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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
4805 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS3503

Incident date

June 30, 2018

Location

غصم, Ghasam, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 22 civilians including children, a woman and a civil defense volunteer were killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara’a, Syria on June 30th, 2018, according to local sources. The sources also added that it was difficult to count the numbers of those killed and injured because of the heavy shelling.

@SyriaCivilDefe mourned their volunteer Adnan Mohamed who got killed in this incident. “With great sadness and sorrow, the Syrian civil defense mourns the volunteer Adnan Mohamed who died after Ghasam in the eastern countryside of Dara’a was bombed with barrel bombs this morning.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said “Adnan Mohammad al Khalaf al Abeid, a civil defense member, from Sahwet al Qameh village in Dara’a governorate eastern suburbs, was killed as Syrian regime helicopters dropped several barrel bombs on Ghasam village in Dara’a governorate eastern suburbs, as he was rescuing victims of previous bombing, what led to a massacre, on June 30th, 2018.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that a woman was also killed. “At least six civilians, including a woman, were killed as Syrian regime helicopters dropped several barrel bombs on Ghasam village in Dara’a governorate eastern suburbs, on June 30th, 2018.”

Dara’a Martyrs page said that a school used as a shelter for IDPs was bombed in the attack. “Helicopters of the regime forces targeted a school inhabited by displaced persons in the village of Ghasam in the eastern countryside of Dara’a, as part of the military campaign being launched on all cities and towns of the eastern countryside of Daraa, in conjunction with the targeting of the town of Ghasam with artillery shelling, and one of the explosive barrels that fell on the school located on the outskirts of the town of Ghasam. Ten people were killed, including a woman, three children, and a member of the civil defense.”

Al Jazeera reported that “According to preliminary information, 15 people were killed in heavy raids on the towns of eastern Daraa countryside, including ten in the town of Ghasam alone, which was a destination for the displaced from other areas in the countryside of Dara’a.”

Al Wan news raised the death toll saying that “22 civilians were killed, including women and children, and dozens were seriously wounded, as a result of the regime’s helicopters ’bombing today, Saturday, of residential neighborhoods in the town of Ghasam, in the eastern countryside of Dara’a. Local media reported that the regime’s helicopters dropped about six barrel bombs on the city’s neighborhoods, causing extensive damage to residential buildings.”

The head of the Local Council of the town told SMART Agency that “the aircraft dropped two large bombs on the town, one targeted a gathering of displaced people, killing 22 civilians and wounding others who sought a nearby hospital. He added that  the second bomb did not cause casualties, but caused severe damage to nearby houses, and the death of a number of livestock.”

Dara’a Martyrs documentation Page reported that regime helicopters dropped a barrel bomb on a shelter in Ghasam on this day in a statement. Other sources blamed Russian forces, for example Al jazeera, @AJABreaking, Local Coordination Committees of Syria and Shaam Network. Other sources blamed both Russia and the regime, like Step agency.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Adnan Mohammed عدنان محمد
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 22
  • (1 child1 woman1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrike against Ghasem village on June 30, 2018 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (Via Dara'a Martyrs Page).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Children killed by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (Via Dara'a Martyrs Page).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (Via Dara'a Martyrs Page).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians bodies after they were killed by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (Via @SyriaCivilDefe).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians bodies after they were killed by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (Via @SyriaCivilDefe).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian killed by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (Via @SyriaCivilDefe).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An infant killed by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghosom in Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (via Mohammed Al Hadid )

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An infant killed by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghosom in Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (via Mohammed Al Hadid )

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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 22
  • (1 child1 woman1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4007

Incident date

August 11, 2019

Location

حيش, Haiysh, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

A source reported that one child was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Haiysh, Idlib governorate, on August 11t, 2019.

Edlib Media Center stated that “a child was injured when Russian warplanes targeted Haiysh town, south of Idlib, with rockets.”

@baladinetwork also reported Russian airstrikes but did not mention civilian casualties. Hence, while the strike status for this event is graded as “fair”, the civilian harm status remains “weak”.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4111

Incident date

October 19, 2019

Location

معرزيتا, Ma’ar Zieta, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.555418, 36.573707 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were wounded and civilian property was significantly damaged in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Maarzita, Idlib governorate, on October 19th, 2019, as reported by several local sources.

Shaam Network reported that “activists said that Russian warplanes bombed the town of Ma`ar zieta this morning with several raids, recording several wounded and significant destruction in civilian homes, coinciding with the continued artillery and rocket shelling by the regime in the region”.

