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

RS425

Incident date

January 20, 2016

Location

حزانو, Hazana, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.08965, 36.71404 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians including four children were killed and 20 injured in an airstrike on the town of Hazana, according to multiple sources. While most sources blamed Russia for the attack, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that it was committed by the Assad regime, while British Foreign Office told the Telegraph that they could not be certain whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that seven non-combatants including three children died and about 20 others were injured when suspected Russian warplanes bombed areas of Hazana. They added that the death toll was expected to rise as some people were in a critical condition.

According to the Shaam News Network, five were killed, including a child, with more wounded, when Russian warplanes targeted residential buildings with two highly explosive missiles, leading to extensive destruction.

At 1.06 in a video published by Al Jisr, they put the death toll at five, including one child, saying that the victims died when Russia targeted the village with vacuum bombs.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that six people including three children were killed when regime warplanes fired missiles on the town.

The London-based Telegraph newspaper published an article in which they reported that the strike was on a British-funded bakery “designed to help 18,000 Syrians“, adding that the raid on Hazana came hours before the DFID-funded facility was due to open. They put the death toll at eight, including three children. The report stated that Russia was responsible for the raid, but went on the quote the UK Foreign Office, who said “there could not be complete certainty as to whether Russian or Syrian warplanes had carried out the raid on Jan 20, but Britain held the Kremlin responsible for a series of indiscriminate strikes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Adult male killed
Child female killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult was listed under Maarat Misreen but it says he was killed in Hazana killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids on Hazana. Footage shows a man pulling a small child out of the rubble and carrying it to the ambulance. (via, Kamal Dabas)
  • A news Bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike in Hazana. (via, Al Jisir TV)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstike on Hazana. (via, SNN)
  • Showing vehicles destroyed by the alleged airstrike in Hazana. (via, SNN)
  • Image capturing the exact moment the alleged airstrike fell. (via, SNN)
  • Civilian homes destroyed by the alleged airstrikes on Hazana, 20th January 2016. (via, SNN)
  • Civilians attempting to clear up the rubble in the aftermath of the incident. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of the incident on Hazana on 20th January 2016. (via, SNN)
  • A civilian covered in dust after being trapped under the rubble in Hazana. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 20 2016, the says “In the course of the last 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have performed 82 combat sorties engaging 204 terrorist objects in Syria“, but makes no mention of carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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

RS1665

Incident date

November 22, 2016

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamneh, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as nine civilians were killed – and up to 10 or more were wounded – in alleged airstrikes which struck Al Latamneh. According to sources the initial death toll was six, however this rose throughout the day. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the raids. Some sources attributed blame to the Syrian regime, and others to Russian warplanes. 

According to reports, the target was a construction site, meaning many bodies were trapped under the rubble. It was named the “Sabun Patun workshop” by Enabbaladi News. Additionally, there were serious injuries with civilians being transported to a field hospital.

Parts of the surrounding residential neighbourhood including residential housing and other public facilities were also destroyed in the missile strike. However, according to Enabbalaidi, rocket-propelled grenades were also used by the Syrian regime.

Video footage shows the burial of the victims in the aftermath of the airstrike.

Additional reports suggest that Al Latamneh is a town occupied by members of the Free Syrian Army, which could explain why it repeatedly becomes a target for the Syrian regime.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

27 years old male killed
24 years old male killed
Mohammed Mahmud Al-Shamali, Eid,
30 years old male killed
20 years old male killed
31 years old male killed
35 years old male killed
32 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Victims of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Latamneh, 22nd November 2016. (via @jamelalsaleh0)
  • Rafiq Ahamad Al Hamroush, killed in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Latamneh, 22nd November 2016. (via @Fayyadsattouff)
  • Bara’a Ahmad Al Hoyo, killed in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Latamneh, 22nd November 2016. (via @Fayyadsattouff)
  • Ahmad abd alkareem al abbas, killed in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Latamneh, 22nd November 2016. (via @Fayyadsattouff)
  • Khalif Mohammad al khalif, killed in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Latamneh, 22nd November 2016. (via @Fayyadsattouff)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The burial of victims killed in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Latamneh, 22nd November 2016. (via Mahmoud Al Hamwi)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1735

Incident date

December 4, 2016

Location

حي السكري , Al Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between five and eight civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground.

The lowest death count was give as five civilians – with seven more wounded – by the White Helmets.

According to Aboker, there were “six martyrs as a result of Russian raids and artillery shelling by Assad forces on the neighborhood of Sukkari in Aleppo”.

