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

RS4012

Incident date

August 12, 2019

Location

التمانعة, Al Taman’a, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Five men were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes in Al Taman’a, Idlib, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources.

Shaam News documented “wounded civilians” in a number of cities and towns, including Al Taman’a, after “Russian and regime warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes accompanied by very heavy artillery and rocket shelling.” Orient News stated that “five men” were injured in Al Taman’a as a result of “aerial bombardment”.

In a tweet, @OrientNews reported: “The factions confront an infiltration attempt by sectarian militias near Al Taman’a, Idlib”, but it remains unclear if this refers to the same incident in which five men were injured.

@baladinetwork tweeted: “Airstrikes, artillery and missile strikes by the regime target the town of Al Taman’a in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

@HalabTodayTV reported “Russian airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, the town of Al Taman’a, and the village of Karsaah, south of Idlib, and on Kafr Zita in the northern countryside of Hama.”

Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes.

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
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4013

Incident date

August 12, 2019

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes in Bdama, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources.

Jisr Media Center and Orient News stated that “a man and a woman were injured by artillery shelling in the town of Bdama.”

Shaam News Network also documented “wounded civilians” on a number of cities and towns in Idlib, including Bdama, after “Russian and regime warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes accompanied by very heavy artillery and rocket shelling.”

@abo_laiith reported that “terrorist” targets were hit: “The Syrian Arab Army targets, with artillery and rocket launchers, the locations and movements of terrorists in Bdama, the Bdama train station and Jisr Al Shughour.”

Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes.

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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ 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
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4014

Incident date

August 12, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة في ادلب, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

A single source reported “many wounded” after alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on several towns and cities in Idlib governorate on August 12th, 2019.

Shaam News Network reported “many wounded among civilians in the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhoun, Kafrnabal, Al Taman’a, Kafarsijnah, Aleya, Hish, Karsa, Naqir, Mudaya, Umm Jalal, Sheikh Mustafa, Sheikh Dams, Alrkaya, Ttahia, Tel grazing, Mukha and Alkhwain” after “Russian warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes accompanied by very heavy artillery and rocket shelling”.

Airwars has set a possible injury range of 5 to 10 civilians for this event. Currently, further information is unavailable.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4018

Incident date

August 13, 2019

Location

التمانعة, Al Taman’a, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Al Taman’a in Idlib on August 13th, 2019.

No further details are available at the moment.

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

Sources (4) [ 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4019

Incident date

August 13, 2019

Location

كفر سجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Civil Defense, on Aug 13th, 2019,  four women and two children were wounded in a cluster air bombardment on the town of Kafr Sajna in Idlib.

Local sources reported Russian and Syrian regime military activity with vacuum and high explosive missiles in the area on that day and blamed both.

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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

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
    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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4015

Incident date

August 13, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on August 13th, 2019, according to local sources. Eight others were injured. Two of the injured victims, including a child, passed away on August 18th due to the injuries they sustained in the strikes.

Step Agency reported that “Russian warplanes targeted the city of Khan Sheikhoun, south of Idlib, with several airstrikes that killed three civilians – one man and two women – and wounded several.” Halab Today stated that “two men and a woman were killed, and five others were wounded, due to Russian warplane shelling in Khan Sheikhoun city of Idlib countryside.”

Justice Organisation named those killed as Faten Abdul Haseeb Al Kirawan, Ahmed Mohammed Al Safar and Omran Shaaban. Several sources, including @Step_Agency, reported that among the fatalities, there were two women and one man, whereas others reported that two men and one woman had been killed. The reported names of the victims imply that one woman and two men were killed.

A correspondent for Al Jazeera reported that “three civilians were killed and others were injured as a result of Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, the largest city in the southern countryside of Idlib, at dawn today. The Syrian Response Coordinators organization said that about forty towns and villages in Idlib and Hama countryside were completely destroyed.” According to Justice Organisation, the strikes took place around 3 AM.

Mohammad Abd Al Rahim abou Sallou’ posted the names of seven injured civilians in addition to those killed in the strikes. On August 18th, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Ahmad Jehad al Qadah and the child Haitham Abdul Qader Najm died on August 18, 2019, due to wounds sustained five days ago as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Khan Sheikhoun city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate.” Khan Sheikhoun 2014 already reported that the child Haitham Abdul Qader Najm had died due to his injuries on August 17th.

