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

Incident Code

RS1547

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven named civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded, including a child, by alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Douma City in Eastern Ghouta.

According to sources the city was one of many subjected to “heavy artillery shelling” and “aerial bombardment” that week. @syriahadath, specified the use of cluster bombs.

One of those killed was a senior commander of The Army of Islam and according to Jaish al-Islam, was the operations officer of the second brigade.

Media activist Alaeddin Kurdi told ARA News that “for the fourth day in a row, the Syrian warplanes launched fierce and intensive raids targeting civilians and infrastructure, and the warplanes are still flying in the eastern Ghouta area.”

Local sources were conflicted over who was responsible for the airstrikes. While the Local Coordination Committee of Syria identified Russian warplanes as responsible for the airstrikes, other sources, including Syrian Network for Human Rights, blamed Syrian regime planes for the casualties. However, the majority of sources did not identify a culprit and instead only identified the planes as belonging to an air force.

According to the Local Coordination Committee of Syria, the airstrikes struck the neighbourhoods, the markets, and mosques of Eastern Ghouta with long-range thermobaric missiles.

A video posted by Doum showed the shell of the missiles that crashed through multiple buildings, which were significantly larger than the average human height. In addition, graphic images of those killed were included in the video, including two young men that were covered in blood. Another video posted by the Syrian Civil Defence showed an ambulance being loaded with a child who had been injured by strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali al-Sabbagh
Age unknown named by LCCSY and All4Syria killed
Anadan al-Wazir
Age unknown named by LCCSY and All4Syria killed
Muhammad Ali Kassab
Age unknown male named by LCCSY and All4Syria killed
Ahmad Sedawi
Age unknown male named by LCCSY and All4Syria killed
Majed Haroun
Age unknown named by LCCSY and All4Syria killed
Bashir Qashua
Age unknown male named by LCCSY and All4Syria killed
Qutaiba Khaiti
Age unknown named by LCCSY and All4Syria killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, 8th November 2016. The bodies of deceased civilians can be seen in the later part of the video. (via Doum)
  • Injured civilians rescued by members of the White Helmets in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, 8th November 2016. (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Injured civilians rescued by members of the White Helmets in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, 8th November 2016. (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Remnants of a missile fired on Douma, 8th November 2016. (via @media_centerfr)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a civilian killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Douma, 8th November 2016. (via @SCDrifdimashq)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones”.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2362

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Location

الجاير , Al-Jaber/Al-Jayer/Albu Jabir , Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.033926, 41.0987592 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six or seven civilians (six of whom were named by local media) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Jaber, according to sources on the ground.

Different reports named the location of the event as either Al-Jaber, Al-Jayer or Albu Jabir, however, it’s Airwars’ understanding that these names all signify the same place, and that the name written slightly differently due to the accent spoken.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently put the death toll as high as seven.

Raqqa rwb added that one of the fatalities was an unidentified woman.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3606

Incident date

March 20–21, 2019

Location

الفقيع, Faqee’, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The children Mariam, Fatima, Abdullah and Islam al Mer’e, IDP’s from Al Traimsa village in Hama, were killed alongside their father Ismail while their mother was injured in what was believed to be a Russian airstrike on their house in Al Faqee in Idlib, according to local media. The airstrike was reportedly conducted after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st.

A correspondent from Shaam News added that Russian aircraft struck the outskirts of the city of Jisr al-Shughour and Hamdina area south of the city of Maarat al-Nu’man, the villages of Sheikh Mustafa and the village of al-Faqee, where the family was killed. Halab Today TV added that a total of six Russian aircraft conducted the attacks on these villages.

According to EMC, “rockets” were used in the attack, which Ebaa News referred to as “rocket-propelled grenades”.  Alaraby added that shelling left many civilians wounded.

Baladi News was the only source that reported two civilians were killed.

Euphrates Post reported that only three children from the family were killed, although most other sources put the number at four – and posted photographs of their bodies on social media.

Alaraby put the death toll at seven civilians were killed including five children. The source reported that among the victims were Ismail and his four children.

