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

RS770

Incident date

April 27, 2016

Location

أبلين, Ibleen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.716111, 36.519167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and four civilians including at least one child died in airstrikes on al Zawiya mountain, Idlib according to local sources – though only one source identified the warplanes responsible as Russian.

Zaitoun News reported that four children were killed and five persons were wounded in an alleged regime strike on Ibleen village in Mount Zaweya, the southern countryside of Idlib. In the article the White Helmets director of the city of Jericho is quoted, saying “the raids killed four children who did not exceed the age of five years”. The director added that “the aircraft raided villages Mahmpel and Nabi Ayoub and Joseph in al Zawiya Mountain.”

Step News agency also reported the incident, saying that “regime warplanes targeted Mhambel, Ibleen, and Nabi Ayoub summit, and these raids results in death of three civilians in Ibleen, one of them a child.”

In tweets by 3ajel-Ksa and Ali_l2xx7, Russia was blamed for the incident that allegedly killed “four people from one family.”

LCCSY named one of the victims, saying that “child Mouhammad Raqi al-Aasi was martyred due to an airstrike on #Abilin village in Idlib.” The name of the child was also mentioned in a tweet by Jesr News.

Al Jazeera said that two died and tens were injured in airstrikes on al Zawiya mountain. It did not say who was responsible. Shaam News Network said “a child was killed and four others wounded as a result of Russian aviation aggression targeting the streets of the village of Ibleen rin Al Zawiya mountain this Tuesday evening with vacuum missiles.” Activists told the network that the victims were all from the same family and that the death toll was likely to increase due to the seriousness of injuries.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three, though did not identify the warplanes responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mouhammad Raqi al-Aasi
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Child being rescued by the civil defense after airstrikes targeted the city of Ibleen, Idlib (via Zaitoun News)
  • Airstrikes reportedly targeting the city of Ibleen, Idlib

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim receiving treatment after airstrikes that reportedly targeted the city of Ibleen, Idlib (via Ali_l2xx7 Twitter)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS769

Incident date

April 27, 2016

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.17594, 37.14111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major incident, multiple local sources reported that up to 58 civilians died and between 40 and 90 were injured in airstrikes on the MSF Al Quds hospital in Sukkari. Medical staff were among the casualties. Most reports alleged that Russia was responsible, though the White Helmets pointed towards the regime.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially blamed the regime and said that eight civilians died. However, a subsequent SN4HR brief said that “suspected” Russian warplanes were responsible, and put the death toll higher at 25, including eight children and one woman. A further report said that Russia launched two missiles on “on Al Qudus Field Hospital in Al Sukari neighborhood in Aleppo city, causing a massacre and damaging the hospital rendering it inoperable.”

Eyewitness Mujahed Abu Al Joud, a local media activist, told SN4HR: “I headed to the site of the bombing of a AlQuds hospital after approximately 10 minutes of bombardment. The front façade of the hospital is totally destroyed as well as the entrance of the ambulances. Up on this bombardment, I lost my friend doctor Abu Abdul Rahman. There was a targeting of the street located behind the building of the hospital after 5 minutes of being bombed. I saw two completely destroyed buildings, and 6 partially destroyed ones. The Civil Defense teams prevent us from straying in place due to the fear of the repetition of the bombardment because the warplanes had not left the place. The corpse was found under the rubble and the rescue teams tried to save what can be saved, I heard a girl yelling and crying as the corpse of her family are under the rubble.” In total, SN4HR documented 36 deaths including 14 children and eight women, two doctors, a nurse, and two of the medical cadres.

According to Shaam News Network, “At least ten civilians and members of the medical staff, including the only pediatrician in Aleppo were killed by Russian aerial bombing on al Quds hospital in the neighborhood of al Sukkari in Aleppo. Russian aircraft carried out several raids targeting areas in the neighborhood as well as AlQuds hospital where many of the wounded fell along with the martyrs.” A later report by SNN put the death toll still higher, at 30, adding that the whole hospital was destroyed.

The White Helmets said that three consecutive raids on the hospital had left “dozens of dead and injured including doctors and medical staff“, though they did not say who was to blame.

