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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
4807 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS3927

Incident date

July 21, 2019

Location

أورم الجوز, Urma Al Jouz, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 12 civilians, including children, were killed and up too 22 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, Idlib governorate, on July 21st, 2019, according to local sources.

Horrya News reported that “12 civilians were killed and 22 others were wounded after a warplane launched a raid targeting a mosque and residential homes in the centre of Urma Al Jouz town, west of Idlib governorate”, blaming the Syrian regime for the strikes.

In what was the lowest reported death toll, Local Coordination Committee Syria reported that two people were killed and an unknown number of others, mainly children, were wounded. The source blamed Russian airliners for the attack.

While Smart News Agency initially claimed three civilian deaths, it later reported up to six civilian deaths, including children, and more than 10 wounded. The source added several photographs of the victims after volunteers pulled them from the rubble in addition to a video.

Masr Al Arabiya reported that the main streets of the town, which were crowded with civilians, were targeted, putting the death toll at nine civilians. According to the source, three displaced people from the village of Hamirat were among the victims. Many sources, including @Sy24ria and @ShahbaPress, reported “dozens” of wounded.

Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported that a total of nine civilians were killed, including two children and a woman. The source blamed Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes and reported that they fired missiles on the Al Eman Mosque in the middle of Urm al Jouz village in Idlib, in what it described as “a massacre”. The source added that another missile struck the entrance of the secondary school in the village.

Both Syrian regime forces and Russian forces were blamed for the attack by Shaam News, who added that they killed a total of 11 civilians.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Hama (@civil_hama) tweeted that “the White Helmets team from the western Hama sector rushed to the place to support the rest of the civil defence teams there, where it worked to recover the martyrs and aid the injured.”

Altall.revolution reported that the 40-year-old man Jaber Al Darwish, also known as Abu Saqr, was among the fatalities. According to the source, he died alongside the orphaned children Samira Ammar Hajj Musa (11) and Muhammad Ammar Haji Musa (9). Another source, Abu Mahfouz Al Ghouta, wrote that Al Darwish died alongside Samira Jaber Al Darwish and Muhammad Jaber Al Darwish. As the latter share the first names of the orphaned children, it is likely, but not confirmed, that they are the same victims.

Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmad Al-Faris أحمد الفارس
Adult male killed
Bahaa Ahmad Al-Faris بهاء أحمد الفارس
Child male killed
Maternal aunt of Ahmed Al-Faris خالة احمد الفارس
Adult female killed

Family members (3)

