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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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)

Mohammad Hamed al A’shraj
Child male killed
Aref Mahmoud al A’shraj
Adult male “A football player in al fotwa and Bokros team”, according to @ahmed_rahall. killed
Salmin Hassan al A’shraj
Child female killed
Nour Bassem al A’shraj
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
Official source

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
Official source

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]

Incident Code

RS1369

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

الهلّك, al Halak, 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 seven civilians died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Halak neighbourhood, according to local media.

Syrian Press Center reported both strikes by the regime and Russia: “The regime army positioned in al-Midan area targeted residential houses in the al-Hallak district on Saturday [Sept 30th] with mortars and heavy artillery, killing one civilian and injuring five others.”

In another report it added: “Russian aircraft launched a series of airstrikes with concussion bombs targeting the Halak district of Aleppo, killing three civilians and injuring more than 15 others.”

The highest death count of seven – including three children – was given by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Syriamubasher said that media activist Laith al-Halabi was among the victims.

Khaleedalkhteb posted on Twitter that a church was largely destroyed by the strikes.

Shahedalep1 reported the use of bunker busters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Laith al-Halabi
Adult male media activist killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–15
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the strikes on al-Halak, Aleppo, carried out by either Russian or Syrian regime warplanes, 30th September 2016. (via @Khaleedalkhteb)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians in the rubble caused by the contested airstrikes on al-Halak, Aleppo, 30th September 2016. (via Aleppo 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 September 1st – 30th 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 – 7
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–15
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1370

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

جسرين, Jesrin, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5112138, 36.3881891 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians including one woman died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jesrin in Eastern Ghouta, according to sources on the ground.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the Syrian regime, putting the death toll at three. Meanwhile, SCDrifdimashq reported that four people were killed and others injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights accused Russia of conducting the strikes, though a report by Syria News Desk said both the regime and Russia were involved.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Al-Karash
Age unknown male killed
Said Al Nabki
Age unknown male killed
Maysa Al-Tayer
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the contested strikes on the town Jesrin in Eastern Ghouta, 30th September 2016. (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • Footage of the contested strikes targeting the town Jesrin in Eastern Ghouta, 30th September 2016. (via @mahe35)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes on Jesrtin, Ghouta, 30th Septmeber 2016. (via White Helmets)
  • Photo of injured civilian, most likely from the incident in Jesrin, Ghouta, however the source does not provide specific details regarding location (via White Helmets)

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 September 1st – 30th 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 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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

RS1371

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

كقر بطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514529, 36.374577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and nine civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Kafr Batna in Eastern Ghouta.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three including one woman with “others” wounded. According to Enabbaladi, “nine people, including seven children, were killed as a result of the targeting of a residential area in the city.”

KafrbatnaCity2011 identified eight victims by name while one more victim who couldn’t be identified.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Sidra Abdel-Alim,
Child female killed
Mohammed Abdul-Alim
Child male killed
Jojo Abdul Alim
Child killed
Ola Abdul-Alim
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq al-Haristani
Age unknown male killed
Khayr Muta’a
Age unknown female killed
Maryam Derkzali
Age unknown female killed
Ngham Rabie
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (4–7 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

  • A girl is being carried away from the destruction caused by the contested bombs in Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Skynewsarabia)
  • Injured or killed civilian is being carried away in the aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Karf Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Enabbaladi)
  • An injured boy is being carried away follwing the contested airstrikes that targeted Kafra Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Eldorar)
  • Chaotic aftermath in the town of Katna Bar follwing the contested airstrikes, 30th September 2016. (via Eldorar)
  • An injured child is being carried away follwing the contested airstrikes that targeted Kafra Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Eldorar)
  • Aftermath after the contested airstrikes that targeted Kafra Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the contested strikes on Kafr Batna showing the widespread destruction and injury it caused, 30th September 2016. (via Step News)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Douma.Revolution.2011)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Douma.Revolution.2011)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Douma.Revolution.2011)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Douma.Revolution.2011)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (4–7 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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

RS1372

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.374143, 36.601896 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Kafr Zita in Hama – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

Syria News Desk reported: “Two civilians were killed yesterday evening [Sept 30th] due to the Russian warplanes targeting the city of Kafr Zita which neighbours Al Lataminah and is under the control of the opposition. The strike also led to the destruction of three houses and other physical damage.”

However, All4Syria attributed the attack to the Syria regime, stating that chlorine gas had been used: “More than 20 civilians were suffocated on Saturday in the attack by helicopter gunships using an explosive drum containing chlorine gas on agricultural land surrounding the town of Kfar Zeita in the northern suburb of Hama.”

Smart News also reported 20 civilians injured as a result of a chlorine gas attack.

Atif24osman posted an image of an alleged bunker buster strikes on Twitter.

N_workMediaHoms said the town was hit by barrel bombs from regime helicopters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Hamada Al-A’raj
Age unknown male killed
Ali Sulaiman Al Bakour
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the warplanes striking at the town of Kafr Zita, Hama, 30th September 2016. (via ECS)
  • Destruction caused by the contested airstrike, which reportedly contained bunker busters, Kafr Zita, Hama, 30th September 2016. (via @atif24Osman)

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 September 1st – 30th 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
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1365

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians including up to three children were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib.

LCCSY wrote that “three died and some were wounded among civilians as Russian warplanes bombarded Khan Sheikhoun city.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, on the other hand, accused the Assad regime of the attack: “At least four civilians including two children died when government warplanes fired missiles on Khan Sheikhoun city in Idlib governorate.”

Zamanalwasl reported the highest death count with six civilians, three of them children,  and claimed the attack was conducted by the regime.

Syria News Desk said that one child was killed.

A number of sources reported the used of both phosphorus and cluster bombs.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–3 children)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo showing the remains of cluster munitions, which reportedly was used in the contested strikes on the town of Khan Shaykhoun, 29 September (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Shaykhun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.44208, 36.65095. 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
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 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 – 6
  • (1–3 children)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1366

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.617076, 36.783132 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and six civilians were reportedly killed and up to 20 more wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Jarjanaz near Idlib.

Step News, News from Damascus and Syria News Desk attributed the event to the Assad regime. Meanwhile, Qasioun, Smart News and Syriansnews claimed the strikes were conducted by Russia.

Halab News gave the lowest death count, reporting  “four dead and ten wounded, most of them women and children, following four air raids on the village of Jarjanaz near Idlib that targeted a children’s school and civilian homes a short while ago.”

Shahba Press, SNN and Qasioun reported five civilians dead, two of them women and three children.

But Syriansnews put the death toll higher, at six including three children and three women – with 20 more people injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the contested strikes on Jarjanaz near Idlib, 29th September 2016 (via Smart News Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young girl was among the victims caused by the contested strikes targeting Jarjanaz, Idlib, 29th September 2016. (via HNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young girl was among the victims caused by the contested strikes targeting Jarjanaz, Idlib, 29th September 2016. (via HNN)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

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
    4 – 6
  • (3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1367

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between one and seven civilians were reported killed and as many as 90 more wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Idlib.

According to Step News there were “one dead and several injured following three raids by Russian warplanes that targeted the neighbourhoods of the city.”

Step News also reported that the Sheikh Talt neighbourhood was hit by explosive barrels from Syrian regime helicopters resulting in 15 injured civilians.

Syriansnews put the death toll at five and the number of injured as high as 90, blaming “bombing by Su-22 warplanes in several areas of Idlib with high-powered parachute-propelled grenades.”

Syria News Desk gave the highest death toll with seven dead but accused the Syrian regime of the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–90
  • 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 (8) [ 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 September 1st – 30th 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 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–90
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]