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

RS3875

Incident date

July 7, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Two to eight civilians were reported wounded in an airstrike on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 7th.

Khansheikoun Lens reported that “four men, three women and one girl were injured in four air strikes by Russian warplanes targeting the residential neighborhoods of Khan Sheikhoun.”

Smart News initially reported that two were wounded in the strike, while the same source cited “eight wounded from one family” as understanding of the events unfolded.

All sources attributed the attack to Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Anas Abdul Qadir Al-Zein انس عبدالقادر الزين
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3876

Incident date

July 8, 2019

Location

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported wounded in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on July 8th.

Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles on Ma’aret al Numan Stadium, partially damaging its building and fence, on July 8th.”

While other sources referred to “injured civilians”, Smart News documented “two civilians wounded by an aerial bombardment by the military regime on the outskirts of the city of Ma’arat al-Nu’man, south of Idlib.”

Two sources attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, one source did not positively attribute blame, while Step News named both Russian forces and the Syrian regime in reporting of the incident.

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
    Unknown
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: "Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles on Ma'aret al Numan Stadium in Ma'aret al Numan city in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, partially damaging its building and fence, on July 8th" (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Tweet: Two young men were injured and material damage was caused to a stadium in the city of Maarat al-Numan, after it was targeted by an air strike by the warplanes earlier.

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3516

Incident date

July 8, 2019

Location

قرب حي طريق السد, Tareeq Al Sad, Dara'a , Syria

Geolocation

32.61119, 36.115947 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were reportedly killed in the plains surrounding Dara’a Al Balad when the region was hit by seven strikes, allegedly launched from Russian warplanes, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. Two others were injured.

Shaam News Agency wrote that “in violation of the cease-fire agreement, a Russian warplane launched seven airstrikes on the plains and farms surrounding Dara’a Al Balad, killing two people and wounding a number of people.”

Smart News Agency reported that “a civilian was killed early Sunday in the plains surrounding the dam road in the city of Dara’a, as the region was hit by seven raids by aircraft likely to be Russian, which also wounded another civilian and his wife.”

Shafea Abazid wrote on Facebook that Muwaffaq Nayef Ali Abazid was killed in the airstrikes.

According to Shaam News, “Russia and the Assad regime have not implemented any of the stipulations agreed upon in Bosra Al Sham. They have not withdrawn from any area in the eastern suburb of Daraa. The Russian and Syrian aerial bombardments have continued and have not stopped yet.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Mowaffaq Nayef Ali Abazid موفق نايف علي ابازيد
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

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
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3877

Incident date

July 9, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

A single source reported “wounded civilians” following airstrikes in Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 9th.

Khan Sheikoun Lens cited “wounded civilians in the city of # Khan_ Sheikoun because of the targeting of Russian air strikes.” However, @HalabTodayTV  tweeted that no casualties were reported. The remaining sources didn’t mention civilian casualties.

No other information is known at this time.

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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Airstrikes by the warplanes targeted residential areas in Khan Sheikhoun and caused damage and the break-out of fires without civilian casualties.
  • SCD member responding to result of an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun on July 9th, 2019. (via @HalabTodayTV)
  • Image shared in the aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun. (via @HalabTodayTV)
  • 'Live from Khan Sheikhoun.'
  • An image shared to raids on Khan Sheikhoun on July 9th, 2019. (via @anasanas84)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3880

Incident date

July 9, 2019

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On July 20th, 2019, a woman died of injuries she sustained in alleged Syrian regime artillery shelling or a Russian airstrike on the city of Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib governorate, on July 9th, according to local sources.

@Step_Agency reported: “A missile attack by the regime forces in Jurin targeted the city of Jisr Al Shughour in the western countryside of Idlib, wounding a woman.”

@dored1pash reported that the woman Sumaya Khaled Al Hamoud was wounded “as the Assad militia bombed the city of Jisr Al Shughour with several artillery shells from the Jurin camp shortly before.” On July 20th, Hadi Kharrat wrote in a post on Facebook that the woman died of her injuries she sustained in the artillery shelling.

While nearly all sources reported that artillery shelling by the Syrian regime, Step News also on July 20th: “A woman was killed when she was wounded by Russian warplanes bombing the city of Jisr Al Shughour a few days ago.” It is unclear if this refers to the same incident on July 9th. Hence, the civilian harm status for this incident is graded as weak.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sumaya Khaled Al Hamoud سمية خالد الحمود
Adult female died of injuries on July 20th killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (7) [ 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)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3878

Incident date

July 9, 2019

Location

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One man was reported injured in airstrikes on Jbala, Idlib, on July 9th.

Shabab Al Latamina documented “the injury of the young man “Abdul Karim Hassan Al-Khalif” in Russian air strikes on the village of Jbala # Southern countryside Idlib.”

