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

RS4408

Incident date

February 4, 2020

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 4th, 2020 media activist Amjad Aktalati (“Amjad Abu Al-Joud”) and another civilians were killed in the town of Ariha, the victims of an aerial bombardment alleged to be carried out by Russia.

HalabToday TV tweeted that Ariha was struck by an alleged Russian airstrike, a claim also stated by a tweet from @saveIdlib. @saveIdlib also noted that Amjad Abu Al-Joud was “one of the last people to leave the city of Ariha”. Baladi News reported that “Aktalati” was “martyred as a result of bombing by Russian warplanes” upon a highly civilian neighborhood. @ibnqasuoon tweeted that Aktalati’s body “was still under the rubble” at the time of its report. After twelve hours, his body was finally removed, according to Smart News. Information from Baladi stated that the media activist was born in 1989, hailing from Idlib and living in Ariha.  He worked for Mercy Without Borders, the Syrian Civil Defense, and Miraj Media Production Company.

Ariha Today and Syrian Network for Human Rights also noted that another civilian, Fadi Rahhal was also killed in the same incident and was covered under the rubble for a long period of time.

On February 5th, Syrian Civil Defense reported that residential neighborhoods were struck allegedly by Russian warplanes, destroying residential buildings.

Various news agencies and activists noted that this attack was carried out by Russian warplanes.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Amjad Aktatali أمجد أكتلاتي
Adult male also known as Amjad Abu Al Joud, photographer and media activist killed
Fadi Rahhal فادي رحال
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Photographer and media activist Amjad Aktatali was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers standing in rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on Ariha, February 3rd, 2020 (via Ariha Today).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering victims from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteer recovering a victim from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a body after recovering the victim from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering victims from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Photographer and media activist Amjad Aktatali was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via @shaamnews).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4406

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Location

قميناس, Qmenas, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a journalist, was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Qmenas on February 3, 2020.

A tweet from @LWMiMxsIhhMDCwA reported that “Syria TV correspondent Mustafa Al-Khalaf was injured, while covering the bombing of the regime’s militias on the village of Qmenas”. Syrian Network for Human Rights added that he was injured when regime forces dropped barrel bombs during his coverage of previous regime-Russian bombings.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with @HadiAlabdallah attributing strikes on Qmenas to Russian forces while the majority of other sources blamed the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Al-Khalaf مصطفى الخلف
Age unknown male injured

Summary

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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Strikes on Qmenas on February 3, 2020. (Image posted by @LWMiMxsIhhMDCwA)
  • Warplanes launch a series of air raids on the town of Qaminas in the eastern Idlib countryside 🎥 Bashar Sheikh 🗓3/2/2020 📍 Qaminas, Idlib, Syria
  • Heavy bombardment of the town of Qaminas by Russian warplanes in the southern countryside of Idlib.
  • Strikes on Qmenas on February 3, 2020. (Image posted by @mhmdfaisel)
  • Mustafa Al-Khalaf, a reporter for Syria TV who was injured during airstrikes on Qmenas on February 3, 2020. (Image posted by Saeed.alsaeed.334491 via Facebook)
  • The reporter of #Syria_TV was slightly injured while covering the intense aerial bombardment on the countryside of #Idlib

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4399

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Location

جمعية الرحال, Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Aleppo , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians from one family were killed and others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Aleppo on February 3rd 2020, local media reported. The victims were reportedly fleeing another area when their vehicle was targeted.

The lowest number of civilians reported killed was six, however several sources said nine people from the same family had been killed.

@HadiAlabdallah and @said_abusbaih reported that three children and three women had been killed. @rami_mustafaa said four children and three women had been killed.  A correspondent for Baladi News said that a man had also been killed, while the Syrian Human Rights Committee said five children and two women were killed.

Of the sources cited, the majority accused Russia of carrying out the strike while a lesser number attributed the strike to the Syrian regime.

According to multiple reports the family killed were displaced persons travelling by bus to a place called the “Al Rahal Society” in order to “escape the bombing”. @Idlibplus said the Russian warplanes “chased” the bus which the family were travelling in. The suspected airstrike struck the bus and killed all people travelling inside –  apart from one child who suffered significant injuries.

Sources reported that civilians had been injured without giving specific numbers.

Baladi News said: “A Russian warplane targeted a car carrying IDPs fleeing the regime’s bombing on the “Kafr Naha-Urum al-Kubra” road near al-Mahmoud Mosque in the western countryside of Aleppo”

The Syrian Human Rights Committee said the IDPs had been fleeing the Shamko area in the western countryside of Aleppo governorate.

