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

RS1153

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 24 civilians – many of them women and children – died and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a popular market in Tareeq al Bab, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several pointed towards the regime. Reports said that a large number of civilians remained trapped under the rubble.

LCCSY was among sources that attributed the event to Russia. It put the death toll at 20 – “mostly children” – adding that dozens more were wounded due to destruction of many residential buildings in the area.

The lowest death count was given as 13 by SNA, who also blamed Russia. However, many sources said that 24 people had perished – adding the death toll was likely to rise.

The Shaam News Network reported that this was the work of both Russia and the Assad regime. It reported: “Activists said warplanes targeted the neighbourhood of Tareeq al bab with several missiles, leaving 20 martyrs and dozens more wounded, including women and children”.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “government warplanes and its allies” carried out the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 24
  • (2–5 children2–5 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

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • A child is carried to safety following an airstrike on Tareeq al-Bab (via SHRC)
  • Blood splattered on the floor in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Tareeq al Bab. (via, LCCSY)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Tareeq al Bab. (via, LCCSY)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Tareeq al Bab. (via, LCCSY)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Tareeq al Bab. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Tareeq al Bab which destroyed these local shops. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Tareeq al Bab which destroyed these local shops. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Tareeq al Bab. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Tareeq al Bab. (via, SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded child is carried from the scene. (via, SN4HR)
  • A news bulletin reporting on the alleged raid. (via, Halab Today TV)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, SNN)
  • White Helmets digging in the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, SNA)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded child receives treatment in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Smart News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded man receives treatment in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Smart News)
  • The aftermath of the raid. (via Smart)
  • Civilian casualties in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, SHRC)
  • A wounded man receives treatment in a medical facility in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, RadioAMCFM)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

On August 16th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that,"Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 tactical bombers took off from the “Hamedan” airbase (the Islamic Republic of Iran) and carried out a concentrated airstrike on objects of the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groupings in the provinces of Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and Idlib. As a result, the strikes have eliminated 5 large ammunition depots with armament, munitions and fuel, training camps of militants near Serakab, Al-Ghab, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor cities, 3 control centres of militants near the cities Jafra and Deir ez-Zor as well as a significant number of militants. Ammunition depots, training camps and control centres destroyed by the bombing had been used for support of militant groupings near Aleppo."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 24
  • (2–5 children2–5 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

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1243

Incident date

July 20, 2017

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.751769, 39.61639 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 11 people, including children, were killed and a number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Ma’dan in eastern Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible.

Step News Agency alleged that the Coalition had caused the deaths, while an ISIL propaganda video alleged that Russia was to blame. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not known whether the planes belonged to the Coalition or Russia.

With regards to civilian casualties, Step News Agency reported that the incident was a “massacre” and reported that “dozens” were killed and wounded.

The ISIL video supported that view as it showed seven fatalities, including one man and six boys, and four people injured, including one man, one boy and two girls.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 24
  • (6 children1 man)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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 Ma’adan, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV557565
    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 July 20th-21st: “Near Raqqah, 16 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 13 fighting positions, two pipelines, and an oil tank; and damaged a supply route and an ISIS railway.” It additionally reported that “On July 20, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a tunnel entrance.” And that “On July 20, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Thursday 20 July – Typhoons bombed a terrorist position in Raqqa; Tornados and Typhoons attacked terrorists on a Tigris island and destroyed their boat and vehicle transport…Update: air strikes against Daesh – GOV.UK Operations over Raqqa continued on Thursday 20 July, when a Typhoon mission assisted SDF engaged in combat with a group of extremists firing from a building; this was hit with a single Paveway IV which eliminated the threat to the SDF. In northern Iraq, coalition surveillance aircraft had located a number of terrorists on a wooded island in the Tigris, several miles south of Qayyarah, along with their transport – a boat and two vehicles – on the riverbanks. Two Tornados bombed the terrorists on the island with a pair of Paveway IVs, whilst a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair destroyed the boat and vehicles with Brimstone missiles.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah, Daech continue de perdre du terrain, jour après jour, face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes. Les combattants terroristes continuent néanmoins de disposer de solides positions défensives dans le cœur de la ville, à partir desquelles ils mènent des contre-attaques régulières et des actions de harcèlement. En Irak, Les forces de sécurités irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation de la ville de Mossoul, face à des équipes isolées de combattants qui continuent de mener des actions symboliques de harcèlement. Dans le même temps, Daech consolide ses positions autour de Tal Afar, pour tenter de résister à l’offensive prochaine de la Coalition pour libérer aussi cette ville. Daech poursuit par ailleurs ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement, en se concentrant dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah. Certaines actions ont également été menées cette semaine dans l’Ouest de l’Irak, dans la région de Rutbah. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 45 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 06 de ravitaillement en vol. Un C135-FR récemment déployé a en effet réalisé de nombreuses missions en quelques jours à peine, soutenant ainsi, à son niveau, la bascule des efforts de la Coalition vers les autres bastions de Daech. Deux frappes ont été menées dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, détruisant deux positions de combattants ennemies, au contact des troupes alliées engagées. De ces positions, des tireurs de Daech tenaient sous leur feu les soldats alliés à une centaine de mètres à peine. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a réalisé 21 missions de tir dont 07 de harcèlement et 14 d’éclairement. Ces missions interdisent une offensive de contre des terroristes vers Mossoul. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 324 frappes, 2 092 objectifs détruits et 6 857 sorties. Le bilan global de l’activité artillerie atteint 1 331 missions.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 24
  • (6 children1 man)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2415

