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

RS510

Incident date

January 30, 2016

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4008045, 40.1184654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 18 and 20 civilians including seven women and six children were killed and 14 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hissan, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially reported that a “massacre” by “suspected Russian warplanes” killed 18 non-combatants, including six women and seven children, but a subsequent report put the death toll at 20.

The Shaam News Network also reported on “a new massacre against civilians” in Al Hissan, saying that 15 died with dozens more wounded, but they did not say who the warplanes belonged to.

However, they noted that “Russian and regime aircraft haven’t left the skies of Deir Ezzor ever since IS started attacking areas controlled by Assad’s forces like Al Baghiliya, Ayyash and Brigade 137, and committed dozens of massacres in several villages and towns.”

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently published a number of reports naming victims killed in an alleged Russian strike, and noted that among those killed were members of the al-Abdoun family. They put the death toll at nine, including four women.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

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

The victims were named as:

Adult female died 2 days later from wounds sustained in the strike killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Ismail A’bd Al Ismail
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The daughter of Habish Ali Al Ahmad
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
The daughter of Mohammad al Ali
Age unknown "and her children", named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Abo Abdo Al Halabi
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 20
  • (5–7 children4–7 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district. The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 20
  • (5–7 children4–7 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–35
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1267

Incident date

September 15, 2016

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to HNN, “20 civilians were killed in Russian raids on Abu Kamal.”

However, Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “all news reporting a massacre in al Boukamal has been dismissed and is totally untrue.”

USEmbassySyrau tweeted “ten raids by the coalition in Abu Kamal in Syria destroyed 29 targets of ISIS near Abu Kamal in Deir Ez-Zor and Mar’e.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ 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 strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3032

Incident date

February 19, 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

As many as 20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and up to dozens more were left wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Hamouriya, Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

The strikes in Hamouriya were part of a widespread shelling of multiple neighbourhoods in eastern Ghouta on February 19th, local media reported. However, according to Zaman al-Wasl, the incident in Hamouriya was the largest and had been carried out in a total of three raids. According to the Smart News Agency, mainly residential buildings were struck.

While the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported  “at least 15 fatalities”, the remaining reports mentioned 20 civilian deaths, including women and children.

Zaman al-Wasl, who put the death toll at 20, identified 14 by name; ten men and four women, and according to the surnames, some of the victims were most likely related. However, the report did not specify the age of the victims, meaning it’s unclear how many were children.

Sakr121 blamed Russia, SN4HR the regime, and  Free Deir Al Zour Radio pointed to both belligerents. But many sources didn’t apportion blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male from Malihah killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female from Otaya killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The immediate, chaotic aftermath of the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Smart News Agency)
  • Up to 20 civilians were reportedly killed by the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (al-Souria News)
  • The immediate, chaotic aftermath of the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Hadi Abdullah)
  • Members of the Civil Defense trying to extinguish fire that broke out following the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Up to 20 civilians were reportedly killed by the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (Sakr 121)
  • Many civilians were trapped under the rubble following the contested shelling of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (Syria Civil Defense)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

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
    15 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1462

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Location

جزرايا, Jazaria, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.8605148, 36.9862043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 20 civilians including a child and two women died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Jazaria village, according to sources on the ground.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least four civilians including one girl and two women died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Jazaria village in Aleppo governorate southern suburbs, October 15, 2016.”

Most other sources put the death toll at five or six, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that as many as 20 people died, including children and women.

