Russian Military in Syria

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

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS4322

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

ريف المهندسين, Al Muhandiseen countryside, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Muhammad Ahmad Taha Bazar was injured and a day later sucumbed to his injuries in the hospital, and three further civilians were injured in an attack carried out by the Russian Armed Forces, which targeted the Mohandessin countryside, south of Aleppo at 1 on January 20th, 2020.

The Syrian Network for Human rights posted a report on the incident stating that: “Muhammad Ahmad Taha Bazar, from Darat Ezza city in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, died on January 21, due to wounds sustained on January 20, as fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on Reef al Muhanesin al Awwal area in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate.”.

Bawaba Aleppo identified Mr Bazar as a member of the local council of Al-Mohandessin.

The Syrian Civil DEfence Team in Aleppo reported that three unidentified civilians were injured and that the attack caused a fire to break out in a civilian home leading to further material damage. Their team was able to put the fire out before further civilians were hurt.

According to @ShahbaPress quoting White Helmets, three civilians were reported injured as a result of Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandiseen Al Awwal in Aleppo’s western countryside on January 20th, 2020.

Syrian Civil Defense-Aleppo also said the airstrikes caused fire in civilians’ houses, and posted a video showing their volunteers responding to the situation.

As an update by the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that Muhammad Ahmad Taha Bazar, a civilian from Deir Ezzor died because of injuries he sustained on because of the airstrikes on this day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • SCD volunteers on duty after alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandiseen in Aleppo countryside, January 20th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • SCD volunteers on duty after alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandiseen in Aleppo countryside, January 20th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • SCD volunteers responding after alleged Russian airstrikes on Rf Al Muhandiseen in Aleppo countryside, January 20th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Fire caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandiseen in Aleppo countryside, January 20th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandiseen in Aleppo countryside, January 20th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Destruction from alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Destruction from alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Destruction from alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Fires from alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)
  • Rescue workers sort through rubble following alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Rescue workers search through fire following alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Destruction from alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Fires from alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Rescue workers sort through rubble following alleged Russian warplanes strikes on the Mohandessin I countryside on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • "Mohammed Ahmed Taha Bazaar" succumbed to his injuries, after he was hit by the raids that targeted the countryside of Mohandessin on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by Asma`a wa soar via Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4315

Incident date

January 18, 2020

Location

ريف المهندسين, Al Muhandiseen countryside, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed, and two children and two women were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandiseen in Aleppo’s western countryside, Syria at 11:14 am on January 18th, 2020. Macro Media Center reported that vacuum missiles were used in the attack.

Abdul Rahman Hilal Al-Halabi, aged 23, was killed in the attack, and his body was recovered by the Syrian Civil Defense volunteers from under the debris of his house. Justice Organization said that the victim was a student registered with the ‘Mustafa Koja High School’ in Aleppo countryside while the Syrian Network for Human Rights identified Mr Al-Halabi as a 23 year old medical student from the village of Ram Hamdan, north of Idlib.

Xber provided detailed information on the alleged attack: A well-informed source from the countryside of Aleppo told the “News 24” reporter that the warplanes targeted the Mohandessin I area in the southern countryside of Aleppo, today, Saturday, January 18, resulting in the killing of a civilian and the wounding of eight others, including gunmen from the “National Army.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported saying “Abdou Helal al Halabi, a college student at the faculty of Medicine, from Ram Hamdan village in the northern suburbs of Idlib governorate, aged 23, was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on countryside of  al Muhandiseen al Awwal area in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on January 18th, 2020.”

The Syrian Civil Defense said that Abdu’s mother was also injured in this incident. A post from the Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo updated the casualties of the airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandeseen reporting that two children and two women also got injured. Local sources added that one of the wounded women included the mother of the deceased Mr Al-Halabi and a mother and her two children.

Sources blamed Russia for the airstrikes, including Justice Organization, Step Agency, SMART Agency and Macro Media Center.