A tweet by @Mamoun_sy reported “this child lost all of her family by Russian airstrikes on a bus that was carrying them to a safer place .. but there is no safety for Syrians except in the sky ..” in regards to the child who survived the attack.

 

 

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (3–5 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (43) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • A little girl badly injured following a suspected Russian or Syria Regime strike on a bus in Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, February 3rd (via @Mamoun_sy )

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man holds a dead child in his arms, the impact of suspected Russian or Regime airstrikes on Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, February 3rd (via shahbapress)
  • Russian or Regime strikes reportedly hit a bus carrying nine civilians on February 3rd (via shahbabpress)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A collage of images of children killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Aleppo on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @abmualsu)
  • Locals at the scene in Jam'iyet al Rahhal, February 3rd (via SCD Aleppo)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "From the massacre of the Rahal Association in the town of Kafr Naha, west of Aleppo today, which was committed by the planes of Assad’s gangs" (Uploaded by @anasanas84)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child who was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Western Aleppo on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @YusufAd76532779)
  • An image of a vehicle following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike that killed up to nine members of the same family in Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Aleppo on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @rami_mustafaa)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image that was attached to a Tweet regarding an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike that killed nine member of the same family in Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Aleppo on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded killed by @firas_alkhalifa)
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense are seen at the scene of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Aleppo on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @SaveIdlib)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (3–5 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (43) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4400

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Location

Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

As many as ten civilians, including several children, were wounded following alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes against residential neighbourhoods in the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020, according to local media reports.

Several sources put the number of civilians injured at nine. One source, @Step_Agency, said ten civilians had been injured, while Baladi News said five civilians, including two children, had been injured.

Women and children were widely reported as being amongst the injured.

@abderazakpato put the number of children injured at three.

The Aleppo branch of the Syrian Civil Defense said the majority of the nine people injured were children. The source uploaded a video that showed three children being helped into an ambulance.

Six sources attributed accused Russia of carrying out the strike, one accused the Syrian regime and several others said it was carried out by one of the two parties.

Baladi News said an SU22 warplane belonging to the Syrian regime struck residential houses in Atarib.

@melhem095 uploaded images alleging to show Russian reconnaissance aircraft and warplanes flying over the town.

@abderazakpato said vacuum missiles had been used in the strike.

Images and video from the scene show extensive damage to residential properties.

FSLA.Ovecs reported that the strike took place early in the morning.

 

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • A Syrian Civil Defense members assists a child following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Atarib, Syria on Feb 3rd, 2020. (via White Helmets)
  • Children are seen in the back of an ambulance following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Atarib, Syria on Feb 3rd, 2020. (via White Helmets)
  • Images of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020.(via White Helmets)
  • A young man is seen following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded SCD)
  • Images of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @Sy24ria)
  • Images of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @Sy24ria)
  • Images of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @Sy24ria)
  • Images of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @Sy24ria)
  • "Civilians were wounded in air strikes on Atareb, west of Aleppo" (Uploaded by @ala_hacioglu)
  • A member of the Syrian Civil Defense is seen following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @melhem095)
  • Destruction following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @melhem095)
  • Civilians are seen following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @melhem095)
  • Civilians and Syrian Civil Defense volunteers are seen following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @melhem095)
  • An injured child is seen following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @abderazakpato)
  • An alleged Russian reconnaissance aircraft if seen over the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @melhem095)
  • An alleged Russian warplane is seen over the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by @melhem095)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child is seen following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by FSLA.Ovecs)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child is seen following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020. (Uploaded by FSLA.Ovecs)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4402

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Location

جمعية الارمن في بلدة بالا, Jam’iyet Al Arman area, Bala, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, a woman and two children, were killed and two civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Jam’iyet Al Arman area in the town of Bala, Aleppo governorate, on February 3rd, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo reported that Mrs. Zahra Yahya Al-Hassan (35) was killed” as a result of an aerial bombardment with three strikes targeting the Armenian Residential Association.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights, Our-Syria and @MoamenRawy all said three strikes had taken place, two of the sources blamed Russia.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that the woman was displaced from Al Zallaqyiat village, Hama.

Five of the sources reported that two children had also been killed.

One of the sources, @mouhmmadhalk, said Mrs. Al-Hassan was their mother.

Relatives of Mrs. Al-Hassan posted eulogies. Yaqout Hamsho, a cousin, said: “May God accept you, my heart, and help your children”. Mohammad.dakdak10, the victims’ uncle, said she was married to a man named Ghassan Al-Issa.

@Rey7d said two civilians were injured in the strike.

Eight sources said Russia had carried out the strike, one source blamed the Syrian regime, several other sources said it was one of the two.