A later statement said that as many as 50 had died with more than 80 injured – most of them women and children. They published a distressing video showing a living baby being removed from the rubble after 24 hours of constant work. In a further report, the White Helmets suggested that strikes on this day were conducted by the regime, adding that the death toll had now spiraled to 53 with more than 90 wounded.

A report by ABC News included a video of a statement by The White House condemning the attack. It said: “At least three children and six medical staff were among the 27 killed after overnight airstrikes hit a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders in the Syrian city of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The city’s last pediatrician was among the dead, the group said.” It continued: “The Syrian military said it did not target the hospital, but the building was destroyed by at least one strike, according to hospital staff on the ground with the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders”.

On April 28th, the Russian Ministry of Defence refuted claims that it had carried out the strikes: “Within last days, Russian Aerospace Forces have performed no flights near Aleppo.” The Violations Documentation Center named 19 victims, including three children, killed in “regime shelling”. Besides from the identified victims, the VDC also reported about another three unidentified adult male victims (here, here and here)

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdelkarem nonou
Adult male killed
Abdellatef nonou
Adult male killed
Yaser Nonou
45 years old male

Family members (2)

Maha Raja
Adult female killed
Son of Maha Raja
Child male killed

Family members (5)

Raghad Yousef Ahmad Saeed Al Sheikh
Child female From Darat Azza city killed
Alaa Yousef Ahmad Saeed Al Sheikh
Child female From Darat Azza city killed
Shahed Yousef Ahmad Saeed Al Sheikh
Child female From Darat Azza city killed
Sedra Yousef Ahmad Saeed Al Sheikh
Child female From Darat Azza city killed
Islam Yousef Ahmad Saeed Al Sheikh
Child female From Darat Azza city killed

Family members (12)

Amal Salim
Adult female Wife of Mohammad Tayseer Rajab killed
Abdullah Tayseer Rajab
Child male From Darat Azza city killed
Mulham Mohammad Rajab
Child male From Darat Azza city killed
Jana Mohammad Rajab
Child female From Darat Azza city killed
Anas Mohammad Rajab
Child male From Darat Azza city killed
Maryam Ahmad Rajab
Age unknown female From Darat Azza city killed
Ghada Mohammad Eid Rajab
Age unknown female From Darat Azza city killed
Mohammad Tayseer Rajab
Adult male Husband of Amal Salim, From Darat Azza city killed
Raheeb Rajab
Age unknown female killed
Fat'tum Rajab
Age unknown female killed
Child of Yussef Rajab
Child killed
Child of Yussef Rajab
Child killed

Family members (3)

Wife of Tayseer Saleem’
Adult female killed
Child of Tayseer Saleem’
Child killed
Child of Tayseer Saleem’
Child killed

Family members (3)

Wife of Mohammed Za’rour Saleem
Adult female killed
Child of Mohammed Za’rour Saleem
Child killed
Child of Mohammed Za’rour Saleem
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Abu Abdul Rahman
Adult male Doctor killed
Bashar Mohammed Khojeh
Adult male killed
Bashar Mohammed Khojeh
Adult male killed
Mustafa Karoush
Adult male killed
Abo Mohammed Haras
Adult male killed
Ismael Seaneh
Adult male killed
Abdelkader Kartal
Adult male killed
Ismael Ahmad al-Housien
21 years old male killed
Ahmad Mohammed Tabshou
30 years old male killed
Mohammed Waseem Khaled Moaz
36 years old male killed
Yaser Mohammed Karim
11 years old male killed
Abo al-Yaman
Adult male killed
Abdullah Gamal Aqel
4 years old male killed
Nadem Hussam Zamar
17 years old male killed
Ahmad al-Mohammed
Adult male killed
Maha Ahmad Saeed Al Sheikh
Age unknown female from Darat Azza city killed
Ahmad Salmo Fares
30 years old male killed
Yasser Aref Ajouz
35 years old male killed
 Waed Qasem Masto
33 years old male killed
Khaled Ahmad Qadah
25 years old male killed
Amira Ahmad Rajab
Age unknown female from Darat Azza city killed
Abo Yazan Al Shami
Age unknown male killed
Mervat Darwish
Age unknown male killed
Abdo Khuder Falaha
16 years old male killed
Hala Jalal Al Homsi
Age unknown female From Darat Azza city killed
Fadya Sa’eed
Age unknown female killed
Sawsan Majid Kheyro
Age unknown female killed
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mohammed
Adult male Dentist killed
Dr. Hasan Al-A’arj
Adult male heart disease doctor killed
Dr. Wasim Mo’az
Adult male children pediatrician killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    58
  • (18 children4–10 women24–26 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–90
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (34) [ collapse]

