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

RS3763

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Location

الفطيرة, Al Fatira, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Fatira, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to a local source. An unknown number of civilians was reported injured.

Step News Agency reported the death of one woman in airstrikes on Al Fatira, Idlib, June 4th. Step also claimed that “several civilians were injured” in the attack. Noting that the attack was carried on on the first day of Eid, the source reported that “a woman was killed, and several civilians were injured, in the village of Al Fatira, south of Idlib.”

However, none of the other sources reported civilian casualties. Hence, the civilian harm status of this incident is graded as weak.

@NagiNajjar reported “attacks by Sukhoi warplanes with vacuum missiles targeting the towns of Al Fatira and Karsaah in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

Step News Agency quoted a reporter in Idlib who stated that: “Russian and Syrian warplanes have stepped up their rocket attacks with cluster bombs, long-range missiles and surface-to-surface missiles since dawn on Tuesday, targeting southern towns and villages of the province.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3759

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Location

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Naqir on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources.

Shaam News Network reported one civilian death as the result of Russian and Syrian airstrikes on Al Naqir.@EdlibNN identified the victim as 51-year-old Trad Rizk Al Jumah, but other sources reported the man was killed in Al Faqi’ on that same day.

@shabablatamni tweeted: “Phosphorescent missile strikes from the Russian Camp Braideig target the villages of Al Naqir and Tarmala in the southern countryside of Idlib.” None of the other sources reported the use of phosphorescent.

Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Trad Rizk Al Jumah طراد رزق الجمعة
51 years old male other sources report he was killed in Al Faqi' killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3762

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Location

سفوهن, Safouhan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A child was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Safouhan on June 4th, 2019, according to a local source.

Step News reported that on the first day of Eid, a child was killed due to shelling on the village of Safouhan in the southern village of Idlib. However, none of the other sources reported civilian casualties. Hence, the civilian harm status of this incident is graded as weak.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the attack, but did not mention fatalities, stating that “Syrian regime forces bombed a school in Sfuhun village in Idlib suburbs, partially destroying its fence and damaging its furniture.”

According to Step News, “Russian and Syrian warplanes have stepped up their rocket attacks with cluster bombs, long-range missiles and surface-to-surface missiles since dawn on Tuesday, targeting southern towns and villages of the province”.

Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3769

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Location

جدار الخضر, Jidar Al Khoudur, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that five civilians were injured in airstrikes on Jidar Al Khoudur, Idlib, on June 5th.

Both sources attributed the attack to Russia and stated that four children and one woman were wounded in the airstrikes.

Edlib Media Center reported “five wounded, including four children and a woman, after the Russian occupation aircraft targeted the village of Jidar Al Khoudur with missiles.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3767

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One  source claimed that during the night on June 5th, “three civilians were killed and wounded” by the Russian and Syrian regime forces in an attack on a number of cities, including Kafar Sijna. The source did not specify where the civilians were killed and wounded.

The other sources said that Kafrsajna was targeted with phosphorus and Napalm, and led to fires in civilians homes.

No other details are known at this time.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Fires erupted as a result of targeting it with bombs. (via @Mnar18049738).

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3765

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including a woman and two children from the same family were reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on June 5th.

Local sources stated that of those killed, two were children, and one was a woman, and a later source reports the death of a man, in addition to his two children. Meanwhile, Smart News Agency also reported that eight civilians were injured, and Local Coordination Committee for Syria claimed that “a number of civilians were wounded” in the airstrikes.

Syrian Observatory for Human rights stated that “Syrian regime warplanes targeted a motorcycle that a man, his wife and their two children were traveling on, in the area of Saad Mosque in Maarrat Al-Nu’man city. This resulted in the death of the wife, along with her son and daughter, and the injury of the man.”

Syrian Network for Human Rights later reported that Hussein Basem Sourani, the father of the slain children, succumbed to his injuries in the coming days. A further source, Step News, claimed that “a civilian died in Ma’arat al-Nu’man, as a result of a previous attack on the city.”

Three sources attributed the attack to both Russia and the Syrian Regime, while four named the Syrian Regime as the belligerent responsible for the attack. Meanwhile, four other sources did not positively attribute blame.

Smart News Agency stated that “with the support of Russia since late April 2019, the Syrian regime has launched a fierce military campaign against northern Hama, Idlib and Aleppo, killing hundreds of civilians, displacing tens of thousands of people and destroying hundreds of hectares of agricultural land.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Hussein Sourani حسين صوراني
Adult male killed
Faten Sourani فاتن صوراني
female injured
Bassem Hussein Sourani باسم حسين صوراني
Child male killed
Fatima Hussein Sourani فاطمة حسين صوراني
Child female killed
Fadwa, wife of Hussein Sourani فدوى، زوجة حسين الصوراني
Adult female Although Hussein Basem Sourani is not named in this source, collating the evidence from various sources indicates that his wife is referred to in this source. killed

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Al-Jaji Mahmoud Al-Jaji
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–8
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: "A woman and her two children were killed and 3 others were injured by a military air raid targeting the town of Maarat al-Nu'man in rural Idlib." (Via Syria Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child from Ma'aret Al-Nu'man after it was targeted with an airstrike on June 5th, 2019. (via @yamanalbauosh)

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–8
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3764

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Location

كفرعويد, Kafar A’waid, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, five civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr A’waid on June 5th, 2019. 10 others, including four children, were reportedly wounded.

