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

RS1341

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1529125, 37.075864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and 17 civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground.

Most sources said around 17 people were killed, while Araby reported that only one civilian died.

Several sources, such as Step News and Smart News, claimed cluster bombs were used in two or three strikes.

Baladi added that number of civilians were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1373

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

الزيتونات, al Zaitouniat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19885, 37.155762 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sixteen or 17 civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Zaitouniat neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media.

Smo-sy reported: “five civilians were killed and others were wounded in the Al Zaitouniat area in the Halak district today [Sept 30th], following Russian bombardment raids.”

Several sources mentioned the use of bunker busters which caused heavy damage to buildings in the neighbourhood.

Thiqanewsagency wrote on Twitter that ten people were killed. Meanwhile, Halab News reported the highest death count of 17 victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Nour
4 years old male killed
Nidal Ismail Ismail
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Al Dibo al Dibo
17 years old killed
Bakri al Dibo al Mohammad,
60 years old male killed
Yahia al Sattouf
Age unknown female killed
Mahmoud Illo
35 years old male killed
Dibo Qassem
50 years old male killed
Abd al Salam Mhanna
38 years old male killed
Mhanna Mhanna
20 years old female killed
Abu al Laith
30 years old male killed
Abu Hsaib
30 years old male killed
Hussein Haj Hasan
50 years old male killed
Fatima Darwish
10 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 17
  • (2–4 children1 woman7 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The alleged Russian airstrikes on Zaytounat district of Aleppo caused massive destruction, 30th September 2016. (via Smart News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes on Zaytounat district of Aleppo, 30th September 2016. (via Thiqa News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 17
  • (2–4 children1 woman7 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3056

Incident date

February 21, 2018

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52034, 36.36494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As the aerial and artillery shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its third day, up to 17 people, including at least four children and two women, were killed and several were wounded as the town of Hazza was struck by Russian and/or Syrian regime forces, local media reported.

What Zaman al-Wasl, described as “a fierce military campaign” continued in eastern Ghouta, including Hazza, and contained both artillery shelling and missile attacks, especially striking residential areas.

In Hazza, the initial reports put the death toll between seven and nine, which according to Ghouta Media Center (GMC) included children and women from the same family. The source, who blamed Russian air raids, reported “the death of a whole family of eight people, including four children and two women.”

However, on the following day, February 22nd, GMC itself amended the death toll to 17, noting that additional bodies had been found under the rubble.

According to reports, the strikes had also caused injuries among the civilians who were trapped in the rubble, though no exact figures were provided.

Several reports mentioned that the city had been struck by explosive barrels launched from helicopters. For example, HalabToday TV reported how “the Medical Mercy Center is out of service by shelling the explosive barrel on the town of Haza.”

Sources were not clear in terms of culpability, as blame was appointed to either the Syrian regime, Russia, or both across the reports. However, in one report GMC blamed Russian airstrikes while in another, it blamed Syrian regime helicopters for launching explosive barrels, thus indicating engagements from both belligerents.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 17
  • (4 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Medical Mercy Center" in Hazza, Damascus, was reportedly struck by the contested airstrikes and went out of service, February 21st, 2018 (via HalabTodayTV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 17
  • (4 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3604

Incident date

March 13, 2019

Location

الكسيح, Al-Kaseeh, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 17 civilians including as many as eight children and four women across multiple families died in alleged Russia airstrike on residential areas in Al Kaseeh area in Idlib, local media reported. Up to another 50 civilians including many women and children were also injured.

Sources said that the strikes occurred in the al Kasih area in the middle of Idlib city and the Al Qousor area. Multiple reports said that civilian buildings had been struck and sources published images showing widespread destruction to the area.

The White Helmets said that they’d worked nine hours continuously to rescue victims after four Russian raids. They said that they’d “managed to retrieve the bodies of 15 civilians, including 8 children and 2 women, and rushed 49 wounded people to hospitals, including 17 women and 7 children.”

According to the Smart News Agency, “the bombing focused on the perimeter of a government building and the nearby electricity company. Residential buildings collapsed and killed eight people including women and children. and destroy them killing eight people, including women and children in the initial toll.” The source noted that these were “the first to target the city of Idlib since March last year.”