@omargen919 tweeted that “Russian warplanes bombed the town of Maarzita this morning, and there are wounded.” None of the sources specifically identified how many civilians were injured.

A tweet by @la1mea also identified that “warplanes target with missiles the residential neighborhoods of the town of Maarzita.”

Four strikes were reportedly carried out on Ma`ar zieta, according to @brocarpress.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Russia.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Ma’ar Zieta, Idlib governorate, on October 19th 2019 (via MMC on Facebook).

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
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4142

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

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

Geolocation

35.6477913, 36.6591881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and three others were wounded after an unexploded cluster bomb of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike was detonated in Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib governorate, on November 6th, 2019.

Justice Organization identified the victim as Omar Al Bassas.

A tweet from @NagiNajjar reported “the death of the young man, “Omar Al-Bassas,” and the wounding of “Shadi Bassas,” “Ahmed Bassas,” “Ismail Bassas,” from the city of Maarat al-Nu`man, after a missile detonated from the remnants of a previous bombing by the warplanes on the city.”

It is unclear when the original airstrike took place.

Sources were contested as to who was responsible for the bombing of the cluster bomb that later exploded, with Almarra.today posting on Facebook that Russia was responsible while Rami Almaree posted that the regime was to blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Omar Al Bassas عمر البصاص
Adult male killed
Shady Al-Bassas شادي البصاص
injured
Ahmad Al-Basas احمد البصاص
injured
Ismail Al-Bassas اسماعيل البصاص
injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Omar Al Bassas was killed when a cluster bomb from a previous alleged Russian or Syrian regime air raid detonated on November 6th, 2019 (via Justice organization on Facebook).

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4177

Incident date

November 17, 2019

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three to seven people reportedly died during several alleged Russian or Syrian air strikes on the northern outskirts of Saraqib, east of Idlib on the morning of November 17th 2019. Estimates of the number of injured people went as high as seven. While some sources claimed that the casualties were civilians, others identified them as combatants.

According to @MasarPressNet, three people were killed. @SyrianCivilDef (SCD) reported four casualties and the injury of SCD volunteer Musa Talib, who was struck by shrapnel during a rescue operation in the area. A SCD video shows White Helmets evacuating one severely burned corpse, as well as a SCD’s firefighting efforts in the affected area.

While most sources described the victims as civilians, @Xeber24 claimed that the raid had killed “seven militants loyal to Turkey and wounded five others”. The outlet reported that the seven militants had been killed while traveling by car. While @Shaamnews initially reported that the attack caused the death of four “martyrs”, it claimed in a later statement that the victims had belonged to rebel factions.

The incident was described by several sources as one part of Russia’s intensified raids on Idlib that day. Most reports attributed the air strikes to the Russian Armed Forces. @abmualso was the sole attained source claiming that both Syrian and Russian forces bombed the area.

The sources made competing claims on the exact target of the raids. While several sources claimed that the attack targeted a camp for displaced people, others reported that it targeted facilities of the combatants. @Shaamnews included pictures reported to be of the incident showing burned cars and a destroyed shop. @Arabi21News quoted activists stating “that the Russian bombing targeted a camp for the displaced”.@Xeber24, however, reported that the target of the incident was the “headquarters of the factions and organizations” of pro-Turkish militants. Idlib Plus reported that the target was several cars on the main road.

According to several sources, more than one raid occurred. @Hassan_Jneed stated that two successive air raids occurred. @mohmad_rasheed stated that the belligerents attacked with “warplanes”. The explosives involved were aerosol bombs according to @MasarPressNet.

According to local activists, as quoted by Smart News, the injured were “taken to a nearby medical point”.

 

 

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Mousa Taleb موسى طالب
Adult male SCD volunteer injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–7

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Mousa Taleb, a volunteer with SCD, was reported injured.
  • A destroyed fridge next to an affected building damaged by an alleged Russian airstrike in Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via @shaamnews)
  • Rubble and car remains on the M5 in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes in Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via @Shaamnews)
    Hadeel Amn who was killed when Israeli missiles destroyed a four story building in Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021. (image via We Are Not Numbers)
  • Cars passing by an affected area of the M5 in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes in Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via @Shaamnews)
  • Palm trees burning in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the M5 near Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A fire truck extinguishing fire in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the M5 near Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019.
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers preparing the ambulance interior in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes in Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers during fire fighter operations in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes in Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Groceries spread on the ground in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on theM5 near Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via @IdlibPlus)
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers during a rescue and firefighting operation following an alleged Russian airstrike on the M5 motorway about 5km northeast of Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil defense)
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers recovering a severely burned body following an airstrike on the M5 motorway about 5km northeast of Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via @mohmad_rasheed)
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers during a rescue and fire fighter operation following an airstrike on the M5 motorway about 5km northeast of Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via @hasan_Jneed)

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
    3 – 7
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–7

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4210

Incident date

December 1, 2019

Location

بلدة تل كرسيان, Tal Karseean, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike on Tal Karseean in Idlib, Syria on December 1st 2019 according to local sources.