  • The remains of the MSF hospital in Sukkari following a strike on April 27th (via White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video shows a baby who was rescued after after being buried under the rubble for 24 hours (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Mohammad Waseem Mouaz, pediatrician and victim of the massacre in al Quds Hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via SN4HR)
  • Ahmad Al Mohammad, dentist and victim of the massacre in al Quds Hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the rescuing mission of survivors of the massive aerial bombardement at al Quds Hospital, al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Dr. Ahmad Al-Mohammed, dentist, Dr. Hasan Al-A’arj, heart disease doctors and Dr. Wasim Mo’az, children's doctor, all reportedly victims of the massive shelling at al-Quds Hospital (via Koannews)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Allegedly child victim of the massive aerial shelling at al-Quds

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Allegedly child victim of the massive aerial shelling at al-Quds

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the massive aerial shelling at al-Quds Hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via Almo3tasem Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Allegedly a child victim of the aerial strikes at al-Quds Hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Allegedly a victim of the aerial strikes at al-Quds Hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo
  • Civilians in the aftermath of the aerial strikes at al-Quds Hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo
  • Civilians mourning in the aftermath of the aerial strikes at al-Quds Hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo
  • Medical crew of al-Quds Hospital. Most of them were killed or injured due to the aerial shelling (via Dalaaaalmoufti Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Baby Ahmad Al Rajab recovered from under the rubble after intense warplanes shelling on Al Sukkari neighborhood, Aleppo (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Baby Ahmad Al Rajab recovered from under the rubble after intense warplanes shelling on Al Sukkari neighborhood, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Baby Ahmad Al Rajab recovered from under the rubble after intense warplanes shelling on Al Sukkari neighborhood, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • The civil defence working to rescue people from under the rubble after the aerial shelling of Al Quds hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • The civil defence working to rescue people from under the rubble after the aerial shelling of Al Quds hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of the aerial shelling of Al Quds hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of the aerial shelling of Al Quds hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Remnants of Al Quds hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo after intense aerial shelling.
  • The White Helmet released a statement saying the regime was behind the strikes and that death toll has risen to 50 and more than 80 injuries (via White Helmets)
  • The civil defence teams trying to rescue victims that are still under the rubble three days after the strikes in al Sukkari, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • The civil defence teams trying to rescue victims that are still under the rubble after the strikes in al Sukkari, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of the aerial shelling of Al Quds hospital in al-Sukkari, Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victims as a consequence of the the intense shelling of alQuds hospital in al-Sakkari Aleppo (via majdi_aboryan Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the intense shelling of al Quds hospital in al-Sakkari Aleppo (via SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the intense shelling of al Quds hospital in al-Sakkari Aleppo (via Majid Aboryan Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the intense shelling of al Quds hospital in al-Sakkari Aleppo (via Zama al-Wasl)
  • Aftermath of the intense shelling of al Quds hospital in al-Sakkari Aleppo (via Baladi News)
  • Aftermath of the intense shelling of al Quds hospital in al-Sakkari Aleppo (via Baladi News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Doctor Mohammed Wasim Mo'az, victim of the strikes of al-Quds hospital, al- Sukkari, Aleppo (via ahraralsham7 Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures showing the destructions following the strikes of al-Quds Hospital and doctor Mohammed Wasim Mo'az, victim of the strikes (via hasanalzaher4 Twitter)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin makes no public mention of carrying out strikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th. However Russia later refuted claims they had carried out the strikes: “Russian Ministry of Defence refutes report of Western media about strike against a ‘hospital’ in Aleppo carried out by Russian Aerospace Forces. Within last days, Russian Aerospace Forces have performed no flights near Aleppo.According to our data, an aircraft of so-called anti-ISIS coalition member-state was performing tasks in the air space over Aleppo in the evening of April 27 for the first time after a long interval. Leading Western media had spread information with reference to representatives of ‘Médecins Sans Frontières’ about alleged strike against a ‘hospital’ in Aleppo carried out by Russian Aerospace Forces, which had caused death of civilians.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    58
  • (18 children4–10 women24–26 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–90
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS767

