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

RS950 CS243

Incident date

June 27, 2016

Location

الخفسة, Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2308082, 38.021965 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 13 civilians died in airstrikes on Al Khafssa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the US-led Coalition or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The majority of sources, including HNN, @AJABreaking and @HalabNewsN blamed Russia.

The Step News Agency, also attributed the event to Russia, put the death toll at seven, including two children and one woman. It added that the victims were from the same family.

Abarahpress said that as many as 13 had died, but similar to a number of other sources, did not identify the culprit.

However, Breakingnews reported the Coalition carried out strikes targeting ISIS in Al Khafssa. @RadioAlKul blamed the Coalition for seven deaths.

According to Manbij Mother of the World, “Coalition planes bomb the area of al Khafsa east of the cemetery with two missiles at exactly 02:00 am. There is news of a massacre in which an entire displaced family has been killed. We await further details from our correspondent.

One source, Syrianewsdesk, said the regime was responsible, putting the death count at five non-combatants.

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A video listing those killed following alleged airstrikes, at 0’41” : "7 unidentified victims in an air raid on al Khafsa" (Youtube via Halab TV Today)
  • SN4HR report entitled ‘No less than 240 Massacres in the First half of 2016 - including 33 massacres in June (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • SN4HR report entitled ‘No less than 240 Massacres in the First half of 2016 - including 33 massacres in June (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA121099
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • June 27, 2016, in Al Khafsa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2995/CS243 37SDA121099

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 26th - 27th:

* Near Manbij, seven strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL tunnels and damaged an ISIL fighting position and denied ISIL access to terrain.

For June 27th - 28th:

* Near Manbij, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL anti-tank guided weapon and damaged three ISIL fighting positions.

Update from UK MoD for Monday 27 June:

‘Monday 27 June – Typhoons provided close air support to Syrian democratic forces fighting in Manbij…On Monday 27 June, while Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s conducted reconnaissance missions to gather intelligence on Daesh activity, Typhoon FGR4s and Reaper remotely piloted aircraft provided support to both Syrian democratic forces and Iraqi units. The same day, in Syria, a pair of Typhoons conducted a successful attack with Paveway IV guided bombs against a Daesh strongpoint on the south-western outskirts of Manbij.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS982

Incident date

July 10, 2016

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.17594, 37.14111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was killed in an attack by an alleged Russian warplane in al Sukkari on July 10th 2016.

All sources reported that the attack was carried out by Russian; there was no mention of the Syrian regime.

“Others” were reported to have been wounded with no mention of numbers. Sinn News however published a photograph of a young injured girl who was caught in the attack.

Al Sukkari was not the only neighbourhood in Aleppo to be attacked on July 10th, according to several local and other sources. Syrian PC reported Russian raids to have been carried out in “Al Sukkari, Mash’had, Al-Sheikh Sa’eed and Ansari”.

The manager of Shahba Press Agency, Mamon Khateeb tweeted “Martyrs of Aleppo today: Ibyen 11, Kafr Hamra 2, Dahret Awad 1, Qaterji 1, Old Aleppo 2, Sukkari 1, Manbij 5.”

HalabNow, a pro-regime source, tweeted saying “Warplanes raids now in Sukkari, Ferdous and Marja target the armed rebels positions.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulkader Wali Bin Mohammed
46 years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Injured child is rescued by the Civil Defence Forces on 10th July 2016. (via Sinn News).
  • Footage of significant material destruction in Sukkari (Youtube via Step News)
  • The effects of alleged warplane strikes on Sukkari (Tweet by @Step_Agency)
  • The White Helmets arrive at the scene in Sukkaria (Tweet by @ShehabAgency)

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 July 1st – 14th 2016.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1014

Incident date

July 17, 2016

Location

الخالدية, Khalidiya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2289518, 37.1178294 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, LCCSY, two civilians died in three alleged Russian strikes in Aleppo’s Al Khalidiya neighbourhood.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defence team rescuing civilians from the rubble. (via, White Helmets)
  • The White Helmet rescue team work through demolished buildings in Al Khalidaja (via LCCSY)

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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1046

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

عربين, Irbin, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including three children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Irbin in eastern Ghouta, local media reported – though the culprit remained unclear.

