Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS838

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.237367, 37.171512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians died in an incident in Huluk, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing two civilians in the Huluk neighborhood.

Baladi also blamed Russia, putting the death toll at two with four injured.

Alsouria reported eight civilians killed.

However, other sources blamed the regime.

Sky News was among other news outlets who said the regime had shelled “Al-Hulluk, Al-Sakhour, Shikh Khoudur and Hanano”, killing 14 non-combatants.

Smart News did not report any deaths, but said that an unspecified number of civilians were killed by “regime artillery”.

According to a tweet by LCCSY, “regime helicopters threw explosive barrels on Al-Hulluk neighbourhood in Aleppo.”

In a video, a White Helmets worker said that “an explosive barrel was thrown and caused the death of over 15 civilians and wounded tens of people.” They did not say who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Al-Hulluk massacre which caused by two explosive barrels and killed more than 10 civilians" (Youtube via AMC)

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2241

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

سوحا, Soha , Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.000015, 37.401581 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 15 civilians were killed – and as many as 30 were wounded – following an airstrike on a bakery in Soha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed Russia, except Syrian News Desk, which blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Sources reported that ten out of the 15 casualties were civilians who were working at the bakery early in the morning. 7al news added that the bakery alone was hit by two raids. However, overall up to seven strikes were reported in the vicinity.

@HamahNow reported that the causalities were “mostly women and children”. 

Tustar news calls the building that was struck by the raids Almayawimin, which out researchers believe was the name given to the bakery. 

Smart news reported that few other details were discovered from the incident.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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]

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 specific strikes between May 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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

RS3266

Incident date

March 14, 2018

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major incident, between 12 and 15 civilians including multiple members from several families were reported killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Hamourya. There were also reports of the use of “toxic gases” in the attacks.

@Baraa_Abdul tweeted: The regime is targeting the town of Hamourya with toxic gases now and there are civilian victims

Helicopters committed a massacre in Hamourya and civilian victims are under the rubble. No one pulls them out or rescues the wounded among them”.

According to, @abazeid89: “The situation in Hamourya since yesterday is that Russia has burned and destroyed the city almost completely. Families remained under the basements and could not flee under the shelling towards the rest of Ghouta, some of them came out and were killed. A major assault to storm the city by Russian aviation continues, 5,000 civilians under cellars are threatened with extermination”.

@SiegeWatch noted: “Reports that a convoy of fleeing civilians was directly targeted by an airstrike. New chemical attack, chlorine suspected

“2/ For many in #Hamouriya #حمورية, today is quite literally doomsday. The SCD rescuers are overwhelmed and cannot reach the dead and dying. The town is being demolished.

“3/ Rough estimates that the Syrian government and its allies have bombed Hamouriya today w/ 200+ airstrikes, 100+ barrel bombs, and hundreds of other missiles and mortars. Chemical weapons (chlorine likely), incendiary weapons, and cluster munitions all used. Annihilation”.

Smart added that “One of the strikes targeted the Civil Defense Center in the town directly, which led to his departure from service due to the heavy damage to equipment and mechanisms. We were told that  teams were unable to document all the victims as a result of the destruction of the center”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Ibraheem al-Erbini
Adult male killed
Haytham Ibraheem al-Erbini
Child male killed
Safa Ibraheem al-Erbini
Child female
Khajo al-Erbini
Adult female killed
Amineh al-Erbini
Adult female

Family members (2)

Mohammad al-Naddaf
Adult male killed
Ammar al-Naddaf
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Mohammad Mostafa Yasin
Child male killed
Obada Mostafa Yasin
Child male killed
Dania Zeno (mother of the two former children)
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Hamdan
Adult male "Media activist and rebel"/ "reporter for Ghouta Media Center". killed
Mohammad al-Rihani
Adult male killed
Ahmad Issa
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khair Tomeh
Adult male killed
Ahmad al-Gemayel
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 15
  • (4 children3 women8 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two children, killed in airstrikes on Hamouriya, 14th March 2018. (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Ahmad Hamdan, killed in airstrikes on Hamouriya, 14th March 2018. (via Euphrates)
  • Ahmed Hamdan, killed in airstrikes on Hamouriya, 14th March 2018. (via Euphrates)
  • Translation: "Media activist and rebel Sadeq Ahmed Hamdan is a martyr today following the Russian bombardment on Hamourya city in Ghouta."
  • Translation: "Martyrdom of the Media (Ahmad Hamdan) As a result of air strikes that targeted residential neighborhoods in the town of # Hammourya"
  • Translation: "Ahmad al-Gemayel is a martyr in an air strike targeting Hamourya in Eastern Ghouta"

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 15
  • (4 children3 women8 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS795

Incident date

May 11, 2016

Location

الشحيل, Al Shaheel, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0865, 40.45232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians including four children died and up to 20 were injured in an airstrike on a health facility at Al Shaheel town, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network reported that amid intensive raids on several areas in Deir ez-Zor, Russia carried out strikes targeting a clinic in Al Shaheel, leading to the death of 12 civilians.

LCCSY also believed the planes responsible to be Russian. It put the death toll at 11, naming the same victims as VDC (below) and one unidentified person.

