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

RS135

Incident date

November 8, 2015

Location

الصوانة, Al Sawana, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.76986, 37.55804 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians, including two children, were killed in an alleged raid by Russian warplanes.

According to the Network, the non-combatants were targeted as they were leaving the town of Maheen in Homs, leading to some reporting confusion with the following incident.

The SNHR released the three victim names that killed during the alleged Russian warplanes. Furthermore, Al Qaryatain round the clock facebook account released the same three names as well as an additional victim by name.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Haleem Abdul Karim Al Shhoud
Adult male killed
Bushra Waleed Abdul Karim Al Shhoud
Child female killed
Sidra Khaled Abdul Karim Al Shhoud
Child female killed
Mahmoud Khaled Saleh Al Rifai
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2–3 children2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sawana (الصوانة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.76986, 37.55804. 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 confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Homs governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2–3 children2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS131

Incident date

November 8, 2015

Location

أم صحريج, Umm Sahrij, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.320510, 37.342140 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female non-combatant was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a mosque in Umm Sahrij, according to the Coordination of Syrian Revolution in Eastern Hama, and The Union of Hama Revolutionaries [links presently disabled.]

All4Syria also reported that “The village of Umm Sahreej in the eastern Hama countryside suffered a Russian airstrike which led to the death of one woman and the injury of others.”

 

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Umm Sahrij (أم صحريج), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.320510, 37.342140. 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 confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Hama governorate : “Near Kafer Nbuda (Hama province), a strike was made against a workshop used for repairing of armoured vehicles of the Jabhat al-Nusra. The airstrike of a Su-24M bomber eliminated a hangar with 4 tanks and 1 infantry fighting vehicle.”

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS132

Incident date

November 8, 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

According to multiple sources, at least ten non-combatants died, and 30 were injured by alleged Russian warplanes struck the popular market in the centre of Ma’arat Al Numan.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the alleged raids, but a member of The White Helmets, who came to the scene, told SN4HR Russian jets were responsible: “On Sunday in the afternoon, alleged Russian warplanes launched two rockets on the market in Abi’ Alaa Street. We directly went there. One rocket targeted Al Ma’ara Pharmacy which flattened it to the ground, and the other rocket fell to the east of the first location. The region is completely free of any armed opposition groups or ISIL.”

The Violations Documentation Center named seven victims as having been killed alleged Russian strikes.

Additionally, on November 18th, the VDC also listed Mostafa Mohammad Khair al Thikra as having died from wounds sustained in the bombing. Ibraheem al Ekel described as having died from injuries sustained in a strike on Maasaran. However, a list compiled by the Syrian Center suggests that while he is from Maasaran, Mr al-Ekel killed on November 8th in the Ma’arat al-Numan market bombing.

Moreover, The Syrian Network for Human Rights named Alaa Zarzour and Hasan Ahmad Ja’afar Al Shardoub as having died in the attack. And according to Syrian Center News, a young man from the Sheroot family was also killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Kareem al-Shardoub
Adult male killed
Yasin al-Dergam
Adult male killed
Jamal Mohammad Mendel
Adult male killed
Hosain al-Sobaih
Adult male killed
Abd la-Khaleq al-Baik
Adult male killed
Mostafa al-Sherawi
Adult male killed
Ahmad Mostafa al-Sherawi
Adult male killed
Mostafa Mohammad Khair al Thikra
Age unknown male killed
Ibraheem al Ekel
Age unknown male killed
Alaa Zarzour
Age unknown male killed
Hasan Ahmad Ja’afar Al Shardoub
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (10–12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • Maarah Network Report A new massacre committed by Russian aircraft with their hateful missiles, which targeted the commercial market in the city of Maarat al-Nu'man in the countryside of Idlib
  • Abd al Kareem Hardoub
  • Jamal al Mendeel

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate: “In the suburbs of al-Zerba (Idlib province), a large command center of Jabhat al-Nusra illegal armed group was destroyed. The object had been arranged in the course of the last three weeks as well as well-camouflaged. The command center coordinated terrorists’ actions at the Idlib-Aleppo direction. After additional reconnaissance of the object by means of unmanned aerial vehicles, a Su-34 aircraft made a strike with a guided bomb KAB-500. As a result, the object was destroyed with all its contents.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (10–12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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

RS129

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.151494, 37.707842 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A series of massive airstrikes on Dayr Hafir – allegedly by both Assad regime and Russian forces – led to some civilian casualties according to reports.

