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

RS4479

Incident date

February 25, 2020

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 12 civilians, including between three and six children, were killed and up to 62 civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’arat Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020, according to local sources.

Whereas Shabha Press initially put the death toll at four killed civilians, they later updated this with “nine martyrs, including four children, and 30 civilians were wounded in a new toll as a result of airstrikes on the city of Ma’arat Misrin in the northern Idlib countryside”. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that ten people were killed, including six children. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported three children among those killed.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib reported that 11 people were killed after airstrikes targeted a school housing displaced people, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing. According to Shabha Press, a camp of displaced people was targeted. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “a center sheltering Internally Displaced People located inside a complex of two schools (Mounib Qamisheh school and Zuhair Radwan School)” was targeted.

Justice Organization reported the death of the girl Amal Al Aboud, whose family was displaced from the village of Afs, eastern Idlib countryside.

Images posted by @shaamnews show two or three children (one being a teenager) and two men receiving treatment for their injuries, along with the body of one of the children killed.

Shabha Press stated that there were several airstrikes. Macro Media Centre reported the use of vacuum missiles, while EMC reported the use of rockets.

Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the attack, but Shaam News Network and Justice Organization pointed to both the Syrian regime and Russia as the belligerents for the attack.

In October 2020, Human Right Watch reported on the incident, writing that the airstrikes had damaged the Maarat Misreen Surgical Hospital (also known as Al-Hilal Hospital) across the street of Mounib Qamisheh primary school had been damaged by the strike. According to HRW, 12 civilians died and 62 more were wounded.

The report states: On February 25, an Idlib city resident accompanied his friend and his friend’s son to the hospital’s paediatrics department because the son needed a checkup. Dr. Khatib [director of the hospital] and the Idlib city resident said that they were inside the hospital at about 3 p.m. when they heard a loud bang, and the hospital’s windows and doors were blown out. They ran outside and said they saw that the yard in front of the school next door had been hit by a munition.”

HRW further reports that, according to flight spotters, a Russian-made SU-24 warplane was sighted in the area during the time of the attack: “Syria Sentry messages from flight spotters indicated that Russian-made Su-24 attack aircraft were in the area during the time of the attack, spotted in nearby Binnish (less than 7 kilometres to the southeast) at 3:35 p.m. and 3:52 p.m. and again sighted circling Maarat Misreen at 3:56 p.m. and 4 p.m. Numerous other sightings of aircraft identified as Russian “warplanes” and Su-24s were recorded by spotters in the area around Maarat Misreen during the previous hour. The Russian and Syrian air forces both fly the Su-24 in Syria.”

According to satellite imagery analysis by HRW, a potential impact location in the northern yard of the school could be seen two days after the attack. HRW concludes: “All of the witnesses interviewed said they knew of no military objectives in the vicinity before or at the time of the attack, nor were there signs of military weapons, equipment, or personnel in the imagery reviewed.”

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Amal Al Aboud أمل العبود
Child female from the village of Afs killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (3–6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–62
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (52) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Civilians on the site of the strikes after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Civilians on the site of the strikes after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Amal Al Aboud from the village of Afs was killed in alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via Justice Organization).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Damaged vehicle after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • The site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Child in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Man walking through the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Presumably blood on the streets after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Damaged vehicle after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Civilians walking on the streets in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Site of the strike after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • A man and child in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Children in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Civilians walking on the streets after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Site of the strike after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via SNHR).
  • A huge crater caused by alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @salqin)
  • A huge crater caused by alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • One of the victims of alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News Network)
  • One of the children injured in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News Network)
  • One of the men injured in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News Network)
  • One of the victims of alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News Network)
  • One of the children injured in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News Network)
  • One of the men injured in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News Network)
  • One of the civilians injured in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News Network)
  • One of the victims killed in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • One of the victims killed in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • One of the civilians injured in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • One of the civilians injured in alleged Russian strikes on Ma’aret Misrin on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Monitoring the first moments of the massacre committed by Russian planes in the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib Photography: Nour Al Shami (Image posted by Zaitun Agency)
  • Monitoring the first moments of the massacre committed by Russian planes in the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib Photography: Nour Al Shami (Image posted by Zaitun Agency)
  • Monitoring the first moments of the massacre committed by Russian planes in the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib Photography: Nour Al Shami (Image posted by Zaitun Agency)
  • Monitoring the first moments of the massacre committed by Russian planes in the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib Photography: Nour Al Shami (Image posted by Zaitun Agency)

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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (3–6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–62
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4480

Incident date

February 25, 2020

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians from the same family, including a child and two women, were reported killed, and 12 others, including up to seven children and three women, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Binnish in Idlib, Syria on February 25th, 2020. Edlib Media Center said the regime attacked Binnish with rockets.

