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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Russian Military
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Incident Code

RS2022

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Location

اورم الجوز, Urme Al joz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.790833, 36.565833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one, but more likely two civilians – a woman and her child – were killed and several more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Urme al-Joz in Idlib, according to sources on the ground.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “one child and his mother died when suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Orm al Jouz town in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, March 24, 2017.” 

Besides from @abutaym_halabi, who only reported one victim, the remaining sources agreed with the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reporting the death of a mother and her child.

Sources reported that in addition to the victims, “several” civilians were left wounded.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment alleged Russian aerial shelling hit Urme Al joz, Idlib, March 24, 2017 (via Thiqa 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2020

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Location

ادلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

As many as 16 civilians, most of them women and one child, were killed and up to 24 were left wounded, when alleged Assad or Russian airstrikes struck a women’s prison in Idlib, local media reported.

The attack against the prison, run by the Executive Force of the Syrian Opposition, resulted in at least seven fatalities – though most sources said there’d been”at least 16 victims”. Out of these, up to 11 were reportedly women. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, a child also died.

Additionally, another two prison guards were said to be among the victims. Two male victims were identified by name, and are likely to be the names of the prison guards.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that some of the victims were killed by the Executive Force as they were trying to escape the prison.

The Shaam News Network, who blamed Russia for the strikes, said that the warplanes had launched C8 missiles.

While the majority of sources attributed blame to Russia, Zaıtonmag reported that both “Russian and Syrian warplanes launched several raids on several towns and cities in Idlib.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yehya Gazal
Adult male killed
Ali Fares
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 16
  • (1 child10–11 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ali Mohamed Fares was reportedly among the victims following the airstrikes on the women's prison in Idlib on March 24, 2017 (via Idlib City Martyrs)

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
    7 – 16
  • (1 child10–11 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2019

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly killed and up to nine were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, local media reported.

Ahmed Khatib, a correspondent for the Mirror of Syria in Idlib, said that “warplanes carried out several air raids on the residential neighbourhoods and the popular market in the city of Khan Sheikhoun, killing one person and injuring eight others.”

Another source, @ahmadalsheiko, reported that the strikes were carried out by “S-24 warplanes”.

Most sources pointed to Russia as the responsible party while @SPRINGNOWTIME reported that both the Syrian regime and Russia were to blame.

Khan Shakhoun was most likely subject to two different attacks that day (or the morning of the 25th). The two incidents have been treated separately. Also see event RS2019a.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of residential areas in Khan Shakhoun in Idlib after being targeted by the contested airstrikes on March 24, 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Aftermath of residential areas in Khan Shakhoun in Idlib after being targeted by the contested airstrikes on March 24, 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Aftermath of residential areas in Khan Shakhoun in Idlib after being targeted by the contested airstrikes on March 24, 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2018

Incident date

March 23, 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

Several civilians were killed and several more were wounded as airstrikes, allegedly carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime, struck Idlib Electricity Company in the centre of Idlib city, local sources reported.

What was described as “heavy air raids” by @shahed_alep reportedly killed up to two civilians and wounded as many as four. @News_truth_ reported that the two victims were “young people”.

One adult male victim was identified by name by the Violations Documentation Centre.

The electricity company was in large part rendered destroyed and put out of service after the strikes.

While the large majority of the sources agreed that Russia carried out the three air strikes, Baladi News’ reporting suggested that the regime was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sobhi Jamal
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes allegedly targeted Idlib Electricity Company in centre of Idlib city, partially damaging its building and burning a warehouse and rendering it inoperable, March 23, 2017 (via SN4HR)

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
    1 – 2
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2017

Incident date

March 23, 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

Up to two civilians were killed and as many as seven more were wounded following airstrikes that struck the town of Ma’arat al-Nu’man, Idlib, local sources reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Sources said that between one and two civilians were killed in the strikes. Two civilian male victims (brothers) were identified by name by the Facebook account Shuhada’ Al Tuma.

Smart News Agency, who pointed to Russia as the culprit – as did most sources – cited a civil defence officer named Abdul Razzak, who reported that two civilians were killed and seven were wounded.

Baladi News, who pointed to the Syrian regime as the culprit, said that cluster bombs had been used in the attack, causing several civilian casualties and wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Ibn Abdulrahman To’ma
Adult male killed
Omar Abdel Rahman To’ma
Adult male Brother of Mohammed Ibn Abdulrahman To’ma killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The brothers Mohammed Ibn Abdulrahman To’ma and Omar Abdel Rahman To’ma (depicted here and below) reportedly died in the contested airstrikes that targeted Maarat al-Nu'man, Idlib, on March 23rd 2017 (via Shuhada’ Al Tuma)
  • The brothers Mohammed Ibn Abdulrahman To’ma and Omar Abdel Rahman To’ma (depicted here and below) reportedly died in the contested airstrikes that targeted Maarat al-Nu'man, Idlib, on March 23rd 2017 (via Shuhada’ Al Tuma)

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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2016

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person died and several were left wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrike that struck Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, local sources reported.

All known sources reported one civilian casualty, most likely a woman. AMC Aleppo’s reporting hinted that it was a male victim while @alikrarrkar and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights believed it was  woman.

Several sources, such as @alrefaira reported that “two people were killed, including a woman in a bombing targeted the cities of Khan Sheikhun and Maara al-Nu’man in rural Idlib”, suggesting that both a man and a woman were killed in two different cities.

While most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, Baladi News attributed blame to the Syrian regime.

The incident occured around midday.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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

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
    1
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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

RS2015

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3747033, 36.5923691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and several wounded as alleged Russian airstrikes struck the town of Kafr Zita, Hama, local media reported.

RFS Media Office reported that “the town of Kfar Zeita was targeted by more than 20 raids resulting in the death of a martyr and several wounded.”

RFS Media Office and Step News Agency pointed to Russia as the culprit, while the remaining sources did not identify the responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (5) [ 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
    1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2252

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Location

حمادة عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.025374, 37.423313 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Hamada Omar near Al Akeirbat in eastern Hama, according to local media and activists.

Local sources that reported on the incident either named Russia as the culprit, including Al Hadath Magazine and Step News Agency, or did not identify who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]