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

RS419

Incident date

January 19, 2016

Location

البوليل, Al Bulial Rouwaida neighbourhood, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.192087, 40.379369 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 20 civilians including two children were killed, and more than 25 others injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Rouwaida neighbourhood in Al Buliyal, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at seven including two children, killed by shelling from “alleged Russian warplanes“.

Al Jazeera reported sources that said there were dead and wounded as a result of a Russian strike on Al Buliyal.

The report referenced a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, “who said the strikes killed more than 60 ‘terrorists’ in Deir al-Zour, adding that the Russian air force dropped by parachute food and other shipments in the city of Deir ez-Zor beleaguered areas besieged by DAESH“.

The Shaam News Network also reported that Russia was responsible: “Activists said the Russian Aviation committed a horrible massacre today against dozens of civilians in the village of Albulayl in the eastern province of Deir el Zour, after several strikes with cluster bombs targeted the houses in the ALBUHLAL neighbourhood of the town centre Albohilal“.

Al A’an TV attributed the incident to Russia and said that “about 18” non-combatants died.

But Al Jazira put the death toll as high as 20, including children and also blamed Russia.

They added that Russia had allegedly dropped cluster bombs on residential buildings an “a mosque in Albouhilal and Alajabilh neighbourhoods in the village of Albulial.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Family members (2)

Hannoush Aafat
named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured
Ahmed Alhnoh Aafat
named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured

Family members (4)

Rashid al-Hayes
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Ahmed al-Hayes
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Hassan al-Hayes
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Rushdie Hayes
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child female killed
Khalil Aljadou’a
Age unknown named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured
Daughter of  Ahmed elMahal.
Child female named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured
Osman Hassan
Age unknown male named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured
Khalil Aljadou’a
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Mohammed Hassan
Child male named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Son of Ali Hassan
Child male named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Hamid Hussein
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
"Children" of Eid alJalloud
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Mohamed Salah Khalif
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 20
  • (2 children8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Mohammad Ibraheem Mhaimed al-Mansour, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 19th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Hsain Ibraheem Mhaimed al-Mansour, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 19th January 2016. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Deir ez-Zor governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.” It added: “Near al-Baghiliyah (Deir ez-Zor province), where the ISIS militants performed a massive execution of about 300 civilians in order to frighten citizens a day ago, a Russian Su-34 bomber made a strike on terrorists’ strong points. Direct hits caused elimination of 3 heavy vehicles with ZU-23 systems, 2 off-roaders with heavy weapons and more than 60 terrorists.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 20
  • (2 children8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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

RS2757

Incident date

November 25, 2017

Location

السيال, al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.5713889, 40.9066667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, at between seven but and as many 21 civilians, including 12 children and three women, were killed as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in a camp for displaced people in al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that “suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on gathering of IDPs tents in Badiya between al Sayyal and al Ghabra villages of al Bukamal city in Deir Ez-Zour.”

The large majority of sources, such as Step News Agency and Free-Syria, reported that “at least” 11 civilians were killed, including seven members from one family.

However, the day after the incident, SN4HR put the death toll at “at least” 21 civilians, including 12 children and three women.

All know sources pointed to Russia as the culprit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 21
  • (12 children3 women)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • News report about the alleged Russian shelling of Deir Ezzor, including al-Sayyal, November 25th, 2017 (via Aljisr Satellite Channel)
  • The moment the alleged Russian warplanes struck al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, November 25th, 2017 (via Qaryat Alsayal)

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
    7 – 21
  • (12 children3 women)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1000

Incident date

July 13, 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

Up to 21 civilians died and as many as 55 more were wounded in a major civilian casualty event in Al Rastan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Syrian Press Center reported a Russian warplane carried out the raid, using missiles.

However, Qasioun News blamed the regime for the airstrike, calling it a “massacre” in which least 43 people were wounded, “the majority were women and children”.