Shahba Press tweeted that four individuals had been killed in an air strike against the city of Binnish, along with twelve civilians wounded. Images provided by the Macro Media Center captured the extensive damage done by Assad regime warplanes.  Prior to the confirmation of four victims, Halab Today TV tweeted that “Aleppo Today” described how a woman and two children were trapped under rubble. The death toll was later raised to four.

According to @abuhuzaifa_, the victims are Abdullah Abdul-Qadir Qutini aged 13, Abdel-Qader Anas Qutini aged 2, Samira Abdullah Makhzoum aged 50 and Safia Abdel-Moneim Makhzam aged 24. According to the same source, those are the child, brother, mother and wife of Anas Al Qutni, who lost his family in one day.

Shaam News said that four civilians died in Binnish after “Russian and Asadian air forces launched dozens of airstrikes amid artillery and missile shelling that targeted the Idlib on February 25th, 2020.”

A tweet from A Tumer_Turkmane described two of the victims as IDPs from Khan Sheikhoun. Abdul Latif Nasser, the director of the Civil Defense Center in Bunche, noted to Smart News that seven women and two children were among the twelve wounded civilians. Abu Hando, the director of the Civil Defense Center in Idlib reported that the dead were from the same family.

A Syrian reporter through YouTube described the attack as planes “unloading its full payload of missiles” upon homes and other civilian targets in Binnish. A similar depiction was given by a Freedom Press Reporter as well.

The Syrian Civil Defense formally announced that the air raid was carried out by Assad’s planes. This report was corroborated by local witnesses and news agencies, including Smart News, Shaam News via a YouTube video, and Shahba Press. However, various other local sources, including Syrian Reporter, attributed the airstrikes and the resulting civilian casualties to Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Abdul-Qadir Qutini عبد الله عبدالقادر قطيني
13 years old male killed
Abdel-Qader Anas Qutini عبدالقادر أنس قطيني
2 years old male killed
Samira Abdullah Makhzoum سميرة عبد الله مخزوم
50 years old female killed
Safia Abdel-Moneim Makhzam صفية عبد المنعم مخزوم
24 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of aristrikes in Binnish in Idlib, on February 25th, 2020. (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish on Feb 25th, 2020, and SCD volunteers seen responding to the incident. (via MMC)
  • Damage to civilian houses caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, February 25th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Damage to civilian houses caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, February 25th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Damage to civilian houses caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, February 25th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Damage to civilian houses caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, February 25th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Damage to civilian houses caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, February 25th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Damage to civilian houses caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, February 25th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Damage to civilian houses caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, February 25th, 2020 (via EMC).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two children killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, Syria on February 25th, 2020. (via @abuhuzaifa)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two children killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Binnish in Idlib, Syria on February 25th, 2020. (via SNHR)
  • Anas Qattini lost his children, his wife, his mother and his brother by alleged Russian bombing of the city of Binnish on February 25th, 2020. (via @abuhuzaifa)
  • Airstrikes on the city of Binnish on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Damage caused by Airstrikes on the city of Binnish on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • Damage caused by Airstrikes on the city of Binnish on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • Damage caused by Airstrikes on the city of Binnish on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Shaam News)
  • Damage caused by airstrikes on the city of Binnish on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Damage caused by airstrikes on the city of Binnish on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Damage caused by airstrikes on the city of Binnish on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • Rescue workers with one of the victims of airstrikes on the city of Binnish on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • The first moments of pulling out the martyrs and the wounded from the rubble as a result of the Russian air strikes on the city of Binnish, east of Idlib Photography: Hamza Abbas (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • The first moments of pulling out the martyrs and the wounded from the rubble as a result of the Russian air strikes on the city of Binnish, east of Idlib Photography: Hamza Abbas (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • The first moments of pulling out the martyrs and the wounded from the rubble as a result of the Russian air strikes on the city of Binnish, east of Idlib Photography: Hamza Abbas (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)
  • The first moments of pulling out the martyrs and the wounded from the rubble as a result of the Russian air strikes on the city of Binnish, east of Idlib Photography: Hamza Abbas (Image posted by @ZaitunAgency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4481

Incident date

February 25, 2020

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed and one wounded in the town of Kansfara following an airstrike by warplanes from the Assad regime on Tuesday, February 25th.

