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

RS1048

Incident date

July 25, 2016

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family reportedly died in As Sukhnah, local media reported – though it was unclear whether they were killed in a Russian airstrike or an action by the Syrian regime.

Syriamubashar was among a number of sources which blamed Russia, reporting that “one person was killed and others wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in displaced camp near Al-Sokhna”.

But All4Syria blamed the regime, reporting the death of an entire family. The source said “a whole family of Badawit (moving shepherds) were killed due to regime helicopters throwing explosive barrels on their car near Al-Sokhna in Homs. The family consists of two men, a child and a woman, others were wounded and a number of the herd were killed.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at four, including a child and a woman, and said that they were killed by “explosive barrels dropped from helicopters”.

Some other sources blamed “regime warplanes”, while the remainder pointed towards Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamdan Awad Al-Mamdooh
23 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ 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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1049

Incident date

July 25, 2016

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.197971, 37.1656697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, LCCSY, reported that “Russian warplanes targeted Deir Hafer, Haritan and Anadan cities and Kafr Hamra and Maarat Arteeq towns in the northern suburbs [of Aleppo] with vacuum and cluster missiles, which led to casualties among civilians.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ 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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1047

Incident date

July 25, 2016

Location

Arbeen, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died and as many as 15 were wounded in airstrikes on Arbeen, local sources said – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the attacks.

Alsharq and Qary blamed Russia and put the death toll at four.

Alitihad Press and Shahba also attributed the event to Russia, with Shaba putting the number of wounded at 15.

According to Nabd, Russian and regime warplanes carried out 25 raids, killing five people.

A number of other sources blamed both parties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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 (17) [ 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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1045

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

كرم الطحان, Karam Tahan, 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 five civilians including children died and more were wounded in an airstrike on Karam Tahan, local sources reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the casualties.

According to Arabstoday, “four people were killed and three were injured due to three Russian warplanes raids in Karm Al-Tahhan”.

Zakaria Nassan reported “a bombardment in Karm Al-Tahhan in Aeppo with missiles, killing five people including children and injuring others including women and children”, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Qasioun blamed “explosive barrels”, while Buraq published graphic footage depicting “horrifying scenes after shelling by Assad warplanes”.

Other sources blamed both Russia and the regime or didn’t name the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Distressing footage of the makeshift clinic in Karam Tahan, Aleppo - where civilians were treated following alleged Regime attacks (Youtube via Buraq

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead and wounded child civilians in Karam Tahan after suspected Russian or Regime attacks (Tweet via @ZakariaNassani)
  • Karam Tahan surveyed by The White Helmets following alleged Russian or Regime attacks - the destruction to buildings was significant in the neighbouhood (Youtube via Buraq)
  • Footage of local people, angered by the impact of suspected warplane shelling on their neighbourhood (Youtube via Qasioun)

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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1046

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

عربين, Irbin, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1044

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

Yashnatra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2211157, 37.0027251 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that Russian warplanes carried out strikes on Yashnatra town, leading to civilian casualties – though sources didn’t specify numbers.

However, Arabstoday blamed the regime, reporting three civilians wounded.

Other sources referred only to “warplanes”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ 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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1043

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 22 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on civilian homes and the main market in Al Atarib, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Many sources alleged that both parties carried out tens of strikes. LCCSY, for example, said that Russian raids were carried out “with the participation of Assad warplanes”.

According to SRG, Al-Atareb hospital was put out of service following Russian strikes, while Mohalkahtieb reported that “more than 20 raids” on the main market killed more than 20 and wounded 40.

Amna_Ali_ was MONG numerous sources that also blamed Russia and published extremely graphic images of victims. Most of the victims were children, said Syrianfreeyouth.

According to Sourita, “Russian and Syrian warplanes struck the local market in Al-Atareb and civilian houses which killed 22 civilians, the  majority children, and injured tens of people.”

Akhbar Alan provided more detail, though it didn’t identify the culprits. According to the source, “Warplanes carried out many raids in Al-Atareb city in Aleppo yesterday [July 24th]. In less than half an hour warplanes carried out 16 raids, six of them with cluster bombs, 5 with missiles, and 9 with heavy machine guns. The shelling focused on the local market, a main road and also the hospital in the city which resulted in it being out of service. Activists said 24 civilians were killed due to the intensive raids with 65 others were wounded, some critically”.