A total of six civilians were reported wounded including Ismail’s wife, and a number of other women and children among whom one child was reportedly left in a critical condition.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2–4 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mourning over one of the victims killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • Cleaning the rubble after an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • Searching through the rubble after an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • Rubble caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • Rubble caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • Rubble caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • Rubble caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • Rubble caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee’ in Idlib after midnight on the night between March 20th and 21st (via Euphrates post).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee in Idlib after midnight between March 20th and 21st (via Shaam).
  • Destruction caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee, Idlib, after midnight on the night between March 20th and March 21st (via Halab Today TV).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video of the search for bodies after an alleged Russian airstrike struck Faqee, Idlib between March 20th and 21st (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Destruction caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee, Idlib, between March 20th and 21st (via Ebaa).
  • Destruction caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee, Idlib, between March 20th-21st (via Ebaa).
  • Destruction caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee, Idlib, between March 20th-21st (via Ebaa).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee, Idlib, between March 20th and 21st (via Orient).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee, Idlib, between March 20th and 21st (via Syria TV).
  • Video report after an alleged Russian airstrike struck Faqee in Idlib between March 20th and 21st, claiming an entire family was killed in the attack (via Mohammed).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video of bodies being pulled from the rubble after after an alleged Russian airstrike struck Faqee in Idlib between March 20th and 21st. The source claimed four children and their parents were burried under the rubble (via ENN).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The Children Mariam, Fatima, Abdullah and Islam al Mer'e, IDP's from Al Traimsa village in Hama were killed alongside their father Ismail while their mother was injured in what was believed to be a Russian airstrike on their house in Al Faqee in Idlib between March 20th and 21st (via SN4HR).
  • A child who was injured by an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee in Idlib between March 20th and 21st (via @ShahbaPress).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defense Forces pulling a person out of the rubble after an alleged Russian airstrike struck Faqee in Idlib between March 20th and 21st (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defense Forces pulling someone out of the rubble after an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee in Idlib between March 20th and 21st (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense Forces pulling someone out of the rubble after an alleged Russian airstrike on Faqee in Idlib between March 20th and 21st (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Civilians checking the destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Faqee village in Idlib on March 21st, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)
  • Civilians checking the destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Faqee village in Idlib on March 21st, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)
  • Civilians checking the destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Faqee village in Idlib on March 21st, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Faqee village in Idlib on March 21st, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)
  • Civilians checking the destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Faqee village in Idlib on March 21st, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)
  • Civilians checking the destruction caused by alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Faqee village in Idlib on March 21st, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)

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
    2 – 7
  • (2–4 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS837

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1529125, 37.075864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and seven civilians died and many more were injured in an incident in the Ansari neighborhood of Aleppo. Some sources blamed Russia while others said that Syrian regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the area.

Among sources which attributed he incident to Russia were Baladi, Syrian Press Center, Shahba Press and Shahba Revolution. Death counts varied between five and seven civilians.

According to Syrian Press Center, five members of one family died.

The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, and killed seven civilians in the Ansari neighborhood.

However, other sources explicitly blamed the regime, putting the number killed between three and seven.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least four civilians died when regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs.

LCCSY also said the regime was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • "at least 4 were killed in regime helicopters explosive barrels on Al-Ansari neighbourhood in Aleppo on 3rd of June" (Tweet by @SN4HR)
  • "corpse from under the rubble all day in Aleppo due to Assad’s shelling which does not stop" (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)
  • "7 martyrs and many wounded in Russian warplane shelling on Al-ANsari in Aleppo and a massacre in Al-Hulluk" (Tweet by shbabRevolution)
  • "White helmet: a whole building was knocked in Al-Ansari which resulted in 5 martyrs and many wounded and we’re still searching for people under rubble" (Youtube via AMC)
  • "7 martyrs and many wounded in helicopters bombardment with explosive barrels on Al-ANsari in ALeppo" (Tweet by @thiqanewsagency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS966

Incident date

July 2, 2016

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Continuous heavy shelling by warplanes was reported to have killed seven civilians including an entire family of four in Hraytan.

Other than Syrian News, who claimed there were both Russian and Syrian regime planes, all other sources have reported Russia the sole culprit.

Syrian News reported that the neighbourhood Al-Haramis was shelled and Hraytan alleged the neighbourhood of Al-Baladiya was destroyed.