Incident date

September 1–2, 2017

Location

دير الزور , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

“Russian criminal aircraft” were accused of carrying out between 80 and 100 air raids on Deir Ezzor governorate over the 24 hours prior to September 2nd. Multiple civilian casualties were reported, but the numbers are unclear.

Almodon reported that “dozens” of civilians – men, women and children – were killed in the alleged Russian bombardment that forced others to flee into the countryside and destroyed homes and mosques. Almodon further implies that these raids were coordinated along with the advance of the Syrian regime into the area.

It should be noted that these are general numbers over 24 hours in Deir Ezzor governorate and do not pertain to a specific civilian casualty incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1285

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1855676, 37.1802235 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and 24 civilians were killed and up to 13 wounded in intense air strikes with barrel bombs and napalm on the al Marja neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported.

About half the sources stated only that “warplanes” were involved, while the other half said Russian planes were responsible.

One source, the Shaam News Network (SNN), referred to “the Russian/Assad enemy planes.”

A number of sources, including SNN, Twitt-book News, ALAMAWI, and Syria2011 News, claimed four deaths. However, Syriahr News and @RFS_NORTH referred only to “a man martyred.”

@BNN_2016 tweeted that “dozens” were killed in al Marja.

LCCSY and @AleppoAMC said that people were buried in the rubble and that one girl had been dug out alive.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 24
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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

Sources (23) [ 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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 24
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1839

Incident date

January 15, 2017

Location

اللابد موحسن, Al-Labed, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2257487, 40.3109038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 24 people were killed in an airstrike on Al-Labed, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the Syrian regime, and others pointing to Russian warplanes.

Most sources reported that seven civilians were killed, however some later reports vaguely suggested that as many as “dozens were killed” – which is much higher than the initial reporting.

Only two civilians were named as wounded, despite most sources reporting that “dozens were wounded”, in a “massacre”, on Al-Labdel.

One source reported that six of the civilians were from the same family. One of the women was allegedly pregnant.

Additionally, it is reported that some of the injured were in a critical condition, therefore it is expected that the number of deaths was to rise.

Many residential homes were also reportedly destroyed in the raid.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Jumana Jaber Al-Makhlaf
Adult female killed
The husband Abu Malek Al-Bourdani
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Khalil Al Layli’s second daughter
Child female in a serious condition injured
Jaber Al-Makhlaf
Age unknown in a serious condition injured
Nasra al-Nasser
Adult female the wife of Jaber al-Makhlaf killed
Khalil Al Layli’s daughter
Child female killed
The wife of Jaber al-Makhlaf
Adult female killed
Jumana Jaber al-Makhlaf and fetus 
Adult female pregnant killed
husband of Jumana “ Wassim al-Sulaiman al-Hasan”
Adult male killed
Alaa Khalil al Waka’a
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 24
  • (1–2 children2–4 women1–2 men)
  • 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

Sources (15) [ 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 specific strikes between January 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
    4 – 24
  • (1–2 children2–4 women1–2 men)
  • 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

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2297

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecific number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on the area of Akeirbat, including – according to Enabbaladi – the village of Abu Ramal. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. While most blame Russia, only one blamed the Syrian regime.

