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

RS2416

Incident date

September 2, 2017

Location

جب الجراح قرية الدرويشية , Al Darwishiyah village, near Jab al Jarrah, 89 km east of Homs city, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

36.635635, 36.668228 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Thirteen  civilians – including women and children – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Al-Darwishiya in Jab Al-Jarrah, a village under the control of the Islamic State, on September 2nd, according the Smart News Agency.

Multiple sources indicated coordination between regime forces and the warplanes. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “…regime forces bombarded areas in the vicinity of villages located in the Jabal al-Jarrah, Shaer, Shomariya, and the eastern Homs countryside, amid raids by warplanes on the same areas…”.

The Step News Agency noted “clashes between the state organization [ISIS} and the regime forces in the area of Huwaisis and the vicinity of Jib al-Jarrah in the eastern countryside.”

However, the Smart News Agency blamed Russia for the death of 13 civilians including an unspecified number of women and children.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

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
    13
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS348

Incident date

January 6, 2016

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 12 civilians including three to four children and two women were killed and dozens more injured in alleged airstrikes and an artillery bombardment on Zamalka, according to multiple sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russian or Assad regime forces were responsible for the deaths.

Shaam News initially reported that four non-combatants were killed and 20 injured – mostly women and children – in an alleged Russian airstrike. They said the aircraft targeted different district of Zamalka with vacuum missiles, leading to widespread destruction of civilian property, and added that the aerial bombardment was followed by heavy artillery shelling. A subsequent report stated that the number killed had risen to more than seven.

The White Helmets put the initial number killed at seven (but said it was likely to rise) including two children with dozens wounded. They did not say who was responsible, referring to “air raids by warplanes and artillery, heavy mortars and field artillery land – surface missiles in conjunction with the surveillance planes circling the skies.” The White Helmets added that two ambulances were hit following the bombing and that two of their own members were injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four children and two women were killed – with tens of other injured (again, mostly women and children). It produced two reports. The first blamed the regime for the “aerial bombardment and shelling”, but the second said Russian warplanes killed six, including three children, and wounded dozens more.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights said Assad regime warplanes had fired several missiles near two White Helmets ambulances.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mohammad Saleh al-Goush
Adult male killed
Osamah Basheer al-Ghoush
Adult male killed
Mohammad Bashar al-Ghoush
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Dia al-Sheikh
Adult male killed
Wasef al-Sheikh
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Rahman Gazal
Adult male killed
Bilal Shams
Adult male killed
Hasan Anwar Zaino aka Abu Isshak
Adult male was killed after the Russians targeted an ambulance on the road linking Hazza and Zamalka killed
Louay Hassan Moheialdein
Child male killed
Lana Hassan Mohi al-Dein
Child female killed
Mohammad Muhiye Al Deen
Adult male the White Helmets reported that two people died one week later from injuries sustained in the strike killed
A’isha Al Baka’i
Age unknown the White Helmets reported that two people died one week later from injuries sustained in the strike killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 13
  • (3–4 children1–2 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets on the scene in the immediate aftermath of the incident. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the Syrian Civil Defense ambulances which was hit in the raid. The footage shows the inside filled with blood in the aftermath of the incident. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Saleh al-Goush, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Osamah Basheer al-Ghoush, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Bashar al-Ghoush, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Bashar al-Ghoush, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)
  • Hasan Anwar Zaino, a White Helmet volunteer killed by raids on 6th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • A civilian searching in the rubble following a raid which destroyed residential buildings. (via, SNN)
  • Damaged infrastructure in the aftermath of the raid. (via, SNN)
  • Civilian homes destroyed by the raids on 6th January 2016. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 13
  • (3–4 children1–2 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3068

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus , Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 13 civilians, including at least one child and one woman, were killed and several left wounded as Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, continued to be subject to heavy air and artillery shelling, local media reported, though the apportion of blame was not clear.

While several parts of eastern Ghouta was subject to heavy shelling on Friday, February 23rd, resulting in large numbers of civilian fatalities, activists told al-Jazeera that “the largest number of casualties was in the city of Douma.”

Zaman al-Wasl reported how Douma’s residential neighborhoods had been struck by  “two air strikes and shelling of rocket launchers.”

Moreover, Enab Baladi, who blamed the Syrian regime, reported that the city also had been struck by a cluster bomb.