According to multiple sources including Syrian Network for Human Rights, Ibrahim Mohammad al Hussein and his nephew, Sayyed Hasan al Hussein, were killed in the attack.

Syrianpc reported that the civilians were allegedly killed by vacuum missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ibrahim Mohammad al Hussein ابراهيم محمد الحسين
Age unknown male killed
Sayyed Hasan al Hussein سيد حسن الحسين
Age unknown male nephew of Ibrahim Mohammad al Hussein killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense moving casualties from an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Tal Karseean in Idlib. (via SN4HR)

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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4243

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

كفرومة, Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governate on December 7th, 2019, according to local reports.

Mohamad Rasheed said one man was injured in Kafrouma by Russian airstrikes and barrel bombs.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that Russian aircraft had carried out strikes on Kafruma on December 7th, 2019.

A correspondent for Zaitun Media Agency said: “Since the early morning hours, Russian warplanes and Syrian helicopters bombed the villages and towns of “Kafr Sijnah, Hazarin, Trisha, Al Halba, Kafr Nabl, Hass, Hassem, Karsa, Kafruma, Balshon, Bazabour, and Urm Al Jouz in the southern and eastern Idlib countryside”.

@ media_idlib reported that members of the Syrian White Helmets had put out a fire and made entry into a house in Kafrouma after Russian aircraft targeted residential neighborhoods with several air raids

@syrian191124 said the Russian strikes had resulted in extensive damage to the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab mosque.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • A member of the Syrian White Helmets puts out a fire following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governate on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @ media_idlib)
  • A member of the Syrian White Helmets puts out a fire following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governate on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @ media_idlib)
  • A member of the Syrian White Helmets puts out a fire following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governate on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @ media_idlib)
  • A member of the Syrian White Helmets puts out a fire following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governate on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @ media_idlib)
  • Damage to the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab mosque following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governate on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @syrian191124)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4277

Incident date

December 21, 2019

Location

سراقب , Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Seven or eight civilians, including four children and between one and three women, were reportedly killed and more than twenty civilians, including women and children, were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market in the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three out of the eight killed civilians were women while Enab Baladi put the number at two children, a woman, and five men killed. Wasim Alkhalaf identified 10 children as being injured.

A tweet from @Ala_hacioglu also pointed to civilian homes that were damaged in addition to the market, with @NEDAAPOST classifying it as “massive property damage”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that Mrs. Abir Al Daher, a biotechnology engineer who served civilians, was killed while at work in a laboratory in the city.

Orient News quoted Dr. Hassan Kaddour who knew Mrs. Abir: “The blood of patients was mixed with the blood of the martyr engineer Abeer Al-Daher, the biotechnology engineer who works in my laboratory, who was martyred today because of the criminal bombing of the Assad and Putin gangs that the informant was exposed to today. Her name is Abeer, and she is a rose that smells of him. The fragrance, religion, morals, science and kindness. She is eager to work and provide service to her community and her people. This morning, I was expecting that she would not come to the informant because of the security situation, and when I entered the informant, I told her: I was expecting what you would come today. She answered me with a smile: No doctor, and directly, I drew blood for a patient .. I ask God to accept her as a martyr and dwell in his vast gardens. Except for what pleases our Lord, God is sufficient for us and He is the best agent.. I ask God to heal the lab, Nour, who was injured at the same time.. He is capable of everything.”

A tweet from @Ahmad_1alshble listed the name of four other victims killed in the strikes: Muhammad Louay Daaboul, Seif Al-Hawash, Rayan Al-Qasim, Khidr from “Ma`art alya”. A Facebook post from Abu Bassel added the names Farhan Hawash Al-Farhan and Renad Louay Amara and another young man from Beit Brik killed. The post also included the names of those injured: Manahel brik (fragments from the hand and head), Hani Brik (shards in the head), Naglaa Yassin (foot bruised), Randa Al-Qasim (fracture by hand + fracture by foot), Hassan Amara (fracture in the foot), Darren Amara (broken by hand), Omar Kafrtouni (bruised), Nahid al-Qasim (splinters in the head), Yasser Al-Qasim (splinters in the head), Esraa al-Qasim (minor bruising), Alaa….. (shards with feet), Muhammad Hammoud (splinters in the foot), Samah Kafrtouni (a shrapnel in the foot), Ahmed El Karmo (hand + foot injury), Hani Brik, Muhannad Al Sufi.

