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

RS112

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.229890, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 24 civilians were reported killed and a dozen injured in alleged evening Russian airstrikes on a centre for the distribution of bread in the town of Qaryatain in Homs province.

According to Shaam News Network, 16 people died when Russian planes carried out two raids. Activists stressed that the raids targeted a bakery in the city.

Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll even higher at 26 non-combatants, including 3 children and 2 women. It claimed most of the victims were displaced persons from Maheen.

24 victims were named by the VDC  and another 6 other victims were also named by SN4HR .

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Saeid Sarakes
male killed
Son of Saeid Sarakes
Adult male killed
Daughter of Saeid Sarakes
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Fadi Bassam al-Hamouri al-Noaemi
Adult male killed
Atiye Subhi al-Adle al-Ghoush
Adult male killed
Atiye Subhi al-Adle al-Ghoush
Adult male killed
Ayman Mohmmad Ahmad al-Zgherre
Adult male killed
Zakiye al-Shammat
Adult female killed
Mohammad Tameem al-Shibli
Adult male killed
Atiye al-Daeif
Adult male killed
Mohammad Adnan al-Musa
Adult male killed
Ahmad Khaled Abdul Kafi al-Musa
Adult male killed
Abdul Kafi Mohammad al-Abdul Kafi al-Musa
Adult male killed
Qasem Mohammad Awad al-Sultan
Age unknown male killed
Ali Redwan al-Yousef al-Salame
Age unknown male
Son of Mohammad Atallah Feroun
Age unknown male 12 years old killed
Son of Rasheed al-Salame
Age unknown male killed
Usama Ahmad al-Mezel al-Ibraheem
Age unknown male killed
Qassim Mohammed al Salama
Age unknown male killed
Taleb Mahmoud Idrees
Age unknown killed
Son of Moahammad al-Zamzune
Child male killed
Fares Qasem Mohammad al-Dalloul al-Dakhlallah
Adult female killed
Jaber Ahmad al-Fadel
Age unknown male killed
Abd al-Wahed Eid Ezz Eddin
Age unknown male killed
Lutfiyeh Hmaidan
Age unknown female killed
Atia Al Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Maysem Atia Al Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Fedaa Atia Al Abdullah
Age unknown female killed
Abdullah Al Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Child, unidentified
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 30
  • (3 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Ali-Redwan-al-Yousef-al-Salame

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Al Qaryatayn (القريتين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.229890, 37.238245. 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

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin has confirmed carrying out strikes in Homs governorate: “In the Tadmor district (Homs province) a Su-25 attack aircraft made a strike on an ISIS fortified area. Direct hits resulted in destruction of fortifications, underground shelters as well as AA artillery positions of the terrorists with two ZSU-23 systems. Objective monitoring data confirms their complete elimination.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 30
  • (3 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS108

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

منطقة أسيا, Assiya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.271066, 37.078834 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unnamed civilian male was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Assiya. Almodon made no mention of civilian casualties, though did report strikes by “Russian jet fighters” on Assiya.

No additional information is presently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin confirmed carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the suburbs of Aleppo, a Su-34 bomber made a strike against a terrorist camp used for training of militants arrived from other countries. As a result of hits of air bombs, the ammunition depot as well as the training facilities were eliminated.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS109

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was killed and ‘dozens of civilians’ were injured “as a result of five Russian air strikes [each strike firing more than one missile] targeting residential neighborhoods in the city of Douma” according to the White Helmets. Intense artillery shelling was also reported on Douma.

VDC named the child as Judi Bashar al Zhairi, and said she was killed by ‘Russian air forces shelling.’ A video of her funeral was also published.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Judi was killed in Douma as a result of alleged Russian air forces shelling
  • During the video the man says her the little girl name and also says 'she was killed as a result of land to land missiles fired on Douma". Doesn’t say who.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin has confirmed carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate: “Near Harasta al-Katara (Damascus province), an ISIS ammunition depot was destroyed. A hit of a guided bomb on a bunker with artillery munitions completely destroyed the object with all its contents.“

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 child)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS110

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

أم صحريج, Um Sirij, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.32051, 37.34214 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to five children and their mother were reported killed and four more people injured along with up to three civilian adults, after an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Umm Sirij.

Shaam News cited local civil defence as saying that a home had been razed in the attack, with other houses damaged. And Smart News reported that “Russian warplanes launched a missile strike on the village, which killed five people, including two children, and four wounded, including children, they were transported by the civil defense to the field hospital nearby.”

The Syrian Network later claimed that “On 1 November 2015, alleged Russian warplanes shelled Um Sahareej town in Hama suburbs under ISIL’s control, which killed 6 individuals from one family (a woman and 5 children).”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2–5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian strike on November 1st 2015, which reportedly killed two children (via SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin has confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate: “Near Kafr Nabudah settlement (Hama province), a Su-25 attack aircraft performed a strike against militants’ fortified area with two armored vehicles and two off-road automobile vehicles equipped with ZU-23 AA systems. Direct hit of an air bomb caused destruction of an ammunition depot. As a result of detonation, armored and off-road vehicles burnt down.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2–5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS105

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The White Helmets and others reported a very intense raid in the early hours of November 1st, allegedly by Russian warplanes, on Hraytan. The Al Haramees area was targetted with four strikes reportedly using vacuum missiles, which led to the death of 45-year old Mohammad Ismail Rustum and the wounding of two others, as well as to the destruction of homes.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrike on Hraytan November 1st (via White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin confirmed carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the suburbs of Aleppo, a Su-34 bomber made a strike against a terrorist camp used for training of militants arrived from other countries. As a result of hits of air bombs, the ammunition depot as well as the training facilities were eliminated.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS106

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.572778, 36.556667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed and two or more non-combatants injured following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jbala.

While the Syrian Observatory blamed Russia, both the Idlib Media Centre and Al Kul Radio said the attack was the work of the Assad regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The video shows the airstrike carried out in Jbala village, dated on Nov 1st, 2015.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Jbala (جبالا), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.572778, 36.556667. 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

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Idlib governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Regime

While the Syrian Observatory blamed Russia, both the Idlib Media Centre and Al Kul Radio said the attack was the work of the Assad regime.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS107

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

معرتماتر, Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.570000, 36.548889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child named as Ahmad Ali al-Yousef was reported killed following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Ma’artamater.

The Violations Documentation Center and Syrian Observatory blamed Russia. The pro-regime Shaam Times – citing “military sources” – confirmed that unspecified aircraft had supported ground operations at Ma’artamater. And the Damascus Centre for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • a Raid by warplanes targeting the village of Ma’artamater in the southern Idlib countryside on 1/11/2015

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Ma’ar Tamater (معرتماتر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.570000, 36.548889. 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

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Idlib 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 child)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS103

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The White Helmets were among those reporting multiple civilian fatalities after a series of alleged Russian airstrikes on Douma. “Since the morning until now, more than 15 strikes,” the civil defence group posted. Syria Reporter published what it said was an image of two Russian aircraft operating over the city that day.

The dead were later named

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaldoun Houssam Al Rheibani
Child male killed
Yussuf Khaled Khabiya
Age unknown male killed
Yasser Hassan Kabkab
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Yasser Blaleh
Age unknown male killed
Waleed Deeb M’ekeh
Age unknown male killed
Yunis Mohammad Naji
Age unknown male killed
Three unidentified women
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (1–3 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • warplanes flying over Douma

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (1–3 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 (7) [ collapse]