Jaber Mohammed Darwish ( Abu Saqr) جابر محمد الدرويش
40 years old male fled from Al Tal in 2016 killed
Samira Jaber A -Darwish سميرة جابر الدرويش
Age unknown female killed
Muhammad Jaber Al Darwish محمد جابر الدرويش
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Muhammad Ammar Hajj Musa محمد عمار الحاج موسى
9 years old male killed
Samira Ammar Hajj Musa سميرة عمار الحاج موسى
11 years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Khaled Qaddi خالد قدي
Age unknown male killed
Mustafa Muhammad Shehadi مصطفى محمد شحاديمصطفى محمد شحادي
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (58) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of alleged Syrian or Russian airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st (via Hadi Al Abddalh).
  • Aftermath of alleged Syrian or Russian airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st (via Step News).
  • Man carrying the body of one of the victims of an alleged Syrian airstrike on Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on Al Karaj area in the middle of Urm al Jouz village on July 21st (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • Damage to Al Eman Mosque in Urm Al Jouz village after an alleged Syrian missile struck the building on July 21st (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • Damage to the secondary school in Urm Al Jouz village after an alleged Syrian missile struck the entrance of the school on July 21st (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • Translation: “A horrific massacre committed by the war regime's warplanes in the town of Urma Al Jouz in Idlib countryside, which killed 9 people as a first toll and dozens wounded” (via @Sy24ria).
  • Translation: “A horrific massacre committed by the regime's warplanes in the town of Urma Al Jouz, the initial result of which is six martyrs and dozens of wounded, including children” (via @shaamnews).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “At least seven were killed and dozens were wounded today, Sunday, in the violent bombing of the Assad regime and its Russian ally on Urma Al Jouz in Idlib” (via @zamanalwsl).
  • Translation: “12 martyrs, including displaced children and women from the countryside of Hama, and dozens of wounded as a result of an air strike targeting civilian homes in the village of Urma Al Jouz in Idlib countryside. The White Helmets team from the western Hama sector rushed to the place to support the rest of the civil defense teams there, where it worked to recover the martyrs and aid the injured” (via @civil_hama).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer looking for victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Civilians at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers looking for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Civilians at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Civilians at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Zaman Al Wasl).
  • Damage after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Zaman Al Wasl).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child who was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Zaman Al Wasl).
  • A man holding the body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Zaman Al Wasl).
  • Footage of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Two men at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via @Sy24ria).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st, 2019 (via @shaamnews).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching underneath the rubble for victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st, 2019 (via @shaamnews).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching underneath the rubble for victims after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st, 2019 (via @shaamnews).
  • Civilians at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st, 2019 (via @shaamnews).
  • Translation: "The MiG-23 unloads its cargo on the heads of civilians in Urma Al Jouz, leaving damage and dozens of victims" (via Orient News).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer carrying a presumably injured child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via @civil_hama).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via @civil_hama).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer carrying a presumably injured child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via @civil_hama).
  • Translation: “Seven martyrs and a number of injuries as a result of the warplanes targeting the town of Urma Al Jouz in the southern Idlib countryside with an air strike” (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st 2019 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • One of the victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st, 2019 (via Nouri Al Rawwal).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a victim who was killed of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st, 2019 (via Nouri Al Rawwal).
  • One of the victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st, 2019 (via Nouri Al Rawwal).
  • Mustafa Muhammad Shehadi was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Mustafa Zenklo).
  • Mustafa Muhammad Shehadi was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Mustafa Zenklo).
  • Civilians in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • A man in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • The body of a child trapped underneath the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Men looking at the body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Civilians and Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying the body of a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Smart News Agency).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer carrying a killed or injured baby after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searching for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz, July 21st, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence).
  • Some of the victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Urma Al Jouz on July 21st, 2019: Jaber Al Darwish (40, pictured on the right) with two orphaned children, Samira Ammar Hajj Musa (11, middle) and Muhammad Ammar Haji Musa (9, left) (via Altall.revolution).

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS087

Incident date

October 28, 2015

Location

تل هادية, Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.99595, 36.93908 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 11 civilians were reported killed in the second alleged Russian airstrike in as many days on Tal Hadya. A large number of civilians were also reportedly injured in the nighttime attack.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “nine people [six women, one child and two men] were killed in bombing by warplanes believed to be Russian, on the village of Tal Hadya in the southern Aleppo countryside.” Local news placed the civilian toll at 11.

VDC named two civilians killed as Alae Nahhas and Abo Enoud – a 14-year old boy.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alae Nahhas
Adult male killed
Abo Enoud
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1–7 children0–6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abo Enoud, killed in a reported Russian strike October 27th (via VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    photo of Alae Nahhas (via VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Hadya (تل هادية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.99595, 36.93908. 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

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1–7 children0–6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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

RS2890

Incident date

January 12–13, 2018

Location

خان السبل, Khan Alsubul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.753927, 36.770468 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 11 civilians were reported killed in what has been described by local media as a “massacre” on Khan Alsubul. As many as 17 civilians were also claimed wounded in the raids, which occurred in the middle of the night whilst civilians slept. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame fo the raids. Some sources blamed Russia, others the Syrian regime, while some blamed unidentified “warplanes”.

As many as five children were killed in the raid, as well as three women.

The residential homes which were “targeted” were destroyed in the night due to the heavy raids which fired down on the vicinity. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence worked until dawn recovering bodies and wounded victims from the rubble before transporting them to medical facilities.

“Dozens” of rockets were used, according to local media.

Hazem Salibi, a Civil Defence volunteer, said that at 11:30 pm, Russian warplanes launched raids on the town of Khan al-Sabeel. “We went directly to the execution site and worked to retrieve the martyrs and the wounded,” he said, adding that “the scene was very harsh, the remains of the martyrs of children, women and old people were filling the place.”

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (3–5 children1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Unknown

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded and dead civilians in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Hadi Abdullah)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • Civilian rescues in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via RFSMO)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A dead child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Shaam)
  • Civilian rescues in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Horrya)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A dead child in the aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Alsubul, 12th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (3–5 children1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Unknown

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS516

Incident date

February 1, 2016

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians including four children, four women and a rescue worker were killed – and ten to 15 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched 20 raids with missiles and cluster bombs targeting homes in the city center of Anadan and its outskirts, which led to the death of four women. They said that more than ten other civilians were injured, some in critical condition, and that a number of houses were destroyed.