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that warplanes targeted al Shi’ar and Tareeq al-Bab, Aleppo, killing up three civilians and wounding several, inlcluding children. Among others, the Syrian News Network (SNN) reported that “three others were killed in the neighborhoods of al Shi’ar and Tareeq al bab”

It was however contested who carried out the strikes. The SNN pointed to Russia but later reported that the warplanes belonged to both the Assad regime and Russia, the Twitter account Samirmaleh pointed to the Assad regime, while several sources did not identify the responsible.

The VDC named one civilian victim as Hasan al Amouri, a Aleppo City Council worker, but did not specify who the culprit was.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan al Amouri
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The beginning of the video reportedly shows the aftermath of the bombings in Al-Sha’ar (via M.H.N.N)
  • Video showing the White Helmet's rescuing civilians out of the rubble following the airstrikes (via White Helmets)

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS768

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1918713, 37.1722841 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to six civilians were killed and eight were injured followed by airstrikes targeting Bab Nairab, Aleppo.

The Syrian News Network (SNN) reported that four civilians were killed while Thiqa News Agency said the strikes had killed six. None of the sources identified the names of the victims.

The SNN and Sadaaltwhed pointed to Russia as the culprit while the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the Assad regime. The SNN later reported that the warplanes belonged to both the Assad regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Witness describing the violent event in Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via Thiqa News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (Thiqan News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via Objective Aleppo News)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via Sadaaltwhed Twitter)
  • Video showing the chaotic aftermath following the strikes in Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via the White Helmets)

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS765

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

الحيدرية, Haydariya (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2372814, 37.1923256 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 11 civilians died, among them two young girls, and dozens of other civilians were injured in airstrikes on the Haydariya neighborhood of Aleppo according to local sources. While one report alleged that this was the work of Russia, others blamed the regime.

A local activist told Ara News that “the city of Aleppo saw the fall of a large number of dead and wounded, by aerial bombardment of the eastern neighborhoods of the city, as Syrian regime warplanes bombed the  Alhaidariya district of the city, killing eight civilians and wounding dozens of others in a preliminary toll of the massacre.”  The Syrian Network for Human Rights also attributed the death of two girls to the regime.

The White Helmets published several videos depicting the aftermath of the strikes, including very distressing footage of a young girl being pulled from the rubble during the rescue operation – though did not say who was responsible. It also published images of the aftermath of “several raids by warplanes on several of Aleppo’s neighbourhoods targeting al Ferdos, Al Maghayer, al Shi’ar, Al Haydarya“.

An initial report by Shaam News blamed Russia, reporting that “Activists said the shelling targeted civilian homes, causing the deaths of two girls and wounded five others from the same family, a father, mother and their three children who were rescued by the Civil Defense teams and transported medical hospitals amid continued shelling of the city of Aleppo.” RFS News and Al Jazeera Online also blamed Russia.