Local sources reported that in the morning of June 5th, Russian and Syrian regime forces fired rockets and heavy artillery shells on a number of places in Idlib from their “warplanes and helicopters”.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes fired missiles on Anas Bin Malek Mosque, partially destroying the building. The source claimed that five civilians were killed, including two children and a woman.

@HadiAlabdallah wrote: “At least 5 martyrs, including a woman and two children, and about 10 wounded, as a result of the Assad warplanes bombing the town of Kafr A’waid in Idlib countryside with airstrikes.” Jorf News reported the same casualty numbers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights later put the death toll at six civilians.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee identified five victims, including the children, presumably siblings, Yamen Yasser A Rahal and Rama Yasser Al Rahal and the woman Maryam Ahmad Al Khunous.

Zouhir Mahmoud Al Dahir reported the death of his uncle Ali Muhammad Al Daher Abu Muhammad on Facebook. The fifth victim was identified as the young man Bakr Ahmad Al Dado Al Mukhtar.

Several sources reported that 10 civilians were wounded. Smart News Agency reported that among the wounded were four children.

While most sources blamed the Syrian regime, some sources, such as Ebaa blamed Russia, whereas others blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Yamen Yasser A Rahal يامن ياسر الرحال
Child male
Rama Yasser Al Rahal راما ياسر الرحال
Child female

The victims were named as:

Bakr Ahmad Al Dado Al Mukhtar بكر أحمد الددو المختار.
Adult male killed
Ali Muhammad Al Daher Abu Muhammad علي محمد الضاهر ابومحمد
Adult male killed
Maryam Ahmad Al Khunous (Al Khatoon) مريم احمد الخنوس (الخاتون)
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (31) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the scene of an airstrike on Kafar A’ouid on June 5th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the scene of an airstrike on Kafar A’ouid on June 5th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the scene of an airstrike on Kafar A’ouid on June 5th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the scene of an airstrike on Kafar A’ouid on June 5th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the scene of an airstrike on Kafar A’ouid on June 5th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Translation: “A massacre committed by the Al Assad terror planes in the town of Kafr Aweid, Idlib, on the second day of Eid” (via @mhmdfaisel).
  • Translation: “I used to write every year and I was fine in the Levant. But does anyone hear this child's cry on the day of Eid? Or does the laughter of children of his age overwhelm his cries and pain?! #Kfar Aweid on the second day of Eid Al Fitr” (via @77las2).
  • A distressed child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar A’waid on June 5th, 2019 (via @77las2).
  • Translation: “Today in Kafr Awaid, the joy of Eid was assassinated in Syra” (via @77las2).
  • An injured child receiving medical help after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar A’waid on June 5th, 2019 (via @77las2).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “Kfar A'waid a little while ago, we do not apologize for the harshness of the scene” (via @ziyadayoub).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “The second day of Eid #Kfar Aw'aid” (via @Mnar18049738).
  • Translation: “While parents of the world carry gift boxes for their children, this man in the town of Kfar A'waid, south of Idlib, carries his child in this box after Russian and Assad terror planes have turned it to pieces” (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • A man reportedly holding a box with his child's body in it after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via @SyrianCivilDefe).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “A Syrian cry from the town of Kafr Aweid appeals to the world after the Syrian regime's warplanes bombed his town and turning the body of a child into torn pieces” (via @alaaaldin_yousf).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “Cruel scenes of the warplanes targeting the town of Kafr Aweid, south of Idlib, which killed five martyrs and many wounded. Watch the amount of Russian, Asadi, Iranian hatred for defenseless civilians” (via @Hasan_Jneed).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “The second day of Eid in Kafr A'waid, Jabal Al Zawiya!” (via @abdalazezketaz).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured or killed child in the hospital after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar A’waid on June 5th, 2019 (via @abdalazezketaz).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in the hospital after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar A’waid on June 5th, 2019 (via @abdalazezketaz).
  • Translation: “Five martyrs, including a woman and two children, were bombed by the regime's air strikes on the village of Kafr Awaid in the southern countryside of Idlib” (via @shabablatamni).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via @shabablatamni).
  • Civilian homes in rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Civilian homes in rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Young men in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Young man in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Civilians sitting in destroyed homes in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Step News Agency).
  • Translation: “The martyrdom of my uncle Ali Muhammad Al Daher Abu Muhammad, as a result of the brutal bombing of the Assad and Putin gangs on the village of Kafr Awaid and the martyrdom of four other martyrs. Mercy for all the martyrs” (via Zouhir Mahmoud Al Dahir).
  • Ali Muhammad Al Daher Abu Muhammad was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019 (via Zouhir Mahmoud Al Dahir).

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3766

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Location

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman was reported killed in Mourek and others injured, when Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly fired rockets and heavy artillery shells.

The victim was named by local sources as Sa’adiya Qattash. They also said that the shelling originated from Al Kabariya camp.

No other details are known at this time.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Saeeda Qattash سعديه قطاش
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]