While most reports blamed Russia, SRG Syria and the Smart News Agency said that both Moscow and Assad had carried out the strikes. Halab News referred to both raids by warplanes and helicopters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abd al Jneid
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
Nour al Jassem
Child named by Halab News killed
Tarfa al Ahmad
Age unknown named by Halab News killed
Anoud Haj Hashem
Age unknown named by Halab News killed
Abd al Juneil al Jassem
Age unknown named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the exact moment the raid fell on Jazaria, 15th October 2016. (via Zidane)
  • Footage showing the exact moment the raid fell on Jazaria, 15th October 2016. (via UAR)
  • Damage to buildings following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via JisirTV)
  • Mohammad Abd al Jneid, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 15th October 2016. (via asamasyr)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 15th October 2016. (via SyrianArwad)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via SyrianArwad)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Jazaria. (via SyrianArwad)
  • Fires in civilian homes due to the alleged raid. (via SyrianArwad)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1929

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8141415, 36.6017972 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 20 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in an airstrike on Ariha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Around half the sources blamed Russian warplanes, while the rest pointed to the Syrian regime. Some sources such as Idlib Media Centre blamed both parties for the raids.

SMO reported that the rockets used were highly explosive, while others said they had sighted vacuum bunker-buster missiles.

The airstrikes reportedly struck residential homes, which led to the collapse of three buildings and huge amounts of material damage. It was reported that an entire family of four were killed when a missile struck and destroyed their home.

Additionally, dozens of other civilians were trapped and wounded. According to RFS, a child was stuck under the rubble for hours after the raid. Similarly, other sources reported there were many missing civilians and the White Helmets worked tirelessly to dig people out of the rubble.

Many of the wounded were allegedly unidentifiable due to “charring” of the bodies.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Child male brothers killed
Child male brothers killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 20
  • (2–8 children2–4 women1–3 men)
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (31) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets attempt to dig civilians out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Halab Today)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A boy is buried under the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via aboalhodaalhoms)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Omar Madaneya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A body is pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Mohammed Masri)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Mohammed Masri)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Mohammed Masri)
  • A body is pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Mohammed Masri)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Mohammed Masri)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Mohammed Masri)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Shehab)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Shehab)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Shehab)
  • A body is pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Shehab)
  • Omar and Zain Anas Sarmini, brothers killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Shabab revolution)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Syriacivildefense)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Syriacivildefense)
  • The exact moment and aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Sada Al-Sham)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is buried under the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Euronews)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Shabab Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is pulled out of the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Shabab Revolution)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Halab Today)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via HNN)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via HNN)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via HNN)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via HNN)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via HNN)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Idlib media centre)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Idlib media centre)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Idlib media centre)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via Idlib media centre)
  • White Helmets search for missing civilians in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ariha, 27th Feb 2017. (via HNN)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ariha (اريحا), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.8141415,36.6017972. 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 February 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
    7 – 20
  • (2–8 children2–4 women1–3 men)
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2315

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

مخيم الحقاف, Hakaf Camp, Sweida, Syria

Geolocation

33.002185, 36.710386 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this incident, described as a “massacre”, between ten and 20 civilians, including children and women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian or Assad-waged warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Hekaf Camp, Sweida, local media reported.

Several airstrikes reportedly hit on the afternoon of July 2nd Haqaf camp in Sweida, which is home to displaced Syrians. al-Araby reported that Russian-waged warplanes had dropped cluster bombs. 

Sources reported between ten and 20 civilian casualties. The highest death toll was given by Zaman al-Wasl, who cited Saad al-Haj, head of the Information Office, who said that between 16 and 20 civilians had been killed.

But most sources reported about 16 fatalities, including three to four children and three to six women. The Violation Documentation Centre (VDC) identified 16 victims by name, three male children, six women and seven men.

Among the victims was the al-Shu’ail family, who, according to Smart News, was from the al Hadia clan.

Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while a smaller portion blamed the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Enab Baladi attributed blame to both.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

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

Family members (9)

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

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Some of the victims following the the contested airstrikes in Hekaf, Sweida, July 2nd, 2017 (via SN4HR)

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 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1322 RS2381

Incident date

August 2, 2017

Location

قرية التبني, Al Tabani, Shihah junction and other locations, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.605833, 39.818611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 20 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on the village of Al Tabani, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Coalition were to blame.

Rami asssaf, @Ahmad_Zahlan and @HAMZH7711 blamed the Coalition, with @Ahmad_Zahlan reporting that white phosphorus had been used.