Halab News said that six unidentified bodies had been found, killed as a result of “Russian enemy raids and artillery shelling”

However, Khalij Online, Egy News and ONewsAgency put the death count at eight.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • 'Pictures of bombing on the neighborhood of Sukkari in Aleppo '
  • '8 civilians killed in air raids on Al-Sukri neighborhood east of Aleppo'
  • The aftermath of a strike on Aleppo's Al Sukkari neighbourhood, Dec 4th.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2654

Incident date

October 22, 2017

Location

العرضي, Al-Aradi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3352757, 40.1499438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children from one family were killed in an air and/or artillery strike on the residential neighbourhood of Al-Aradi in Deir Ezzor city, according to local media. Sources mostly all reported that Russia was to blame, however Sharqiya voice blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.

As many as 12 to 24 civilians were allegedly wounded in the strikes, which was described by local media as a “massacre”.

Some reports claimed the father of the four children killed also died, however others suggested he was just wounded.

A correspondent for Deirezzor24 reported that “Russian fighter jets targeted residential buildings in the cross-section controlled by the fighters of Daesh…killing at least four civilians from the neighbourhood, in addition to injuring dozens of people, including serious cases meaning that the death toll is likely to rise. The wounded were taken to medical points to be treated.”

The strikes allegedly occurred in the evening, or as one source specifies, after midnight.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Child male killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Father of children
Adult male unclear whether he was killed or injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (4 children0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via Deirezzor24)
  • Abdullah and Zakaria, brothers killed in air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via Deirezzor24)
  • One of the siblings killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via @srorelief)
  • One of the siblings killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via @srorelief)
  • One of the siblings killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via @srorelief)
  • One of the siblings killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via @srorelief)

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
    4 – 8
  • (4 children0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2830

Incident date

December 31, 2017

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5261134, 36.5813398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and eight civilians, including children and women, were killed and “dozens” were left wounded following heavy aerial shelling in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia, local sources reported. There were reports that a popular market as well as homes in the town were struck.

The reported death toll ranged from five to eight – and most of the sources mentioned that children and women were among the victims.

At least one male child was killed as described by many sources and supported by images. The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the child by name as the child of Ibrahim Hamdawi.

Additionally, the Violations Documentation Center Syria  identified one adult male as killed.

While the civil defence reported “several” wounded, most sources said that as many as “dozens” were injured, including women and children.

The strikes hit the main street of the city, multiple sources reported.

Sherif Ismael, a member of the Civil Defense told Baladi News that “the civil defence and rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene of the bombing. They worked to recover the bodies, rescue the wounded, lift the rubble and open the roads. The raids left a lot of damage to private and public property, and fires broke out in the shops.”

Most sources apportioned blame to the Syrian regime and many reports provided details about the explosives it had allegedly used.

Sherif Ismael from the Civil Defense described the warplanes as the type of Sikhwi 22 belonging to the regime forces. Madar Daily said the Syrian regime engaged rocket-propelled grenades.

However, Russian culpability cannot be ruled out as several sources identified Russia as the responsible, including @AJArabic and Zaiton Mag.

Step News Agency pointed in one report to the Syrian regime and in another, to Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, where large parts of the city is left is rubble (via RFS Media Office)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A family is mourning the death of their son who reportedly died in airstrikes carried out by Russia or the coalition in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via RFS Media Office)
  • A family is mourning the death of their son who reportedly died in airstrikes carried out by Russia or the coalition in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017 (via @emedadynznky)
  • A father is mourning the death of his son who reportedly died in airstrikes carried out by Russia or the coalition in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017 (via @zhrane_ahmed)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via @mansouraharoun)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017, that inflicted great civilian damage to both persons and properties (via @TNNArabic)
  • Footage from Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, during and after the airstrikes hit civilian sites in the city on December 31st, 2017 (via @AJArabic)
  • One child, identified as Omar, was reportedly among the victims caused by airstrikes carried out by Russia or the coalition in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017 (via The Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Women and children were among the victims caused by the contested airstrike in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, December 31st, 2017 (via @suriAsyl)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.




Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS114

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources that claimed the death of between six and eight civilians including three children and injury of 12 more in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bustan al Qasr.

Several houses were also reportedly destroyed.

VDC released the names of 8 people that killed, including three children as result of the strike.