According to sources, as many as 30 raids struck the vicinity, which was allegedly controlled by ISIS at the time.

Multiple sources reported that white phosphorus was used in the raid, which is an internationally banned weapon.

A local tweeted that there were “dozens of martyrs and wounded people”, however others say there were only a few. Regardless, there are currently no specific casualty numbers.

There are no other details at this time.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (7) [ 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 specific 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
    2 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1691 RS2781

Incident date

December 5, 2017

Location

الجردي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.884892, 40.635273 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 24 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Jarthi town, local media reported – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow.

According to Al Haal, “Abu Hassan al-Khalifa (a resident of the town) told al-Hal, that the Russian warplanes targeted the two towns of Al Jarthi Al Sharqi [Eastern] and Al Jarthi al Gharbi [Western], with more than 9 raids, killing 17 civilians, mostly women and children, wounding more than 20 others.”

Al Jisr TV, citing local sources, reported that “[Russian] fighters targeted with rockets a residential complex, and then returned to target a car that tried to aid the wounded”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights was alone in blaming the Coalition, putting the number killed at “at least 7 civilians, including 2 children and a woman”.

According to the Euphrates Post, “there were more than 15 martyrs and a number of wounded as a result of military aircraft targeting the town of al-Jarthi al-Sharqi [al Jarthi East]. A van carrying civilians in Al Jarthi al Gharbi [al Jarthi West] was struck last night [Dec 5th]. Most of the victims are from the town of al-Duyer, including the family of Ali al-Shakil al-Hamad. The father, son and grandfather died, in addition to three people from al Jarthi itself.

Step News Agency blamed Russia, initially putting the death toll at 14. It later said that the number killed had risen to 23, of which 13 were from one family. It added that “dozens more” were injured. 

The Syrian Observatory also pointed towards Russia, initially reporting that 14 people died including six children and women, with 10 more wounded, “during Russia’s support of operations by the SDF east of the Euphrates River”. A further report by the Observatory said that the death toll had risen to 24, of which 10 were children and four were women.

The Smart News Agency also said that the strikes were “likely” Russian.

Qasioun appeared to blame the regime, putting the death toll at 20 with another 30 wounded.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Family members (1)

Family members (2)

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 24
  • (10 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Jarthi town, Dec 5th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Jarthi, 5th December 2017. (via Euphrates Post‎)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a building in the village of Al Jarthi al Sharqi (الجردي الشرقي), for which the coordinates are: 34.8687930, 40.6480229. Satellite imagery analysis geolocated the image of a destroyed house posted on social media by Euphrates Post. Before (Dec. 03, 2017) and after (Dec. 26, 2017) images showed visible structural damage. Airwars does not have the rights to publish the images. The exact coordinates for the destroyed building are 34.884892, 40.635273. Further evidence of this can be seen in a separate video posted on Twitter by @Al_sharqnews

  • The location of the destroyed building in the village of Al Jarthi al Sharqi (الجردي الشرقي), shown in the Euphrates Post and the @Al_Sharqnews video. Airwars geolocated these two sources to 34.884892, 40.635273

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Panorama from the video posted by @Al_Sharqnews

    Date taken:
    December 6, 2017

    Imagery:
    https://twitter.com/Al_sharqnews/status/938401362211155973

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al-Jarthi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU494361498
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Dec. 5, 2017, near al-Jarthi, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 2554/S1488 37SFU494361498

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS fighting position.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 24
  • (10 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS984

Incident date

July 10, 2016

Location

إبين, Abeen, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.0878523, 36.7598389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty event, 20 named civilians – mostly women and children – died and up to 30 more were wounded in airstrikes on Abeen village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the attacks.

Syrian Press Centre, Al Jazeera, Smart News, other local news sources and residents of the town, reported sighting Russian warplanes.

But Ara News blamed the Syrian regime, claiming that it “targeted and shelled” civilians housing. Baladi News also pointed to Assad warplanes.

There was some conflicted reporting from Shaam News Network. The source initially attributed the incident to the regime, but in a subsequent report claimed the “Russian Airline carried out four successive raids, with rocket stereochemistry on the small village [Abeen Smam’an], targeting residential houses and causing a large massacre of its inhabitants.”

