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

RS4045

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians were reported killed, and others injured, in airstrikes on Al Hamidiah in Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 18th.

Shaam News documented “two martyrs killed in Maarat al-Nu’man”, while other sources cited one civilian killed in the incident.

@IdlibPlus tweeted “a civilian martyr and a number of injuries were reported as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the outskirts of Ma’rat Al-Nu`man city in the southern countryside of Idlib with airstrikes.”

Syrian Human Rights Committee identified one of the civilians killed as Abdul Qadir Mahmoud Al-Asfar.

Smart News also reported “many wounded” and @ufuk_sy tweeted that there were “wounded in the bombing of the Russian occupier’s warplanes.”

The majority of sources attributed the attack to Russian forces but @ZaitunAgency attributed the strikes to Russia in one tweet and the regime in another tweet.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image Caotion Translation: "Civilians wounded due to warplanes shelling with vacuum missiles residential neighborhoods of Ma'rat Al-Nu`man city in Southern Idlib countryside" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Abdul Qadir al-Asfar was killed in airstrikes on Al Hamidiah in Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 18th.
    Abdul Qadir al-Asfar

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 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4046

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and two members of Syrian Civil Defense injured in the second of two consecutive alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, on August 18th, 2019.

Shaam News reported that, following a previous airstrike, “when civil defense teams arrived at the site to evacuate the wounded, Russian warplanes repeated its raids on the site, directly targeting the team, which led to the wounding of two defense and a civilian martyr.”

Edlib Media Center, and other sources, also stated that “two volunteers from the Civil Defense were injured as a result of a double raid by Russian occupation aircraft in Al-Hamdieh town south of Idlib.”

In October 2020, Human Rights Watch published a report including their investigation into this incident. HRW spoke with Muhammad Hariri, one of the survivors of the attack. Hariri, the SD ambulance driver, arrived at the site of a strike on a doorframe factory in an industrial neighborhood between 9:30 and 10 AM. Hariri told HRW that upon arrival, “he found a wounded boy who said he was 15-years-old lying under the collapsed roof of the factory and two wounded men, both workers, one of whom later died.”

Shortly after, there was a second strike. Hariri: “We put the wounded into the ambulance and were just starting to drive away when the next strike hit right next to my ambulance. I flew out and onto the ground. I was seriously wounded in my right leg, above the knee. I had to lie there and wait for my team members to come pick me up. I later went to Turkey for one and a half months of surgery, but I still can’t walk.”

Hariri is unaware of any military objectives in the vicinity of the site around the time of the attack.

All sources attributed the attack to Russian forces.

The incident occured between 9:30 am and 10:30 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Member of Syrian Civil Defense injured
Adult male Member of Syrian Civil Defense injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: "Mohammad al Hariri and Mahmoud al Thekra, members of Civil Defesne- Ma’aret al Nu`man center, were injured as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on al Hamediya area in south of Ma’aret al Numan city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, while they were aiding the injured of previous bombing by the same forces on the area, on August 18, 2019." (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)

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
    1
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4047

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed in airstrikes on Hass, Idlib, on August 18th.

Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “the child Adib Mustafa Qal’a Ji was killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Hass village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 18th.”

Halab Today also reported that “a child was killed and several civilians were injured in a Russian airstrike on Hass town, in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

A video posted by @salqin shows the child’s body being removed from the rubble and rushed to help and images posted by @ZaitunAgency and other sources show the physical destruction to buildings from the airstrikes.

All sources attributed the attack to Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption: "The child Adib Mustafa Qal’a Ji was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Hass village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 18th." (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Russian warplanes target the town of Hass in the southern countryside of Idlib" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Russian warplanes target the town of Hass in the southern countryside of Idlib" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Russian warplanes target the town of Hass in the southern countryside of Idlib" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Russian warplanes target the town of Hass in the southern countryside of Idlib" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "Russian warplanes target the town of Hass in the southern countryside of Idlib" (via Macro Media Center)

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
    2–3
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4048

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

During another day of heavy Russian and Assad regime strikes on rebel-held areas of Idlib, one civilian was reported killed and another wounded in Kafr Sijna according to local sources.

