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

R4347

Incident date

July 18, 2021

Location

بليون, Balion, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.696091, 36.504654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two girls were wounded in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling of Balion on July 18, 2021.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense, “two girls also suffered a similar bombing on the town of Billion in the countryside”. Syrian Civil Defense was the only source to report on civilian injuries from the shelling while other sources only mentioned that shelling occurred.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the shelling, with @syr_television blaming the regime while @anasanas84 identified “Russian laser artillery shell”. @iHHDYROQMHnphnS and Syrian Civil Defense attributed the shelling to both Russia and the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Balion (بليون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.696091, 36.504654. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4379

Incident date

August 23, 2021

Location

درعا البلد, Daraa Al Balad, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.607961, 36.099127 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and six other civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime or Iranian strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021.

A tweet from @Almohrar1 reported that the young man Yazn Al-Omari was killed in the strikes on Daraa Al Balad.

@omar_alharir added that a number of civilians were wounded but did not provide how many, while Radio Al Kul wrote about “the injury of 6 civilians” from the incident.

Shaam News pointed out that there was no dedicated medial facility in Dara’a at the time – only facilities that had a limited amount of medical equipment and no doctors or surgeons.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes. The majority attributed the attacks to Iran and/or the regime. However, Syrian Civil Defence blamed the strikes on Russia and the regime.

Horan Free Media and the Syrian Network for Human Rights identified rocket launchers as being used in the attack, while Shaam News pointed to both rocket and artillery bombardments. The location of the strikes was pinpointed to the Kashef neighborhood in the city of Daraa, according to Ahrar Houran Gathering.

Radio Al Kul reported that the bombardment coincided with a breakdown in ceasefire negotiations between the Daraa Central Committee, and ,regime and Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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
    Iranian Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The young man "Yazn Al-Omari", who was killed in strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021. (Image posted by @Almohrar1)
  • The young man Yazn Al-Omari was killed in strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021. (Image posted by @malikKhattab1)
  • Strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dara’a Al Balad (درعا البلد), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.607961, 36.099127. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dara'a Al Balad (درعا البلد).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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
    Iranian Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4409

Incident date

October 27, 2021

Location

جمعية شام الخير, Sham Al Khair Assocation, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.221981, 36.804222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a child, and up to ten other civilians were injured as a result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime strike, during a raid on October 27th 2021, which targeted the Sham Al-Khair village or Domani camp, Termanin, in the northern countryside of Idlib.

Whilst Al Souria Network’s correspondent reported that in a “preliminary outcome” ten people had been wounded, in the same article, the Syrian Civil Defense team was reported to have said that four other children and a woman were wounded. Other sources, such as @mhmdfaisel tweeted that the number was seven.

According to multiple sources, the camp houses women who were widowed.  One local source, @RamiMu7ammad posted a video to Twitter with the caption, “this mother lost her husband and home, had to flee and live in an IDP [Internally Displaced Persons] camp for widows and orphans and now she lost her child.”  Her child has been identified as Bassam Hallaq, seven years old.  Her other children, Bassam’s sister, Batoul Hallaq, 13 years old, was also wounded in the attack and a source, Syriansae, posted on Faceook that she had to have her leg amputated. Fatima Hallaq, their other sibling, was also pictured at hospital after being injured in the attack.

The_whitehelmets posted a photo of her  on Instagram, in her hospital bed which said, “Fatima will wake up soon to find that those moments were her last with her brother Bassam.”

The three others who were reported to have been wounded are two children, Maryam Sheikh, 13 years old, Salama Muhaimid, eleven years old, and Fadela Dawoud, a woman, who was 52 years old.

Some sources added that the shelling was laser-guided Krasnopol shells, although other local sources, such as @freeehsem tweeted that the attack was as a “result of rocket-propelled grenades launched by Bashar al-Assad’s gang.”

It has been reported that the responsibility lied with with either the Syrian regime or the Russian forces. For example, Al Souria Network reported that “activists circulated pictures and video clips that they said were of Russian planes.” Al Muharrah Network differed with their picture, instead stating that their correspondent “in Idlib said that Assad’s forces, staioned in the 46th Regiment, west of Aleppo, targeted a camp for widows.”

This attack comes after, as Xber 24 reported, “the Idlib governate and the countryside of Aleppo and Hama have witnessed a major military escalation by Russia and the Syrian regime, during the past few days.”