The death toll spanned from five, as reported by Step News Agency to as many as 13, reported by Enab Baladi, Zaman al-Wasl and LCCSY.

Step News Agency added that one woman was among the fatalities while a photo published by al-Jazeera revealed at least one child fatality.

Without providing exact figures, reports mentioned that “a number of civilians” were left wounded.

As few sources apportioned blame, it remained unclear who was responsible. Some pointed to the Assad regime, Damaski Agency to Russia and LCCSY to both parties.

Finally, Al-Yaman al-Hur blamed “the crimes of Assad, Iran, and Russia.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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, Iranian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Civilians hiding from the bombs, Douma, Damascus, February 23rd, 2018 (via Yasser al-Doumani2)
  • The moment Douma, Damascus, is being struck by the contested shelling, February 23rd, 2018 (via Yemen al-hur)
  • Civilians mourning the death of the many civilians, including children, following the contested shelling of Douma, Damascus, February 23rd (via Yasser al-Doumani2)
  • The remnants of what reportedly was a cluster bomb dropped by either the Syrian regime or Russia in Douma, Damascus, on February 23rd, 2018 (via Enab Baladi)
  • A wounded child is being evacuated as Douma, Damascus, is being struck by the contested shelling, February 23rd, 2018 (via al-Jazeera)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the contested shelling in Douma, Damascus, February 23rd, 2018 (via al-Jazeera)
  • Large parts of Douma, Damascus, were left in complete rubble following several days of intense shelling, here from February 23rd, 2018 (via HalabTodayTV)
  • The moment where Douma, Damascus, is struck by the contested shelling, February 23rd, 2018 (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • The Civil Defence trying to extinguish a fire caused by the contested shelling, Douma, Damascus, February 23rd, 2018 (via Damaski Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the contested shelling in Douma, Damascus, February 23rd, 2018 (via Douma Medical)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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, Iranian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1012

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An entire family was killed in a missile attack which took place in the afternoon of July 16th on Aleppo’s Ferdous neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources said that explosive barrels and missiles struck the area, though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Orient news reported that six warplanes carried out the strikes.

Ara, Baladi News and Smart all blamed the regime.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the shelling to Russia.

Buraq Media reported that 12 people were killed, with five coming from one family. Syrian Press Centre put the number as high as 13 with 20 or so civilians  also wounded.

The HNN named six victims, listed below, and reported about another seven identified victims, including two women.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Fadel
33 years old male killed
Khadija Halloum
9 years old female killed
Maher Khaled Abtini
28 years old male killed
Mariam Omar Amin
75 years old female killed
Ziyad Ahmed Shanan
61 years old male killed
Zainab Mohammad Najjar
7 months years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 13
  • (2 children1–3 women3 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A father and baby killed in an airstrike in Fardous, on 16th July 2016. (via, @chemicalmassacre tweet)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footages showing civilians being dogged out from under the rubble after the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via HNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footages showing the immediate aftermath and civilian casualties after the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Baladi News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footages of civilian victims following the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Sayf Al-Sama)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Buraq Media Foundation)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Buraq Media Foundation)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Syrian Press Centre)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Step News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Step News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Step News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Step News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Step News)
  • Image of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Smart News)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 13
  • (2 children1–3 women3 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS413

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52815, 37.95495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five to 13 civilians including six children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least three non-combatants were killed, including two children, when suspected Russian warplanes shelled Manbij on January 16th.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – also blaming Russian forces – put the confirmed death toll higher at five (“at least four of them are children“). They also said that there was information about the death of another child, but did not provide any more details.

According to @MenbijCoordinat, six civilians died and an unspecified number were wounded in a bombardment by warplanes, though they did not identify the planes.

According to a brief post by the Shaam News Network, 13 died in raids by Russian warplanes.

Radio Al Kul also blamed Russia, putting the death toll at 13 in 27 raids.

Al Jisr also put the death toll at 13 and said Russia was responsible.

Alaan TV blamed “Russian aggression” and said that 13 victims included five children.