Al Jazeera also blamed the regime, citing air and artillery strikes. A Civil Defence member who was filming as he rescued blamed the regime as did several other local news sources.

All4Syrian News blamed both Russian warplanes and the Assad regime. They also put the number of civilians killed at 21.

LCCSY reported at the end of the day that “27 martyrs were reported in #Homs most of them were killed during Russian airstrikes on #Rastan.”

The report also claims there were 4 unidentified bodies.

Orient news and SMO Syria placed the number of wounded as high as 50. All4Syria put the numbers slightly lower at over 30. Qasioun reported that the hospitals were full of wounded, creating a chaotic environment. There is video evidence showing a makeshift hospital formed to hold wounded civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Adnan Karman
Age unknown male killed
Hussam Adnan Karman
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Ziad Al-Takes
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Ayyub
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Mahmood Abbas
Age unknown male killed
Abdul-Mun’im Al-Shimali
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Taktak
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Fayez Al-Youssef
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Al-Fares
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Khatib
Age unknown male killed
Hamza Masharqa
Age unknown killed
Nada Mohammed Ali Ayoub
Age unknown killed
Farhan Shah’houd
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 21
  • (3 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–55
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused to a local market and residential buildings following and believed to be, joint Russian and Assad regime raid in Al Rastan. 13th July 2016. (via, Syrian Newsdesk).
  • Locals carry a wounded man to safety following a raid on Al Rastan by Russian and the Assad regime. (via, Syrian Newsdesk).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rows of dead bodies in Ar Rastan, victims of alleged warplane shelling on the market (Youtube by Arastan Arastan)
  • A cloud of dark smoke rises in Ar Rastan following suspected warplane shelling (via SMO Syria)

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 July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 21
  • (3 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–55
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2599

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.974444, 40.485556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten and as many as 21 (possibly more) civilians, hereof up to seven children and four women, were killed, and another “dozens” were left wounded as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

Euphrates Post reported that six air raids had hit the town of Mahkan, more precisely near the Euphrates River.

Arab48 reported that the raids struck civilians “as they tried to cross the Euphrates River on ferries in the village of Mahkan”. @AlSharqia24 added that the alleged Russian warplanes hit “the house of Nasser al-Muhamed al-Tarsh in a camp that resulted in the martyrdom of a family.”

The death toll varied from reports about “at least ten” (@raassaf77) while most sources, such as Baladi News, reported more than 15 victims, most being from same families.

As many as 21 victims were identified by name, hereof five children and four women. However, there was some disagreement over the numbers.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, for example, said that there had been “at least seven child victims”, while Arab48 put the number of children killed at three.

It should also be noted, that one victim “Hamza”, only identified by his first name, could possibly be the same as the victim identified as “Hamze Abdul Ali al-Hayyawi”.

@aboud_alsalih reported that “dozens” were left wounded.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Adult male killed

Family members (5)

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

Family members (4)

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

Family members (2)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male Son of Hamza killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male Displaced killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 21
  • (3–7 children4 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ 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 October 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 21
  • (3–7 children4 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS285

Incident date

December 17, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

21 civilians were killed including two women and four children and 11 wounded in airstrikes on residential neighbourhoods in the centre and north and south of the city of Raqqa, according to multiple sources –  though it is unclear whether regime or Russian warplanes or shelling by the Assad regime were responsible for the casualties.

According to the IS news agency Al A’maq, Russian raids targeted a residential neighbourhood in the north of the city and also targeted the abandoned former Islamic Court building near the old bridge south of the city and the firefighting and rescue building.

The Shaam News Network also quoted the Al A’maq coverage.