While most sources attributed the attack to Russian forces, a few sources named both the Syrian regime and Russia or the Syrian regime in reports of the incident.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Osama Abdul Qader Al Qadah اسامة عبدالقادر قدح
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Abdel Qader Al Qadah احمد عبدالقادر قدح
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Jihad Al Qadah أحمد جهاد القدح
Adult male died of his injuries on August 18th, 2019 killed
Hiba Jihad Al Qadah بة جهاد القدح
Age unknown female injured
Mohammed Jihad Al Qadah محمد جهاد القدح
Age unknown male injured
Wife of Ahmed Jihad Al Qadah زوجة احمد جهاد القدح
Adult female injured

The victims were named as:

Faten Abdul Haseeb Al Kirawan فاتن عبد الحسيب الكيروان
Adult female wife of Ayman Al Najm killed
Ahmed Mohammed Al Safar أحمد محمد السفر
Adult male killed
Omran Shaaban عمران الشعبان
Adult male killed
Mohammed Al Rashed حمد الراشد
Age unknown male injured
Haitham Abdel Qader Najim هيثم عبد القادر نجم
Child male died of his injuries on August 17th, 2019 killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Mohammed Al Safar was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun on August 13th, 2019 (via Yusuf Al Safer).
  • Ahmed Mohammed Al Safar was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun on August 13th, 2019 (via Yusuf Al Safer).
  • Haitham Abdel Qader Najim died on August 18th, 2019 of his injuries sustained in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun on August 13th, 2019 (via Khan Sheikhoun 2014 on Facebook).
  • The body of Ahmed Mohammed Al Safar, who died on August 18th of his injuries sustained in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun on August 13th, 2019 (via Abd Al Kareem Al Mathbouh).
  • Ahmed Mohammed Al Safar died on August 18th of his injuries sustained in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun on August 13th, 2019 (via Abd Al Kareem Al Mathbouh).
  • Photo caption: "Ahmad Jehad al Qadah and the child Haitham Abdul Qader Najm died on August 18, 2019, due to wounds sustained five days ago as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Khan Sheikhoun city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate" (via SNHR).

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
    5
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4016

Incident date

August 13, 2019

Location

الصالحية, Al Salehiya, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three children were reported killed and their father injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime night airstrikes on Al Salehiya, Idlib, on August 13th. A woman was also reported killed in the attack, and it is unclear whether she is related to the victims’ family.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Step Agency reported that “two children and a woman were killed in Al Salehiya village south of Idlib after raids by Russian warplanes.”

Meanwhile, Syria Civil Defense and Shabab4lattamena documented “the martyrdom of three children and the injury of their father, Abdul Razzaq Khalid Nasser in the northern countryside of Hama, due to the aerial bombardment of Salehiya village in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported that those killed were three brothers, writing that “three children brothers, IDPs from Latmin village in the northern suburbs of Hama governorate, were killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on al Salehiya village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 13th.”

Other sources stated that “a number were wounded” in the airstrike.

Sources predominantly attributed the attack to Russian forces, however, a number named both the Syrian regime and Russia in reports of the incident.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Abdul Razzaq Khalid Nasser عبد الرزاق خالد الناصر
Adult male injured
Child of Abdul Razzaq Khalid Nasser طفل عبد الرزاق خالد الناصر
Child killed
Child of Abdul Razzaq Khalid Nasser طفل عبد الرزاق خالد الناصر
Child killed
Child of Abdul Razzaq Khalid Nasser طفل عبد الرزاق خالد الناصر
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

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 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4017

Incident date

August 13, 2019

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 16 civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Jarjanaz, Idlib, on August 13th.

Halab today stated that “nine people, including four women and two children, were injured in aerial cluster bombardment on Jarjanaz town.” According to Zaman Al Wasel, White Helmets confirmed that three men and four women were wounded by shelling with cluster bombs that targeted the town of Jarjanaz.

Baladi News also reported that “nine civilians were wounded when the regime’s warplanes bombed SU24s on residential neighborhoods in Jarjanaz town, east of Maaret al-Nouman, in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

However, SMART agency said that “16 civilians were wounded, as a result of airstrikes by the Syrian regime forces on the town of Jarjanaz (37 km south of Idlib), in northern Syria.”

@Mnar18049738 tweeted that the town was targeted with two raids, the first with three cluster missiles, and the second with six.

Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “Syrian regime warplanes fired a missile on al Rahman Mosque in Jarjanaz town in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, partially destroying its building and damaging its furniture, on August 13th.”

One source attributed the attack to Russian forces, while two named the Syrian regime as the belligerent responsible for the airstrike. Another source did not positively attribute blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–16
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: "The moment of the warplane attack on the town of Jarjanaz in the southern countryside of Idlib."
  • An image showing the moment an airstrike hit Jarjanaz in Idlib on August 13th, 2019. (via @anasanas84).
  • Caption: "Civilian casualties in the town of Jarjanaz in Idlib countryside, as a result of being targeted by airstrikes."
  • A Civil Defense volunteer putting off a fire that erupted in the aftermath of an airstrike on Jarjanaz in Idlib on Aug 13th. (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A Civil Defense volunteer putting off a fire that erupted in the aftermath of an airstrike on Jarjanaz in Idlib on Aug 13th. (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A Civil Defense volunteer putting off a fire that erupted in the aftermath of an airstrike on Jarjanaz in Idlib on Aug 13th. (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A Civil Defense volunteer putting off a fire that erupted in the aftermath of an airstrike on Jarjanaz in Idlib on Aug 13th. (via @IdlibPlus).

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–16
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]