Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Incident Code

RS156

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory reported that four non-combatants were killed and ten people were injured (four seriously) in three alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun.

A video filmed in the immediate aftermath shows devastated civilian houses, with at least ten injured adults and children. A second video (below) shows the moment the airstrike hits Khan Sheikhoun.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ibraheem al-Saloum
Adult male Named by the Violations Documentation Center killed
Najat Abdul Kader al-Merie
Adult female Named by the Violations Documentation Center killed
Meriam Khaled Obeid al-Kerdi
Adult female Named by the Violations Documentation Center killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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]

  • Zaman News Agency: The moment t Khan Shekhan was hit by an alleged Russian airstrike
  • The aftermath of the raids on Khan Sheikhoun

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports carrying out cruise missile strikes in Idlib governorate on November 17th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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

RS154

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Location

أورم الجوز, Urum Al Joz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.791920, 36.566680 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to The Syrian Observatory, Russian warplanes allegedly bombed Orme al Joz killing up to four civilians. While the Observatory reported unspecified casualties, VDC named one adult male fatality.

The Syrian News Desk cited local media activist Khaled Al Idilbi as saying “that Russian warplanes targeted with two raids residential sites within the town of Orme al Joz west of Idlib, killing four civilians and wounding four others with moderate injuries, who were taken to field hospitals.” Al Idlibi also said the raids fully destroyed several houses, while damaging other shops and properties.

 

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Zakaria Habo
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Urum Al-Joz (أورم الجوز), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.79192, 36.56668. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia reports carrying out cruise missile strikes in Idlib governorate on November 17th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS152

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Location

التمانعة, At Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was killed, and two men travelling with her badly injured when alleged Russian warplanes struck a car carrying displaced people on the road leading to Al Tamaanah in Idlib governorate. One of the men may later have died.

Smart News has published an interview with an eyewitness: “At 09:30 this morning exactly an air raid by Russian planes targeted the eastern road from al Taman’a hitting a civilian car carrying a woman and two other people which led to the death of the woman and the injury of the two men. One of the men lost his foot, and the other one lost his hand and had a neck injury. Here are the effects of the hit, it was a Sukhoi 93.”

“The Free Syrian Army reported that “In al Taman’a south Russian fighter jets carried out two air raids targeting with one of them a civilian car on the main road which led to the martyrdom of two people and the wounding of one other. Russian planes continue to circle the skies.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Remains of a vehicle after alleged Russian strike near x, 15th November (via SNN)
  • Civil Defense Altmanah recovered the martyrs and the wounded after the raid of the Russian aviation
  • In this video Al Jazeera report two incident and this includes the incident in At Tamani'ah which led to killing women and injured two men.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS153

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Location

الميسر, Myassar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1943476, 37.2082043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed – an uncle and nephew – and two or more people injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the  Myassar neighbourhood of Aleppo.

Local media activist Hassan al Ahmad posted an image of the dead boy with the comment: “This is how Syria’s children are being killed as if their blood is cheap. A child martyr died today in al Mayssar neighbourhood in Aleppo by the treacherous Russian planes.” The boy’s image was later used in a tweet relating to civilians allegedly killed in Raqqa.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the child killed in al mayssar neighbourhood in Aleppo

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS151

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five non-combatants – including a woman and child – were reported killed and more than five people injured in an alleged Russian airstrike targeting the town of Khan Shaikhoun.

The Shaam News Network said three civilians were killed in the raid, while the Union of Hamas rebels reported that four people died. The VDC put the death toll even higher, at five.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, a Russian rocket was launched next to Ahmad Al Ta’an School. The school and surrounding houses were reported partially destroyed.

The Violations Documentation Center named five victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Firas Najem al-Taean
Adult male killed
Abdo Khaled al-Taean
Adult male killed
Abdo Ibraheem al-Taean
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Hiam Salloum al-Abd
Adult female killed
Husam Jamal Faraj
Child male listed under Lattamna, but VDC states he was killed at Khan Sheikhoun killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child1 woman3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The Syrian Civil Defense Idlib Khan Shikhun Center Directed a young man from the rubble as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • an image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.
  • An image related to the alleged Russian bombing in the city of Khan Sheikhun.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child1 woman3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS150

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

News media reported that three or four children were killed – and more than 20 injured in Russian warplanes allegedly struck the Abu Alaa Al Ma’ari Elementary School for Boys in Ma’art Al-Nu’man. One video appears to show Russian aircraft over the city that day.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the warplanes struck during school hours in the morning, when hundreds of pupils were present. Both SN4HR and The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three. The Observatory also reported that no less than 15 non-combatants were injured and that the death toll was predicted to rise.

SN4HR put the number of injured even higher at least 20 and said many were students. One witness told Baladi News: “We’re at a school here. Russian planes came and bombed. Three kids in 10th grade were killed, and there are many cases of severed limbs.  Putin, Bashar what have these kids done to you?“

The VDC named three victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Qosai Mahmoud Fatouh
Child male aged 12 years killed
Tahseen Yehya al-Sabouh
Child male aged 15 years killed
Tahseen Yehya al-Sabouh
Child male aged 14 years killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Almarra today report: "Abu Ala'a Middle School was bombed today by a Russian Airplane which killed three students and wounded more".
  • Voiceover: "My camera documents alleged targeting by Russian aviation of a children's school in the city of Ma'rat al-Nu'man in rural Idlib"
  • Al Jazeera TV reported that three children were killed and five injured in an alleged Russian air strike on a school in the town of Ma'arat al-Nu'man in the countryside of Idlib
  • Maarah Media Center - Monitoring Russian military aircraft in the sky of Maarat al-Nu'man city
  • The Syrian Civil Defense Idlib - 2015.11.15 The moment the bodies of the children were recovered in the school of Abi Alaa al-Maari in the city of Maarat al-Nu'man
  • Photo of the victim Qussai Fattouh
  • Photo of the victim Tahseen al Sabbouh

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS148

Incident date

November 14, 2015

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Violations Documentation Center and The Syrian Network for Human Rights, five or six civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Hamra.

SN4HR reported that Russian warplanes shelled the neighbourhood of Jamye’at Al Sabbath. Additionally, they stated that a tailoring factory belonging to the Syrian Organization of Human Care and Development in Kafr Humra was significantly damaged.

The VDC published three victims by names.

Mustafa Maher Boushnaq was additionally named but is the victim  listed killed in the alleged strike on Hraytan.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights named three additional victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hammou Al Kurdi Ibrahim Dibo Othman Moustafa Houssien Hilal – Aleppo – Adnan City Abu Deib Shawwa
Adult male killed
Ahmad al-Badawi
Adult male killed
Hammou Al Kurdi
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Dibo Othman
Adult male killed
Moustafa Houssien Hilal
Adult male killed
Abu Deib Shawwa
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (6 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image that depicts the shelling aftermath on the tailoring factory

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (6 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS149

Incident date

November 14, 2015

Location

باريشا, Barisha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.164940, 36.635956 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that alleged Russian warplanes targeted the village of Barisa and the Abo Al Dohor area and reported losses, but did not provide any details. No further information is available at the present time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Barisha (باريشا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.164940, 36.635956. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]