Most sources put the death toll in the range of 12 to 17 with dozens more wounded.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Malik Hawana مالك هوانا
4 years old killed
Abdul Jabbar Hawana عبد الجبار هوانا
A baby years old killed
Douha Hawana ضحى هوانا
3 years old killed

Family members (3)

Mohamed Hussein Zeer محمد حسين زير
male killed
Mehdi Zeer مهدي زير
14 years old killed
Bilal Zeer بلال زير
15 years old killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Rateb Al Rojoula محمد راتب الرجولة
8 years old male killed
Lama Harmoush لمى هرموش
13 years old killed
Madyan Mou’adel مدين معدل
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Dib Yahya Hamid. محمد ديب يحيى حامض
Age unknown male killed
Amer Turki عامر تركي
Age unknown killed
Soad Maznara سعاد مزنرة
Age unknown killed
Raqoush Zaidani رقوش زيداني
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Al-Hajji محمد الحجي
Age unknown male killed
Alaa Muhanna Al Ahmad علاء مهنا الأحمد
Age unknown killed
Lawahiz Jabban لواحظ جبان
18 years old 'died of heart attack due to severe shelling' killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 17
  • (5–8 children1–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–50
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (40) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rises above Idlib city on March 13th following alleged Russian airstrikes (via Euphrates Post)
  • Smoke rises above Idlib city on March 13th following alleged Russian airstrikes (via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Scene from Idlib following alleged Russian strikes, March 13th
  • Scene from Idlib following alleged Russian strikes, March 13th
  • 'Russian missiles in Idlib'

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A father weeps over a child killed in an alleged Russian strike on Idlib. march 13th 2019 (via Step)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man is rescued alive by the White Helmets following alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib, March 13th 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib city, March 13th 2019 (via EMC)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib city, March 13th 2019 (via EMC)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib city, March 13th 2019 (via EMC)
  • Fires blaze in Idlib following alleged Russian airstrikes, March 13th (via Halab)
  • More scenes of destruction following alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib, March 13th 2019 (via SN4HR)
  • A wounded child following an alleged Russian strike on Idlib, March 13th 2019 (via SN4HR)
  • Images from the White Helmets of the rescue attempts in Idlib following alleged Russian airstrikes, March 13th 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • Images from the White Helmets of the rescue attempts in Idlib following alleged Russian airstrikes, March 13th 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • Images from the White Helmets of the rescue attempts in Idlib following alleged Russian airstrikes, March 13th 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • Images from the White Helmets of the rescue attempts in Idlib following alleged Russian airstrikes, March 13th 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • Images from the White Helmets of the rescue attempts in Idlib following alleged Russian airstrikes, March 13th 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • Images from the White Helmets of the rescue attempts in Idlib following alleged Russian airstrikes, March 13th 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction in the aftermath of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest).
  • Fires as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • Fires as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • Fires as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • Fires as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • SCD volunteers responding after alleged Russian airstrikes on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019. (copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)
  • SCD volunteers responding after alleged Russian airstrikes on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019. (copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image showing a burned body most likely of a civilian killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright Smart, published in the public interest.)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two women, not clear if SCD volunteers or from the public, wrapping a dead body, most likely of a civilian killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A dead body that seems to be in a hospital in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)
  • An image showing smoke in the sky after alleged airstrikes on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (copyright SMART, published in the public interest.)
  • An image showing raids on Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (via Orient).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A dead body in a hospital after alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on March 13th, 2019 (via Fouad)
  • A child injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime raids on Idlib in March 13th, 2019 (via Bahaa)
  • Image of alleged Russian missiles believed to have been used in attacks on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (via Fouad)
  • Images of alleged Russian missiles believed to have been used in attacks on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (via Fouad)
  • Images of alleged Russian missiles believed to have been used in attacks on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (via Fouad)
  • Images of alleged Russian missiles believed to have been used in attacks on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (via Fouad)
  • Images in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (via EMC)
  • Images in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (via EMC)
  • Images in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on residential areas in Idlib on March 13th, 2019 (via EMC)

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
    8 – 17
  • (5–8 children1–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–50
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS436

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Saif al Dawla, Raqqa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Seventeen civilians including eight children and five women died in airstrikes on the Saif al Dawla area of Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame.