Al Raqqa is Being Slaughtered silently also reported on the incident, listing the dead and adding that Russian raids after midnight targeted the finance building (leading to its total destruction), the train station (also completely destroying it) and burning out three fire fighting cars. They stated that six members of the fire fighting team were amongst those killed, while an entire family also died when their house was struck.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime for the shelling, which they said killed 12 civilians including two women and four children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Mohammad Abdullah al Ali
Adult male named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
His daughter Wala’a Al Ali
Child female named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
His son Hassan al Ali
Child male named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
His son Mohannad Al Ali
Child male named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
His son Fadi Al Ali
Child male named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
His wife Wissal Al Hajji
Adult female named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed

Family members (4)

Nasser Ibrahim Al Abd
Adult male named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
Wife of Nasser Ibrahim Al Abd
Adult female named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
Daughter 1 of Nasser Ibrahim Al Abd
Child female named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
Daughter 2 of Nasser Ibrahim Al Abd
Child female named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed

The victims were named as:

Omar Ibn Ibrahim Al Hajj Ahmad Al Saeed
Age unknown male named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
Ismail Al Hamdi
Age unknown male from Al Suwaida village, named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
Maher al Abid Al Hajji
Adult male a fireman from from the Al Assadiya farm area, named by Al Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21
  • (4 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

  • The martyred family of Mohammad Abdallah Al Ali, killed in alleged Russian raid on their house in Raqqa, December 17th. (via, Al Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a deceased male adult and a child. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic image of a deceased male. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic image of a deceased male who appears to be burnt. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic image of a decapitated deceased male. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • A hole in the ground formed by an airstrike. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • The underside of a hole. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • Some damaged infrastructure. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • A child's bike buried under the rubble. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • Some more damaged infrastructure in Raqqa. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • Civilians amongst the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged contested airstrike. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • Damaged vehicles in the aftermath of an airstrike in Raqqa. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • Entire roads have been uprooted by airstrikes in the neighbourhood. (via, Al Raqqa is being slaughtered silently)
  • Maher al Abid Al Hajji, a fireman killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrikes. (via, Al 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

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
    21
  • (4 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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

RS788 CS207

Incident date

May 2, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and 21 civilians died and up to 50 were injured in multiple night time airstrikes on the city of Raqqa, according to local sources. While most reports alleged that Russia was responsible, others did not identify the aircraft, while one blamed the Assad regime and another said that the Coalition might have carried out the raids.

Multiple local sources reported the incident, stating various numbers of dead and wounded.

Al Ettihad Press attributed the incident to Russia, saying that warplanes targeted Daesh with more than 45 strikes in the city, killing a number of militants and destroying a headquarters, but also leading to the death of 21 non-combatants and the injury of 43 more.

Sources told Al Ettihad: “The planes used vacuum missiles, cluster bombs and guided missiles in their bombing. Entire neighbourhoods were seen burning with rockets blazing, believed to be napalm missiles which is forbidden internationally.”

The Shaam News Network also blamed Russia, with activists saying that the raids focused on “Al Nai’m, Al Ferdos and the area around Al Rasheed Park.”

Syria.net said that the aircraft were believed to be Russian and listed areas that were targeted, adding that mosques in the city launched calls for blood donations due to the high numbers of people wounded. Quoting the ISIL agency Al A’amaq, an activist said that six civilians died and three were injured following Russian midnight raids.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently initially said that six civilians died in five raids by “warplanes” (it did not identify them). A further report said that more than 20 civilian homes had been destroyed near “the bunkers” or “al Sawame”. It later suggested that it could have been a Russian strike: “The heavy bombardment came after Russian statements to the UN Security Council about its intention to target Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor under the pretext of the war on terrorism.” It said that 24 raids had killed at least 20 civilians and wounded 50 more.

In a number of posts, RBSS said that the following locations had been targeted:

The area near Hitteen school

The area of the arts college

The old Al Haal market

Bilqis school

Al Rasheed Mill.

The monitor also published 19 images showing destruction of Bilqis school, Al Rasheed Mill and the grain silos.

LCSSY reported that dawn raids had killed 10 non-combatants, but did not say who was responsible. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for firing missiles on Bilqis school, partially destroying it and rendering it inoperable.