Activists told the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that Russian warplanes carried out 21 raids since morning on areas in the western countryside of Aleppo, targeting places in Kafr Naha, firs rural Al-Muhandiseen, Shamiko, Al-Zerbah, Al-Mansurah and Kafr Jum.

The majority of the sources attributed the strikes to Russia.

The incident occured at 11:14:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

23 years old male college student at faculty of Medicine, from Ram Hamdan village killed
Mother of Abdul Rahman Hilal Al-Halabi
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • SCD volunteers inspecting damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandeseen Al Awal in Aleppo countryside, on January 18th 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • SCD volunteers helping a child after alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandeseen Al Awal in Aleppo countryside, on January 18th 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • SCD volunteers inspecting damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandeseen Al Awal in Aleppo countryside, on January 18th 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • SCD volunteers inspecting damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandeseen Al Awal in Aleppo countryside, on January 18th 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • SCD volunteers inspecting damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandeseen Al Awal in Aleppo countryside, on January 18th 2020 (via SCD Aleppo)
  • Strikes in the Al Muhandiseen countryside on January 18, 2020. (Image posted by @Rey7d)
  • White Helmets sort through the rubble following Strikes in the Al Muhandiseen countryside on January 18, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Rubble following Strikes in the Al Muhandiseen countryside on January 18, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • An animal walks through the rubble from strikes in the Al Muhandiseen countryside on January 18, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Strikes in the Al Muhandiseen countryside on January 18, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Rubble following Strikes in the Al Muhandiseen countryside on January 18, 2020. (Image posted by @RaedAlSaleh3)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4063

Incident date

January 18, 2020

Location

مركز ايواء النازحين قرب عنجارة, Shelter for displaced people near Anjara, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians from the same family including two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on a shelter for IDPs near Anjara in Aleppo countryside, Syria, on January 18th, 2020 according to a local source.

SMART Agency reported that “Two children and their parents were killed on Friday-Saturday night, by Russian airstrikes targeting a shelter center near the village of Anjara (16 km west of Aleppo) in northern Syria.”

Also according to SMART Agency, “The Directorate of Education in Aleppo” announced the suspension of school days for two days in the southern and western areas of Aleppo, northern Syria, due to the military campaign launched by the Syrian regime and Russia on the region.”

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4310

Incident date

January 17, 2020

Location

كفرناها, Kafrnaha, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, two children were reported killed, and four other civilians injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes one of which hit an IDP shelter in Kafrnaha in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate in Syria, on January 17th, 2020. Edlib Media Center reported that Russian warplanes targeted the area with rockets.

SHRC identified the two children killed as Hudhayfa Fakkas Albaiyd and the younger girl as Aya Al-Kul, furthermore it stated that others were injured due to the alleged attack by warplanes in Uwaijil, west of Aleppo. SOHR specified that seven civilians were injured, including three women, but the Syrian Civil Defence posted that four civilians were injured, three women and a man.

Further material damage to the house has been reported.

An Enabbaldali reporter stated that  “the Russian occupation warplanes carried out an aerial bombardment on the (former) Beauty Hospital, in the vicinity of the town of Kafr Naha, before it became a temporary shelter for a number of displaced families, which led to the killing of two children, one of whom is a baby, and the wounding of several others, including 3 women.”

Shaam reported that the alleged airstrikes were conducted by: Russian warplanes and Assad’s warplanes, starting with the shelling of the area since the morning hours, targeted the raids that are still going on, “Kafrnaha, Al-Atareb, Ainjara, Al-Qasimiya, and Salloum”.