RBSS initially referred to raids by “warplanes” and did not identify them, however, in a later post they said that Russia was responsible for bombing a number of locations, including Saif al Dawla, in Raqqa.

The Syrian Observatory said 10 civilians died, but did not say who was responsible.

Other sources, including Raqqa Post and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russia. The latter put the death toll at 17, including eight children and five women.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Mahmoud Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult male killed
Wife of Mahmoud Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult female killed
Wife of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult male killed
Daughter of Mahmoud Ajjan al-Hadeid
Child female killed
Mother of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult female killed
Daughter of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid 1
Child female killed
Son of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid 2
Child male killed
Son of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid 3
Child male killed
Son of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid 4
Child male killed

Family members (5)

Ahmad al-Kheder al-Sahow
Adult male killed
Son of Mazen al-Kheder al-Sahow 1
Child male killed
Son of Mazen al-Kheder al-Sahow 2
Child male killed
Son of Mazen al-Kheder al-Sahow 3
Child male killed
Mother of Mazen al-Kheder al-Sahow
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Ahmad al-Khalil al-Ibraheem al-Eisa
Adult male killed
Ibraheem al-Ismaeil al-Ibraheem al-Eisa
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (8 children5 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad al-Kheder al-Sahow, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)
  • Destruction to residential buildings in Saif al Dawla following a contested Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Local shops destroyed by the contested Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Destruction to residential buildings in Saif al Dawla following a contested Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • The streets in the aftermath of the incident on 21st January 2016. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • An image showing the extend of the the damage on civilian homes following a contested Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • A car, totally unrecognisable due to the nature of the airstirke. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Civilians in an attempt to clear the destruction. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • More damaged cars and infrastructure. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

No Russian reports were published for January 21st 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
  • (8 children5 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS756

Incident date

April 16, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 17 civilians including one woman and two children died in airstrikes on neighborhoods of Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. While some reports allege that this was the work of Russia, one other blames the Assad regime with yet others not attributing responsibility.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian warplanes carried out more than a dozen raids focused on “Al Rashida, al Haweqa and al Sina’a neighborhoods but the worst were in Al Hamidiya neighbourhood which was targeted with three raids.” It said that “nine people were killed in addition to five unidentified dead bodies“.

Tweets by Aljmhoria and 3ajel-KSA put the death toll at 13, and said Russia was responsible. Deirfree also blamed Russia and named two victims: Eyad Abdulfattah Abdullah and Abdulr-Rahman Al Akili.

Daretezza said that the 13 victims were “mostly children” –  but did not say who carried out the aerial bombardment.  According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes” (it did not say who they belonged to) killed 13 non-combatants including one woman and at least two children when they bombed areas in the al-Hamidiyyeh neighborhood.

Likewise, a report by Free Syria did not say who was to blame. Neither did LCCSY, but it named five of the reportedly killed civilians also mentioned by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently (below).

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the incident to the regime, putting the death toll at 17 including one woman and two children.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named nine male victims (listed below), while a tweet by Tiger9977771, mentioned the same names, but also reported that “there have been bodies of a woman, a male child, a female child and two men (body parts) who could not be identified”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassoun al Hazza’
Age unknown male killed
Fawaz al Fatih
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Halat
Age unknown male killed
Iyad Abd al Fattah
Age unknown male killed
Hussein al Baja’a
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad al Fattouri
Age unknown male killed
Saleh Zeeb al Marhaj
Age unknown male killed
Abd al Rahman al A’kili
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 17
  • (2 children1 woman9 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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
    9 – 17
  • (2 children1 woman9 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS061

Incident date

October 20, 2015

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.904042, 36.726111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian airstrikes killed at least 14 non-combatants according to multiple accounts.

The first strike at 1pm hit near a school and a field hospital in the town of Sarmin run by the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS.) A secondary strike or ‘double tap – captured on camera – shows an apparently deliberate attack on rescue workers clearing the streets.

