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

RS1386

Incident date

October 2, 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

According to local media, alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes hit and destroyed a major hospital in al-Sakhour in Aleppo, killing up to four civilians and wounding 15 more.

Al Jazeera reported: “Russian and Syrian warplanes shelled  the biggest hospital still working in Eastern Aleppo, destroying it and forcing it out of service, as well as killing two people and wounding others”.

Sky News also referred to the hospital as “the biggest in Eastern Aleppo”, reporting that it was “bombarded for the fourth time on Saturday [Oct 2nd]. Four people were killed and 15 at least wounded”.

But Focus Aleppo reported that no civilians were killed, citing the director of hospital who said that “no staff were in the hospital at the time and that no casualties were reported.”

While most sources (Nader, @abd_horan, @Syriapost1, @abdulgrafordyab, al Araby TV, and Focus Aleppo) attributed the incident to Russia, Al-Jazeera pointed to both the Assad regime and Russia as the culprits.

However, according to SMO, explosive barrels holding chlorine were dropped on the building. They described how the chloride fell into a water tank which allegedly made it less effective.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Sakhour hospital is rendered out of use following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 2nd October 2016. (via Qatar Red Crescent)
  • Sakhour hospital is rendered out of use following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 2nd October 2016. (via Qatar Red Crescent)
  • Sakhour hospital is rendered out of use following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 2nd October 2016. (via Qatar Red Crescent)
  • Sakhour hospital is rendered out of use following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 2nd October 2016. (via Qatar Red Crescent)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1387

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

الزبدية, al Zarbadia, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1873081, 37.1341324 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, air and artillery strikes hit the neighbourhood of al-Zarbadia in Aleppo, killing up to three civilians and wounding as many as six more.

According to the Smart News Agency, “regime artillery shelling by Assad forces stationed in Hamdaneya stadium targeted the Al-Zebdiya neighbourhood and killed three children and wounded six others who were taken to medical points for treatment.”

Baladi said all three victims were children.

Most sources (Smart news, Baladi News, Syrian Press Center and Syrian Network for Human Rights) attributed the strike to the Assad regime, while just one source – Halab News Network – pointed to Russia as the culprit, listing two unidentified victims of an airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (0–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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]

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 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 – 3
  • (0–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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

RS1378

Incident date

October 1, 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 two people including a child died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Sakhour neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Reports said that the strike hit a hospital.

According to IranArabSpring, “an unidentified six-year-old child’s body was delivered to the mortuary in Aleppo. He was killed in Al-Sakhour hospital shelling”.

Meanwhile, Al-Jazeera reported that “two people were killed and others wounded due to Russian and regime warplanes shelling in Al-Sakhour hospital”.

Many sources, such as Hamsa al-Yousef and Halab News, reported the use of chlorine gas, cluster and phosphorous bombs.

Sources were split on whether Russia or the regime were to blame – though it was suggested that both parties played a role.

According to LCCSY, “Assad’s helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the field hospital in #Sakhour neighborhood while Russian warplanes targeted it with two cluster bombs and a bunker-busting bomb, which left one civilian dead and put the hospital out of service”.

Rudaw News reported that “regime helicopters targeted Al-Sakhour hospital with explosive barrels and destroyed it. Some were killed and others wounded”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The remnants of a hospital which was struck by an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid on 1st October 2016. Footage shows wounded and civilian casualties. (via, Baladi)
  • The exact moments the alleged Russian or Syrian regime phosphorous bombs struck Al Sakhour. (via Baladi)
  • Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime strike. (via, SUDsyria)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Smart News)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Smart News)
  • Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime strike. (via, Smart News)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Smart News)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Rozana FM)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of an unidentified 6 year old child, killed in the alleged Russian and Syrian raid on Al Sakhour. (via, IranArabspring)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Thiqa)
  • Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime strike. (via, Thiqa)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Thiqa)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Thiqa)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1379

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

الفرجة, al Farjeh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5197196, 36.8458989 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and six civilians including three children and several women died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on the al-Farej camp outside of Idlib, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

Qasioun and Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the strike to Russia, though some other sources pointed to the regime.

