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

RS1403

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

ريف المهندسين, Rif al Muhandisin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.115568, 36.90616 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians died and as many as 57 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandisin in the Western countryside of Aleppo, according to local media.

Qasioun News reported “Russian warplanes committed a massacre in Rif Al Muhandisin in the western countryside of Aleppo, killing six civilians and wounding dozens more – the majority women and children.”

Among others, the twitter account Fawaz_jwaid reported that the eight victims were from the same family, “displaced from Zitan village”.

Most sources claimed that a dozen of civilians were left wounded, though the twitter account @Syriamubahser reported that as many as 57 were injured.

The majority of the sources pointed to Russia, though Syrian News and al-Watan News attributed the strikes to both Russia and the Assad regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Khaled Ahmad Al-Zaher
Age unknown male killed
Tarek Al-Zaher
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Ahmad Al-Zaher
Age unknown male killed
Tarek Ahmad Al-Zaher
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Al-Zaher
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–57
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Rif al Muhandisin. (via, Qasioun)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–57
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1402

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.06763, 36.97987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrike on the city of al Zirba, Aleppo, according to local media.

Some sources said that the strikes only caused damage and no civilian harm. For example, the Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes shelled in Zirba in the southern western countryside of Aleppo causing damage to building but there wetre no reports of civilian casualties”.

But most other reports put the death toll between six and eight.

According to EssamTaky, “six people from the same family died after Russian warplanes shelled Zirba”.

Syrian News, al-Watan and Muslim News attributed the event to both the Assad regime and Russia, while the Smart News Agency and EssamTaky pointed only to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 8
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Zirba. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Zirba. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Zirba. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Zirba. (via Step)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 8
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1399

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الهلّك, Hallak, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.231951, 37.170997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and four civilians died in an incident in Hallak, Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether they were killed by Russian or regime strikes or by a sniper. 

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 4 civilians including a woman were killed by suspected Russian warplanes shelling”.

Other sources however reported that only one civilian was killed, and that he was killed by Kurdish snipers – these sources were Nabd Syria, AleppoAMC and @Alikdour.

Ali-Kodur  accused the  “YPD and PKK of using snipers everyday”.

The twitter account @Syrianmubasher said that one civilian had been killed by an “SDF sniper”.

Egypt Today and LCCSY attributed the event to Russia while al-Jazeera and Syrian News pointed to the Assad regime as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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, Kurdish Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Unnamed civilian allegedly killed by a sniper. (via, Ali-Kodur)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Kurdish Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kurdish Forces
  • Kurdish Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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, Kurdish Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1400

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

كرم حومد, Karam Houmad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.196287, 37.181253 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Karam Houmad, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime.

According to Zaman al-Wasl, “four civilians were killed and others wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Karm Homad”.

Jsirtv reported that one child was one of two victims, and also blamed Russia.

The strikes were most likely carried out by Russia, as almost all sources pointed to this. These were Zaman al-Wasl, Syrian Press Center, Muslim, Jsirtv, @el-Dorar, @ShahbaPress, SN4HR and HNN. However, one source (@TahrirSY) attributed the strike to the Assad regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Karam Houmad. (via TahrirSy)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1398

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources air and artillery strikes hit the city Anadan north of Aleppo, killing one or two civilians.

According to Nabd Syria, “two people were killed and others wounded in Anadan due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling”.

One source, Muslm, attributed the strikes to both the Assad regime and Russia, while Jsirtv pointed to Russia alone.

However, most sources – al-Meghreb Today, RFS North, @Syriamubasher and @AnadanMedia – pointed to the Assad regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hussein Jewaid
Adult male though Yousef Kharfan and Halabtoday said he was a fighter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Hussein Jewaid, a fighter. (via, Yousef Kharfan)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

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

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1397

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians including a child died and 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Darat Izza, according to local media.

According to All4Syria, “Russian warplanes carried out three raids, two with missiles and one with cluster bombs, targeting civilians’ houses. Two people were killed and more wounded. Shops and houses were destroyed.”

The number of injured varied among the sources, spanning from a couple to up to 20.

Most sources attributed the strike to Russia (Anadolu Images, Lebanon 360, LCCSY and Anas al-Hage), while only one source, Syrian News, blamed both Russia and the Assad regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abul-Raof Abdul-Razak Akel
Child male died of his wounds killed
Ahmad Ata Zahra
Age unknown named by Darat Ezzas Martyrs’ killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • The exact moments the cluster bombs hit Darat Izza on 4th October 2016. (via, Darat Izza Media Office)
  • Moments after the alleged raid on Darat Izza on 4th October 2016. (via, Darat Izza Media Office)
  • A cluster bomb was identified in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Anas Hage)
  • A cluster bomb was identified in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Anas Hage)
  • A cluster bomb was identified in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Anas Hage)
  • Abul-Raof Abdul-Razak Akel, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darrat Izza. (via, Anas Hage)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, Anadolu)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, Anadolu)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, Anadolu)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, Anadolu)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, Anadolu)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, Anadolu)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, Anadolu)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, Anadolu)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via Step)
  • The alleged warplane which caused destruction. (via AnasAlhage)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza. (via, Anas Hage)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza. (via, Anas Hage)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza. (via, Anas Hage)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza. (via, Anas Hage)
  • Abul-Raof Abdul-Razak Akel, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darrat Izza. (via, Daretezzamartyrs)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abul-Raof Abdul-Razak Akel, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darrat Izza. (via, Tr_spm)
  • Cluster bombs which were identified in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Lebanon360)
  • Moments after the alleged raid hit Darat Izza, destroying countless civilian homes. (via, All4Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1396

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2179122, 37.1892357 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in al Sakhour, Aleppo, according to local media.

Most sources claimed that six or seven civilians were killed, among these hospital staff and civil defense workers.

Syria News Desk provided details from the incident, reporting that “seven construction workers were killed and more than a dozen others injured, including civilians, at noon today [Oct 3rd], in a Russian airstrike on a  field hospital in the Al sakhur neighbourhood”.

An Aleppo resident, Said Mohammed Fadel, told Syria News Desk that the victims were construction workers: “The workers were renovating the hospital building, which was put out of service yesterday because of the destruction”.

Also, TRT al-arabiya reported that out of the seven victims, “five of them were builders and two were medical staff”.

According to local sources, such as el-Wehda and Sada al-sham, members of the civil defense were also among the victims.

Halab News Network (who counted six civilian casualties following the raid) named four of the six.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yusuf Badi
Age unknown male named by Halab News Network killed
Mohammad Houriya
Age unknown male named by Halab News Network killed
Abu Haydar
Age unknown named by Halab News Network killed
Sami Baidoun
Age unknown named by Halab News Network killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Al-Sakhour hospital was struck by an alleged Russian raid on October 3rd 2016. (via, Orient News)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via Elwehda)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via AA)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via AMC)
  • Attempts to clear the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via AMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1394

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Location

شيخ سعيد, al Sheikh Said, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.163899, 37.154603 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strikes in Sheik Said, Aleppo, killed up to three civilians.

“So_ria98” attributed the strike to Russia, while the media Zaman al-Wasl pointed to both the Assad regime and Russia.

There are no other details available at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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