Shahba Press was the first to tweet about the assault upon Kansafra.  HalabTV later tweeted that four civilians were killed, and a tweet from @civil_hama, Syrian Civil Defense, noted that four men who were killed and one wounded. No names were released.

Shaam News reported that Russian and Assad regime warplanes struck homes and civilian areas within Kansfara, launching artillery and missile shelling.

Shahba Press, Shaam News, and Syrian Civil Defense all noted that Russian and Assad regime planes struck the town of Kansfara.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kansafra, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Rescue workers sort through the rubble following strikes on Kansafra on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @civil_hama)
  • Rescue workers sort through the rubble following strikes on Kansafra on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @civil_hama)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4482

Incident date

February 25, 2020

Location

مشفى إدلب المركزي, Idlib Central Hospital, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, healthcare workers, were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Idlib Central Hospital on February 25, 2020.

According to Shaam News, regime warplanes struck Idlib Central Hospital with missiles, causing damage to the facilities and injuries among its staff.

A tweet from @azrak_moahmad added that the bombing of the hospital caused great damage to the hospital and the equipment, and he attributed the strikes to both Russia and the regime.

Shaam News reported that “the Syrian American Medical Association (SAMS) said in a statement today that the city of Idlib is under a campaign of air strikes by the Syrian regime and its allies, as its cadres are mobilized in medical facilities to receive injuries and help as much as possible. The organization pointed out that during the response of its cadres in Idlib Central Hospital, the hospital was subjected to an air strike at the gate of the specialized clinics. The hospital was damages, especially the clinics department, the oncology department, the interior ward department, and the staff accommodation ward.” The hospital was forced to stop operations and the work of specialized clinics, even though they had received 24 injured, including children, and 4 martyrs.

Images show a young girl and a man being treated in the hospital but it is unclear if they are being treated for wounds they sustained when the hospital was bombed or from prior injuries.

Human Rights Watch detailed the events that occurred: “On February 25, 2020 at 1:55 p.m., a munition struck the Central Hospital (also known as Governor Hospital) in Idlib city, wounding at least four civilians and causing damage to the building. A strike hit the eastern gate of Idlib Central Hospital on the afternoon of February 25, 2020.Ma’awya Agha, the data entry officer at the hospital, said he reported intensive shelling from the southeast. At the time, the Syrian army was holding a position about 15 kilometers to the city’s southeast. The hospital had 172 staff members and was treating about 15,000 patients per month. It had 61 beds, including 42 for surgery, 10 for intensive care, and 9 for cancer patients.

Agha, who was present during the attack, said a munition hit the hospital’s eastern gate at 1:55 p.m. “Because of the heavy shelling, all the staff were at the hospital, treating many wounded people coming in. The strike, which I am sure was an airstrike because of the amount of damage it caused, injured four healthcare workers inside. I don’t know how many people outside the building were injured in the attack. I was too afraid to go outside.” Agha said the strike blew out the windows and doors of the hospital and caused cracks to the eastern outer wall, but the hospital was not closed after the attack.

Human Rights Watch reviewed two videos and 21 photographs posted on Facebook and YouTube on February 25, 2020.[168] Together, they show one dead body on the ground, three young children in an ambulance, damage to vehicles, and damage to the hospital wall and a nearby building. In a video uploaded to Facebook, a large crater in the street, approximately 35 meters from the hospital, is visible along with damage to an outer hospital wall. The camera pans from this crater to show the same body on the ground and damage to two vehicles. In another video posted on Facebook by the SCD, an ambulance parks one block, about 125 meters, from the hospital, and rescue workers carry an injured person to the vehicle. The rescue workers search in the rubble of a destroyed building 125 meters away from the hospital. Two photographs posted online on February 25 appear to show damage to the interior of the hospital, including damage to windows and doorframes.

Agha said he knew of no military objectives in the vicinity before or at the time of the attack, nor were there signs of military weapons, equipment, or personnel in the imagery that Human Rights Watch reviewed.