Among the dead were a physiotherapist, a nurse and a ‘White Helmet’ civil defence worker Abdul Razak al-Aboud (see below.)

A witness named as ‘S M’ told the Syrian Network: “The first missile fell on a school and a hospital. The civil defense teams some paramedics and media activists rushed to the shelling site. The shelling caused material damages and some injures. However, 15 minutes later, another rocket was shelled in the exact same location. During the second shelling, I noticed a gleam like the camera’s flash and did not hear the plane’s sound. After that I felt that I was picked pushed upwards from the blasts’ power. Everything around me was white and dusty and I smell blood and gun powder. I thought that I had died. The attack resulted in the death of 17 individuals including civil defense members, paramedics and media activists.“

Speaking to the Guardian, Dr Mohamed Tennari, the director of Sarmin hospital, “said his facility appeared to have been directly targeted and could no longer serve patients on one of the fiercest frontlines in the war.”

A Russian Defence Ministry spokesman brushed aside the allegations, claiming the Syrian-American Medical Society “has the same relation to medicine and doctors as the ISIL to the international Scouting movement.” However, an investigation by Amnesty International challenged satellite images which Russia said proved it had not targeted the field hospital: “Infrastructure that appears damaged or destroyed in footage immediately after the attack is seen intact in the satellite image presented by Russian authorities, indicating the satellite image is from before the attack.”

Four months after the event a man named by the VDC as Hsain Diab also died of injuries sustained in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hsain Diab
Adult male killed
Abdul Rahman Maari
Adult male killed
Abdul Razak al-Aboud
Adult male White Helmets rescuer killed
Musbah Qassas
Adult male killed
Mazen Ismael Aaref Haj Ali
Adult male killed
Mustafa Mohammad Burghosh
Adult male killed
Dr Hasan Ahmad Taj Eddin
Adult male psychotherapist killed
Abdul Kader Ebbo
Adult male killed
Ziad Meteib
Adult male killed
Khaldoun Mohammad Sawas
Adult male hospital guard killed
Mohammad Mustafa Sawas
Adult male killed
Mohammad Abdul Kader Sallura
Adult male killed
Abdul Razak Abo Tair
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 17
  • (13 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    28–30
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • A White Helmet camera captures moment of 'double tap' strike on Sarmeen, Oct 20th 2015 via White Helmets
  • An image that depicts the shelling aftermath on one of the targeted schools (via SN4HR)
  • an image that depicts the shelling aftermath on Sermeen makeshift hospital (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    an image that depicts the injured members from the civil defense after they were targeted by alleged Russian warplanes. (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "The signs of destruction following the targeting of Russian planes of one of the schools in Sarmeen, Idlib. 20/10/2015” (via Step News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "The place of the massacre carried out by the Russian warplanes in Sarmeen, Idlib. 20-10-2015" (via Step News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A video that depicts the moment of the second attack on the gathering of the civil defence members." ( (via civil defence in Idlib)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the civil defense member who was killed due to the alleged Russian shelling. (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin confirmed carrying out strikes at Sarmin for October 20th-21st 2015, noting: “On October 19, the means of radio interception received information concerning the meeting of commanders of illegal armed groups operating near Sarmin (Idlib province). After additional check of the information through other channels concerning the time and place of the meeting, there was made a decision to make a strike on the meeting place of the militants’ commanders.“

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 17
  • (13 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    28–30
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1036

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

ضهرة عواد, Dahrat Awwad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.201724, 37.188892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian warplanes and/or Assad regime helicopters were both reported to have dropped missiles on the neighbourhood of Dahrat Awwad, killing between 10 and 17 civilians and wounding at least 15 more.

According to Ara News, 13 civilians were killed and “10s were injured”. A local news source put the number of killed civilians as high as 17 including “15 injured due to Russian warplane shelling with a missile thrown in a parachute on Dahrat Awwad.”

LCCSY said that 10 people were killed in this airstrike and that in the area, six  hospitals were put out of service.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 17
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The destruction caused to residential buildings in Dahrat Awwad. 23rd July 2016. (via Shaam Network).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 16th – 27th 2016.

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
    10 – 17
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]