A tweet from @baladinetwork identified a “martyr and wounded as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the town of Kafr Sijnah.”

Shaam News noted that “Russian warplanes and helicopters launched fierce airstrikes amid artillery and rocket shelling that targeted the cities and towns of Maarat al-Numan, Khan Shaykhun, Hayesh, Kafr Sijnah, Kansra, Beida, Hassa, Hamedieh, Ma’arshoorin, Naqir, Deir Sharqi, Ma’aturahma, Turai, Ghannum, Zheyan, Tabish, Al-Tabaya, Ar-Raqaya, Shaykhita, Damamt, Ar-Raqaya, Shuqayt, Shmayt, Tamarah, Raqaya, Shaykamt, Damas, Ar-Raya, Raqaya, Shaykh, Damas, Maher As a result, two martyrs were killed in Maarat al-Nu’man and one martyr  in each of Haas, Kafar Sijna, Ma’arat Horma and al-Hamediya.”

Baladi News also reported one civilian death, noting that unspecified “warplanes also raided the village of Kafar Sijna in the same countryside, resulting in a civilian death.”

The Syrian Human Rights Commission later named Abdul-Halim al-Haj Ahmad as being killed by “Russian shelling on the town” that day.

The majority of sources attributed the strike to Russia, including @NagiNajjar, posting that “Russian warplanes drop their full cargo on the town of Kafr Sijnah, in conjunction with its bombardment with rocket launchers” in addition to an image they posted showing the smoke and dust from the explosion.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • During another day of heavy Russian and Assad regime strikes on rebel-held areas of Idlib, Abdel Halim Haj Ahmed was reported killed and another wounded in Kafr Sijna according to local sources.

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4049

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma`arat Horma, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed at Ma`arat Horma on August 18th during the ongoing assault on rebel held areas by Russia in support of the regime.

Shaam News reported the death of one civilian at the hands of suspected Russian aircraft at Ma’arat Horma – giving the date as August 18th. Two named civilians had also been killed in the town the previous day.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee identified the civilian killed as Qusay Nizar Al-Kashto.

Both sources attributed the airstrike to Russian planes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R3825

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Location

الحامدية, Al Hamediya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One named civilian was reported killed and two White Helmet rescuers injured in a reported Russian strike on Al Hamediya in Idlib.

According to the Syrian Network, “Russian forces killed a civilian in al Hamediya area in Idlib: Abdul Qader Mahmoud al Asfar was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on al Hamediya area in south of Ma’aret al Numan city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 18.”

The Syrian Human Rights Commission also named Abdul Qader Mahmoud Al-Asfar, who it said had been killed by Russian strikes.

Step News reported that “a civilian was killed in Hamediya and two civil defense elements were injured as a result of the Russian airstrikes with a double raid.” Shaam News also reported one fatality from a Russian strike. Halaab Today said the unknown perpetrator had used “warplanes shelling with vacuum missiles.”

According to the Syrian Observatory, “A young man killed by shelling by warplane on Hamdediya Idlib southern countryside.” However images of Mr al Asfar published by others showed an older man.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Qader Mahmoud al Asfar
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Qader Mahmoud al Asfar (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4051

Incident date

August 19, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Outskirts of Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A Turkish military convoy crewed by civilian personnel came under air attack from regime forces (or possibly Russian) – leading to the reported deaths of up to three civilians and the injuring of a further 12.

According to some sources, the convoy appeared to be attempting to deliver heavy armour including tanks and armoured personnel carriers to the rebel held town of Ma`arat Al Nu`man. Turk Press reported that “the convoy includes 28 vehicles, including 7 tanks, 6 bulldozers, vehicles and trucks carrying ammunition, and it seems that the convoy will go to the Turkish observation point in “Morek” in the northern Hama countryside.”

