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

RS208

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Location

أباد, Abbada, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.9227696, 36.9230783 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of four was reported killed in the village of Abbad in the Aleppo countryside, following alleged Russian raids.

An eyewitness reported the following to Orient News: “Everyone here works in agriculture and shepherding. I was in the shop buying some things and we saw the plane. It struck the first blow on the western side of the village. Another plane came and carried out another raid on the southern side of the village. After two or three minutes it struck this house here. They were sleeping. There were a man, his wife and his two daughters, a 2-year-old and a one-year-old. They were all martyred.”

VDC has named the family members that killed in “Russian strikes”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Rajeh Shokri al-Shlash
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Wife Rajeh Shukri al-Shlash
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Son of Rajeh Shukri al-Shlash 1
Child male Named by VDC killed
Son of Rajeh Shukri al-Shlash 2
Child male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abbada (أباد ), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9227696, 36.9230783. 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
Official source

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS201

Incident date

November 27, 2015

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six or more civilians were reported killed including up to four women when Russian warplanes allegedly shelled As Sukhna. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, one of the rockets targeted two houses, “which killed six civilians including a child and three women.”

The VDC has named the six victims that were killed during the strike.

 

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Lutfiye Hmaidan
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Atiye al-Abdulla
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Maysam al-Abdulla
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Fidaa al-Abdulla
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Abdulla al-Abdulla “al-Zeer
Adult male Named by VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Heyam al-Sahen
Adult female Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1 child4 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of As Sukhnah, for which the generic coordinates are: 34.8848748, 38.8711739. 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
Official source

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1 child4 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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

RS197

Incident date

November 27, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.229890, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three non-combatants including two women were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a farm 7km from the city of Qaryatain. The Syrian Network for Human Rights described the location as providing shelter to internally displaced civilians.

The VDC named two victims, and  SN4HR named the third victim who was named byrom Haraween in Homs

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aysheh Ahmad al-Hajji al-Saleibi
Adult female named by vdc killed
Hafizah Zaeim al-Sabrah
Adult female named by vdc killed
Aeid Sameer Sawan
Age unknown male named by SN4RH killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Al Qaryatayn (القريتين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.229890, 37.238245. 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
Official source

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS198

Incident date

November 27, 2015

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The VDC and others identified an adult female civilian as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jisr al Shughour. Two additional non-combatants including one child were reportedly injured.

Local media activist Tariq Abd Aluhak posted what he said were pictures of rescuers after the event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

 Zainab Orafli
Adult female named by vdc killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Jisr al Shughour, Nov 27th (via north press)
  • 'Zeinab Orafli martyred and Walid Hiraki and his son injured following Russian air raids on the town a short while ago' (via Coordination Committee for Jisr al Shoughour)
  • 'Jisr al Shoughour: Zeinab Orafli martyred and two others wounded after Russian raids on the town' (viaTariq Abd aluhak tweet)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Incident Code

RS199

Incident date

November 27, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Wadi al Ahmar, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian was reported killed –  VDC named the victim – following multiple alleged Russian airstrikes at Al Wadi Al Ahmar, east of Palmyra, according to local monitors.

Activists said the historic city’s archaeological campus was badly damaged as a result of one of the raids, and that other strikes hit different parts of the city.

Additionally, it was reported that one raid hit Mohammad Awad Saleh school, near the local military security HQ. This led to significant damage to the building.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Shihab al-Hinawi 
Adult male named by vdc killed

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammad Shihab al Hinawi (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS200

Incident date

November 27, 2015

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586002, 37.034333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians, including one to two children, were reported killed and six injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Azaz, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three non-combatants, including one child, died when Russian warplanes launched several rockets targeting the road leading to the border crossing point with Turkey. A pro-regime tweet instead claimed that “Russian warplanes raids target a convoy coming from Turkey to support the terrorists of al Nusra Front via Izaz in the northern Aleppo countryside.”

The White Helmets put the death toll at five and said the victims were from the same family and included two children. However, in their Facebook post, they stated that the area was attacked by “warplanes“, not specifying any nationality.

The VDC named the two victims and another man as an unidentified.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights listed one additional victim by name.