Two other sources attributed the attack to Russian forces.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Karim Hassan Al-Khalif عبدالكريم حسن الخليف
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image showing destruction in Jbala, Idlib after alleged Russian airsrtrikes on July 9th, 2019. (via Khaled Alhamwy)

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3879

Incident date

July 9, 2019

Location

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes struck an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp with four rockets in the outskirts of the town of Deir Al Sharqi in rural Idlib, killing up to five civilians and wounding up to 15.

@ShahbaPress tweeted: “Three civilians were killed, including children, and at least ten wounded, as the Assad forces’ warplanes targeted the Deir Al Sharqi camp in Idlib countryside with missiles.”

Several sources, including @SyrianCoalition, alleged that two women and a child were killed. According to Step News Agency and Smart News Agency, a second child was killed in the attack as well. Edlib Media Center agreed on a total death toll of four civilians but claimed three women and a child were killed. The four victims were from the same family, according to a tweet by @IdlibPlus.

Five victims were identified by several sources, naming three killed civilians and two of the wounded. All reported victims were of the Al Barrak family. According to Faisal Rakan Kanj, the family was displaced from the village of Qubeibat Abu Al Huda in the northeastern countryside of Hama.

Enab Baladi reported the same first names of the victims, but stated that their surname was Al Khaled, writing that “the victims were: Thaqla Sulaiman Al Hayer, her daughter Amal Hakmat Al Khaled, her son Muhammad Hakmat Al Khaled (a child), and her grandson Muhammad Anwar Al Khaled (a child).” Other sources reported that the female named Amal was a child, rather than an adult, and wrote that she was injured.

@ShahbaPress added that a total of 15 civilians was wounded. Other sources stated that there were “several wounded.”

Syrian Civil Defence teams rushed to the site to recover the bodies of the victims and bring the injured to medical points.

Whereas nearly all sources blamed the Syrian regime, @SyrianCoalition pointed to both the Syrian regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Thaqla Al Barrak ثقلة البراك
Adult female killed
Sultana Hamdou Al Barrak سلطانة حمدو البراك
Adult female killed
Muhammed Hakamat Hamdou Al Barrak محمد حكمات حمدو البراك
Child male son of Thaqla Al Barrak killed
Hikmat Hamadou Al Barrak حكمات حمدو البراك
55 years old male injured
Amal Hakamat Hamdou Al Barrak امل حكمات حمدو البراك
Age unknown female daughter of Thaqla Al Barrak killed
Muhammad Anwar Al Khaled
Child male grandson of Thaqla Al Barrak killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1–3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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 (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (25) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense forces carrying one of the victims of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • Syrian Civil Defense forces carrying a child, one of the victims of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via @SyrianCoalition).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video at the scene after an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via Step News).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A man walking through an IDP camp in in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib that was struck by an alleged Russian or Syrian regiem strike on July 9th (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A man walking through an IDP camp in in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib that was struck by an alleged Russian or Syrian regiem strike on July 9th (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Smoke circling up from an IDP camp in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib that was struck by an alleged Russian or Syrian regiem strike on July 9th (via @so_ria98).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man carrying the body of a child who was decapitated by an alleged Russian or Syrian regime strike on July 9th (via @so_ria98).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video at the scene after an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via Macro Media Center).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via Macro Media).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via Macro Media).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via Macro Media).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sheep killed in an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via Macro Media).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via Macro Media).
  • Sheep killed in an alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike on a camp for IDP's in the outskirts of the town Deir Al-Sharqi in Idlib on July 9th (via Macro Media).
  • Translation: “Al-Jazeera Mubasher correspondent: Three people were killed and several others were wounded in shelling by the Syrian regime forces targeting the Deir Al Sharqi camp in the southern Idlib countryside” (via @ajmubasher).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi on July 9th, 2019 (via Manahi Al Ahmad).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi on July 9th, 2019 (via Manahi Al Ahmad).
  • Civilians and Syrian Civil Defence volunteers on the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi on July 9th, 2019 (via Faisal Rakan Kanj).
  • Sheep killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi on July 9th, 2019 (via Justice Organisation).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi on July 9th, 2019 (via DiyrSharqii).

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 – 5
  • (1–3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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 (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3884

Incident date

July 10, 2019

Location

كفرومة, Kafar Rouma, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two women were killed in an alleged Syrian or Russian strike with explosive barrels on Kafar Rouma, south of Idlib, according to local sources. Dozens were reported injured.

According to Shaam News, Syrian and Russian “military and helicopter gunships” carried out attacks on a number of towns and villages in Idlib countryside that day.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that both a school and a mosque were damaged in the incident. According to this source, “Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped a barrel bomb near Martyr Abdul Hamid Qaddi School in Kafrouma village” and “near Omar Bin al Khattab Mosque”, “partially damaging the building and furniture” in both cases.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Video: Assad's helicopters bomb the town of Kafr Rumah in the southern countryside of Idlib with massive explosive barrels and leave a lot of damage, martyrs and injured on July 10th, 2019."

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 – 2
  • (1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]