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

RS019

Incident date

October 5, 2015

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least six and as many as 17 civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes – reportedly by Russian jets – on the ISIL-occupied city of Al Bab near Aleppo.

According to Qasioun the strikes hit “a popular food market in the city, resulting in mass civilian casualties, and the burning of several cars and shops.Daesh propaganda footage showed massive damage to a residential street.

Although the Syria Media Organisation attributed the attack to regime aircraft, the Russian MoD later confirmed carrying out strikes on the city that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Major damage to civilian streets in Al Bab from alleged Russian airstrike, Oct 5th 2015. (via, Daesh propaganda)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

In its summary for October 5th 2015, the Russian MoD confirmed carrying out strikes at Al Bab: “In the daytime, Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft performed 15 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase. Ten terrorist facilities were engaged. Su-34 eliminated an HQ and a command centre of the ISIS militants near Dayr Hafir and Al-Bab (Aleppo). Direct hits resulted in destruction of buildings sheltering field commanders of terrorists.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2521

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour , Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.814269, 36.31994 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and 17 civilians, including two to four children and one to three women, were killed and between 26 and 30 others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the al Gharbi neighbourhood and Karaj Halab area in the city of Jisr al Shoughour in the western countryside of Idlib, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some such as, Syrian Network for Human Rights and Idlib Media Centre, blaming Russian forces, while others blamed the Assad regime.

Idlib Media Centre originally published the low estimate of three civilians killed but later increased their estimate to 17 killed.

According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes struck residential neighbourhoods in Jisr al Shoughour and were launched during a time when there had been an agreement to ease airstrikes against Idlib, including Russian promises to build protection towers.

Dr. Ahmad Mouaffaq zeidan tweeted that there was material damage to the local hospital.

Moaz al shami tweeted that a “massacre committed by Russian warplanes in the market in the centre of jisr alshoughour killing so far at least 17 martyrs and more than 50 injured following more than 12 Russian raids that targeted civilian areas.” In the footage he pointed to the burning shops and says that more than 40 shops were destroyed in addition to a dozen homes.

In another video published by Moaz al shami the reporter in the video said (whilst pointing to the scene) that “this is the blood of the falafel seller who turned to fragments inside his shop, this is the bread from his shop. People’s livelihood has mingled with their blood. More than 40 shops have been totally destroyed and more than 30 homes destroyed in more than 12 Russian raids.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rafif Sharout
Child female killed
Adel Sharout
Child male killed
Omer Haj Mosa
Adult male killed
Raed Rashed Baydaq
Adult male killed
Mohammad al-Shaikh Salem
Adult male killed
Mohammad Aktae
Adult male killed
Khadija al-Zoufi
Adult female killed
Ali Rashad Bakrjan
Adult male killed
Abeer Jerji
Adult female killed
Khaled Baydaq
Adult male killed
Mostafa Alyo
Adult male killed
Wael Sofi
Adult male killed
Ahmad Qazmouz
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 17
  • (2–4 children1–3 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    26–50
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shougho, 25th Sept 2017. (via Zaitoun News)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shougho, 25th Sept 2017. (via Al aan TV)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, 25th Sept 2017. (via Orient News)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughou, 25th Sept 2017. (via Mazen al rifiy)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shougho, 25th Sept 2017. (via Moaz al shami)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shougho, 25th Sept 2017. (via Moaz al shami)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughou, 25th Sept 2017. (via Syrian Coalition)
  • The immediate aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, 25th Sept 2017. (via Zakariya Nassani)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, 25th Sept 2017. (via Dr. Ahmad Mouaffaq zeidan)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, 25th Sept 2017. (via Dr. Ahmad Mouaffaq zeidan)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, 25th Sept 2017. (via Dr. Ahmad Mouaffaq zeidan)
  • The immediate aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, 25th Sept 2017. (via Dr. Ahmad Mouaffaq zeidan)
  • The first moment the bombs hit Jisr al Shoughour, 25th Sept 2017. (via Rami al Sayed )
  • Image of civilians being rescued from the rubble following airstrikes against Jisr al Shoughour on September 25th, 2017 (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, 25th Sept 2017. (via Edlib Media Centre)

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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 17
  • (2–4 children1–3 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    26–50
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3250

Incident date

March 13, 2018

Location

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51602, 36.35078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 17 civilians including a child were killed and an “many” others were injured, in air and artillery strikes on Ain Tarma, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. There were also reports of rocket attacks.

HomsNetworkLive reported that the “Syrian Arab Army [began] a military operation towards the positions of the jabhat Nosra in the town of Ein Terma. Violent clashes are taking place in the vicinity of the town amid heavy artillery shelling targeting the sites and movements of armed terrorist groups.”

The Violations Documentation Centre listed 17 unidentified adult male civilian fatalities, killed by the “Syrian government and affiliated militias”.

Almarkaz Alwatni said that a child was also killed.

The raids reportedly occurred in the night, according to local media.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 18
  • (1 child17 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment strikes hit Ain Tarma, 13th March 2018. (via Barada 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 18
  • (1 child17 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS289

Incident date

December 18, 2015

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seventeen non-combatants including eight women and nine children were killed in airstrikes on Najieh near Jisr al Shughour according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Thirteen of those killed as well as an unborn child came from one family, the Hilals.

