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

RS4428

Incident date

February 9, 2020

Location

ابين سمعان, Abin Samaan, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to twelve civilians, including two women and six children, were killed and up to twenty civilians injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Abin Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on the night of February 9th to February 10th, 2020, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center said that three of those killed belong to the same family, a father and his two daughters.

Numerous reports about the numbers of dead and wounded changed rapidly. Director of Media for Civil Defense, Ibrahim Al-Laith, told Smart News that nine people had died and at least thirteen were hurt, including five women and four children. Shaam News reported a total of twelve dead while both the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed nine deceased and over twenty wounded.

Omar Hallaq at Atarin Hospital reported having two dead and seven wounded brought to his hospital, while other victims were transported to other local medical centers. One name was released, and the victim was identified as Lujain Ramez Rashid. A complete list was released later the following day and the dead were identified as the following: Muhammad Mustafa Masoud, 50; Youssef Berro, a year and a half; Ola Masoud ; Muhammad Masoud ; Muhammad Hajj Hamdo; Tabarak Ghaly, 15 years ; Mrs. Fatima Dunya, 30; Abdul Rahman Khalasi, 30; Lujain Ramez Rashid. 

Civil Defense journalist Hamzah Taifousif noted that Russian warplanes specifically targeted the homes in the village of Abin Samaan.

Edlib Media Center reported the use of barrel bombs.

All sources blamed Russia for the airstrike, with the exception of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which pointed at the Syrian regime.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Muhammad Mustafa Masoud
50 years old killed
Ola Masoud
killed
Muhammad Masoud
killed

The victims were named as:

Lujain Ramez Rashid
Child female killed
Youssef Berro
1.5 years old killed
Muhammad Hajj Hamdo
Age unknown killed
Tabarak Ghaly
15 years old killed
Mrs. Fatima Dunya
30 years old female killed
Abdul Rahman Khalasi
30 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (6 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–20
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Man carrying the body of a baby girl after Russian airstrikes on the village of Abin Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on February 9th, 2020 (via MMC).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Killed man after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Abin Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on February 9th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Search operation after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Abin Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on February 9th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abin Samaan in Aleppo on February 9th 2020 (via Etilaf).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abin Samaan in Aleppo on February 9th 2020 (via Etilaf).
  • A civilian injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on Abin Samaan in Aleppo on February 9th 2020 (via Etilaf).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man under the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abin Samaan in Aleppo on February 9th 2020 (via Etilaf).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A child was killed as a result of missile strikes by Russian warplanes on the town of Abyan Samaan, noting that the child was displaced from the town of Qalaat Al-Madeek, Hama." (via SMART)
  • "Lujain Ramez Rashid, from Qal’et al Madiq in the western suburbs of Hama governorate, one of victims were killed in the massacre took place as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Ebeeb Sam’an village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on February 10th." (via SNHR)
  • SCD volunteers responding after an airstrike on Ebeen Sam’an village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on February 10th. (via SNHR)

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
    9 – 12
  • (6 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–20
  • 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

RS4431

Incident date

February 10, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 10th, a collection of villages and towns were struck by Russian airstrikes, resulting in the wounding and killing of civilians.

Shaam News noted strikes were carried out by both Russian and Assad regime forces against the villages and towns of Idlib, Kafrnbel, Sarmin, Ketian, Maarat al-Na`san, Zardana, Arab Saeed, Kallali and Kafraruq, and Kafar Arouq. A confirmed death was reported in Kafar Arouq and a large number of wounded civilians were reported in the other areas.

The targeted locations were highly populated with civilians and had no military significance.

All reports, both locally and nationally, describe Russian and Assad regime warplanes carrying out these assaults.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ 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

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4429

Incident date

February 10, 2020

Location

الاتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

From multiple incidents in the same day, three civilians including a child were reported killed and more than 25 others, including a woman and a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Atarib in Aleppo, Syria on February 10th 2020, via local sources.