According to Shaam News, “Dayr Hafer was hit with more than 40 rockets launched by rocket launchers and more than ten air strikes in addition to helicopters throwing their barrels over the city.” The FSA said some civilians were killed and injured. And the Syrian News Desk reported that “A private source from Deir Hafer, who preferred anonymity, told the Office of the Syria News, which the regime forces shelled the centre and outskirts of the city with more than 40 rockets fired from launchers stationed in the vicinity of the neighbouring town of al Safira. Helicopters also fired two barrels explosive on Deir Hafer, prompting families displaced from the city to nearby villages east, for fear of the intensification of the pace of bombing them.”

The VDC named Abd al-Lateef Hout as one of two civilians killed – but said both died in regime shelling.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Lateef Hout
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Dayr Hafir, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.151494, 37.707842. 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 confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last three days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 137 combat sorties engaging 448 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia, Raqqah, Hama and Homs provinces.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS130

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

ضاحية الكهرباء, Dahiat al Kharaba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1682296, 37.0184326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that one male civilian was killed in an alleged strike by Russian warplanes on the Dahiat al Kharaba region, between the towns of Kafr Naha and Khan al Assal. Al Jazeera, the Step Agency and Zaitonmag also said attacks in the vicinity were the work of Russia.

However, VDC and Halab News listed the dead civilian as having been killed in “regime army forces shelling.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mohamad Kafou
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Two members of The White Helmets holding the remnants of the cluster munitions shells, following an alleged Russian raid on, November 7th (via SNHR)
  • a video shows the martyr Ahmad Muhammad

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS127

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

كفر جوم, Kafr Joum, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.11127, 36.95655 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reported killed and a number injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory in Kafr Joum, Aleppo, according to the White Helmets and the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The White Helmets reported that Russian warplanes had carried out several raids targeting the factory, leading to widespread destruction and a massive fire which teams from Aleppo worked to put out. The civil defence force sad the strike caused the death of several civilians working in the factory.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights did not report any deaths but said some factory employees were injured, adding that the factory had put out of service due to a fire which also burnt out several vehicles.

The factory had represented “the largest source of employment in rural Aleppo down to Idlib” according to Syria Direct, which said 13 civilian workers injured in a strike it attributed to “regime aircraft.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A member of the White Helmets attempts to put out a fire in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory, Aleppo, Nov 7th (via White Helmets)
  • the aftermath image of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory.
  • a video shows the fire in Al - Diri Textile Factory in Aleppo, Western Aleppo

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS128

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.169667, 37.040255 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The White Helmets reported that one woman was killed and several other civilians injured following an alleged strike by Russian planes.

The event may be linked to the previous incident between Kafr Naha and Khan al Assal. The only woman as listed by VDC as killed in an airstrike that day was Halima Abid al Sleiman, who was reported to have died either in an Assad regime or Russian action.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Halima Abid al Sleiman
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Members of The White Helmets place a body in an ambulance, following an alleged Russian raid in Khan Al A'assal, November 7th (via The White Helmets)
  • Members of The White Helmets searching the place where an alleged Russian raid in Khan Al A'assal, November 7th (via The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS126

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

سقبا وحموريه, Between Saqba and Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.523493, 36.3847445 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were killed including four children – and dozens of people injured – following an alleged Russian or Assad regime air raid on neighbourhoods in an area linking the towns of Saqba and Hamouriya.

The White Helmets and Radio Al Kul blamed Russia, while VDC and the Syrian Free Army said the attack was the work of Assad.

VDC published seven people who killed by names.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fadi Zuheir al Bashash
Child male killed
Imad Dirkhbani
Child male killed
Maher Abu Al Joz
Child male
Labiba Arabi
Adult female killed
Fadia Issa or Eisa
Adult female killed
Malak Hamandoush
Age unknown female killed
Khalil Subhi Aamer
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (4 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets inspect a demolished building following an alleged Russian raid on Damascus, Nov 7th (via The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of casualties following the alleged Russian raid on Douma, Nov 7th.
  • The moment a child was pulled from the rubble following the alleged Russian strike on the town of Saqba, Nov 7th.
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Sakaba, Nov 7th.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area between the neighboring towns Saqba (سقبا) and Hamouriya (حمورة). The coordinates between the two towns are: 33.523493, 36.3847445. 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 confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (4 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]