Shaam News and the Syrian Observatory said Russian warplane were responsible. SNN said the attacks were carried out while worshippers were leaving Friday prayers, and that civilian houses were targeted. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the civilians died when regime warplanes fired two missiles.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (14)

Child male killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male unborn child killed

Family members (3)

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (9 children8 women)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets carrying injured civilians. (via, Jisr el Shoughour)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aboudi Ayman Hilal, killed in a contested airstrike. (via VDC)
  • Injured children are rescued from the rubble. (via, Jisr Media Centre)
  • Another photograph of children being rescued. (via, Jisr Media Centre)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a deceased unborn child. (via, Jisr Media Centre)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a deceased child. (via, Jisr Media Centre)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

No Russian reports were published for December 16th-18th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (9 children8 women)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS801

Incident date

May 18, 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

Fifteen people or more, including up to ten children and seven women, were killed in airstrikes on Ar-Rastan during a second day of bombings on the town. Some sources blamed the Assad regime, with others only aying ‘warp[lanes’ were responsible.

Multiple sources said that 13 people from the Turkmani family had died in the raids.

Zaman Alwasl news reported that: “15 civilians were killed including 13 from the same family and majority are children and women. The victims were from Turkmani family:

Usama Turkmani and his wife Fadwa Diab and 5 of their children.

Usama’s sister, Shahira, and 5 of her children.”

According to Gulf Eye News, the family was hiding inside a shelter in fear of the bombing, yet the shelter was targeted by what was reportedly the Syrian regime.

All4Syria News also reported these names, but said that three of Shahira’s children had died.

Another name was reported by Homs Al Rastan. It posted a video (GRAPHIC) of a dead body, saying it was Kutayba Tarya. 

Myasar Hadidi posted a video on YouTube showing “a woman saying farewell to her children and family who were killed.”

Fifteen victims, killed by “Syrian government and affiliated militias” were named by the VDC.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

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

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 17
  • (8–10 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrike which destroyed residential places.
  • The fifth airstike in Rastan.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A woman mourning her children.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    casualties from the same family after the airstrike

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
    13 – 17
  • (8–10 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS301

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

17 civilians including seven women and three children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Hamidiya neighbourhood, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently all named child victims (also named in the VDC list below).

Violations Documentation Center named 15 victims and also listed two unidentified victims:

Unidentified 1 – adult, male

Unidentified 2 – adult, male

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult female killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Adult female killed
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (3 children7 women7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Taybah Haydar al-Esheish, killed in an alleged Russian raid on Hamidiya, December 22nd 2015. (via SNN)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Hamidiya, December 22nd. (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Mohammad al-Fetouri killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, VDC)
  • Ziad al-Wees, a baby killed in the alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Zeid Mohammad al-Fetouri, a male child, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Zeid Mohammad al-Fetouri, a male child, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Iyman Ragheb al-Basheir, adult female, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Najah al-Elwan, adult female, killed in al alleged Russian airstrike 22nd December 2015. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (3 children7 women7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS760

Incident date

April 23, 2016

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes on the Tareeq al-Bab neighborhood of Aleppo killed between 10 and 17 civilians and injured at least 20 more, according to local sources. Reports did not definitively identify the warplanes responsible, with some referring to Russia and the regime, while others attributed the incident solely to the regime.

The White Helmets said two raids targeted civilian areas, leading to the death “of more than 12 people including women and children and dozens were injured” – though did not say who carried them out. Shaam News Network posted a video showing destruction caused by “Syrian and Russian aviation raids on neighborhoods of the city of Aleppo“. It said that activists had confirmed the occurrence of “a massacre in Ahalouanah roundabout in the neighborhood of Tareeq al bab“. They put the death toll at 13.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, initially putting the death toll at nine, but later at 10 including two children – with 12 others wounded. In a tweet, Aba-z72 also blames the regime for the “new massacre”. Likewise,  Aranews held regime military airplanes responsible for the raids. It puts the death toll at 12 and reported that “more than two dozens others” were wounded.  A witness told SN4HR: “The bombing happened around 11:00 am. There were two warplanes. One of them targeted the main road of Tareeq Al Bab Neirborhood and the other targeted the residential Bourj Al Bakhera area. There were less than ten minutes between the two missiles. I arrived at the site when the Rescue and civil defense teams were picking the corpses out of the rubble. They were able to withdraw 15 people from the rubble of the ruins of the upper floors, while about 12 dead persons were.still under the rubble The destruction was very huge as it extended to five houses, a food warehouse, a pharmacy, a secondhand tools center, and a store seling diesel fuel. In addition a Suzuki pickup truck and a motorcycle were destroyed. The targeted place is a civilian neighborhood, where there are no headquarters for army or any Islamic organizations and the victims were all civilians.