A Facebook post from Anastracey identified two incidents occurring in Al Atarib on February 10th. The first happened at 18:42 and resulted in the death of the young Omar Mustafa Omar Abdel Qader and the injury of “no less than 25” including a woman and a child. The second was carried out at 21:22 and resulted in the death of a man and a child.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “The girl Aalaa Oweira and Osamah Shouman were killed on February 10th, as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles near a car carrying them as they were displacing from al Atareb city in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate to safer areas.”

@ShahbaPress reported on February 10th that “a man and his child are martyred due to the Russian warplanes targeting a car carrying them near the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo.”

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria reported that Abdul Rahman Jalawi, a media activist, was wounded while coving the bombing.

Most sources blamed Russia for the incident, but @Step_Agency reported that the Syrian regime also carried out airstrikes that killed civilians in the city of Atarib.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Aalaa Oweira
Child female killed
Osamah Shouman
Age unknown male killed
Omar Mustafa Omar Abdel Qader
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Rahman Jalawi
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Omar Mustafa Omar Abdel Qader was killed as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian bombed the city of Atarib in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on February 10 (Image posted by Syrian Network for Human Rights via Facebook)
  • Media activist Abdul Rahman Jalawi was injured while covering the bombing in the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo. (Image posted by @Ahed_Slebi)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4430

Incident date

February 10, 2020

Location

كفر عروق, Kafr Arouq, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A child was reported killed and up to seven other civilians injured when allegedly Russian forces and Syrian regime forces targeted with airstrikes Kafr Arouq in Idlib, Syria on February 10th, 2020 according to local sources.

Initial reports from local sources said at least one person was dead and three wounded from the air strike. The Edlib Media Center and Shahba Press both later reported that a child had been killed and seven wounded, expanding upon a report from Halab Today TV which noted three injuries. No names were released.

Local resources reported seeing Russian warplanes using machine guns to specifically strike two different IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps, with @pHYACwTTh0Bjbun naming one as Kafr Arouq camp while @abo_aljod84 identified Sheikh Idris camp as also being bombed. A tweet from @MohanadZain3 pointed out that the incident occurred on the road between the towns of Kali – Kafr Arouq.

According to @kalam_hor, the first air raids struck “the road of the village of Kafr Arouq – Qorqania near the “Al Widow’s camp” and the second air raids struck “the road connecting the villages of Kali and Kafr Arouq near the “fuel station”.

The majority of sources noted that Russian fixed wing warplanes were responsible for the strike while @ShahbaPress attributed the strikes to the regime.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused to Kafar Arouq camp in Idlib as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on February 10th, 2020, in which a child was reported killed. (via EMC).
  • Destruction caused to Kafar Arouq camp in Idlib as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on February 10th, 2020, in which a child was reported killed. (via EMC).
  • Destruction caused to Kafar Arouq camp in Idlib as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on February 10th, 2020, in which a child was reported killed. (via EMC).
  • Destruction caused to Kafar Arouq camp in Idlib as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on February 10th, 2020, in which a child was reported killed. (via EMC).
  • Destruction caused to Kafar Arouq camp in Idlib as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on February 10th, 2020, in which a child was reported killed. (via EMC).
  • A child was martyred and civilians were wounded as a result of the artillery shelling of Sheikh Idris camp on the outskirts of the village of Kafr Arouk, north of Idlib. (Image posted by @abo_aljod84)

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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

RS4433

Incident date

February 11, 2020

Location

زردنا, Zardana, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 11, 2020 the city of Zardana was struck by an air raid from Russian or regime forces that killed two men.

Syrian Civil Defense as well as local witnesses reported that warplanes, using machine guns, struck a camp in Zardana with families and killing two men. Shaam News corroborated this story, but names were not released.

A tweet from @Talhamwi3 added that “the shells reached the vicinity of the Sanabel Al-Khair team’s endowment camp in the city of Zardana, and the families were evacuated, and we are now moving the camp to a safe area”.