Syriahr and Orient alleged the belligerent to be the Russian armed forces, other sources for instance Aljazeera and Our-Syria reported differently and alleged the attackers to be the Russian Armed Forces and the Syrian Armed Forces. A local source reported on the alleged incident and claimed the attackers to be the Iranian armed forces, the Russian armed forces and the Syrian armed forces. Most sources on the incident reported on Russian warplanes conducting the attack, attributing the incident to the Russian Armed forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hudhayfa Fakkas Albaiyd
Child killed
Aya Al-Kul
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (39) [ collapse]

  • SCD volunteer in the aftermath of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime attack on Kafanaha in Aleppo, on January 17th, 2020 (via SN4HR)
  • Damage to IDP shelters caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafarnaha in Aleppo, on January 17th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on IDP shelters in Kafarnaha in Aleppo, on January 17th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on IDP shelters in Kafarnaha in Aleppo, on January 17th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damage to IDP shelters caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafarnaha in Aleppo, on January 17th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on IDP shelters in Kafarnaha in Aleppo, on January 17th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • "Video showing Russian airstrikes targeting Kafrnaha in western Aleppo with vacuum missiles."
  • Watch || the first moments of documenting the aerial bombing on the area of return injured and the martyrs from the targeted residential settlement in the area of Awaijil
  • One of the women injured in strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of one of the children killed in strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • One of the women injured in strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of one of the children killed in strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Edlib Media Center)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @sy24ria)
  • Two children were killed and four people were injured in the bombing. (Image posted by @mouhmmadhalk)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of one of the children killed in strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @mhmdfaisel )
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @RamahKasem)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @RamahKasem)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @RamahKasem)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by @RamahKasem)
  • This scene is one of dozens of scenes daily... of men... the least that can be said about them is that they are saints The scene documents the recovery of two martyred children and a number of injured women and children after an air strike targeting them in one of the displaced persons’ centers in the town of Kafr Naha in the western countryside of Aleppo by the heroes of the Syrian Civil Defense
  • Sorting through the destruction and damage caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi)
  • Sorting through the destruction and damage caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi)
  • Sorting through the destruction and damage caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi)
  • Sorting through the destruction and damage caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi)
  • Sorting through the destruction and damage caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi)
  • Sorting through the destruction and damage caused by strikes on Awaijil on January 17, 2020. (Image posted by Enab Baladi)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4311

Incident date

January 17, 2020

Location

الاتارب, Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were injured due to an alleged Russian airstrike on the city of Atarib in the morning of January 17th, 2019,

Four alleged airstrikes targeting the city of Atarib have resulted in the injury of several people, according to the Frmedianetwork and HalabTodayTV reported that “several civilians were injured as a result of four airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Atarib”. None of the sources specified how many people were injured.

The SCD Aleppo reported that in addition to civilian harm, material damage has been reported, that being damage to a residential building and damage of an undefined public facility. Local sources added that shelling mainly happened on the main roads in the outskirts of Atareb.

Shawki.dele.sy reported on the times of the alleged airstrikes, alleging that three of the  attacks happened at 11:48; 11:53 and 12:23.

Edlib Media Center (EMC) and other sources reported Russian airstrikes caused civilian harm and material damage and EMC posted photos that show |the effects of the destruction caused by the bombing of the Russian occupation aviation.”

All of the sources attributed the strikes to Russia and @la1mea identified vacuum missiles being used in the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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]

  • Destroyed building, possibly a residential house, after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Atarib, Aleppo governorate, on January 17th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Man walking in destruction after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Atarib, Aleppo governorate, on January 17th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Destruction after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Atarib, Aleppo governorate, on January 17th, 2020 (via EMC).
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Atarib, Aleppo governorate, on January 17th, 2020 (via SCDaleppo).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

RS4312

Incident date

January 17, 2020

Location

القاسمية, Al Qasimiya, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One female child was reported injured when airstrikes with vacuum missiles targeted a residential area in Al Qasimiya village in Aleppo’s western countryside, on January 17th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Civil Defence reported on the incident stating: “A residential gathering in the village of Al-Qasimia, west of Aleppo, was targeted this evening, Friday, by air strikes from warplanes, which led to the outbreak of fires in civilian homes.” and mentioned that the fire was extinguished by the Civil defence teams.