Fifteen images showing destruction of the area were published by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who referred only to “warplanes” causing 17 deaths in Tareeq al-Bab. According to the White Helmets, “warplanes” targeted a popular market, killing 12 people and injuring 20 more. Shahed Ayan News reported the same number of people killed, and spoke of “dozens wounded”. In a video by Baha’a Al-Halabi it was said that the warplanes targeted the local market Al-Bab, leading to 9 people so far. It reported that “some of the deads were burned to death. The civil defense forces have rescued children of various ages, the youngest are months old.”

The Violations Documentation Center named six victims as killed in “warplane shelling” – blaming the regime and allied forces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
27 years old male killed
26 years old male killed
30 years old male killed
23 years old male killed
21 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 17
  • (2 children6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Destruction in Tarreq al-Bab following airstrikes on April 23rd (via SO4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Zakaria abd al-Salam, child victim of the raids in Tareeq al bab neighbourhood, Aleppo (via Aba-z72 tweet)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rescuing team searching for survivors from under the rubbles in Tareeq al bab neighbourhood (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes in Tareeq al bab neighbourhood (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim getting rescued out of a targeted building in Tareeq al bab neighbourhood (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of the strikes in Tareeq al bab neighbourhood (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • SNN video titled "the planes of death and hatred continues its duty in Aleppo… dozens of dead and wounded."
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the strikes targeting Tareeq al bab neighbourhood (via SOHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rescuing team in the aftermath of the strikes targeting Tareeq al bab neighbourhood (via SOHR)
  • Aleppo White Helmets video titled "Tareeq al bab massacre 23/4/2016"
  • Aleppo Media Centre video titled "More than 12 martyrs in Treeq al bab in a new massacre by the regime’s planes in Aleppo 23/4/2016"

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 17
  • (2 children6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2750

Incident date

November 23, 2017

Location

حسرات, Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.619075, 40.898297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what was described as a “massacre”, alleged Russian airstrikes killed least eight but as many as 17 civilians, including at least two girls, many from the same families, and wounded dozens as the town of Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, was struck, local media reported.

Euphrates Post reported that “a massacre committed by warplanes killed a number of martyrs and wounded, mostly women and children, as a result of the targeting of the water-crossing in the town of Hassrat,” adding that the strikes took place around 2 pm in the afternoon.

While the initial reports put the death toll at eight or nine, Euphrates Post and Sharqiya Voice later reported that additional civilians were killed due the wounds they had inflicted.

Several days after the incident, on November 27th, 2017, Euphrates Post reported a total of 14 named victims.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least two girls were among the killed.

While the list below counts 18 named fatalities, it should be noted that some might be duplicates due to imprecise reporting. For example, two victims (Nuri Wayyas El Sheikou and Abdul Karim Abdul Hamid Al-Arran) are by most reported as killed in this strike. Though, Abdul Karim Abdul Hamid Al-Arran was also reported killed on November 24th in Hajeen (see RS2753) and Euphrates Post reported that both were killed in the “Sayyal -all-Shaafah crossing”. However, VDC referred to the “Hasarat Shaafa Crossing” in its reporing about the two men’s deaths.

However, as of now, a total of 18 civilians have been reported killed in this event.

Sources also reported that between 20 and “dozens” were left wounded, the highest reported by Step News Agency.

All known reports, who identified a culprit, pointed unanimously to Russian warplanes.

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

the son of Hussein Al-Ali Al-A’jmi
Age unknown male killed
the daughter of Hussein Ali A’jami
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

The wife of Balhous the Qurain
Age unknown female killed
Ibn Hamoud Al - Hamidah Al - Qurain
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Son of Awad al Taheer abu Mohammad
Age unknown male killed
Son of Awad al Taheer abu Mohammad
Age unknown male killed
Hamoudi
Age unknown male possibly son of Awad al Taheer abu Mohammad killed

The victims were named as:

Dr. Shuja’ al- Zarzour
Adult male killed
Saad Samir Al-Hamoud
Adult male killed
Khaled Al-Hameel Al-Zai’n
Adult male killed
The son of Shehata from al Malali
Age unknown male killed
Juma’a Murshad R Al Zai’n
Age unknown male
Saleh Juri al-Maa'dah
Age unknown male killed from his wounds killed
Nuri Wayyas El Sheikou
Adult male killed
Khalid Ramadan Al-Ja'alout
Age unknown male killed
Nasser Shehata al-Malaly
Age unknown male killed
Wife of Ali al - Zuait
Age unknown female killed
Abd al-Kareem Abd al-Hameed al-Aran
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 17
  • (2 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Khaled al-Hamel al-Zain, one of the victims of the alleged Russian shelling of Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, November 23rd, 2017 (via Euphrates Post)
  • Saad Musallam Al-Hamoud, one of the victims of the alleged Russian shelling of Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, November 23rd, 2017 (via Mari al Bukamal)
  • Dr. Shuja’ al- Zarzour, one of the victims of thealleged Russian shelling of Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, November 23rd, 2017 (via Mari al Bukamal)
  • Nuri Wayyas El Sheikou, one of the victims of the alleged Russian shelling of Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, November 23rd, 2017 (via Euphrates Post)
  • Abd al-Kareem Abd al-Hameed al-Aran, one of the victims of the alleged Russian shelling of Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, November 23rd, 2017 (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 November 4th - 20th 2017.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 17
  • (2 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]