However, a later report by SNN was not clear whether this was a regime or Russian incident, saying that “Assad’s planes and Russian planes renewed their bombing of civilian homes in the neighborhoods of the city of Aleppo“. It also published two videos: ‘for the fifth day Aleppo drowns in blood and the raids don’t stop‘ and ‘The chaos of death chases the neighborhoods of Aleppo and no one calls for calm‘, but did not specify the neighborhoods.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “11 civilians including 2 children were killed by aerial bombardment targeted the neighborhoods of al-Hedaria, al-Ferdous, and al-Maghaeir“, adding that the death toll was likely to rise due to the severity of injuries. They did not say who the warplanes belonged to.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 11
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–12
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

  • A man carries a young girl in the aftermath of an airstrike on Al Haydariya, Aleppo, on April 26th, 2016 (via RFS news).
  • Video showing the white helmets rescuing mission following the strikes targeting al Haydariya, Aleppo (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting al Haydariya, Aleppo (via Ara News)
  • White helmets members trying to rescue civilians from under the rubble following the strikes targeting al Haydariya, Aleppo (via the White Helmets)
  • White helmets members trying to rescue civilians from under the rubble following the strikes targeting al Haydariya, Aleppo (via the White Helmets)
  • Video showing chaotic aftermath following the strikes targeting al Haydariya, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Video showing chaotic aftermath following the strikes targeting al Haydariya, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 11
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–12
  • 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

RS766

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or five civilians died and others were wounded in alleged airstrikes on Fardous, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

On Twitter, Syriam_m_m as well as Wesal_tv reported that five people died and many were wounded “in Russian shelling on Al-Fardus neighbourhood, Aleppo.” Similar information was reported by Shaam News Network which said that Russian airstrikes killed five civilians and wounded a number of others. Jisr_tv published a video in which it blamed Russia for the “massacre”. The SRG also said Russia was responsible.

Other sources were unclear about who was responsible for the airstrikes. A further news brief by SNN referred to strikes by regime and Russian planes and did not differentiate between the two. The White Helmets reported that “warplanes” targeted neighborhoods in Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights too reported that Fardous was bombarded but did not say by whom. In a tweet, Syria_24 reported an incident in Karm-Al-Beik neighbourhood and spoke of four people allegedly killed, yet it did not say who carried out the raids.

Furthermore, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at four.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Zakarria_Nassani Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Syriam_m Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Syriam_m Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Aleppo Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Aleppo Media Centre)
  • Children in the aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Battle New Network)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Battle New Network)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting civilian areas in Fardous, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Children among the destructions caused by the strikes in Fardous, Aleppo (via Wesal_TV Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Baladi News Network)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from Fardous (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS764

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five consecutive airstrikes on a civil defense center in Atarib killed up to six members of the White Helmets. Reports however were conflicted: most blame the Assad regime, with only one (the Shaam News Network) alleging that this was the work of Russia – and reporting here was confused.

According to the White Helmets, there were “several raids by warplanes using ballistic missiles“. They said that the regime carried out the attack, killing five members of the civil defense and injuring two more when the civil defense center was struck.

A White Helmets’ eyewitness gave the following testimony in a video: “The regime tried to hit al Atareb civil defence centre. They carried out two raids at 11:00 at night and there were no injuries as the missiles fell in the olives groves. Then they came back after 1 o’clock in the morning and carried out the first and the second strike and the guys were OK, but then the third strike came and hit the centre. I mean, half the guys were in pieces and then the fourth raid came to finish them off. Five were martyred, two were injured and two are totally fine. The equipment is all destroyed, the ambulances, the rescue cars: all of it. There is no centre anymore. There were cluster bombs. When the guys came to help us, two more missiles were fired. You can see one of them there: about 12 meters long and still smoking. This one didn’t cause any injuries.”

A later statement by the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) said:  “At exactly one o’clock after midnight on Tuesday, the twenty sixth of April 2016, Al Ataerb Center of Civil Defense was targeted  by warplanes with five consecutive strikes. [It went] as follows: The first raid was on the northern corner of the center after which volunteers headed to the basic shelter that was dug up in the centre. The second second raid hit the northwest of the center and the third raid hit the shelter directly killing five of the volunteers. The White Helmets identified the first five victims seen below.

The same raid led to injuries amongst the rest of the team members – with medium and light injuries. The fourth raid destroyed the buildings and the sleeping quarters and the last raid targeted the ambulance garage and other machinery leading to the full  destruction of all the equipment of the center. 45 minutes after the raids a ballistic missile mounted with cluster bombs was launched from the regime defense centres south of Aleppo toward the center and fell outside the center.”