Orient News blamed the Coalition, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that the warplanes responsible “likely” belonged to the Coalition. It said that there had been 35 strikes killing 13 civilians and five militants, adding that the number of dead was predicted to rise due to the severity of injuries.

Quoting AFP and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Egypt News reported that the identity of the warplanes was unknown. It also put the death toll at 13 non-combatants and five members of Daesh.

Two victims were later named by RBSS.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 21
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–50
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (29) [ collapse]

  • Juma’a Ibrahim, killed in an airstrike on Raqqa, May 2nd (via RBSS)
  • Activist @Fouadhallak89 tweets that more than 25 air raids target Raqqa on 3rd May 2016
  • LCCSY tweet confirms raids on Raqqa city. 2nd May 2016
  • Al Jazeera tweet confirming deaths and injuries due to alleged Russian strikes on Raqqa, May 3rd 2016
  • Fires raging in Raqqa as a result of air raids. [Via: RBSS on 3rd May 2016]
  • One of the victims, Muhannad Khalil al Shaheen. [Via: RBSS on 3rd May 2016]
  • An activist quoting IS media agency Al-A'amaq reporting that six civilians were killed and 3 injured following 'Russian raids on Raqqa at midnight yesterday' 3rd May 2016, via @1hhttss11
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • Photo showing the extent of the damage caused by the raids in the area surrounding the grain silos and nearby housing, 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • Photo showing the extent of the damage caused by the raids in the area surrounding the grain silos and nearby housing, 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • Photo of Bilqis school in Raqqa city destroyed by 'government warplanes', May 3rd 2016 [Via: SN4HR]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st 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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIL crane."

For May 2nd-3rd: "Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes struck an ISIL finance center and an ISIL weapons storage facility."

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 21
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–50
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2868

Incident date

January 7–8, 2018

Location

الفعلول, Al-Fa'loul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.636442, 36.829906 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 21 civilians were killed in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on the residential town of Al-Fa’loul, according to sources on the ground. Local media blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the airstrikes.

Although most sources report that 12 were killed, the totoal named death count is 16 civilians. In addition to this, Masrawy News, put the death toll as high as 21 including eight children, however they are the only source to put the figure this high.

Gergnaz reported that as well as named victims there were five unidentified bodies due to deformities. They also named four injured victims.

The strikes – which occurred during the night – left dozens wounded and missing, according to local media, “between houses and agricultural land.”

Shahed_alep1 reported the use of internationally banned phosphorous bombs while @abuzied reported the use of rockets and naplam. Both sources attributed blame to Moscow.

One source reported that the bomb was highly explosive – they blamed Russia.

The bombing was one of a series of blanket bombings of the vicinity of Idlib. Local media reported there had been “dozens of raids on many towns”.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Dr. Ahmed bin Abdul-Karim Al-Shehd
Adult male killed
Lamia Lababidi
Adult female wife of Dr Ahmed killed
Ibrahim
Age unknown male son of Dr Ahmed killed
Hassan Ahmad al-Abdullah
Age unknown male son in law of Dr Ahmed killed
Umm Muhammad
Adult female mother of Dr Ahmed's wife, from Beit Lababidi killed
Abdullah Ahmad al-Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Maryam Al-Nu'man
Adult female wife of Abdullah killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult female wife of Ahmed killed

The victims were named as:

Farzat Mohammed Eid al-Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Mahmoud Ahmed Al-Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Hamoud Ahmed Al-Abdullah
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Mohammed Ramdan unique
Age unknown male killed
Rabeeb Hassan Ahmed Al-Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Adult female wife of the martyr Hassan Mohammed killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown injured
Age unknown injured
Age unknown injured
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 21
  • (2–8 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, Unknown