According to Radio Al Kul, “Russian warplanes struck Douma, Harasta, Irbin and Hamoreya in Eastern Ghouta with missiles loaded with cluster bombs and killed four people and wounded tens more.”

Syrian Press Center also blamed Russia, though it later published a report on its website referring only to “warplanes”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    According to the source this child died in Russian strikes on Irbin (Tweet via @emedadynznky)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1216 RS2346

Incident date

July 17, 2017

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, school building, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.8225805, 40.6799993 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were killed – including five civilians believed to be from one family – and a number of others were injured in airstrikes on the village of Al Kashkiya in eastern Deir Ezzor.  However it was contested as to who was responsible.

Four sources – Radio al Kul, Micro News, Smart News Agency and Syrian Network for Human Rights – alleged that the Coalition was responsible meanwhile @Syria7ra blamed Russia and Al Jazeera alleged that the Syrian government was responsible. Five sources did not make any claims as to who was to blame.

A number of sources reported that the strikes took place near the village’s middle school and a number of images were shared which showed the level of destruction.

Other sources reported that the family home was deliberately “targeted”  by warplanes.

With regards to civilian casualties, some sources were able to identify some of the victims however they conflicted in their accounts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Khalaf al Kalashat
Adult male named by Euphrates Post killed
Wife of Khalaf al Kalashat
Adult female named by Euphrates Post killed
Child of Khalaf al Kalashat 1
Child named by Euphrates Post killed
Child of Khalaf al Kalashat 2
named by Euphrates Post killed
Child of Khalaf al Kalashat 3
Child named by Euphrates Post killed
Khalaf al Shihada
Adult female named by @Syria7ra, mother of Khalaf killed
Sister in law of Khalaf al Kalashat
Adult female named by @Syria7ra killed
Shihade Mekhlef al-Kalshat
Adult male named by VDC killed
A male relative
Adult male named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1–3 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Deir Ezzor is being exterminated)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Deir Ezzor is being exterminated)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Deir Ezzor is being exterminated)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Deir Ezzor is being exterminated)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via @syria7ra)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via @syria7ra)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via @syria7ra)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via @syria7ra)
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 al Kashkiya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU364465
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 July 17th-18th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed 12 ISIS oil refinement stills, four well-heads, and two oil storage tanks.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1–3 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1478 RS2436

Incident date

September 13, 2017

Location

مظلوم, Mazloum village, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3077313, 40.257403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians including two women and a girl died in an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in Mazloum village, eastern Deir Ezzor, according to local media. Though local sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame, the village did appear to have been the target of a regime offensive.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights attributed the event to the Coalition, putting the death toll at at least seven with more injured – many, it said, in a serious condition. According to Deir Ezzor News, which didn’t identify the culprit, “Seven people died and a number more were wounded as a result of the bombing of a school that housed displaced persons in Mazloum village in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Azur.

The shelling targeted a school sheltering displaced people from the village of Al-Maraiya, killing seven civilians, including a girl and two women, and wounding several others. The number of martyrs is likely to increase due to the large number of wounded, and a significant shortage of medicines and medical services in the village, and there is a state of inability to treat a number of injuries”.

However, the majority of sources – Syria Press Center, SMO, Marsad al Hassaka and Euphrates Post – blamed Russia. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, the regime carried out the attack. It put the death toll at six including a girl and two women.

Other sources added that dozens more civilians were injured in the event – though some did not identify the warplanes responsible.

Four days after the event, Euphrates Post noted “The movement of displaced people from the towns of Mazloum, Mrat and Khaisham Tahtani as a result of artillery shelling by the regime forces located in the town of Al-Marayya.

There were more than 50 raids fired onto the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nasim Al-Fuhail and Wahhab
Age unknown male killed
Duaa Nasim Al-Fuhail and Wahab
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Eid Al-Sharif
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Al-Makhilaf Al-Assaf
Age unknown male killed
Wadha Al-Mas’ud
Age unknown female killed
Fatima Wahab Al-Mustafa
Age unknown killed
Adel Mahmoud Ibrahim
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 child3 women1 man)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mazloum (مظلوم), for which the coordinates are: 35.307731, 40.257403. Several sources mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a school, but on satellite imagery of September 19, 2017, no obvious additional damage can be seen to schools in or around the village

