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, were reportedly struck by heavy aerial shelling on March 25th, causing serious civilian harm and destruction to large parts of the city.

The spokesman of the Civil Defense in the countryside of Damascus, Siraj Mahmoud, told Smart News Agency that warplanes loaded with four missiles carried out the strikes, killing 18 civilians, mostly children and women, and wounding another 70. A popular market was reportedly among the locations hit.

Baladi News’s correspondent added that the warplanes – which he believed to belong to the Syrian regime – had launched rocket attacks in the centre of the city, killing 17 civilians and inflicting serious damage to private properties and public facilities. 

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, six women and two children were among the fatalities. The Syrian Observatory put the child death toll at eight.

The Civil Defence identified 16 named victims, hereof one male child, six women and nine men.

Sources were not clear as to whether the incident was carried out by Syrian regime forces or Russia. A few sources claimed that the strikes were carried out by both parties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 18
  • (1–8 children6 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–80
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (51) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes on residential areas in Hammouriyeh, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes on residential areas in Hammouriyeh, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes on residential areas in Hammouriyeh, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • Rescuing team trying to safe civilians from under the rubble following the Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Rudaw News)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • The moment either Assad or Russian-waged alleged airstrikes targeted hit the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Chaotic aftermath following the alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Aftermath in the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, following the alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Aftermath in the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, following the alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Injured children following the alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Footage from the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th 2017, the latter being blamed in this video by locals on the ground (via Yasser Al Doumani)
  • Footage from the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, where the civil defence is rescuing civilians from under the rubble after alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Al Jazeera Mubasher)
  • Footage of the mass destruction caused by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via SMO)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Some of the victims of the contested attack in Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via @majidkalbasi)
  • Footage from the chaotic aftermath in the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after being the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Shehab Agency)
  • Footage from the immediate aftermath in the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Sky2018)
  • Footage from the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, where the civil defence is rescuing civilians from under the rubble after alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Shehab Agency)
  • Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes ton the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes ton the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm, including child victims (via @aboalhodaalhoms)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victims of the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via @Omar_Madaniah)
  • Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • Victims of the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of thealleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of thealleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • The civil defence trying to rescue a civilian man from under the rubble, following the contested strikes on Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via SNN)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm and destruction of the town (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm and destruction of the town (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm and destruction of the town (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm and destruction of the town (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via SNN)
  • One of the many children that were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via SNN)
  • One of the many civil defence members who were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • One of the many civil defence members who were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • One of the many civil defence members who were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • Many civil defence members were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • Some of the many civil defence members who were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • Footage from the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes on Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Qasıoun News Agency)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 18
  • (1–8 children6 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–80
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS614 RS2025

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Location

Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.962769, 39.009272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians including two children and two women died, and as many as five civilians were wounded, in an airstrike on the Bado neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local media, though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US led Coalition or Russian warplanes.

Palmyra Media Center reported “Coalition planes targeted a Daesh warehouse behind Abu al A’laa al Ma’ari school. The school was damaged as a result of the air raid and was used to house displaced people from Palmyra, al Sukhna and al Tabaqa”.

Another report by Palmyra Media Center named a female as a victim of a Coalition strike which hit a “a bakery belonging to Daesh near Abu al A’laa al Ma’ari school.”

RFS Media Office, RBSS and Syria PC reported that the strikes targeted several points in the city of Raqqa but centred around a school and a water resources building in al-Ma’ari, which both were rendered inoperable. Areas around ِal-Idikhar street were also hit, RFS added.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported an unspecified number of deaths and injuries following a Coalition strike on the Bado neighbourhood. However, a subsequent report alleged that this was a Russian strike. Further reports by RBSS put the death toll at six, “mainly women and children” and named a young girl as killed.

Photographs were published by RBSS of the aftermath, showing destruction to buildings and local infrastructure.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also attributed blame to Russia, putting the death toll at five including a girl and two women. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Shaam News also said that Russia had carried out raids on Raqqa.

Sharqiya Voice reported the death of two women and a child by “warplanes”, though it didn’t identify them. According to Alaraby, “warplanes targeted the Al-Thanaka neighbourhood opposite to the stadium in Al-Bado neighbourhood, killing three civilians and wounding five.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child female later died form her wounds sustained in the attack killed
9 years old female displaced from Palymra killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Amina Al-Mufdi, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the Al-Bado neighbourhood in Raqqa, March 24th 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Amina Al-Mufdi, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the Al-Bado neighbourhood in Raqqa, March 24th 2017. (via Al Ragga truth)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a warehouse behind the Ma’ari school (مدرسة المعري) in the Badou neighbourhood in Raqqa. The coordinates for the Ma’ari school (مدرسة المعري) are: 35.9621355, 39.0097957. On satellite imagery a building that looks like a warehouse can be seen behind the school, damaged between January 7 and May 18, 2017. The images published by RBSS clearly show the collapsed roof of this building and the water tower east of the warehouse. The coordinates for the warehouse are: 35.962769, 39.009272.

  • Damage seen of the warehouse behind Al Ma'ari school (مدرسة المعري), the water tower seen on RBSS images marked in red (left: January 7, 2017; right: May 18, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 March 24th-25th: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, and a weapons storage facility; and damaged a supply route.”

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 specific strikes between March 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2024

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Location

حلفايا, Halfaya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.261787, 36.606151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes, carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia, wounded three civilians in the town of Halfaya, local media reported

Syrian Mirror said that the strikes led to “casualties”, without further specification.

The remaining two sources reported that the airstrikes wounded several people.

According to Smart News’ correspondent, “warplanes launched raids on the town of Halfaya (25 km northwest of the city of Hama), injuring three civilians, including a woman. They were all moderately wounded and taken to hospitals in the nearby city of Kafrzeta.”

The Syrian Mirror indicated that both Russian and the Syrian regime were to blame while Smart News noted that “warplanes were likely to be Russian.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

Sources (3) [ 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 March 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2023

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Location

رسم حميدة, Rasim Hamida, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.705278, 37.280833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Rasim Hamida in Jabr al-Jarrah, Homs, local media reported.

An activist who spoke to Smart News said that the airstrikes killed two men and seriously wounded a woman. But according to al-Araby, three civilians died.

Both sources pointed to Russia as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (2) [ 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 March 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]