The incident occured at 13:55:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by airstrikes on Idlib Central Hospital on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @azrak_moahmad)
  • A child who was injured by airstrikes on Idlib Central Hospital on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @azrak_moahmad)
  • Damage caused by airstrikes on Idlib Central Hospital on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @azrak_moahmad)
  • Victims of airstrikes on Idlib Central Hospital on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by @azrak_moahmad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child being treated for wounds in Idlib Central Hospital, which was hit by airstrikes on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Smart News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child being treated for wounds in Idlib Central Hospital, which was hit by airstrikes on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Smart News)
  • Victims being treated for wounds in Idlib Central Hospital, which was hit by airstrikes on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Smart News)
  • A rescue worker on the ground after airstrikes on Idlib Central Hospital, which was hit by airstrikes on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Smart News)
  • A child being treated for wounds in Idlib Central Hospital, which was hit by airstrikes on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Smart News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child being treated for wounds in Idlib Central Hospital, which was hit by airstrikes on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Smart News)
  • A child being treated for wounds in Idlib Central Hospital, which was hit by airstrikes on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Smart News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child being treated for wounds in Idlib Central Hospital, which was hit by airstrikes on February 25, 2020. (Image posted by Smart News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4485

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

احسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Russian warplanes struck the town of Ihsem in the southern suburbs of Idlib on February 26th, 2020 killing one civilian.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the man as Ahmad Yasin Hammoudi, and this was also reported by local sources, including a tweet from @Jabliat414.  Other local sources reported on the use of machine guns in this attack.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights was the only source that attributed responsibility for the incident, blaming Russia.

A Facebook post from Ehsilgmail added that Ahmad was killed while traveling on the Ahsam – Deir Sunbul road.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Yasin Hammoudi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4483

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

أرنبة, Arinba, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 26th, up to four civilians were killed by Russian airstrikes in the village of Arinba in the western countryside outside of Idlib. The four victims were members of the same family and included a husband, wife, and two children.

Local witnesses and sources, including a tweet from @mohmad_rasheed noted that the family was killed by Russian aggression in the village of Arinba. A collection of news agencies reported the story as well, including Al Jazerra, the Zaiton Agency, Al Bawaba News, Jesr Press, and the Baladi network. @ibraheem890 tweeted that the family was targeted by Russian warplanes and the family was removing “their belongings from their home”. Al Hadath reported that in addition to the four deaths, others were wounded, but no names were released of the dead or injured. Shaam News reported that the family was in a car specifically hit by Russian warplanes.

The village of Arinba was among many towns and cities giving refuge to internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the family killed in this Russian airstrike were attempting to leave Arinba when the strike occurred.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights and all other sources that reported on the incident described the planes involved as Russian fixed-wing warplanes.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Martyrs in the town of Arnabah in Jabal Al-Zawiya as a result of the air strikes of the Russian occupation.
  • "The opposition air traffic tracking observatory reported that Russian warplanes carried out raids on Wednesday morning on the village of Arnabah in Idlib countryside, northern Syria, which led to the killing of four civilians." Image posted by Radyodeal via Facebook

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
    3 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4484

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

كفرعويد, Kafar Awaid, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in a bombing raid conducted at dawn targeting the village of Kafar Awaid on February 26th, 2020.

Local accounts, including a tweet from @hayanhababa described Russian warplanes striking homes and civilian areas, resulting in the deaths of five people. @seerij80 added that the Russian planes used vacuum missiles upon the target. The Zaitun Agency and Baladi News also reported the death of five civilians. Reba.rochelle stated that there were injuries accompanying the five deaths as well and @ShabhaPress reported five killed civilians and more than ten wounded in the town of Kafr Awaid, in the southern countryside of Idlib. The Violations Documentation Center documented the five deaths by Russian warplanes, and Shaam News reported that rescuing the victims was made nearly impossible as Russian planes bombed and destroyed many of the roads leading to Kafar Awaid. No names of the dead or wounded were released.

Shaam News stated that a car was specifically hit in the heavily civilian village of Kafa Aweaid.

Local witnesses and all reported news sources attributed the attack to Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (28) [ 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4486

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

أبلين, Ableen, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ableen, Idlib governorate, on February 26th, 2020, according to Shaam News Network.

Shaam reported that “Russian and Assad’s air forces launched dozens of airstrikes amid artillery and missile shelling, which led to the fall of four martyrs in the village of Arnaba, and five martyrs in the village of Kafr Awaid, and two martyrs in Ableen.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]