Alaraby and All4Syria news also blamed Russia, but said that 15 people were killed and 20 others wounded. All4Syria also said that the raids had “destroyed the medical points in the village.”

In confused reporting, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently published a number of posts which referred to unidentified warplanes, then attributed the attack to Russia and finally said that the regime was responsible. It said that 11 non-combatants were killed – mostly women and children.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not say who the planes belonged to, putting the number of fatalities at seven or more and 11 injured. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that government missiles were fired on a “dispensary” in the town, severely damaging it and rendering it inoperable.

The Violations Documentation Center named 12 victims of “warplane” shelling a

Alsharq Alarabi News also named Hasan Al-Mukhlaf Al-Halloum.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Adult male killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Child female killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Hasan Al-Mukhlaf Al-Halloum
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 15
  • (4 children7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–20
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The death of the village of Deir al-Zour following a Russian raid and the bombing continues on Aleppo. (via akhbaralaan)
  • Warplanes target the medical centre in the city. (via Deir Ezzor)

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 May 1st – 31st

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 15
  • (4 children7 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–20
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1263

Incident date

September 12, 2016

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misreen, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians (10 of whom were named) died and as many as 35 more were wounded in airstrikes on Maarat Misreen, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed the Syrian regime for the event – though there were also allegations against Russia.

Syria News Desk – who blamed Moscow – provided the most detail on the incident. It reported: “The death toll from Russian strikes on Maaret Misreen – which is under the control of the opposition – rose to 15 people, including children, with more than 35 wounded.

“The media opposition activist Ammar Hashim told Syria News Desk that the two raids targeted Corniche Road and the fuel market in the town. Bodies were burnt and there were amputations. The injured were taken to hospitals and medical points in the region by the civil defence. There was significant damage to property and the burning of dozens of cars”.

Sadaltwhed also blamed Russia, though put the death count at 11.

However, the majority of sources – including Alsouria, CDS, SMO and RFS – attributed the incident to the regime. Cluster bombs were reportedly used in the attacks.

There was some confused reporting from the Syrian Network for Human Rights: in an initial tweet, it alleged that Russia was responsible – but went on to accuse “government forces”.

A number of other sources, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, didn’t identify the culprit. The Observatory also put the death toll at 15, including”three from one family and four others from another family”.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee – who blamed “warplanes” – put the number killed at 13, and named 10 victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Al-Absi Badleh
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Bitar
Age unknown male killed
Taghreed Badleh
Age unknown killed
Hala Al-Khaled
Age unknown killed
Khiro Alolo
Age unknown killed
Samer Hamwi
Age unknown killed
Mahroos Al-Khaled
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Abdullah Nadaf Ibrahim Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Mahroos Khaled
Age unknown male killed
Wasim Bitar
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets retrieve a body from the rubble in Maaret Misreen following alleged Regime or Russian shelling, Sept 12th (Youtube via CDS)
  • Footage of civilian casualties arriving at the Centre for Victim Rehabilitation in Maaret Misreen (Youtube via CDS)
  • A news report of the scene in Idlib city following destruction caused by suspected Russian or Regime warplanes, Sept 12th (Youtube via Jisrtv)
  • Dust and smoke rise above a street in Idlib city following the suspected Russian or Regime shelling on the area (Youtube via UAR)
  • Firefighters at work on the streets of Idlib city, local people look on at blazes. The impact of alleged Russian or Regime warplane shelling (Tweet via @syrian191124)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Maarat Misreen (معرة مصرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.012172,36.673049. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS036

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed in heavy Russian airstrikes on the town of Darat Izza, according to reports.

Al Jazeera said eight members of one family were among the dead. Five of those killed were later named by the local al Kanana Hospital.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights agreed that five non-combatants had died, though blamed the strikes on Assad regime aircraft. However Russian Air Force aircraft (likely either Su-30s or Su-34s) were filmed bombing the town the previous day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Zkomo
Adult male killed
Ahmed Mohamed Tawfiq Al Jamal
Adult male killed
Alaa Mohammed Ninh
Adult male killed
Kamel Misto Homs
Adult male killed
Mohammed Abdul Qader Afasheh Al Helou
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 15
  • (5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of 'the moment Russia carried out strikes on Darat Izza'. 13th October 2015. (via AEJkhalil)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians being treated at Al Kanana hospital, 13th October 2015. (via: Darat Izza News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • The activist @AEJkhalil tweets death toll rising to 15, 13th October 2015. (via AEJkhalil)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • Video footage showing destruction at Darat Izza and Hayyan, 13th October 2015. (via: Al Jazeera)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia confirmed a number of strikes in the Aleppo area in its update for October 13th-14th 2015: “Su-24 bombers performed strikes against facilities near Aleppo, where terrorists manufactured explosives and installed them in vehicles of suicide bombers. These vehicles were planned to be used in the course of terrorist attacks in the cities and towns of Syria, and against positions of the governmental forces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 15
  • (5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1782

Incident date

December 10, 2016

Location

بِنِّش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.953725, 36.711248 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this major event, local sources reported that alleged Russian airstrikes killed between zero and 15 civilians, including three children, and wounded up to 24, as they struck the city of Binnish, Idlib.