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Fa'loul, 7th Jan 2018. (via @abuzied)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of of airstrikes on Al-Fa'loul, 7th Jan 2018. (via Jarjanaz)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of of airstrikes on Al-Fa'loul, 7th Jan 2018. (via Jarjanaz)
  • A victim of airstrikes on Al-Fa'loul, 7th Jan 2018. (via Jarjanaz)
  • Wounded in the aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Fa'loul, 7th Jan 2018. (via JGergnaz)
  • A victim of airstrikes on Al-Fa'loul, 7th Jan 2018. (via Jarjanaz)
  • Dr. al Shehada, killed in airstrikes on Al-Fa'loul, 7th Jan 2018. (via SN4HR)
  • Victims of airstrikes on Al-Fa'loul, 7th Jan 2018. (via Zuhair MHMD)

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 21
  • (2–8 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, Unknown

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1324

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

بشقاتين, Bishqatin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2036137, 36.9954354 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least sixteen civilians from two families were killed, and “dozens” more wounded in airstrikes on the village of Bishqatin, located in the countryside west of Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though one report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights mentioned Syrian regime involvement.

Jaafr M Deen 01Halab News’ list of martyrs for the strike numbered 16 casualties, most of which matched the names on the @Syriamubasher list.

Sky News Arabia corroborated these reports, stating, “the air strikes on Bishqatin resulted in the death of “a man and his wife and child and a woman and five of her children and another woman and her five children.”

Alghad News also referred to the death of 12 individuals from one family. These reports, and the names of the dead, suggest that the two families were related.

Other news outlets put the number of dead higher. @baladinetwork tweeted that 16 in total were killed, and posted several pictures of local workers using a bulldozer to sift through the rubble.

Zamanalwasl News put the death toll still higher at 17. @Shahbapress tweeted that the strikes “martyred 19 civilians, including women and children, and injured about 30 others.”

According to Eldorar News, “the air strikes targeted a house which consisted of two floors with displaced families.”

The White Helmets posted a video to YouTube in which three children are pulled, alive but bloodied, out of the rubble. A fourth body, which looks to be of a prepubescent boy, is retrieved dead and wrapped in a carpet.

While most sources blamed Russia for this event, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed it to “government warplanes” and “allies”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Aliaa Omar Ali
Child killed
Mohammed Omar Ali
Child killed
Alia Ali Ali
Child killed
Mariam Omar Ali
Child killed
Maram Omar al Ali
Child killed
Hassan Omar Ali
Child killed
Omar Ali Maram
Child killed
Mohammed Ali Al-Ali
Child killed
The mother - Fatima Ahmed Ammuna
Adult female killed
Marwa Ali Ali
Child killed
Rola Ali Ali
Child killed

Family members (4)

Mohammed Hussein Ibn Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Omar Hussein Mohammed Hussein Ali
11 months years old killed
Hussein Mohammed Hussein Ali
34 years old male killed
Rima Omar El Haaj Omar
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Kifaa Abdulaziz Mustafa
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 21
  • (11 children2–3 women3 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 (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets work through the rubble in Bishqatin - the impact of alleged Russian warplane shelling, Sept 23rd (Youtube via AMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians pulled from under the rubble in Bishqatin by The White Helmet rescue team. The aftermath of suspected Russian airstrikes, Sept 23rd(Youtube via Thiqa)
  • A reporter at the scene in Bishqatin following alleged Russian airstrikes, Sept 23rd (Youtube via Jaafr M Deen 01)
  • Rubble and destruction on the streets of Bishqatin, Sept 23rd (via @AleppoAMC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very distressing images of child victims of alleged Russian warplane shelling in Bishqatin, Sept 23rd (via @salqin)
  • Photographs of The White Helmet resuce mission in Bishqatin (via @baladinetwork)
  • Members of The White Helmets search for victims of alleged Russian warplane massacre in Bishqatin (via @RevolutionSyria)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets pull multiple child victims from underneath a destroyed building in Bishqatin, Sept 23rd (via The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 21
  • (11 children2–3 women3 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 (42) [ collapse]