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

RS373

Incident date

January 12, 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

Between seven and 25 civilians including three children and one woman were killed and 40-41 injured in airstrikes on Manbij, according to multiple sources. While four of the sources say that Russian forces carried out the attacks, a fifth blames the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network reported that 25 non-combatants were killed and “about 40 others wounded” in seven airstrikes by Russian warplanes “which focused focused on Al’Haal, Shar’aat Al banat, the Aleppo road and Al Zira’a and Hneital neighbourhoods.” They noted widespread destruction to residential buildings.

The IS agency Al A’maq also blamed Russia (putting the death toll at 25 and the number injured at 41), while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 50 civilians were injured or killed (including three children brothers) in 15 raids by “warplanes believed to be Russian“.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that shelling by regime forces killed at least seven, including one woman and her three children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Hala Qutaiba al-Hsain
Child female killed
Leena Qutaiba al-Hsain
Child female killed
Yehya Qutaiba al-Hsain
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 25
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–41
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • Hala Qutaiba al-Hsain, killed an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, VDC)
  • Leena Qutaiba al-Hsain, killed an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, VDC)
  • Yehya Qutaiba al-Hsain, killed an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 25
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–41
  • 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

RS374

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

دير العصافير, Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.465278, 36.419722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to three civilians including a woman and child were killed and 10 others injured in airstrikes on Dayr Al Asafeer, according to sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “warplanes believed to be Russian” carried out the attacks, while the White Helmets – who put the initial death toll at two (one woman and one child) with 10 injured – did not say who was responsible. They reported that a raid with two missiles targeted residential streets, destroying buildings, adding that “the rescue team in the southern district have moved the wounded and pulled a boy alive from under the rubble and evacuated civilians from the targeted area as well as cleared the roads.”

The Tulip kindergarten was among those buildings struck.

While most sources blamed Russia, Radio al Kul said the Assad regime had dropped cluster munitions on the town. And the al Baath Media site also claimed regime credit for the attack, noting that “the air force of the Syrian army targeted sites and gatherings of militants in the towns of Darya, Deir Al Assafir and Outaya in Damascus.”

The White Helmets also listed an unidentified woman.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Maram Seika’a or Saibaa
Child named by the White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • A member of the White Helmets rescues a child following an airstrike on Dayr al Asafeer, on January 12th 2016. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Maram Saibaa, killed an in alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, VDC)
  • Maram Saibaa, killed an in alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Syria Blogspot)
  • Maram Saibaa, killed an in alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Syria Blogspot)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Maram Saibaa, killed an in alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Syria Blogspot)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Te burial of Maram Saibaa, killed an in alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Syria Blogspot)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS375

Incident date

January 12, 2016

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

Six civilians were killed – including two children, an elderly man and a first aider – and several wounded in an airstrike on Douma, according to the White Helmets – though they did not say who was responsible for the attack the report stated that residential areas were targeted with cluster bombs.

Shaam News reported that Russian warplanes had allegedly launched several raids on Douma with missiles and cluster bombs, which led to an unspecified number of deaths.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abu Hatem Al Seidawi
Adult male named by Douma Revolution killed
Omar Bewidena
Age unknown male named by Syria2011 killed
Mohammed Jamal al-Ghazzawi
Age unknown male named by Syria2011 killed
Abdullah Injaileh
Child male VDC blamed “warplane shelling“ killed
Ziad Ahmad al-Slaik
Child male VDC blamed “warplane shelling“ killed
Shadi Hammoudeh
Adult male first aider was named by a local activist as having died as a result of cluster munitions killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Abu Hatem Al Seidawi, killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian Regime raid on January 12th 2016. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    First aider, Shadi Hammoudeh, was named by a local activist as having died as a result of cluster munitions. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Abdullah Injaileh, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Ziad Ahmad al-Slaik, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Found on VDC and media activist Yasser elFawal alDoumani page)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Shadi Hammoudeh, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Douma Revolution)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS376

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

طلف, Talaf, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.9116252, 36.5593243 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to ten non-combatants were reported killed and a number wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Talaf in the Hama countryside, according to local sources.