Additionally, the Violations Documentation Center reported that an adult male, named as Mostafa Assem al-Arki, was killed after an alleged strike by Russian warplanes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al-Bab
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Mohammad Dahrouj
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Fares Qonbori
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Marwa Hasan
Child female Warplane shellinga killed
Amer Hasan
Child male Warplane shellinga killed
Mohammad Zaerour
Child male Warplane shellinga killed
Mahmoud Hawout
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Omer Hawout
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Mostafa Assem al-Arki,
Adult male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3–4 children1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath destruction caused by the alleged bombing of Russian air strike to the neighbourhood of Bustan Al-Qasr 3-11-2015
  • the photo shows the destruction left by Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
  • The photo shows the destruction left by alleged Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
  • The photo shows the destruction left by alleged Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia confirms carrying out strikes in Homs governorate in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015: “Near Mahin (Homs province), the aviation carried out a strike against a large-sized weapon and ammunition depot of the Jabhat al-Nusra grouping. Militants stored small arms, large-caliber machine guns, grenade launchers, and ammunition in two hangars. These weapons were reserved for militants arrived in Syria from abroad. It is to be mentioned that the information on this object was obtained from representatives of the Syrian opposition. Objective monitoring data confirmed complete destruction of the depots and their contents after the hit of the Russian aviation.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3–4 children1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS179

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Location

Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9266201, 36.6180588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple sources, at least seven non-combatants died, this including two children and two women, and some injured in alleged Russian airstrike in downtown Idlib city.

Other sources accused the Syria regime air forces of the shelling in the city of Idlib.

The Violation Documentation Center in Syria named the seven victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male named by VDC killed
Adult female named by VDC killed
Adult male named by VDC killed
Child male named by VDC killed
Adult male named by VDC killed
Adult female named by VDC killed
Adult male named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (2 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • a picture of the victim Musafa Bassam Zakour (via VDC)
  • A picture of the victim Qosai Khaled Jalka (via VDC)
  • A picture os the victim Ahmad Mustafa Deqsi (via VDC)
  • An image of the aftermath of the strike on Idlib, Nov 20th (via A’mira al Sheikh)
  • An image of the aftermath of the strike on Idlib, Nov 20th ((via A’mira al Sheikh)
  • A picture of an injured women after the strike on Idlib, Nov 20th (via Sharif al sheikh tweet )
  • A picture of an Injured little girl after the strike on Idlib, Nov 20th (via Under the rubble tweet )
  • A picture of an injured man after the strike on Idlib, Nov 20th (via Abu Abdalrahman al Banshi tweet)

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
    7 – 8
  • (2 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3322

Incident date

March 21, 2018

Location

عين ترما, Ayn Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51602, 36.35078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and eight civilians, including two children and two women, died in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery or rocket strikes on Ayn Tarma, according to sources on the ground. There were conflicting reports blaming both Russia and the regime, and it remains unclear which party was responsible for the civilian harm.

Initial reporting by @Wesal_TV and @HalabTodayTV put the death toll at four civilians. However, other sources said that this number climbed to six or eight killed.

According to the Smart News Agency, “The town of Ayn Tarma in the Eastern Ghouta of the Syrian capital of Damascus, on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, was subjected to dozens of raids from warplanes of Russia and the Syrian regime forces. Additionally, helicopters dropped dozens of barrel bombs, coinciding with artillery shells and rockets, killing eight civilians, including two children and two women”.

Among the victims was journalist and photographer Obaida Abu Omar, who worked for several media to document massacres and destruction in Eastern Ghouta.

Smart wrote: “The house of the photographer Obaida Abu Omar in the town of Ayn Tirma was hit by rocket fire, killing him and injuring other civilians, including his brother and the Smart correspondent in eastern Ghouta. Civilians close to Abu Omar buried his body in a nearby cemetery.”

Smart added: “For several years, Abu Omar worked as a collaborator with Smart and a number of other media. He took photographs of massacres committed by regime forces and Russia in several cities and towns in the eastern Gouta. He also documented several stages in the revolutionary movement and the suffering of those trapped.”

On his Facebook account, Obaida Abu Omar wrote about his colleague Ahmad Hamdan, “who died in a similar bombing a few days” ago. He said that Ahmad Hamdan was “one of the most beautiful roses of Al Ghouta, (…) a man with a beautiful smile and a high morals”.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Journalist and photographer killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (2 children2 women1 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Reporter "Obaida Abu Omar", killed in airstrikes, 21, March 2018. (via Euphrates Post)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the airstrikes on Ein Tirma, March 21, 2018 (via Mohammed Fadhl Abbas on Facebook).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the airstrikes on Ein Tarma, March 21, 2018 (via JN News).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (2 children2 women1 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]