Multiple sources named victims including LCCSY and Halab News Network 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Ibrahim Omar al Hilou
43 years old male killed
Shahad Ahmad al Hilou
15 years old killed
Mohamamd Ahmad al Hilou
11 years old male killed
Rajab Mahmoud Omar al Hilou
43 years old killed
Abdul Mu’ti Mohammad Ali
Adult male reportedly a high school teacher killed

The victims were named as:

Hasnaa Haj Mohammad
32 years old killed
Hajer Ahmad Koussa
Child female killed
Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • A video showing destruction in Hraytan following alleged airstrikes (Youtube by Hraytan)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian child is placed in a body bag, a victim of alleged airstrikes on Hraytan (Tweet by @Alamawi)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded toddler in Hraytan, struck by alleged Russian warplanes (via @Marai_halabi) [Tweet no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian baby with a wound to the head after alleged Russian strikes on Hraytan (Tweet by @Marai_halabi) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A very young civilian distressed and covered in blood following alleged Russian strikes on Hraytan (Tweet by @Marai_halabi) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • The White Helmets bury the victims of alleged attacks on Hraytan (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian male killed in suspected raids on Hraytan (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian child placed into a body bag, following alleged aerial bombardment (via Aleppo White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1030

Incident date

July 22, 2016

Location

سوحا, Soha, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.000015, 37.401581 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Syrian Press Center claimed that five airstrikes were carried out in Soha village killing and injuring civilians. Multiple sources including Alamawi and SMO News reported that it was Russian warplanes which attacked Soha village. However, both Radio AlKul and LCCSY blamed the Assad regime for the raids.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Smart News both placed the number of civillians killed at seven. The latter confirmed they were all from the same family and included 4 children.

Syrian Press Center put the numbers slightly lower at three and also confirmed the names of those three victims, listed below.

A pro-regime Twitter page reported that “Syrian air forces targeted the movement of ISIS fighters in Soha and Salameya, East Hama, which killed an armed member and wounded 5 others at least.” Syrian PC, however, claimed that Soha was a “neutral village” meaning it is neither pro or against Assad.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Omar Khaled Al-Hammoud
Age unknown male killed
Shayma’a Khaled Al-Hammoud
Age unknown female killed
Afra’a Waleed Al-Hammoud
Two months years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    3 – 7
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1337

Incident date

September 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

Between five and seven civilians died and up to 40 were wounded in airstrikes in the Al Karab neighbourhood of Al Atareb outside Aleppo, according to local media. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime.

LCCSY wrote that “the correspondent counted five civilians were killed when Russian warplanes carried out thermobaric weapon attacks on Al Atareb city.”

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government warplanes and its allies”, meaning that the regime may have carried out the strikes; while the Shaam News Network referred generally to strikes by both Russia and the regime on Aleppo (including Al Atareb) on this day.

All4Syria said that the market of the city had been bombed with cluster bombs and missiles.

Alaraby also reported the use of cluster bombs: “Al Atarib City and the town of Mansura were struck by a Russian cluster and phosphorous bombs.”

According to All4Syria, more than 40 civilians were wounded in this event.

An unidentified woman and one more unidentified person were also alleged killed in the attacks.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zainab Omar Rashid
Age unknown killed
Nawras Abdul Rahman Obaid
Age unknown from Kafr Halab killed
Samer al-Khatib
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Yassin
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Sharif
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22–40
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Smoke clouds rise above Al Karab, Al Atareb on September 24th following alleged Russian strikes (Youtube via Baladi)
  • Footage of material destruction in Al Karab after suspected Russian shelling on September 24th (Youtube via Baladi)
  • Local people walk over the destroyed buildings in Al Karab, the impact of alleged Russian shelling, September 24th (Youtube via Step)
  • Photographs of destruction in Al Karab after alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 24th (via @thiqanewsagency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22–40
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1369

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

الهلّك, al Halak, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.231951, 37.170997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

Shahedalep1 reported the use of bunker busters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Laith al-Halabi
Adult male media activist killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the strikes on al-Halak, Aleppo, carried out by either Russian or Syrian regime warplanes, 30th September 2016. (via @Khaleedalkhteb)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians in the rubble caused by the contested airstrikes on al-Halak, Aleppo, 30th September 2016. (via Aleppo AMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]