While Qasioun News said that there were no reports of casualties, the remaining sources reported up to 15 fatalities, including children. Eight victims were identified by name.

There is doubt as to whether one of the victims, Mustafa Haj Kadour, was a civilian or an opposition fighter. The Violations Documentation Center classifies him as a civilian while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Firas Al Ahmad refer to him as a “fighter” or “rebel militant”.

According to Qasioun News’ correspondent, alleged Russian warplanes dropped cluster bombs. LCCSY added that Russian forces had used vacuum missiles in the strikes.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russia struck the “Mustafa Amouri School in the city of Binsh in the countryside Idlib, which led to the partial destruction of the building and exit from service on 10 December.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 15
  • (3 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the immediate chaotic aftermath in Binnish, Idlib, after being struck by the alleged Russian airstrikes on 10 December, 2016 (via Ahmed Fallaha)
  • Footage of the immediate chaotic aftermath in Binnish, Idlib, after being struck by the alleged Russian airstrikes on 10 December, 2016 (via Mouaz Al Shami News)
  • The alleged Russian strikes on Binnish, Idlib, reportedly destroyed the Mustafa Amouri School (via SN4HR)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian strikes targeting Binnish Idlib on 10 December 2016 (via @Maaramc13)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian strikes targeting Binnish Idlib on 10 December 2016 (via @Maaramc13)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian strikes targeting Binnish Idlib on 10 December 2016 (via @Maaramc13)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian strikes targeting Binnish Idlib on 10 December 2016 (via @Maaramc13)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian strikes targeting Binnish Idlib on 10 December 2016 (via @Maaramc13)
  • Mustafa Haj Kadour was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Binnish, Idlib, on 10 December, 2016 (via Firas Al Ahmad Facebook)
  • Mustafa Haj Kadour was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Binnish, Idlib, on 10 December, 2016 (via Firas Al Ahmad Facebook)
  • Ahmed Amouri Al Assaad was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Binnish, Idlib, on 10 December, 2016 (via Coordinators of the-revolution in the city of Binnish)
  • Ahmad Omar Fayyad was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Binnish, Idlib, on 10 December, 2016 (via Almasjedalkabeer Facebook)
  • Ahmad Muhammad Haj Talib was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Binnish, Idlib, on 10 December, 2016 (via Coordinators of the-revolution in the city of Binnish)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian strikes targeting Binnish Idlib on 10 December 2016 (via Idlib Media Centre Facebook)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian strikes targeting Binnish Idlib on 10 December 2016 (via Idlib Media Centre Facebook)
  • Abd al-Lateef Mostafa al-Omer was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Binnish, Idlib, on 10 December, 2016 (via VDC)
  • Amer Hasan al-Saeid was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Binnish, Idlib, on 10 December, 2016 (via VDC)
  • Ahmad Abd al-Lateef Qara Ali was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Binnish, Idlib, on 10 December, 2016 (via VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Binnish (بِنِّش), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.953725,36.711248. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 15
  • (3 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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

RS817

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 15 civilians including two children died and 22 others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Manbij, according to two local sources.

The media activist Ahmed al-Mohammad told Edorar that 13 civilians died in a Russian strike on buildings in the city, “emphasizing that four missiles targeted a three-storey residential building in the neighborhood of al Rabita street, which brought the building down and killed and wounded those inside. He added that eight people people have been identified, including two children, while the rest of the bodies are still unidentified dead, due to them being burnt and blown into pieces”.

According to Syria News Desk, four Russian strikes killed 15 non-combatants, wounded 22 more and destroyed residential buildings. Shahed-Alep news reported that warplanes also targeted a bakery and a residential building under which a whole family became trapped under the rubble.

Syria Post was the only source to blame regime airstrikes, while the Syrian Network said “the regime and its allies” were responsible.

The names of six of the dead, including one 6-year old child were published by the Syrian Human Rights Committee (see below)

Blogger Imad Osman reported the following: “In a second raid two missiles hit the neighborhood of Jarablos Road. The first missile fell at al Milhem bakeries without news of injuries. The secondn missile fell on a house in the building of the medical labs opposite the clinic of Dr. Na’assan Arab. The struck house house belonged to the family of Abu Jassem and the entire family is under the rubble now.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amani Hayran or Jiran
six years old killed
Wi’am Jiran
19 years old killed
Hussein al Muhtadi
Age unknown male from al Orja killed
Aqeel Juma al Muhtadi
Age unknown from al Orja killed
Badir Saleh Al’Ama
Age unknown killed
Shukri Abu Idris, the brother of Abu Aws
Age unknown male at the time of the strike he was in Kamel pharmacy killed
Hassan Mohamed Wallo
Age unknown male IDP from al Shioukh killed
Mohammed Rahmani
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • (2 children2 women1–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath or an airstrike on Manbij, May 29th (via Syrian Newsdesk)
  • Bodies are lined up following an alleged Russian raid on Manbij, May 29th (via Syrian Press Center)

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 – 15
  • (2 children2 women1–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]