Halab News named Mohammad Hussein Barhawi, who it said was an FSA fighter.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Barho
Child male named by VDC killed
Sumayah Mohammad Meghnej
Child female named by VDC (15 years) killed
Abdul Hakeem Abdo
Adult male named by NS4RH killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children2 men)
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • 'Russian enemy planes bomb Izaz on the Syrian Turkish border' (via Mohammad Abduallah Sleiman tweet)
  • Burning trucks in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Izaz, November 27th (via White Helmets)
  • Footage of the moment an alleged Russian airstrike hit Azaz, Nov 27th (via north press)
  • The martyr of Jamila Abu Hussein Al - Ghabash was martyred by the Russian bombing on the city of Aazaz (via Jasimine tweet)
  • Mohammad Barho (via VDC)
  • a Syrian girl her head destroyed as a result of the Russian bombing on the border areas in the town of Izaz (via Shareef Sarmada tweet)
  • A picture of Russian warplanes raids target a convoy coming from Turkey to support the terrorists of al Nusra Front (via Izaz in the northern Aleppo countryside)

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting several vehicles in western A’zaz (أعزاز‎). After investigating audio-visual material from sources, we narrowed this location to a highway west of the city, for which the exact coordinates are: 36.586002, 37.034333.

  • The vehicles were struck next to the electricity pylon seen here.

    Imagery:
    Aleppo White Helmets

  • A victim is removed from the scene of the airstrike, also showing a dirt road and two buildings.

    Imagery:
    North Press

  • Witness video shows the road on which the vehicles were targeted. Note that feature D refers to the small road that turns onto the main highway.

    Imagery:
    North Press

  • Overhead imagery shows the features marked in the media from witnesses.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite imagery showing the exact location of the airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children2 men)
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS191

Incident date

November 26, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the main street of Maarat Al Nu’man.

Orient News interviewed three witnesses to the attack (featured below). “The Russians carried out five raids killing around six people and injuring many. They were all civilian passers-by,” states a civil defence worker, while a resident complains “This is the main high street busy with people. There are no terrorists and no Daesh here.” A second resident notes: “Five killed! If Turkey brings down one of their planes, it’s not our fault. Here there is a school, people were killed and injured here.“

Smart News alleged a ‘double tap’ strike, citing eyewitness Malek Sourani: “After the first raid we went to the place of the rocket to see whether we could help the injured – so some civilians and civil defence had gathered. The warplanes returned and repeated their attack which has led to the occurrence of a large number of martyrs and wounded.”

VDC has named five victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ayham Abdul Lateef Twaish
Adult male named by vdc killed
Salem Burhan al-Khadeeje
Adult male named by vdc killed
Yehya Murhaf Harami
Adult male named by vdc killed
Salah Shafeeq al-Mahloul
Adult male named by vdc killed
Ali Abdulrahman al-Bedawi
Adult male named by vdc killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

  • Ayham Abdul Lateef Twaish (via VDC)
  • Ali Abdulrahman al Bedawi (via VDC)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Ma'arat al-Nu'man, Nov 26th (via SPC)
  • The aftermath of the airstrike on Ayham Abdul Lateef Twaish, Nov 26th (via maara media center)
  • A video: 'The cry of pain after a massacre in Maarat al-Nu'man in rural Idlib' (via SPC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports that “On November 23-26, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed 134 combat sorties engaging 449 objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah and Deir-ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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

Incident Code

RS192

Incident date

November 26, 2015

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.214950, 36.712220 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Zaitonmag, Russian aircraft carried out a raid on Sarmada on the Turkish border, “targeting a garage of relief trucks which has led to anonymous martyrs and two people slightly injured.“

The Syrian Network also reported the event, saying the attack by warplanes destroyed eight trucks and a water tank and killed one person. It also cited ‘Shareef’, a media activist from the town: “The shelling targeted a civilian area on the international highway between Sarmada and Bab Al Hawa crossing point where there were a group of fuel stations, warehouses and freight vehicles. Russian warplanes launched the airstrike, and I was able to differentiate it from the Syrian shelling.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strike hit a location along the highway between the Bab Al Hawa crossing (منفذ باب الهوى) and the village of Sarmada (سرمدا). The coordinates for the road between Bab Al Hawa crossing and Sarmada are: 36.214950, 36.712220. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • International highway M45 between Sarmada and Bab Al Hawa. Imagery: Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia reports that “On November 23-26, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed 134 combat sorties engaging 449 objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah and Deir-ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]