However, according to an initial report by Shaam News, Russia was responsible: “Activists said the Russian bombardment directly targeted the civil defense center with several air raids with rockets”. They named the same victims as the White Helmets but later added that Mohammad Bakour (“the driver“) and Abboud al Mukhtar were injured. But there was some confusion in reporting, with SNN later saying that the “Civil defence centre in al Atareb that was destroyed by Assad’s planes and missiles“. In a third posting, it reverted to its original position and said Russia was to blame.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published 10 images showing damage caused by the bombardment, though did not specify which warplanes were responsible. It put the death toll at six – all members of the White Helmets – with further civilians injured.

A news brief by the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the incident to the regime. A later report said that six were killed, of which five were members of the White Helmets, with two other non-combatants wounded.

 

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Tariq  Al-Abdullah
Adult male killed
Khalid Mohammed Bashar al-Khatib
Adult male killed
Ahmed Tahir
Adult male killed
Hussein Haj Ismail Orabi
Adult male killed
Hamdo Haj Ibrahim
Adult male killed
Mohammad Bakour
Adult male killed
Abboud al Mukhtar
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (27) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets video allegedly showing the aftermath of the strikes targeting the civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via White Helmets)
  • Video of the Kalalli centre under the Syrian Civil defence being targeted by airstrikes (White helmets Idlib)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Ballistic missiles carrying cluster bombs were reportedly used in the airstrikes targeting Atareb town, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Ballistic missiles carrying cluster bombs were reportedly used in the airstrikes targeting Atareb town, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Ballistic missiles carrying cluster bombs were reportedly used in the airstrikes targeting Atareb town, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Ballistic missiles carrying cluster bombs were reportedly used in the airstrikes targeting Atareb town, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Picture showing the damage the strikes caused on the civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SNN)
  • Material damages caused by aerial bombardment targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Remnants from the strikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Aftermath of aerial bombardment targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Aftermath of aerial bombardment targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Aftermath of aerial bombardment targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Remnant of the bombardment targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Remnant of the bombardment targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Remnant of the bombardment targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Remnant of the bombardment targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • White Helmets video showing the aftermath and rescuing efforts following the strikes targeting a civil defense centre in Atarib, Aleppo (via White Helmets)
  • Hussein Ismail, civil defense worker and victim of the strikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SN4HR)
  • Ahmad Tareq Abdullah, civil defense member and victim of the strikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SN4HR)
  • Khaled Mohammad al-Khateeb, civil defense member and victim of the strikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SN4HR)
  • Ahmad Taher, civil defense member and victim of the strikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SN4HR)
  • Hamdi Haj Ibrahim, civil defense member and victim of the strikes targeting Atarib, Aleppo (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS763

Incident date

April 24, 2016

Location

المواصلات, Al Mowasalat (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2188989, 37.2510338 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including one woman and one child died and eight others were injured in airstrikes on Al Mowasalat in Aleppo, according to local sources – though some were unclear as to whether this was a Russian or regime incident.

Smart News agency published a video showing the aftermath of an alleged Russian strike in which three died including a woman and a child and more than eight were wounded. The footage includes interviews: Hussein from the neighboorhood said that “this is a civilian area and yet the Russians have bombed it.” Abu Yahya, a paramedic said “this is a civilian area and there are not armed groups here. The place which was targeted is a school for children and children were inside playing, what are they shooting at?”

A video by Halab news agency said two or three civilians died and more than five were injured in “regime and Russian airstrikes,” while a tweet by Baladi showed “the effects of destruction in Russian shelling Al-Mowasalat“.

Shaam News Network said that regime and Russian warplanes killed several people including children. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime and reported that “at least” a woman and a child had been victims of the regime shelling.

Two victims were listed by the VDC as killed in “warplane shelling” by “Syrian government and affiliated militias“:

Unidentified – child, male

Unidentified – adult, female

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video of the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes targeting al-Mowasalat, Aleppo (via Halab News Network)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting al-Mowasalat, Aleppo (via Baladi Network)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting al-Mowasalat, Aleppo (via Baladi Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]