Fatality claims ranged widely, from one to ten civilians killed. The local Hama Media Centre later issued a video report in which it interviewed local activist Abu Rayan:

“Rayan: The Russian bear targeted us we were sitting peacefully and a rocket landed, there is no FSA here only civilians, look around you.

Q: Who was injured?

Rayan: Children

Q:are the children from Daesh?

Rayan: Yes the children aged four and five years old we moved from here are from Daesh (sarcasm).”

That said, small arms fire can be heard from the town at the time of the airstrike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • An interview with a local civilian by the Hama Media Centre regarding the alleged Russian raids. (via, Hama Media Centre)
  • Footage showing the destruction to civilian homes in Talaf. (via, Hama Media Centre)
  • A video of the raid in the exact moment that the airstrike fell. (via, Abu Obeida Khuzaymah)
  • Footage showing the internal destruction to residential homes. (via, Hama Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A deceased baby which was discovered in the rubble in the aftermath of the raid which struck Talaf. (via, Hama Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously graphic footage of the leg of an injured man. (via, Abdalbarey Mstfa)
  • A news bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian raids which killed civilians in Talaf. (via, Al Jisir)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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

RS366

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.247681, 37.053483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Activists told Shaam News that Russian warplanes targeted Maarat al Arteek with three strikes, using highly explosive missiles. They said that an automated bakery and residential buildings were damaged, which resulted in the death of one person and the injury of 10 others, including serious cases taken to field hospitals.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Zahra
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS367

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Location

حوش الصالحية, Al Hoash, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51471, 36.4654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four to five civilians were killed – and many wounded – in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Hoash Al Salhiya, according to the Shaam News Network.

SNN referred to the incident as “a new massacre to be added to the series of daily massacres committed by the Russian aggression in the cities and towns of eastern Ghouta“.

Activists told the Network that the Russian airforce targeted the town with six high-explosive rockets which landed on civilian homes, killing four and  wounding many others.

The report concluded by noting that “the Marj region saw a day of violent clashes between Assad’s forces and factions Gervo turf operations ended with the rebels on several farms and killed more than two dozen of the elements of Assad’s forces.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Qallaa
Adult male VDC notes they were killed by Syrian Regime forces killed
Ali Shukri al-Khateeb
Adult male VDC notes they were killed by Syrian Regime forces killed
Alaa al-Helo
Adult male VDC notes they were killed by Syrian Regime forces killed
Bilal Ghannoum
Age unknown named by Syria2011 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets place a body in an ambulance after an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Houash. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Khaled Qallaa, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS368

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including three women and one child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Rastan, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes raided Al Rastan and Der al-Foul, killing three non-combatants including a child in Al Rastan.

Distressing and graphic videos posted by ‘Al Rastan’ depict child casualties, while footage published by the Qasioun agency shows destruction of buildings. ‘Al Rastan’ referred only to “warplanes” firing vacuum missiles, although all other sources said that they belonged to Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Meriam Abdul Wahhabi
Adult female killed
Luay al-Ashtar
Child male killed
Yehya Mardood
Adult male killed
Wafer Masharqa
Adult female killed
Badriye al-Naish
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child3 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video showing seriously injured children in a medical facility. (via, Ar Rastan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage highlighting the damage caused by the alleged Russian raid. Blood can be seen splattered on the walls. (via, Qasioun Agency)
  • Luay al-Ashtar, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 11th January 2016. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of a deceased child following an alleged Russian raid in Ar Rastan. (via, Qasioun Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Disturbing footage of seriously injured children following an alleged Russian raid in Ar Rastan. (via, Ya’rob Al Dali - logo on screen reads ‘Al Rastan’)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Disturbing footage in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Ar Rastan. Civilians can be seen rescuing injured casualties from the rubble of residential homes. (via, Ya’rob Al Dali - logo on screen reads ‘Al Rastan’)
  • The exact moments the missiles hit Ar Rastan on 11th January 2016. (via, Ar Rastan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a deceased civilian. (via, Ar Rastan)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child3 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS369

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female child named as Aamne Hsain al Waw (pictured) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ar Raqqah, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aamne Hsain al Waw
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aamne Hsain al-Waw, killed on 11th January 2016. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]