They later reported that seven were killed in Anadan amid Russian raids on “the towns of the northern countryside, on the towns of Tal Rafa’at, Mare’, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, Hayyan, Ratyan, Bayanoun, Al Mallah, Ma’arasta al Khan, Ihress, Deir al Zeitoun, Bashoui and Asiya.”

In an interview posted by Shahba Press Agency, a member of the White Helmets said ten people died in raids that targeted civilians and rescue workers. Though initially claiming “the regime went crazy” in retaliation for losses, he later described “almost 22 raids by Russian warplanes.”

An initial report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime, putting the death toll at seven. But in a later report, SN4HR changed their position and said that “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on the Southern Primary School in Anadan, but they did not provide information on casualties. A further report alleged that Russian forces shelled Anadan’s southern neighbourhoods, killing eight “individuals” including three children and three women with 15 others injured. They posted an extremely graphic video showing wounded children.

Alburaq Media Institution published a video with testimony in which a man said that his neighbour and his wife and four children were all killed when rockets targeted the town, though the source didn’t say who fired them.

According to Shahba Press, Russia carried out more than 20 raids killing seven civilians including children.

Eleven victims (including three children, three women and one rescue worker) were initially named by the Violations Documentation Center, though one adult male, identified as Abdul Kareem Mohammad Khairallah, was later removed

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Aashour
Adult male killed
Khadeeje Sabea
Adult female killed
http://www.vdc-sy.info/index.php/en/details/martyrs/166315
Adult female killed
Amal Hassan Aashour
Child female killed
Mohammad Kaser Hassan Aashour
Child male killed
Maram Hassan Aashour
Child female killed
Hamze Abbas
Adult male killed
Haleeme Aadel Hlal
Adult female killed
Abdul Kareem Mohammad Khairallah
Adult male killed
Mohammad Saleh Berbane
Adult male killed
Mustafa Alew
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (3–4 children3–4 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan, Feb 1st,

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    GRAPHIC: A child is treated in a medical facility following an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan, Feb 1st.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of one of the children reportedly killed in the attack.

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 known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (3–4 children3–4 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3040

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52034, 36.36494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and 11 civilians, including two children and four women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian and/or Syrian forces carried out aerial and artillery shelling of Hazza, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

As a part of a intensification of shelling of large parts of eastern Ghouta, the town of Hazza was subject to heavy air, and possibly also artillery shelling in residential areas, multiple sources said.

The death toll spanned from “so far six” as initially reported by Damascus Media Center to as many as 11 as reported by many sources, such as Ghouta Media Center (GMC), who updated its initial report from seven to 11 fatalities.

The same source identified seven of the victims by name which included one child while five others were described as “young”. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), who reported seven fatalities, two children and four women were among the victims.

Additionally, several sources mentioned that a number of civilians were left wounded.

While most reported about aerial shelling, several reports, including Zaman al-Wasl and HalabTodayTV described how Hazza also had been subject to rocket attacks.

It remained unclear among the sources where to apportion blame. While Zaman al-Wasl solely pointed to the Syrian regime, several others, including GMC, blamed Russian warplanes. Finally, a handful of reports, including SN4HR, identified both belligerents as responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Safa Mari
Age unknown female killed
Alaa Mari
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Najma Al Taweel
Age unknown female killed
Hussein Bilal Taweel
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Maysa’ Kasem
Age unknown female killed
Talya Eid Amer
Age unknown female killed
Ziad Bassam Al-Hafar
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (1–2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A rocket attack hits Hazza as the Civil Defence is evacuating civilians following the contested shelling on February 19th, 2018 (via HalabTodayTV)

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (1–2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1175

Incident date

August 21, 2016

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1995518, 37.1815538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and 11 civilians including women and children died and as many as 30 more were wounded in airstrikes on Qaterji, al-Zebdiyyeh, al-Jaloum and Seif al-Dawla, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “11 civilians including five children and two women were killed by an aerial bombardment on Qaterji, Saif al-Dawla, al-Jaloum, and al-Zabdia”.

The Observatory went on to report the death of the child – whom many sources claim “died of wounds sustained three days previously by war planes bombing”.

