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

RS754

Incident date

April 14, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fourteen civilians including three children died and at least 24 people were injured in airstrikes on Raqqa, according to multiple sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently posted images showing destruction of the city following airstrikes. It did not initially say who was responsible. They also published images of some of the dead. However, RBSS later reported that these were Russian raids and that seven people died: “Russian warplanes launched…five raids on the city of Raqqa, which resulted in the death of seven civilians. Those who were identified are Farouk Mansour and his daughter and Khaled al-Issa, as well as injuring more than two dozen others injured, some of them in serious condition. The air strikes focused on different parts, including the eastern gate of Al Rasheed park, the eastern part of the government complex and the car square in front of it, the shops on Al Qitar street opposite the water company, the Palace of Justice and Al Rasheed secondary school junction. Daesh straight away put up barriers inside the town and its entry points.”

Al A’maq accused Russia of conducting 10 raids. In a very brief post, LCSSY initially blamed the Coalition, though then changed position and said Russia was responsible and posted images of the aftermath.

Shaam News Network also attributed the incident to Russia, reporting that “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on several areas in the city of Raqqa, a (near the water company, the Palace of Justice, the junction at al Rasheed secondary school, Al Majma’ Square, and Bab Al-Rasheed Park) which led to the fall of a number of martyrs and wounded among civilians, including children.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, this was the work of the regime. It put the death toll at five including a girl and a woman. A second SN4HR report added: “regime warplanes fired missiles on Al Rashid School in Adnan Al Malkli Street in Raqqa city, partially damaging its building and fence“.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four non-combatants died, but did not identify the planes responsible.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Farouk Mansour
Adult male killed
Child of Farouk Mansour
Age unknown killed
Child of Farouk Mansour
Age unknown killed
Child of Farouk Mansour
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Moussa al Turki
38 years old male killed
Khaled al-Issa
Age unknown male killed
Abd al Salam Al Khalaf
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Hilal al Moussa
Adult male killed
Maher Hussein al A’ani
Adult male Civil engineer killed
Issa al Ali al Habib
Adult male killed
Mohammad Hassan al Hassan
Adult male killed
Al Haj Ismaeil Mansour
Adult male killed
Haj Abd al Hakeem Ramadan al Shaker
Adult male killed
Al Haj Kamel Sultan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (3 children1 woman11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • Destruction of a street in Raqqa following a raid on April 14trh (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child receives medical treatment after a strike on Raqqa, April 14th (via RBSS)
  • Image showing the airstrikes targeting Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image showing the airstrikes targeting Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Farouk Mansour, one of the victims of the raids targeting Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Abd al Salam Al Khalaff, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Ibrahim Hilal al Moussa, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Issa al Ali al Habib, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Mohammad Hassan al Hassan, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Hajj Kamel Sultan, victim of the airstrikes in Raqqa (via RBSS)

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
    14
  • (3 children1 woman11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS752

Incident date

April 12, 2016

Location

الراشدية, Rashidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3375338, 40.1351166 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sources named Anas Al-Kujeijeh as killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike in Deir Ezzour.

A tweet by Deirfree blamed Russia for the raids and spoke of several wounded. However, SPC News reported that “regime forces bombed Al Huweiqa neighbourhood in the countryside of Deir al-Zour with rocket launchers which led to the death of “Anas Al Kajijah” and caused material damage.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Anas Al Kajijah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS753

Incident date

April 12, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentations Center named Abdulhameed Ghassan al Afeif (also known as Hamadah) as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike.

However according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, he died when regime warplanes fired missiles on the Al Hamidiyeh neighborhood.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulhameed Ghassan al Afeif
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Hamid Ghassan Al Afif, killed in an airstrike on Deir ez-Zor, April 12th (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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS751 CS201

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five and as many as 20 civilians were reported killed and 53 injured after heavy alleged Coalition, Russian and/or Syrian regime night time strikes on Raqqa. Most sources allege that these were Coalition and regime raids – with the Coalition responsible for those after midnight and the regime for early morning strikes.

Coalition aircraft were reportedly flying in the vicinity immediately prior to the first attack, which happened just before midnight. One of those targeted was Fawaz al-Hassan, alias Abu Ali al Sahri, a Shariah judge in the city who had terrorised the civilian population.

However, one source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that Russia was to blame. The initial SN4HR report said: “On 10 April 2016, alleged Russian warplanes shelled missiles at Al Thaqana in Al Raqqa city under the control of ISIL which killed 5 individuals from one family including 1 female child and a woman.” SN4HR subsequently reported that “alleged Russian warplanes” fired missiles which targeted the National Hospital in the Al Thakana neighborhood in the center of the city, killing three civilians, including two women, one of whom was a nurse. They added that the northern part of the building was destroyed and the hospital out of service.

However Raqqa is being Slaughtered attributed the attacks to both Coalition and Assad regime aircraft:

“Coalition planes targeted the city around 04:40am and regime planes targeted the city around 08:30am and between them the raids targeted the following areas:

1-municipal stadium

2-the teachers’ residential building near the pool

3-the commerical shops near the youth club

4-the obstertrics hospital

5-the women’s art school

6- two raids targeted al Nai’m the first on the roundabout and the second the MTN building

7-a building opposite the chamber of commerce

8-the new Party building near the national hospital

9-Al Ri’aya building

10- a building near al Fatat [the girl] school.

11-a building near the modern medicine hospital [which contains a generator and the raid led to the fuel burning]

It is noteworthy that water and electricity to the city have been cut off, and the city is empty of people as a result of fear of warplanes.”