Witnesses and news agencies credited the Assad regime for the air strikes while Shaam News mentioned both the regime and Russian aviation carrying out strikes across Idlib, including in Zardana.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Zardana........11/2/2020
  • "The shells reached the vicinity of the Sanabel Al-Khair team’s endowment camp in the city of Zardana, and the families were evacuated, and we are now moving the camp to a safe area." (Image posted by @Talhamwi3)

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)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4434

Incident date

February 11, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Shaam Network reported that “The Assad and Russian aviation launched intensive and violent airstrikes targeting the areas of clashes and civilian homes in Idlib on February 11th, 2020, which led to many civilians wounded in the cities, towns and villages of Kafr Nabl, Benish and Sarmin, the two bridges, Sheikh Dames, Kafr Sijnah, Marabaya, Hass, and Armnaya.”

Airwars has no other information about how many civilians were injured in these various incidents. Due to limitations in sources, it is possible that the casualties have been reflected in other assessments.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ 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

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4435

Incident date

February 11, 2020

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and five other civilians, including a child and two women, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Darat Izza, Aleppo countryside, on February 11th, 2020, according to local sources.

@ShahbaPress reported that “five civilians from one family were wounded, including a child and two women, as the result of raids by Russian occupation planes on the city of Darat Izza in the western countryside of Aleppo”. The Syrian Civil Defence added that civilian homes were targeted with two airstrikes in the morning.

SCD also posted a video of “an elderly man being recovered from the rubble of his house” by SCD volunteers. However, a source from the Civil Defense spoke to “Al-Araby Al-Jadeed” about the killing of an elderly civilian and the wounding of five others, in an aerial bombardment on the city of Darat Izza, in the western countryside of Aleppo. Al Araby was the only source to identify a death resulting from the strikes.

Thiqa News Agency tweeted that Daret Izza was struck by missiles and one local source stated that warplanes launched airstrikes on the hospital in the center of the town.

The vast majority of local sources and national news agencies reported that the strike was conducted by Russian warplanes, some also identifying vacuum bombs as being used.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Damaged house after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Darat Izza, Aleppo governorate, on February 11th, 2020 (via @ShabhaPress).
  • Damaged house after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Darat Izza, Aleppo governorate, on February 11th, 2020 (via @ShabhaPress).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Darat Izza, Aleppo governorate, on February 11th, 2020 (via @ShabhaPress).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying away a wounded man after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Darat Izza, Aleppo governorate, on February 11th, 2020 (via @ShabhaPress).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Darat Izza, Aleppo governorate, on February 11th, 2020 (via @anasanas84).
  • The effects of the destruction left by the bombing of the alleged Russian warplanes on civilian homes in the city of Darat Izza in the western countryside of Aleppo. (Image posted by @Anas_Alhaje)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the bombing of the alleged Russian warplanes on civilian homes in the city of Darat Izza in the western countryside of Aleppo. (Image posted by @Anas_Alhaje)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the bombing of the alleged Russian warplanes on civilian homes in the city of Darat Izza in the western countryside of Aleppo. (Image posted by @Anas_Alhaje)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the bombing of the alleged Russian warplanes on civilian homes in the city of Darat Izza in the western countryside of Aleppo. (Image posted by @Anas_Alhaje)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Darat Izza, Aleppo governorate, on February 11th, 2020 (via @EyadHoms20).

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
    1
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4436

Incident date

February 11, 2020

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 11, 2020 three civilians, including a child, were injured during airstrikes upon the town of Urma Al Kubra by Russian warplanes.

Smart News reported that three civilians, including a child, were injured in the town of Urma Al Kubra. The Violations Documentation Center provided data that a child was killed and nine others were injured in strikes on the city of Atarib, Urma al-Kubra town and Kafr Taal village without specifying how many of the casualties occurred in Urma Al Kubra.

Urma Al Kubra contained many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and was not of military significance.

The Anadolu Agency as well as local sources noted that Russian warplanes using vacuum bombs conducted the raid upon Urma Al Kubra.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (7) [ 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]