According to the Smart News Agency, “regime warplanes carried out four raids in Al-Farjeh displaced camp in the countryside of Idlib killed six civilians, including three children and two women, and wounded others”.

Zaman al-Wasl News also blamed the regime, putting the death toll at four including a woman, and noting that cluster bombs were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A displaced persons camp, struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime strikes, 1st October 2016. (via, Qausion)
  • A displaced persons camp, struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime strikes, 1st October 2016. (via, Lebanon360)
  • A displaced persons camp, struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime strikes, 1st October 2016. (via, Smart News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of al-Farej (الفرجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35,5197196, 36,8458989. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 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
    4 – 6
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1380

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that the village Kafr Hamra outside of Aleppo was struck by “four” alleged airstrikes which led to the death of one man. According to NabdTV “the Civil defence forces recovered the body of a senior citizen from the rubble which was stuck there for two days”.

A range of local media also reported that the strike was carried out with the use of illegal phosphorus missiles.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Ali al Abdallah
65 years old male named by Halab News Network killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Kafr Hamra. (via, Thiqa)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Kafr Hamra. (via, Thiqa)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Kafr Hamra. (via, Thiqa)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1381

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians including a girl died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Latamna, Hama, according to local media.

Sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person. In this instance they have been listed as two people.

According to Syrian News Desk, “a young girl and an elderly woman were killed and more than ten civilians injured when Russian warplanes targeted  the town of Al-Lataminah with more than six missiles”.

Three houses were reportedly destroyed in the strike.

Jsirtv tweeted that the strikes made use of “explosive barrels filled Chlorine”, indicating that the regime could have been responsible.

Mahmud al-Hamwi reported the use of illegal cluster bombs.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Raw’a Walid Al-Mohammed
3 years old female killed
Khadija (Um Daher)
Age unknown female sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person killed
Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein)
Age unknown male sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person killed
Abdur-Rahman Abdul-Karm Al-Khatabiya
26 years old identified as "fighters of Jaysh Al-Izza" killed
Abdul-Jabbar Fawaz Al-Ahmad
35 years old male identified as "fighters of Jaysh Al-Izza" killed
Muhanad Nazih Al-Abbas (Al-Khaled)
25 years old identified as "fighters of Jaysh Al-Izza" killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman0–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment the alleged raid hit. (via Hassan_khaleil)
  • The exact moment the alleged raid hit. (via Hassan_khaleil)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via, Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Hassan_Khaleil)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Hassan_Khaleil)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Hassan_Khaleil)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Hassan_Khaleil)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Raw’a Walid Abdullatif, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ltamenah. (via, Ali-Syrian2011)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhanad Nazih Al-Abbas, a militant, his shirt reading "Jaysh Al-Izza". (via, Alassad20143)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A woman holds her dead child in the aftermath of an alleged raid. (via, Rasd News)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • Raw’a Walid Al-Mohammed and Khadija (Um Daher), both killed on October 1st in Ltamenah following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via, Shbablatamneh3)

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 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
    5 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman0–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1376 CS320

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

الشحيل, Al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0865, 40.45232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three children and an elderly woman died in an airstrike on a primary school at al Shaheel, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Syrian regime, Russia or the US-led Coalition.

Deir Ezzor 24, the Syrian Observatory and Euphrates Post reported only that unspecified warplanes had carried out the attack. The pro-regime site Al Ahed News instead said Assad’s forces had carried out the attack – as did Step News, Smart News, Syrian Press Center, and the Syrian Network (which said the attack was on a primary school.)

Masar Press and Deir Ezzor 24 instead blamed the Coalition.