However, the majority of sources attributed the event to Russian forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the planes belonged to Russia or the Coalition. According to Ahmad al Shibli, there were ten raids, while Al Hassaka Rasd put the death toll at 20 non-combatants.

Multiple sources reported that Abdul Razzaq al-Atrash and 11 members of his family died. Other victims were listed as three brothers, the sons of Hamoud Al Farhan al Darwish.

Euphrates Post reported that the following locations in the village were hit:

Al-Akeisat neighbourhood School

The Electricity Company

House of Ahmed Al Khalil

House of Ahmed Al Hassan

The house of Abdul Rahman al-A’ddad – adding: “it is worth mentioning that dozens of families spent the night in agricultural land for fear of air raids.”

Step News Agency reported that more than ten homes were raised to the ground.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Aisha Mohammed Ba’aj
Age unknown female named by Euphrates Post, who said Russia was likely to blame killed
Sabria Mohammed Ba’aj
Age unknown female named by Euphrates Post, who said Russia was likely to blame killed
Rana Abdul Razzaq Ba’aj
Age unknown female named by Euphrates Post, who said Russia was likely to blame killed
Abdul Razzaq Ba’aj
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post, who said Russia was likely to blame killed
Tariq Abdul Razzaq Ba’aj
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post, who said Russia was likely to blame killed
Raed Abdel Razzaq Ba’aj
Age unknown named by Euphrates Post, who said Russia was likely to blame killed
Mohammed Abdul Rahman Ba’aj
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post, who said Russia was likely to blame killed

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq al-Atrash
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 20
  • (3 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–36
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Tabani (قرية التبني), Western Deir Ezzor governorate. Sources mention airstrikes in the vicinity of two containers or two old structures at the Shihah junction (مفرق شيحا), or the entrance road to the village of Al Tabani, coming from al Buweitiyah (البويطية). Airwars was unable to locate Shihah junction, but the coordinates for the entrance road to Al Tabani are: 35.599386, 39.827688. Other landmarks that were mentioned, but that Airwars was unable to locate these due to limited satellite imagery, are the Al-Akeisat neighbourhood School (مدرسة حارة العكيصات) and The Electricity Company (مؤسسة الكهرباء)    

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tabani, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV749398
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 3rd-4th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed a ISIS financial headquarters.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 20
  • (3 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–36
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1375 CS319

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

البصيرة, al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.15618, 40.42716 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four to 20 civilians were reported killed and 12 or more injured after an alleged Coalition, Russian or Assad regime strike at al Basira, according to local media.

A photograph published by Euphrates Post showed what appeared to have been a major strike in a built up area of the town. And a video showed significant damage to a civilian neighbourhood, with a vegetable market also reportedly hit.

Most sources blamed the Assad regime, with Step News suggesting a far higher death toll: “Military regime aircraft today targeted a market in the town of al Basira resulting in a massacre of more than 20 people were killed.

Ara news said 15 civilians were killed by Russia. Al Jazeera also pointed to Russia.

The Syrian Observatory said 10 died at al Basira in unidentified strikes. And Shaam News was also unable to blame the perpetrator.

Eldorar news made no mention of casualties – but said the Coalition had bombed al Basira bridge that day, “which is the last bridges in the eastern countryside linking the villages of the province, north of the Euphrates and villages south.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 20
  • (3 children3 women)
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Image of the contested airstrike targeting al-Basira, 30th September 2016. (via Euphrates)
  • Euphrates post tweets a photo of one of the warplane raids on al Basira. 30th September 2016
  • DE24 reports the death of one man and injury of others following warplane shelling on al Basira. 30th September 2016

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU299912
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Sept. 30, 2016, in Al Basira, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3055/CS319 37SFU299912

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported from September 30 2016: ‘On Sept. 30, coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets'
Al-Basira however did not appear on the list of locations that it reportedly targeted.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 20
  • (3 children3 women)
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]