Step News Agency said that there had been more than 25 raids by the regime and Russia, killing 13 in Manbij.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Riad Khalil
male killed
Soad Khalil
Adult female killed

Family members (3)

Son of Gazi Ibo 1
Child male killed
Son of Gazi Ibo 2
Child male killed
Son of Gazi Ibo 3
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Amani
Child female listed as killed in Raqqa because they came from there, but for three of them it says they died in Manbij, while one of them say Aleppo but does not specify where killed
Brother of Amani
Child male listed as killed in Raqqa because they came from there, but for three of them it says they died in Manbij, while one of them say Aleppo but does not specify where killed
Aunt of Amani
Adult female listed as killed in Raqqa because they came from there, but for three of them it says they died in Manbij, while one of them say Aleppo but does not specify where killed

The victims were named as:

Aloush al-Hamdoush al-Shino
Adult male killed
Jasem al-Aloush
Adult male listed as killed in Raqqa because they came from there, but for three of them it says they died in Manbij, while one of them say Aleppo but does not specify where killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (6 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Thirteen people were killed and tens injured in Manbij east of Aleppo after airstrikes by the (alleged) Russian, strikes also targeted Tal Rifaat and Ihress in the northern countryside." (via, Al Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (6 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3716

Incident date

May 26, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

At least six civilians, including a woman and child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’arat Al Numan, Idlib governorate, on May 26th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to 45 others were injured.

Numerous sources reported the use of high explosive rockets and missiles in an airstrike on a residential area in Ma’arat Al Numan, Idlib, on May 26th. Other sources reported that a popular market in the city had been targeted.

A number of sources reported the death of four to six civilians, while Smart News Agency claimed as many as 13 had been killed in the airstrikes. @AlarabyTV tweeted that 11 civilians had been killed in the shelling, blaming the Syrian regime.

@ahmadalhadi77 tweeted photos of the funeral of Muhammad Abd Al Hamid Jahjah, who died of his injuries sustained in the strikes. The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported the names of five other killed victims, among which the child Fatima Al Tayfour.

The Syrian Civil Defence stated that 45 civilians were injured as a result of the bombardment, while other sources referred to 15 to 25, “dozens” or “several wounded”. Syria Civil Defense named a child, Marwa Al Mahloul, as injured in the airstrikes.

In another post, Smart News Agency reported 38 wounded, including nine women. According to Zaman Al Wasl, the incident occurred during the evening before Iftar, when Muslims break their fast at sunset in the holy month of Ramadan.

According to Abdullah Abu Ali, a Step News correspondent, an “airstrike loaded with two missiles targeted the market and houses in the centre of the city of Ma’aratAl Numan, killing four people and injuring more than fifteen civilians,” as well as causing significant “material damage to property”.

Step News Agency stated that “military escalation by the regime and its Russian ally has left hundreds of victims since the end of the last round of talks in Astana last month.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Redwan Al Mathbouh عبدالله المديوح
Adult male killed
Marwa al Mahloul
Child female injured
Muhammad Abd al-Hamid Jahjah محمد عبد الحميد
Age unknown male killed
Noha Mahloul نهى محلول
Adult female killed
Taher Al-Ahmad طاهر الأحمد
Adult male from Halfaya killed
Fatima Al-Tayfour فاطمة الطيفور
Child female killed
Muhammad Youssef محمد يوسف
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 13
  • (1 child1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–45
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Syria Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualty as a result of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • The aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Halab Today TV)
  • Civilian casualty as a result of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Halab Today TV)
  • The aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Syria.liveuamap)
  • The aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Syria.liveuamap)
  • The aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma’aret Al Nu’man Media Center)
  • The May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma’aret Al Nu’man Media Center)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • The aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • Civilian casualty as a result of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • The aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • The aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • Damage to civilian property in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • Damage to civilian property in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the May 26th airstrikes on Ma'arat al-Nu'man (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Translation: "Martyrs and wounded as a result of air raids on the city of Ma'arat al - Nu'man south of Idlib" (via Ma'arat al-Nu'man Media Center)
  • Translation: “While people are preparing to break their fast during these hours around the world.. In the city of Ma'arat Al Numan, the Assad regime and Russia are committing a massacre by bombing a popular market in the city center. Three martyrs are like the first toll and dozens of wounded” (via @HadiAlabdallah).
  • Translation: “These scenes returned to death, killing, killing, blood and fire. Ma'arat Al Numan, #Ref_Idleb today” (via @HadiAlabdallah).
  • Translation: “Ma'aran Al Numan today is the war criminals of the Assad gangs” (via @ahmadalhadi77).
  • Translation: “Killed and wounded, and extensive destruction of civilian homes, as a result of the regime's warplanes targeting with highly explosive missiles, the northern district of Ma'arat Al Numan city in the southern countryside of Idlib” (via @Sy24ria).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers on the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on May 26th, 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on May 26th, 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Destroyed vehicle after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on May 26th, 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers on the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on May 26th, 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Translation: “Russian terrorism shocking scenes from Ma'arat Al Numan” (via @aboalhodaalhoms).
  • Translation: “The funeral of the martyr, God willing, Muhammad Abd Al Hamid Jahjah, who was injured by his wounds, by the warplane shelling of the Assad militia on residential neighborhoods in the middle of #Ma'aret_Al-Nu'man” (via @ahmadalhadi77).
  • Muhammad Abd Al Hamid Jahjah was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on May 26th, 2019 (via @ahmadalhadi77).
  • The funeral of Muhammad Abd Al Hamid Jahjah, who was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on May 26th, 2019 (via @ahmadalhadi77).
  • Translation: “A side of the devastation caused by the regime's warplane shelling in the town of Ma'arat Al Numan in Idlib countryside; Which caused great damage to the infrastructure and left many martyrs and wounded among the residents” (via Al Dorar).
  • Translation: “The young man, Muhammad Abdel Hamid Jahjah, was killed as a result of the regime's warplane shelling with vacuum missiles in the middle of the city of Ma`rat al-Numan today afternoon” (via Rami Al Maree).