Shaam News also reported that “Coalition aircraft launched about 19 raids and Assad’s planes about eight.”

The IS agency Al Amaq also blamed the Coalition.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hajj Wahab al Khalif
Adult male killed
Ahmad al Khalif
Adult male Son of Hajj Wahhab al-Khalif killed

Family members (3)

The wife of Ahmad Khalif
Adult female killed
The daughter of Ahmad Khalif
Child female killed
The son of Ahmad Khalif
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Amin Al Zo’bi, known as Abu Tat’t
Adult male Teacher from Homs killed
Hanan Agha Al Antabli
Adult female Wife of Amin al Zo'bi killed

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Ibrahim al Khazim
Adult male killed
Batool Al Aloush
Adult female Nurse killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (1–3 children1–4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    53
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the contested airstrikes on Thaqana, Raqqa, April 10th (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in Thaqana, Raqqa (Via RBSS facebook page)
  • Victim of the contested airstrikes in Thaqana, Raqqa, Haj Wahab Al Khalif (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Victim of the contested airstrikes in Thaqana, Raqqa, Ahmad al Khalif, son of Hajj Wahib al-Khalif (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Victim of the contested airstrikes in Thaqana, Ragga, Mahmoud Ibrahim al Khazim (via RBSS Facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the raids in Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the raids in Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Airstrikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the raids in Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of a child killed following the air raids in Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Image of the immediate aftermaths after airstrikes targeted al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the immediate aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Immediate aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • April 10, 2016, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2944/CS201 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Coalition position:

For April 8th-9th: “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, and destroyed a fighting position and tactical vehicle.”

For April 9th-10th: the Coalition did not report any strikes near Raqqa. It noted that “Near Tabqah, 14 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed five vehicles, two fighting positions, and a VBIED; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

For April 10th-11th: “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (1–3 children1–4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    53
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS750

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and nine others wounded in airstrikes on Saraqib, according to local sources. While three alleged that Russia was responsible, two other sources blamed the Assad regime.

Shaam News Network said Russia carried out raids on several areas in Idlib, adding: “Activists said that an aircraft targeted the eastern city of Saraqeb in Idlib with two raids which led to the deaths of two young men and the injury of seven children and two women.” Step News Agency and the Violations Documentation Center also blamed Russia.

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least two non-combatants died as a result of strikes by regime warplanes. SRG also alleged that the Assad regime was responsible for targeting “Saraqeb and Taftanaz airport”. Lastly, a tweet by Thiqanewsagency  reported the death of the two men, but did not mention who carried out the raids.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Abd al-Jalil al-Moham
Adult male killed
Bashar al-Mohammad “al-Ikhwan”
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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]

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
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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

RS749

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Location

الضمير, Dumayr, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.642499, 36.690551 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian was killed and many people wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Dumayr, according to local sources.

The Violations Documentation Center names Omar Mahdi al-Khasi and says he was killed “due to Russian air forces shelling”. However, in a tweet by Marwanqadi it was reported that he “died in a regime warplanes raid on Dumair’s fields”. A tweet by Zakkarya Nassani also blamed the regime and reported the “destruction of a school in Damascus after shelling of explosive barrels”.

In a tweet by Abumaherdumair it was stated that Mahdi al-Khasi was killed “in regime shelling in the areas controlled by IS”. A tweet by Alamawi also reported the incident and spoke of “many injured in warplane shelling on Al-Dumair”, but did not state who was allegedly responsible for the strike. A tweet by Damir Coordination equally mentioned the incident and spoke of “two aerial raids targeting Al-matroon fields”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Mahdi al Khasi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Victim of the contested airstrikes in Dumair, Damascus, Omar Mahdi al Khasi (via VDC)
  • Al-Dumair school after being targeting by the contested airstrikes (via Zakkarya Nassani tweet)

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS748

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Location

الحسينية, Hussainiya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.35905, 40.15113 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One 65-year-old male civilian, Hanoud al-Assaf, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, according to local sources.

Reports at the time cite heavy clashes in the near area between rebels and the Assad regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hanoud al Assaf
65 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

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
  • (1 man)
  • 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

RS747

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike in Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that three civilians died when “Russian planes targeted al Sina’a, Huwaija Sakr and the area around the military airport with more than 15 raids since the morning after an attack was carried out by Daesh.” Baladi News also reported that “three civilians were killed on Thursday, a result of the Russian aviation targeting al Halabiya roundabout in al Salhiya area on the outskirts of the city of Deir Ezzor. According to local media sources, the warplanes launched air raids on al Sina’a neighborhood in Deir Ezzor, and Hawijah Akr area and the area around the military airport in the countryside of the province.” Tweets by Omawi and SRG also blamed Russia.

A further source, Step News, also said that warplanes launched raids on the perimeter of a military airport – but didn’t identify the planes or provide casualty figures. Shaam News Network did not specify that these were solely Russian strikes, saying that regime and Russian warplanes carried out raids “on the clash points in the area surrounding the airport, Huwaija Sakr, Al Sina’a neighbourhood and Al Halabiya roundabout which led to the martyrdom of several civilians.”

Alamawi reported that a number of people were wounded following shelling by so-called Isl;amic State on “on Al-Kussur“.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khuder Mohammad al-Assawad
Adult male killed
Nyar Daei
Adult male killed
Aamer al-Kwan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Victim of the contested airstrikes in Deir ex-Zour, Khuder Mohammad al-Assawad (via VDC)

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
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]