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 Mazloum village, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV143078
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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 September 12th – 13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a VBIED facility and a logistics node.“

For September 13th - 14th, the Coalition reported: "Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters" and "Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes [2 or more British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Wednesday 13 September – a Reaper twice engaged terrorists on foot, as well as a truck-bomb, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck a Daesh building, all near Dayr az Zawr…On Wednesday 13 September, another Reaper continued patrolling near Dayr az Zawr. It used two Hellfire missiles to attack terrorists spotted on foot, then employed a third missile to destroy an armoured truck-bomb positioned next to a main road. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair meanwhile targeted a group of Daesh in a building nearby, scoring a direct hit with a Brimstone.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 child3 women1 man)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1661 RS2672

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Location

هجين, Hajeen - al Zir area, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man died and his child was wounded in a casualty event in the al Zir area in Hajeen town, local media reported – though it was unclear whether the casualties were caused by an airstrike or a rocket. Additionally, sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights pointed towards the Coalition.

Baladi, however, said “the town was hit by a number of rockets which killed a man and wounded others.”

The Our Bukamal Facebook page reported “the death of Turki Hamad Al Hawamah by shelling on Hajeen and the injury of his child”. It added that the shelling targeted “the house of Sawadi al-Habadi and the house of Khudair al-Salbi and the led to the injury of Ibn Khudair al-Salbi. The shelling also focused on the public street close to the shops of Al-Omair.”

Baladi News was the only source to attribute blame to Russian warplanes.

Euphrates Post published a video (see below), showing panic and screaming at the moment that warplanes reportedly struck. The voice over refers to “indiscriminate shelling”.

The incident occured at 12:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Son of Turki al-Hamad al-Hawam
Child male injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Indiscriminate shelling", footage showing panic and screaming from civilians as they attempt to run from the airstrikes which have targeted their homes. 2nd November 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • Turki Hamad Al-Hawam and his son, he was killed and his son injured in an alleged airstrike on the Al Zir area in Hajin on November 2nd 2017 (via Hajin and around Hajin Facebook post).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hajin (هجين) for which the coordinates are: 34.6897222, 40.83. Sources mention Al Zir (الزر) area, “the house of Sawadi al-Habadi and the house of Khudair al-Salbi and the led to the injury of Ibn Khudair al-Salbi. The shelling also focused on the public street close to the shops of Al-Omair.”

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

For November 2nd-3rd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS line of communication. Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS line of communication, a VBIED factory and an ISIS headquarters.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1096

Incident date

August 4, 2016

Location

معرة الأتارب, Maarat al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1597476, 36.8192717 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and six civilians including two children died and as many as 30 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian Regime airstrike on the two camps for displaced person near the town of Maarat al Atareb.

Halab News Network reported there were no less than eight raids, with the use of cluster bombs in the vicinity.

The camps which made up approximately 50 tents, were reportedly left shattered. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, one of the camps is located in the area between Ma’aarat al-Atareb and road al-Sahara and has more than 30 tents, while the other is located between Ma’aarat al-Atareb and the road to al-Atareb town and has about 20 tents. The airstrikes on both camps damaged and burned about 10 tents”. The Observatory said that 30 people were injured in the raid, though Syria News Desk put the number injured much lower at 10.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that the missiles also struck an ambulance at the Civil Defence Centre in Maarat al Atareb.

HNN claimed that the bombardment was so intense that ambulances were unable to reach the area for some time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed by alleged Russian and Assad regime raids. Maarat al Atareb, 4th August 2016. (via SN4HR)
    A child killed by alleged Russian and Assad regime raids. Maarat al Atareb, 4th August 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • Remnants of the displaced persons camp. Maarat al Atareb, via (SN4HR).
    Remnants of the displaced persons camp. Maarat al Atareb, via (SN4HR).
  • An ambulance caught in the riads. (via, SN4HR)
  • Remnants of the displaced persons camp. Maarat al Atareb, via (SyrianPC)
  • Remnants of the displaced persons camp. Maarat al Atareb, via (Syria-news)
  • An image showing an ambulance caught in the raids and the extent of the destruction on the displaced persons tents. (via, Smo-sy)
  • Inside of the ambulance which was caught inthe alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, shahbaPress)

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 August 1st – 10th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (21) [ collapse]