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
    6 – 13
  • (1 child1 woman4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–45
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS243

Incident date

December 8, 2015

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight to 13 civilians including three women and three children were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra according to multiple sources. Reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network said Russian forces were responsible and had pounded the city at midnight. It reported that dozens of wounded non-combatants were recovered from the rubble by the White Helmets, and that bodies were trapped under the walls and roofs of the destroyed houses while fires broke out in the town. The Violations Documentation Centre named nine civilians it said were killed as a result of Russian shelling.

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights  the regime was responsible for the raid. It put the death toll at five.

The victims were named by the VDC. including one unidentified adult male.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Maroush Abdo al-Mahmoud
Adult female killed
Samirah Abdo al-Mahmoud
Adult female killed
Abduljalil al-Mahmoud
Child male killed
Hala al-Mahmoud
Child female killed
Yaser Yaser al-Mahmoud
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Haloum al-Aas
Adult male killed
Sabah Sehreep
Adult female killed
Mohammad Sami
Adult male Was initially listed, though his name was later removed. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 13
  • (3 children3 women1–2 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kafr Hamra (كفر حمرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.252649, 37.079115. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 13
  • (3 children3 women1–2 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS447 TS053

Incident date

January 17, 2017

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to thirteen civilians reportedly died in airstrikes at Tadef near al Bab, as heavy clashes continued with ISIL for control of the strategic city.

Step News, Al Bab News, Syria News Desk and the Syrian Observatory blamed Turkey for the attack, while LCCSY said Russia was responsible. The Syrian Network instead said that “8 civilians, including a girl and a woman, died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Tadef city.”

However, Abdulkarim Laila (who put the death count at seven) blamed Russia – as did LCCSY.

Syria News Desk reported an eyewitness in the town as saying that “Turkish aircraft targeted homes in the main market area of the city center, explaining that most of the injured are children and the elderly, confirming the presence of 11 in serious condition. There are also three unrecognisable bodies. The source added that the raids are fully resulted in the destruction of two residential buildings and damaged a number of nearby building.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Ibrahim Hassan al Zein
male killed
Ahmad Juma’a al Zein
male killed
Mohammad Khalilo
male killed
Yahiya Ahmad Khalilo
male killed
the wife of Mahmoud Eido Al Khalaf
female killed
daughter of Mahmoud Eido Al Khalaf: Abd al Karim Al Sheikh Saleh
female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Rahmo al Dalati
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Wahab al Raziya
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 13
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military, Unknown

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tadif (تادف), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.34857, 37.531501. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 16th-17th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Al Bab, two strikes destroyed a tactical vehicle and an excavator.“
For January 17th-18th it stated: “Near Al Bab, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.“

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 13
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military, Unknown