In the most detailed report Syria News Desk – which blamed Russia – noted: “Media opposition activist Abu Wassim al-Dairi, quoting civilian sources said that ‘the air force targeted with two raids a secondary School in Al Shaheel which shelters displaced people from the village of Almrieih which is adjacent to the military airport at Deir Ezzor. The attack killed two children and an elderly woman and a man, and injured four others, all from one family. The bombing resulted in the destruction of the school building and extensive damage to nearby houses.”

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, 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.

The victims were named as:

Franjiya Mhaissan al Nahar
Adult female the wife of the late Ali Al Ahmad Abu Hassan killed
Malak Barhan Adel al Mushref
Child female killed
Sulaf Mohammad Karbit
Child female The four victims were all internally displaced from nearby Deir Ezzor city. They were named by Euphrates Post. killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Malak Barhan Adel al Mushref, killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Image of the alleged location which was targeted by the Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • A mother and her three children reported killed in alleged regime shelling on a primary school in Al Shaheel. [Via: SN4HR 30th September 2016]
  • Euphrates post names three of the victims killed in warplane shelling on al Shaheel. 30th September 2016
  • Four civilians reported killed following alleged coalition strikes on al Shaheel. [Via: Masar Press 30th September 2016]
  • DE24 reports that four civilians from a displaced family were killed in the air raids that targeted al Shaheel. 30th September 2016
  • DE24 tweets photos of the aftermath of the raids on al Shaheel. 30th September 2016

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

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
    37SFU323836
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Sept. 30, 2016, in Al Shaheel, 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. 3056/CS320 37SFU323836

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Coalition strike reports mentions strike in the province of Deir Ezzor without mentioning the village in name.
"On Sept. 30, coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed six oil tanker trucks, two vehicles, and an oil pump jack and damaged a vehicle and another oil tanker truck. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed 24 oil tanker trucks and two oil well heads."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1377 CS321

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

بقرص, Bokros, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.090833, 40.398056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 10 civilians including a family of four died following air raids on Bokros, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian regime, Russia and the Coalition were all blamed.

According to Shaam News, “In the town of Bokros Coalition aircraft attacked houses belonging to civilians, which led to the death of four people, including two boys and a girl, in addition to the fall of the number of wounded.”

The Syrian Observatory blamed unspecified warplanes for the attack, while Smart News held the Assad regime responsible. Eldorar and Syria News Desk blamed Russia. According to the latter, “four civilians, including two children, were killed and seven others wounded, after Russian aviation raids targeting four residential sites in Bokros, which also led to the complete destruction of three houses and significant material damage to another four.”

Deirezzor24 put the death toll at 10 and also blamed Russia.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, 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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Child male killed
Adult male “A football player in al fotwa and Bokros team”, according to @ahmed_rahall. killed
Child female killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Aref Mahmoud al A’shraj, killed in an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via ahmed_rahall)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via EuphratesPost)
  • Damage to civilian homes can be seen here following an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via Furat Post)
  • Damage to civilian homes can be seen here following an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via Furat Post)
  • Damage to civilian homes can be seen here following an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via Furat Post)
  • Aref Mahmoud al A’shraj, killed in an alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition airstrike on Bokros, 30th September 2016. (via awaadalkh1)
  • Euphrates post names the victims in Bokros as A'ref Mahmoud al A'jrash and the children, Mohammad Hamed al A'jrash and Salmeen and Nour Bassem al A'jrash
  • An oppositionst activist reports that the footballer A'ref was killed in Bokros. 30th September 2016
  • Euphrates post tweets photos of the aftermath of the raids at Bokros which they report left 4 dead including three children. 30th September 2016
  • Two people killed due to their injuries sustained in alleged Russian strikes on Bokros yesterday. 1st October 2016

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

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
    37SFU274840
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Sept. 30, 2016, in Bokros, 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. 3057/CS321 37SFU274840

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 29th-30th 2016 the Coalition stated: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes damaged four ISIL supply routes and disabled a bridge along an ISIL supply route.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]