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

RS1884

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.569294, 38.291216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, one man and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on the town of Palmyra in the eastern Homs countryside. According to @journalhader and the Local Coordination Committee of Syria, the airstrikes were carried out by Russian warplanes. The two air raids reportedly struck the main square and market area in the central part of Palmyra.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ 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
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS477 RS1881

Incident date

February 7, 2017

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major airstrike on Idlib city killed up to 30 civilians and injured up to 300 more. Reports blamed both Russia and the US-led Coalition for the attack. The Coalition has expressly denied any involvement – though a unilateral US action remains possible.

The attack – which reportedly involved both airstrikes and missiles – caused massive casualties. However attribution was accused. Most blamed Russia – including Idlib Media Center, LCCSY, Halab Today, Step News, Shaam News, Idlib Media Centre, the Syrian Network and Al Araby.

Others said both the Coalition and Russia were responible – including Syria News, Baladi News, the Syrian Observatory and Al Jazeera. All for Syria was alone in blaming the Assad regime – though a later report went on to blame Russia and the Coalition – while the White Helmets did not attribute responsibility.

Complicating attribution, Russia later denied any role in the attack.

A later video by Halab Today referred to destruction caused by both “Russian and Coalition” warplanes.

Syria News Desk also reported that the warplanes were “believed to belong to Russia and the Coalition”.

Step reported: “Our correspondent pointed out that among the Russian raids were two raids by the international coalition which targeted Sheikh Abu Al Qassem al Muhajer who is a member of Haiat Tahrir al Sham [formerly Fatah al Sham Front] injuring him. He was rescued from under the rubble.”

Baladi went further, reporting that “We received from the observatories the information which is semi confirmed that there was coordination between the coalition and Russian planes. This was what the observatories confirmed.”

Alaraby reported that Russian warships and warplanes were responsible.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “it is not known whether they were Russian warplanes or warplanes of the international coalition, or if they were a combination of both.”

In its May 2017 report the Coalition denied responsibility: “Feb. 7, 2017, near Idlib, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was 90 km away.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Child female killed

Family members (5)

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

Family members (2)

Age unknown female From Binnish killed
Age unknown female From Binnish killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Child female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female Muslim al Zeir's wife killed
Age unknown female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Age unknown female Muslim al Zeir's mother killed
Age unknown female Muslim al Zeir's daughter killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Child male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 30
  • (12–15 children10–11 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–300
  • 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, Unknown, Russian Military

Sources (64) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • Destruction from the air strike (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction from the air strike (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction from the air strike (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction from the air strike (via LCCSY)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • Destruction in the residential buildings in Al Qousour neighbourhood(via Idlib Media Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civil Defence workers at the scene of the strike (via Syria Civil Defence Idlib )
  • Destruction due to the air strike (via Syria Civil Defence Idlib )
  • Civil Defence workers at the scene of the strike (via Syria Civil Defence Idlib)
  • Translation: My daughters murdered by Putin’s airstrikes - saying googdbye to her two daughter [Tasnim and Sham] after Russian raids on the city of Idlib.
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via All4Syria)
  • Rescue workers at the scene (via Idlib White Helmets)
  • Translation: The signs of raids by warplanes on the city of Idlib.
  • Translation: Pulling the wounded and martyrs from under the rubble after warplanes bombed Idlib last night. Mother calling out to her daughter Sham, says "oh my oldest girls, the love of your father." The civil defence are asking her to come out and take her daughters out.
  • Translation: Civil defence teams continue to look for those missing under the rubble following the violent raids on Idlib.
  • Translation: Idlib - martyrs and wounded in intense Russian raids on the city’s neighbourhoods.
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 Idlib, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was 90 km away.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 6th-8th the Coalition reported no strikes in Idlib governorate. However unilateral US strikes are no longer reported by CJTFOIR.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 30
  • (12–15 children10–11 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–300
  • 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, Unknown, Russian Military

Sources (64) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1880

Incident date

February 5, 2017

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, Hasan al-Allawi al-Hamed, was reportedly killed in a Russian airstrike on Tadef, Aleppo – though there was only one known source on this event.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria listed the death as “warplane shelling” from “Russian troops”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1879

Incident date

February 4, 2017

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were injured in airstrike on Akeirbat, Hama, according to local media. Only two known sources reported on the attack and only one identified a belligerent, it is therefore unclear if Russia were responsible for the raid.

Step News Agency reported that “Russian planes carried out raids on Akeirbat in eastern Hama which led to the wounded civilians”.

Whilst the only other known source, @fawaaaa4, tweeted: “Warplanes bombed a town that caused some civilian casualties” and did not positively identify the warplanes. 

 

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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (2) [ 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1878

Incident date

February 3, 2017

Location

ميادين, 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

Up to seven civilians were killed and 28 injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mayadeen, in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to local media.

The source Sharqiya Voice reported: “Russian MOD says that five planes targeted IS positions in al Mayadeen. The Sharqiya correspondent confirmed that the areas targeted were civilian with no connection to IS.”

The death toll varied across sources, Al Jazeera stated as many as seven died whilst 7al reported that there was only one death – both cited dozens of injuries.

Shariqya Voice reported that 28 were wounded in the attack.