@MoamenRawy reported that there was a kindergarten in Jam’iyet Al Arman.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zahra Yahya Al-Hassan زهراء يحيى الحسن
35 years old female displaced from al Zallaqyiat village, the wife of Ghassan Al-Issa killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers reportedly recovering the body of Zahra Yahya Al-Hassan (35) after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bala on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • The site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bala on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers reportedly recovering the body of Zahra Yahya Al-Hassan (35) after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bala on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers reportedly recovering the body of Zahra Yahya Al-Hassan (35) after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bala on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bala on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers standing by the body of Zahra Yahya Al-Hassan (35), killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bala on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bala on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4401

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Location

كفرناها, Kafarnaha, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two men were killed and other civilians wounded, including children, following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafarnaha, Aleppo on February 6th 2020, according to local media reports.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “The brothers Mustafa and Ibrahim Hamdou Abdul Qader were killed as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Kafar Naha village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on February 3.”

A correspondent with Baladi News said: “A Russian Air Force warplane targeted a residential house with a number of missiles in the vicinity of the town of Kafr Naha in the western countryside of Aleppo, this afternoon, Monday, killing two civilians on the spot and wounding four others, including children.” According to the source, Syrian Civil Defense teams removed victims from destroyed houses and transported them to field hospitals.

Four sources said civilians were injured in the strike.

Five of the sources accused Russia of carrying out the strikes. Four sources said it was either Russia or the Syrian regime.

The strikes reportedly targeted the outskirts of Kafr Naha, according to @HalabTodayTV.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ibrahim Hamdou Abdul Qader
Adult male brother of Mustafa Hamdou Abdul Qader killed
Mustafa Hamdou Abdul Qader
Adult male brother of Ibrahim Hamdou Abdul Qader killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The brothers Mustafa and Ibrahim Hamdou Abdul Qader alleged killed in either Russian or Regime strikes, February 3rd (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4409

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The town of Taftanaz was struck by an alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2020, resulting in up to five injuries to civilians, including a woman and two children.

Two tweets from@EyadHoms20 claimed that “Russian occupation aircraft” struck residential areas within Taftanaz “with several missiles”. The Baladi Network supported the use of missiles upon the town of Taftanaz. @WM_FREESYR stated that the strike was a “night raid” while Resela News noted that the missiles were vacuum missiles. Later in the day, @so_ria98 reported casualties in the town and noted that missiles targeted the Al-Noor Hospital for Children and Obstetrics. Smart News reported that five individuals, including a woman and two children were wounded as a response of the bombing of the Al-Noor Hospital.

Reports from Taftanaz report that Russian warplanes specifically directed missiles at civilian areas, including a children’s hospital.

Russian warplanes were reported to have carried out the strike against Taftanaz, including tweets from@seerij80, Resela News, the Step Agency, and Smart News.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4396

Incident date

February 3, 2020

Location

بنش, Binnish , Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a child, was reported killed and at least two civilians sustained injuries after an alleged airstrike of Syrian Armed Forces or Russian Armed Forces on the city of Binnish, in the northeastern countryside of Idlib on February 2nd, 2020.

According to multiple sources, including @syriapostnew1, warplanes attacked agricultural lands located south of the city where internally displaced persons were living. Enab Baladi reported that media activists in Binnish documented “bombing of the Syrian Air Force, near the ‘Al-Zahra Mosque’ in the city”. The mosque is located in the southern part of the city, thus corroborating syriapostnew1’s statement on the location of the airstrike.

Regarding civilian harm, all sources stated that a child was killed during the airstrike on Binnish. Firas Alhmad and Syria. Binnish identified the child as Mustafa Hamidi, a displaced boy from Sheik Idris. According to SN4HR and @anastracey the child was from the village of Mardikh. In addition, most sources noted that ‘other’ or ‘several’ civilians sustained injuries. EnabBaladi and @anastracey were the only sources to say that two civilians had been injured during the airstrike on the outskirts of the city of Binnish.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strike. Most sources attribute the attack to Syrian armed forces. SN4HR reported that “Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on [Binnish] city”. Shaam News Network said both Russia and the Regime were responsible for the airstrike on the city of Binnish, however they consolidated the report into a larger report of strikes across the Idlib governorate. ZamanAlwasl stated that Binnish was bombed by an L39 warplane, without mentioning a specific belligerent.

Baladi Network and Step Agency reported that the warplanes used C-8 missiles to bomb the outskirts of Binnich. Multiple other sources, such as EMC and syriapostnew1, stated that warplanes with heavy machine guns carried out the attack.

The incident occured at 13:52:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Hamidi
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of the child Mustafa Hamidi killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the city of Binnish on February 2, 2020. (Image posted by @syria55s)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]