The incident was first reported on October 27, 2021 at 1:37 pm by @BelalBayoush90.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Bassam Hallaq
7 years old male killed
Batoul Hallaq
13 years old female sister of Bassam injured
Fatima Hallaq
Child female sister of Bassam

The victims were named as:

Maryam Sheikh
13 years old female injured
Salama Muhaimid
11 years old female injured
Fadela Dawoud
52 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (60) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (38) [ collapse]

  • "Uncle, uncle, my brother died! God's sake From targeting Sham Al-Khair camp near the town of #Termanin"
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bassam Hallaq, allegedly killed by Russain or Syrian regime forces on October 27th 2021. (Image via @Ibrahim02622591 / Twitter)
  • Damage caused by a Russian or Syrian regime attack on the Sham El Khair camp for Internally Displaced Persons in the village of Termanin, October 27th 2021. (Image via @sunMuslim / Twitter).
  • Injured sister of Bassam Hallaq, who was killed by an alleged Russain or Syrian regime forces attack on the village of Termanin on October 27th 2021. (Image via @sunMuslim / Twitter)
  • Blood left in the Hallaq family home after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack which killed Bassam Hallaq, aged seven, on October 27th 2021. (Image via @sunMuslim / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bassam Hallaq, aged 7, killed by an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on the village of Termanin on October 27th 2021 (Image via @sunMuslim / Twitter).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bassam Hallaq, killed allegedly by a Russian or Syrian regime attack on Termanin, October 27th 2021. (Image via @freeehsem / Twitter)
  • An attack allegedly by the Russain forces or Syrian regime hit the town of Termanin on October 27th 2021 (Image via @freeehsem / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bassam Hallaq, killed allegedly by a Russian or Syrian regime attack on Termanin, October 27th 2021. (Image via @freeehsem / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of Bassam Hallaq, who was allegedly killed by a Russain or Syrian regime attack on the village of Termanin on October 27th 2021 (Image via @h001t / Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    @Marea_Elshame reported on the children injured in the alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on Termanin on October 27th 2021 (Image via Twitter).
  • "The orphan child Bassam Hallaq, was killed by Bashar al-Assad’s forces on the evening of October 27, 2021 by artillery shelling targeting his family’s tent in a camp for orphans and their mothers near the town of Termanin in Idlib countryside, northwest Syria." (Image via @khaleedalkhteb / Twitter)
  • 1 of 2: Image created of the deceased child, Bassam Hallaq, who was killed in a Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021 (Image via @ibrahim78197182 / Twitter)
  • 2 of 2: Image created of the deceased child, Bassam Hallaq, who was killed in a Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021 (Image via @ibrahim78197182 / Twitter)
  • @a2hmmadd77 reported the attack in the Domani camp on October 27th 2021 (Image via Twitter)
  • Injured sister of Bassam Hallaq, who was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on Termanin on October 27th 2021 (Image via @ibrahim78197182 / Twitter)
  • Baladi News reported the attack allegedly by the Russian or Syrian regime forces on October 27th 2021 which killed one child and injured several others.
  • Al Tareek news showed a Syrian Civil Defense volunteer rescuing a injured child in Termanin on October 27th 2021.
  • Halap Today reported of the attack on Termanin allegedy by Russian or Syrian regime forces on October 27th 2021.
  • 1 of 2: Syrian Civil Defense volunteers reported from the scene as they rescue those injured in the alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021 (Image via Facebook).
  • 2 of 2: Syrian Civil Defense volunteers reported from the scene as they rescue those injured in the alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021 (Image via Facebook).
  • Batoul Hallaq, injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on Termanin on October 27th 2021. Reports allege that her leg was amputated as a result. (Image via Sham.hayir / Facebook).
  • 1 of 2: Sham.hayir posted a photo on Facebook of the moment the alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack hit the village of Termanin on October 27th 2021.
  • 2 of 2: Sham.hayir posted a photo on Facebook of the moment the alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack hit the village of Termanin on October 27th 2021.
  • "A man gives his last farewell look to a child who was killed by artillery shelling by the regime forces on a camp near the town of Termanin in the northern countryside of Idlib" (Image via MMC)
  • 1 of 9: MMC reported the destruction from the Domani camp near Termanin after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021.
  • 3 of 9: MMC reported the destruction from the Domani camp near Termanin after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021.
  • 4 of 9: MMC reported the destruction from the Domani camp near Termanin after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021.
  • 5 of 9: MMC reported the destruction from the Domani camp near Termanin after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021.
  • 6 of 9: MMC reported the destruction from the Domani camp near Termanin after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021.
  • 7 of 9: MMC reported the destruction from the Domani camp near Termanin after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021.
  • 8 of 9: MMC reported the destruction from the Domani camp near Termanin after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime attack on October 27th 2021.
  • SNHR reported from the destruction on October 27th 2021 after an alleged Russain or Syrian regime airstrike.
  • Fatima Hallaq, injured after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Termanin on October 27th 2021 (Image via SCD / Facebook)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Sham Al Khair Assocation (جمعية شام الخير), in the vicinity of Termanin (ترمانين‎). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 36.221981, 36.804222.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Sham Al Khair Assocation (جمعية شام الخير), in the vicinity of Termanin (ترمانين‎). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to exact coordinates.

    Imagery:
    Google

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @thawrat111

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @thawrat111

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (60) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4453

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Location

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was wounded in an airstrike reportedly by Russian warplanes when they targted the town of Takad in the western countryside of Aleppo on February 15th 2020, according to local sources and media.

@Rey7d, a local source on Twitter posted, “a person was wounded in an air strike by Russian warplanes targeting the town of Takad in the western countryside of Aleppo.”