@almohamadi84 also identified that two children of his uncle, 20 and 18 year olds who had a shop for birds, were killed but did not give their names.

@SyriaCivilDefe reported that Ahmed Alwani, a volunteer in the Civil Defense, was injured while he was at the site of the raid helping people.

Syrian Civil Defence spokesperson Hassan Abu Al Fadi told SMART News Agency that “the regime’s warplanes launched a raid with three missiles, one of which was on the main market of the city, killing eight civilians, including four children and a woman, and wounding 25 others, including children, women and a member of the Civil Defense”. Step News Agency stated that Russian forces were responsible for the incident. A tweet from @Blackpearls6464 identified four raids as being carried out in Saraqib.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Abir al Daher عبير الضاهر
Adult female a biotechnology engineer who worked in a laboratory in Saraqib killed
Saif Farhan Al-Hawash سيف فرحان الهواش
Age unknown male killed
Muhammad Loay Daboul محمد لؤي دعبول
Adult male killed
Rayan Al Qassem ريان القاسم
Child female killed
Ahmed Alwani
Adult male injured
Khidr "Ma`art alya شاب اسمه خضر من معارة عليا
Age unknown killed
Farhan Hawash Al-Farhan فرحان هواش الفرحان
Age unknown killed
Renad Louay Amara ريناد لؤي أمارة
Age unknown killed
Manahel brik مناهل بربك
Age unknown fragments from the hand and head injured
Hani Brik هاني بريك
Age unknown shards in the head injured
Naglaa Yassin نجلاء ياسين
Age unknown foot bruised injured
Randa Al-Qasim رندة القاسم
Age unknown fracture by hand + fracture by foot injured
Hassan Amara حسن أمارة
Age unknown fracture in the foot injured
Darren Amara دارين أمارة
Age unknown broken by hand injured
Omar Kafrtouni عمر كفرطوني
Age unknown bruised injured
Nahid al-Qasim ناهد القاسم
Age unknown splinters in the head injured
Yasser Al-Qasim ياسر القاسم
Age unknown splinters in the head injured
Esraa al-Qasim أسراء القاسم
Age unknown injured
Alaa علاء
23 years old shards with feet injured
Muhammad Hammoud محمد حمود
31 years old splinters in the foot injured
Samah Kafrtouni سماح كفرطوني
8 years old a shrapnel in the foot injured
Ahmed El Karmo احمد الكرمو
Age unknown hand + foot injury injured
hani brik هاني بريك
Age unknown injured
Muhannad Al Sufi مهند الصوفي
Age unknown injured
Majd Hamoudi
31 years old injured
Ola Habib
10 years old injured
Ali Al-Hajji
30 years old injured
Kamal Hajji
15 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (4 children1–3 women2–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–25
  • 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

Sources (56) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (35) [ collapse]

  • Destruction after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights).
  • Mrs. Abir al Daher, a biotechnology engineer, was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via SNHR).
  • Photo of a wounded man in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via EMC on Facebook).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via EMC on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via EMC on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via S.N.N. on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via S.N.N. on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via S.N.N. on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via S.N.N. on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via S.N.N. on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019 (via S.N.N. on Facebook).
  • Alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @HadiAlabdallah)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @khaleedalkhteb)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @blackpearls6464)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @blackpearls6464)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @blackpearls6464)
  • Mrs. Abir Al Daher, a biotechnology engineer killed in strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @HEBA_Qk)
  • Blood of the victims of alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @blackpearls6464)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @NEDAAPOST)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @NEDAAPOST)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @NEDAAPOST)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @NEDAAPOST)
  • One of the victims of the alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @almohamadi84)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by @zamanalwsl)
  • White Helmets rescue victims of alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by Enab Baladi)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by Saraqeb123 via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by Saraqeb123 via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by Saraqeb123 via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Saraqib on December 21, 2019. (Image posted by Saraqeb123 via Facebook)

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
    7 – 8
  • (4 children1–3 women2–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–25
  • 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

Sources (56) [ collapse]