Shabab al Latimina and the Syrian Network for Human Rights named two civilian victims from the city as Hayel Nizar Al-Sejnawi (killed) and the injury of Hayel Naji Al-Sejnawi. A post by Hama Gate on Facebook reported the “death of Hayel Nizar al-Sijnawi and Hayl Naji al-Sijnawi from the city of Al-Lataminah,” which could mean he later succumbed to his injuries. The Syrian Human Rights Committee also identified both victims as being killed in the strike.

Other sources reported only that local faction fighters were killed and injured.

Reports of civilian deaths came from the Turkish military – in a statement first issued and then withdrawn. As Halab Today News noted, “The Turkish Ministry of Defense in a statement condemned the targeting of a military convoy belonging to it on Monday, by the regime forces, while heading to the ninth control point in the area of ​​”escalation reduction” south of Idlib. The Turkish Defense Ministry said that the regime forces targeted the Turkish military convoy heading to the observation point at 8:55[am], pointing out that it informed the Russian side of the destination of the convoy.

In a statement, the ministry pointed out that three civilians were killed and 12 others were injured in the shelling, stressing that the shelling violates the agreements concluded on the “safe area” in Idlib with Russia, noting that the regime forces continue to target civilians increases the human suffering in the region. She stressed that it strongly condemns the attack despite the agreements concluded and cooperation and coordination with Russia, calling on the latter to take all measures to ensure that the attack does not repeat, while Ankara reserves the right to respond.”

Halab Today also noted a report from Aleppo Today which said that the regime had targeted cars from the so-called National Liberation Front which were accompanying the Turkish convoy, which had resulted in the killing of a member of the National Front and the wounding of others. Step News made similar claims. Smart News said the dead fighter belonged to the Faelq Al Sham faction, with three others injured. A tweet from @SyriawatanNews, a pro-regime source, referred to one of those killed, Muhammad Hussein Al-Qassem, as a rebel.

Ariha Now published what it said were images both of the convoy, and of the attack. Smart News also published a series of photographs said to depict the attack.

In its original statement the Turkish military blamed the Assad regime for the strike, though said it also held Russia partly responsible. The Syrian Observatory blamed both Russia and the regime for the attack, noting that “Warplanes of the Syrian regime and the Russian “guarantor” carried out airstrikes on the vicinity of the Turkish column, which is stopped on Damascus – Aleppo international highway near Maarrat al-Nu’man city south of Idlib, where the airstrikes killed a fighter of a Turkey-loyal corps which escorts the column and injured several other members.”

A video posted by @ShehabAgency shows a cloud of smoke and dust surrounding vehicles following the alleged strike. Another video posted by @khalediskef shows damage to multiple vehicles and the road in the aftermath.

The Syrian Observatory blamed Russia for the attack and the Turkish Ministry of National Defence indirectly identified Russia as being responsible for the airstrike. All other sources pointed to the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hayel Nizar Al-Sejnawi
male killed
Hayel Naji Al-Sejnawi
male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • According to Ariha Now, this undated image shows the Turkish convoy prior to the August 19th attack.
  • According to Ariha Now, this image depicts an airstrike on a Turkish convoy which killed three civilian drivers.
  • Original statement by Turkish MoD on a fatal airstrike on one of its convoys on August 19th 2019.
  • Hayel Nizar Al-Sejnawi was allegedly killed when a Turkish military convoy crewed by civilian personnel came under air attack from regime forces (or possibly Russian).

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
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R3828

Incident date

August 19, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 19th.

Smart News documented “two civilians killed by regime warplanes on the outskirts of Ma’aret al-Nu’man city, south of Idlib”, while @abuhuzaifa_ tweeted, “civilians wounded due to warplanes shelling residential neighborhoods of Ma’aret al-Nu’man city with vacuum missiles.”

Meanwhile @IdlibPlus and other sources cited “a civilian martyr and a number of injuries” as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the outskirts of Ma’rat Al-Nu`man.

Sources variously attributed the attack to Russian forces and/or the Syrian regime.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 (5) [ 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 type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]