NPA Syria reported that “since after midnight yesterday, Russian warplanes have carried out several raids and strikes targetng the surroundings of Atarib, Taqad, Jamait Al-Salloum, Jamiat Al-Rahal and Al-Sahara.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ 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
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4463

Incident date

August 29, 2022

Location

الغانية, Al Ghaniya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one woman was injured in alleged Russian or regime shelling of the town of Al Ghaniya on August 29, 2022.

@SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that a woman was injured by intense artillery shelling carried out by the regime or Russian forces on the town of Al Ghaniya. @snhr also identified a woman as being wounded, and added that several houses were damaged.

According to @shaamnews and @thiqanewsagency, “civilians” were wounded by artillery without specifying how many civilians.

@1973syr1 tweeted that the heavy artillery was against “terrorist movements” but did not specify whether those injured were civilians or “terrorists”.

The majority of courses attributed the shelling to the regime forces, while the Syrian Civil Defense identified both the regime and Russia as being responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the site of shelling by alleged Russian or regime forces on Al Ghaniya on August 29, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1896

Incident date

February 16, 2017

Location

قرية الكفير,, al Kfir village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.043867, 36.37178 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Idlib Media Centre reported that there were “two wounded following Russian occupation raids on al Kfir village near Jisr al Shoughour in the Idlib countryside.”

According to Shaban Abukhaled, “Russian warplanes launched missile attacks on rural villages and towns of Jisir Al Shoghour in idlib countryside” – but the source made no mention of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4494

Incident date

November 30, 2022

Location

البارة,ادلب, Al-Bara, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A child was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling of the town of Al-Bara on November 30, 2022.

The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that artillery shelling by the Syrian regime and Russian forces resulted in the minor injury of a child and the destruction of civilian homes. @HalabTodayTV also reported that a child was injured.

Local sources put the time of the shelling at midnight local time.

Sources were conflicted as to who carried out the shelling, with @Almohrar1 attributing the attack to Russian forces while the majority of others blamed the Syrian regime.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • A while ago, artillery shelling targeted the center of the village of Al-Bara, south of Idlib
  • "A child was injured and civilian homes were destroyed as a result of artillery shelling by the regime forces targeting the town of Al-Bara, south of Idlib" (via @HalabTodayTV)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian shelling on the town of Al-Bara on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Alhaqiqa Idlib via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian shelling on the town of Al-Bara on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Alhaqiqa Idlib via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian shelling on the town of Al-Bara on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Alhaqiqa Idlib via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian shelling on the town of Al-Bara on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Alhaqiqa Idlib via Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian shelling on the town of Al-Bara on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Alhaqiqa Idlib 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
    Artillery
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4534

Incident date

July 26, 2023

Location

الأتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On July 26, 2023, two civilians were reportedly killed in al-Atareb, Aleppo, in an artillery strike allegedly launched by Syrian regime and/or Russian forces. Aid workers indicated that two additional people were injured in the attack.

Syria Civil Defence shared that a young man and his uncle—identified as Mahmoud Ahmad Rustam and Abd al-Razzaq Abdo Rustam by independent journalist Ahmad al-Shably—were killed on the outskirts of al-Atareb while they were grazing sheep, with other sources mentioning that the civilians were in a car at the time of the attack. Sources corroborate that the two men were shepherds, who lived in the nearby village of Anjara.

When asked by Syria TV News, Civil Defence personnel stated that two other individuals were wounded, one of whom was Mahmoud Ahmad Rustam’s father. The spokesman also stated that the artillery strike and concurrent guided missile attack were launched by the Syrian regime and Russian military forces. Multiple sources refer to the munition used in the attack as an anti-tank guided missile, or ATGM.

A tweet from @mzmgr941 pointed out that at the time, seven Russian/Iranian reconnaissance planes and three Coalition reconnaissance planes were monitoring the area.

Following the attack, victims were evacuated and treated by aid workers affiliated with Syria Civil Defence. The Syrian Civil Defense also reported that around midnight the same evening, a car for the families of the victims of the initial strike were attacked by guided missiles launched by the Syrian regime forces, which resulted in a fire but no injuries. However, the Syrian regime continued to monitor the location, making it difficult for Civil Defense volunteers to reach the site of the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

bd al-Razzaq Abdo Rustam عبد الرزاق عبدو رستم
male killed
Mahmoud Ahmad Rustam محمود أحمد رستم
male Nephew of Abd killed
Mahmoud Ahmad Rustam’s father
male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Civil defense volunteers with victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on July 26, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil defense volunteers with victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on July 26, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil defense volunteers with victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on July 26, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil defense volunteers with victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on July 26, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • One of the victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on July 26, 2023. (Image posted by @Ahmad_1alshble)
  • One of the victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on July 26, 2023. (Image posted by @Ahmad_1alshble)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The death of two civilians from the town of "Anjara" as a result of targeting their car with a missile directed by the regime's militia, in the vicinity of the town of Kafr Nuran, west of Aleppo. 📸 The video is circulating from sources from Aleppo

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]