While this report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russia, there was some confusion in reporting, with an earlier report saying that regime missiles killed at least six civilians in Al Atarib.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mhammad Sayyed Hasan
53/54 years old male killed
Mahmood Othman Jalloul
Adult male killed
Mohammed Ahmad
Adult male killed
Ayyoub Mohammed
Adult male killed
Ramadan Al-Shilo
Adult male killed
Fayez Sabbagh
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 22
  • (1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–65
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • 'Mohammad Sayed Hasan, born in 1962, media activist, from Al Atareb city in Aleppo governorate, died on August 1, due to alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Al Atareb city in July 25, 2016.' (via SN4HR)
  • The destruction at the market in Al Atarib following suspected Russian shelling (Youtube via Qasioun)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A correspondent reports on the civilian cost of alleged Russian strikes at the market in Al Atarib (Youtube via Syrianpc)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic photograph of a civilian covered in blood, killed in alleged suspected warplane shelling on the market in Al Atarib (Tweet via Kmosto) [Page no longer available -accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A severely wounded civilian is treated for injuries to the head, the consequence of alleged warplane shelling on Al Marja (Tweet via Kmosto) [Page no longer available -accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian in Al Marja, the result of suspected warplane shelling (Tweet via Kmosto) [Page no longer available -accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic image of an adult male civilian either dead or severely wounded in Al Marja (Tweet via Kmosto) [Page no longer available -accessed via Airwars archive]
  • The market in Al Atarib, demolished after suspected warplane shelling (Tweet via @MohAlkhatieb)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the dead in Al Atarib after alleged Russian shelling - the tweet states "we only have Allah" (Tweet via @AmnaAli_0)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed by suspected Russian shelling in Al Atarib market (Tweet via @Syrianfreeyouth)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Further graphic images of critically wounded and dead, the human cost of alleged raids on Al Atarib (Tweet via @almnsterbalaah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little boy killed in alleged Russian shelling on the market at Al Atarib (Tweet via @taha _alhlo)
  • The White Helmets conduct rescue mission in Al Atarib (via Akhbar Alan)
  • A building destroyed in suspected Russian shelling on Al Atarib (via RFS)
  • Local people at the site of destruction in Al Atarib following alleged Russian strikes (via Syria news)
  • Dust remains in the air on a street in Al Atarib following alleged Russian raids (via Rudaw)
  • The_Yearly_Report_for_2016_en

    SN4HR report entitled 'The Yearly report for 2016' - gives details of the death of Mohammed Sayyed Hassan - a media activist suspected killedin Russian shelling on Al Atarib (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • The_Yearly_Report_for_2016

    SN4HR report entitled 'The Yearly report for 2016' - gives details of the death of Mohammed Sayyed Hassan - a media activist suspected killedin Russian shelling on Al Atarib (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • Mohammad Sayyed Hasan - allegedy killed in Russian shelling (via SN4HR PDF)
  • The media activist Mohammad Sayyed Hasan - allegedy killed in Russian shelling (via SN4HR PDF)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Sayyed Hasan - allegedy killed in Russian shelling (via SN4HR PDF)

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 July 16th – 27th 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
    6 – 22
  • (1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–65
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1042

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1855676, 37.1802235 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians died and many more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Marja, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the death of one child – and published an image of the victim.

Step, however, put the death toll at two and blamed both “Russian and Syrian  warplanes”. Step later reported that two women were killed and “others injured, including children”.

According to Shahba, a child and a woman were killed in a Russian strike.

Zakaria Nassani, who blamed only “warplanes”, also said that two women died and put the number of wounded at three.

Syria Mubashar and Shahba, however, put the number injured as high as 10 and blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of the destruction caused by suspected Russian warplanes at Al Marja (Tweet via @ZakariaNassani

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby held in an adults arms, killed in alleged warplanes shelling on Al Marja (Tweet via @SN4HR)
  • A man carries a child victim wrapped in blankets, the aftermath of alleged warplane shelling (via Step)
  • The White Helmets search through the rubble in Al Marja after alleged warplanes shelling (via Step)
  • A mixture of local people and The White Helmets survey material destruction in Al Marja (via Step)
  • The scene of a demolished building in Al Marja, the results of suspected warplane shelling (via Step)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A member of the White Helmets holds an infant in his arms, allegedly killed by warplane shelling in Al Marja (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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]