An RT report included: “A statement issued by the Russian Defense Ministry [which] said: ‘Long-range bombers  (T-22M3) after they took off from Russian territory, and crossed the Iranian and Iraqi airspace, conducted an air strike, on terrorist sites in the city of Mayadeen, in the countryside of Deir al-Zour…The target of the air strike was huge warehouses of arms and ammunition’.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Child male Mohammad lost his legs during the attack. injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–28
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Witnessed a Russian bombing on the city of Mayadin countryside #Deirzur, killing seven people.
  • Translation: Russian planes bomb terrorists in the countryside of Deir al-Zour.
  • Translation: Eastern Deir Ezzor, al Mayadeen - the signs of Russian raids on the city.
  • Translation: Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside - Mohammad Ali al Hussein - one of the martyrs of the Russian raids on al Mayadeen.
  • Translation: Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside - al Mayadeen - the signs of the Russian raids on the city last night showing great destruction in civilian homes.
  • Translation: Photos of the raids that targeted al Mayadeen today.
  • Translation: Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside - the child Mohammad Saleh al Hussein lost his legs following Russian long range missiles fired on al Mayadeen a few days ago.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–28
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1877

Incident date

February 2, 2017

Location

حي القابون, Al Qaboun neighbourhood, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.547599, 36.338975 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were reportedly killed and 16 more injured in an airstrike on al Qaboun, Damascus, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Assad’s regime or Russia were responsible.

Geroun News who put the death toll at one and 15 injured, reported that:

“Russian fighter jets launched four air raids on the Qaboun neighborhood east of Damascus on Thursday [2nd], killing a number of civilian casualties. The raids coincided with the regime’s shelling of the neighborhood with artillery and rocket launchers in a military escalation, the most violent in nearly two years.”

LCCSY reported that three civilians were killed in the attack, whilst most other sources reported two deaths and named the victims.

Syrian Network for Human Rights, RASD and Syria News Desk attributed responsibility to Assad’s regime.

Media activists speaking to 7al news noted “It is worth mentioning that the neighborhood of Qabun has been in a truce with the regime forces, for more than a year. But the regime forces from time to time violate – through artillery shelling and airstrikes, in addition to the bombing of buildings on the outskirts of the neighborhood, on the pretext of the existence of the organization of Fatah al-Sham”.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–16
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Regime warplanes kill civilians in Qaboun neighbourhood.
  • Translation: One of the airstrikes in Qaboun
  • Translation: Wounded due to russian warplane shelling in Qaboun
  • Translation: Russian raid in Qaboun leaves martyrs and wounded.
  • Translation: For the first time in 3 years, Al-Qaboun neighborhood witnessed air raids on Thursday, on civilian houses in the neighborhood, killing and injuring them. As a result, two civilians were killed Shadi Hamdi al-Kareidi, Abu Shadi and the martyr Abu Yazen al-Arabini, pointing out that there are other wounded in a serious condition, and some of the unidentified victims are still under the rubble.
  • Translation: 4 airstrikes with rockets on residential neighborhoods in #Qaboun, east of the capital #Damascus. Resulting in the death of two martyrs and 16 civilians wounded and missing under the rubble.
  • Translation: Victims of the bombing of warplanes on the neighborhood of Qaboun in #Damascus.

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 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–16
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS470 RS1876

Incident date

February 1, 2017

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition, or possibly Russian, airstrike which hit a Syrian Red Crescent hospital in Idlib injured up to a dozen civilians. The Coalition later denied involvement, though a unilateral US action remained possible.

The intended target of the dawn strike appeared to be the militant gropup Fatah al Sham at a base at the former Carlton Hotel. But numerous sources reported extensive damage to a Red Crescent hospital in the city. According to Shaam News “The bombing also caused the injury of nine members of the Red Crescent who were at the center during the raids, where the bombardment caused the interruption of the Centre’s work fully with the service.”

In a video it issued of the event, Step News interviewed a rescue worker at the scene: “At 3am we woke up to the noise of an air raid. We at the civil defence and the fire brigade headed to the target location and saw the Red Crescent centre/carlton hit with a missile that went through from the roof to the first floor. God was merciful as it didn’t reach at the way to the bottom where there were 30 members of the Red Crescent. They would’ve been hit. There are a few injured… we put the fires out and we took the injured to the hospitals.”

Four members of the local civil defence were also reportedly injured while attending the scene.

Multiple sources named Mamoun Kharbout, the head of the Syrian Red Crescent branch in Idlib, as one of the injured.

Most sources blamed the Coalition, although the Syrian Network said Russia may also have been responsible. In April the Coalition stated: “Feb. 1, 2017, near Idlib, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

 

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–12
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Step)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Bellingcat)
  • Members of the SARC Idlib branch pose with four ambulances in front of the Carlton Hotel. The picture was uploaded by their Facebook page on Jan. 17, 2017 (via Bellingcat)
  • Tweet by ICRC Syria (via Bellingcat)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Bellingcat)
  • Idlib's Red Crescent hospital, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on February 1st 2017 (via Bellingcat)
  • Translation: Warplanes target the Red Crescent building with airstrikes.
  • Translation: Injured members of the Red Crescent in aerial bombardment on the Carlton Hotel, Idlib.
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 Idlib, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017
  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 31st-February 1st and February 1st-2nd the Coalition noted no strikes in the vicinity. However unilateral US strikes against Fatah al Sham are no longer reported by CJTFOIR.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–12
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS468 RS1875

Incident date

January 31, 2017

Location

صبيخان, Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.85305, 40.59987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian guard was killed in an air raid on an asphalt plant or nearby oil facility by unidentified aircraft. The Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations in the area that day, although some sources blamed Russia.

According to multiple reports at least two civilians were also injured in the incident. Asharqiya reported, Mr al Khairi was a civilian guard.

In comments attached to a report by Boukamalna, locals said the civilian died when an asphalt plant attached to the facility was struck. Most reports specified only unspecified aircraft. Boukamalna said the Coalition was responsible – while according to Baladi News, “warplanes believed to be Russian and regime” took part.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

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 Sbeikhan (Al Mayadin), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU4625757914
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • 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 January 30th-31st the Coalition stated: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed 10 oil drums, two oil storage tanks and an oil wellhead.“

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 January 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
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]