However, LCCSY pointed towards the regime, reporting three deaths after explosive barrels were dropped on al-Jaloum. @thesyrianmirror, meanwhile, said that an entire family died in al-Jaloum, again blaming cluster bombs. @FreeSyria28 said that as many as 30 civilians were injured in a cluster bomb attack on Seif al-Dawla.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Daqmic
Child brother of brother Umran Daqmic killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 11
  • (1–5 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ 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 not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 11
  • (1–5 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS013

Incident date

October 3, 2015

Location

إحسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7209426, 36.5562773 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian aircraft reportedly bombed the town of Ihsem in Idlib, killing five members of one family – four of whom were young girls.

The victims were later named.

The White Helmets civil defence force tried to reach the dead and injured, but were subjected to a ‘double tap’ strike which killed one of their rescuers and injured six others, two seriously. In a later interview with al Jazeera, survivor Kaddour al Zaeim spoke of the deaths of family members.

While most sources blamed Russian aircraft, the Syrian Network initially said the attack was the work of the Assad regime. Following an investigation it later attributed the deaths to Russia, citing local activist Kasem Abu Nizar: “At 1pm on Saturday, Russian warplanes launched four airstrikes on Ihsim town in Jabal Al Zawiya in Idlib suburbs. The raids targeted the poultry farm which was shelled with 10 rockets. The first and second raids shelled three rockets, and the third and fourth raids shelled two rockets at a time.”

The incident occured at 13:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Mariam Qaddour al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Iynas al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Maysaa Qaddour al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Fatema Qaddour al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Waheede Qaddour al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Abdo Al Zaeim
Age unknown male injured
Khadija al Zaeim
Age unknown female injured
Khaled al Zaeim
Age unknown male injured

The victims were named as:

Essam al-Saleh
Adult male Civil Defence Staff killed
Mohammad Faress Fadel
Adult male Civil Defence Staff injured
Ahmad Najjar
Age unknown male injured
Khaled al Assa'ad
Age unknown male injured
Ali Takika
Age unknown male injured
Moustapha al Droubi
Age unknown male injured
Aya al A'ssar
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (4 children1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (32) [ collapse]

  • Locals and White Helmets at the scene of a reported Russian strike on Ihsem, shortly before the aircraft returned (via SOHR)
  • Issam al Saleh, a civil defence member killed in the strike (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body of Issam al Saleh, the Civil Defence worker killed in the strike on Ihsim. Via: Civil Defence [graphic]
  • Mohammad Faress Fadel a member of the civil defence injured while rescuing civilians following the alleged Russian raids in Ihsim. (via Ihsim Martyrs Facebook page)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the airstrike on Ihsem, Oct 3rd 2015. (via Al Jazeera)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • Rescuers searching for victims under the rubble following the devastation caused by warplanes believed to be Russian in strikes on Ihsem. SOHR published 24 pictures on their facebook account, posted below (via SO4HR)
  • The aftermath of the strike. (via SN4HR)
  • Video showing the aftermath including interviews with rescuers. One man says they pulled out five kids and their mother. Another civilian says this was a poultry farm. (via SN4HR)
  • Mohammad Faress Fadel, injured in an alleged Russian raid. (via Ihsem martyrs facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin reported a number of airstrikes in Idlib for October 3rd 2015, though made no direct reference to Ihsem.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (4 children1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2286 CS1105a

Incident date

June 15, 2017

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.31407, 40.23865 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an airstrike which hit Mrat, as many as 11 civilians were killed – including six from one family – and dozens more were wounded, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while Souriyati, blamed the Coalition. Others also blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. 

According to @raedsyrian002, “the Air Force destroyed one of the headquarters of a terrorist… and killed a large number of terrorist called Daesh”. This is the only source to report that members of Daesh were killed.

All other source have reported that “a family of 6 people [died[ as a result of the targeting of their house in the town of Marat in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Azur by the warplanes”.

Four children, a woman and a man were included in the death toll.

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Ibrahim Hassani Karim
Adult male killed
Shiraz Hassani Al-Karim
killed
Son of Ibrahim al-Hassani 1
Child male killed
Son of Ibrahim al-Hassani 2
Child male killed
Son of Ibrahim al-Hassani 3
Child male killed
The wife of Ibrahim al-Hassani
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (4 children1 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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ 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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV126085
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • June 15, 2017, in Marat, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3115/CS1105a 37SFV126085

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (4 children1 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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]