The majority of those killed were children. There is considerable photographic evidence of this claim. Furthermore, these numbers do not include the four civilians that Shaam Network reported were still missing on the 11th of July.

Ara News placed the number of wounded at 20, however it also reported this was the initial toll. A local news source, Madar Daily, put the number of injured much higher at 30. It added that  “it is worth mentioning that this village doesn’t have any armed opposition as it’s far from the front line and most people are displaced from Aleppo and its countryside.”

On the 11th of July, the day after the attack, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that many people were still trapped under the rubble and the Civil Defence were working to rescue them.

According to the Shaam News Network, Abeen Smam’an was not the only neighbourhood to be struck. It claimed that cluster bombs struck camps for displaced people in Brive Kfrckrman in Western Aleppo.

Halab News Network reported that the overall death toll in Aleppo on the 10th of July was 75. LCCSY placed this much higher at 104 in Aleppo, 142 overall in Syria.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Jamal Barro
5 years old killed
Hanan Barro
4 years old killed
Maria Hamdo Baro
8 years old killed
Ibrahim Hamdo Baro
5 years old killed
Abdallah Hamdo Baro
12 years old killed
Wife of Hamdo Baro
Adult female killed

Family members (3)

Abd al Rahman Ahmad Shahoud
6 years old killed
Alaa Mohammad Shahhoud
8 years old male killed
Bayan Mohammad Shahhoud
5 years old killed

Family members (2)

Samir Abdo Bakri
6 years old killed
Hanan Abdo Bakri
3 years old killed

Family members (2)

Fatima Ali Massoud
50 years old female killed
Ali Juma’a Massoud
20 years old killed

The victims were named as:

Riyad Abdallah Kaddour
16 years old killed
Jamal Abdo Riyadh
2 years old killed
Riyadh Jamal Ghader
12 years old killed
Abd al Salam Mohammad Amin
36 years old male killed
Jamal Abdo Jamal Ghader
2 years old killed
Ali Juma’a Masoud
2 years old killed
Hafida Adel Hamidi
2 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 24
  • (16–18 children1–4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • A resident of Abeen Village crying out amongst the rubble caused by Russian and Assad regime shelling. 10th July 2016. (via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Locals helping the Civil Defence to rescue the dead and injured from the rubble following Russian and Assad regime raids on Abeen Village. 10th July 2016. (via. Al-Sharq).
  • The White Helmets provide aid at the village of Abeeen in western Aleppo (Youtube by mohamed kader)
  • Large scale material destruction in the village of Abeen after alleged Russian warplanes attack (Youtube by Ali Qasum)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian child killed in alleged Russian attacks (via syrianpc)
  • Civilian homes demolished in Abeen, the source suspected the Syrian Regime responsible (via Ara news)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A distressing image of two dead children, suspected killed by Russian warplanes in Abeen (via Jisrtv)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Three dead civilian children, victims of suspected Russian warplanes (via Syriahr)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two small children killed during suspected "Regime warplane" attacks on Abeen (Tweet by @taha_alho)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of civilian children, maimed and killed in Abeen after warplanes allegedly struck the village (Tweet by @syahmad2012)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A significant wound on the leg of a civilian child, struck by suspected warplanes whilst roller-skating (Tweet by @syahmad2012)
  • A street turned to rubble, the result of alleged warplane attacks on Abeen (via Baladi)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian children killed in suspected airstrikes on Abeen (via Aletihadpress)
  • A street in Abeen, demolished after suspected Russian warplane shelling (via Step)
  • The White Helmets use a JCB to uncover rubble in Abeen following alleged Russian attacks (via Alkhalijonline)
  • Destruction in Abeen following alleged Russian airstrikes (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • The civil defense team at the scene in Abeen (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A demolished street in Abeen, the aftermath of suspected Russian strikes (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • The White Helmet rescue mission at the village of Abeen (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • Footage of Abeen after alleged Russian strikes on the village (Video via Syrian Revolution Facebook)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A doctor in Abeen holds two dead civilian children in his arms, killed in suspected Russian warplane shelling (via Syrian Revolution)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

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
    20 – 24
  • (16–18 children1–4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (33) [ collapse]