MMC and local sources alleged that a child was injured due to the alleged airstrike.

Sources published conflicting statements concerning the attacker, as STEP suspected the Syrian armed forces to be the attacker, Aleppo0 stated that the Russian armed forces and Syrian armed forces carried out the attack. Furthermore, other sources e.g. Halabtoday did not mention the suspected attacker when reporting on the incident.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of airstrikes that taregeted Al Qasimiya in Aleppo countryside on January 17th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • SCD volunteers responding to results of an airstrike on Al Qasimiya in Aleppo countryside, on January 17th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • Airstrikes on Al Qasimiya in Aleppo countryside on January 17th 2020 caused the outbreak of fire in civilians' houses (via SCD)
  • Airstrikes on Al Qasimiya in Aleppo countryside on January 17th 2020 caused the outbreak of fire in civilians' houses (via SCD)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4314

Incident date

January 17–18, 2020

Location

جمعية بالا, Jama'ait Bala, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Five civilians of the same family, including three children, were killed and others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in the village of Jama’ait Bala, Aleppo governorate, in the night of January 17th to January 18th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “the children Dalal and Abdullah Sabouneh, their father Muhammad Adib Sabouneh and their mother Qamar Helal were killed as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on their house in Jam’iyet Balah area located near in Einjara village in the western suburbs of Aleppo suburbs, on January 18, 2020″. The SCD also reported that their sister Rihan Sabouneh was killed. In one post, the SCD stated that a shelter was targeted, but in another post, they speak of a residential home as the target of the strike. SCD Aleppo reported that the family had been displaced earlier.

Smart reported that in the night from Friday to Saturday a Russian bomb struck the shelter 16km west of Aleppo, killing the two parents and their two children. LCYY and JISIR provided some further detail, stating that the alleged Russian airstrike was conducted at 00:07 am, killing the Sabouneh family.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a man and woman and their three children had died. Step Agency reported an unknown number of civilians was wounded.

The Syrian Civil Defence wrote on Facebook that “despite the truce declared by the guarantor parties Russia and Turkey, there were continued airstrikes and artillery shelling by the regime forces and its Russian ally yesterday, on Idlib, its countryside, western Hama and Aleppo, killing five civilians, including two children and a woman, and wounding four others with a will in the countryside of Aleppo. Our teams documented targeting 17 cities and towns with 31 airstrikes, and more than 79 artillery shells.”

The suspected attacker has mostly been alleged to be the Russian Armed Forces, by sources such as SHaam and Halap today. SCD on the other hand reported on the involvement of the Russian Armed Forces and the Syrian Armed Forces.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of aftermath of alleged Russian airstrike on Jam'ait Bala in the night of January 17th to 18th, 2020 (via @abuhuzaifa_).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged Russian airstrike on Jam'ait Bala in the night of January 17th to 18th, 2020 (via @abuhuzaifa_).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged Russian airstrike on Jam'ait Bala in the night of January 17th to 18th, 2020 (via @abuhuzaifa_).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged Russian airstrike on Jam'ait Bala in the night of January 17th to 18th, 2020 (via @abuhuzaifa_).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer sitting by the bodies of victims killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Jama'ait Bala, Aleppo governorate in the night of January 17th to January 18th, 2020 (via SNHR).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians looking for victims underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Jama'ait Bala in the night of January 17th to 18th, 2020 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteer sitting by the bodies of victims killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Jama'ait Bala, Aleppo governorate in the night of January 17th to January 18th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4309

Incident date

January 16, 2020

Location

قرية الزربة, Zorba village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, one young girl and her mother, were injured due to airstrikes by Russian forces on the outskirts of the town of Zorba on January 16, 2021.

The Syrian Civil Defence tweeted that “a child and a woman were injured by air strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba” and that their team rescued the severely injured girl from underneath the rubble of her destroyed home in Zorba, south of Aleppo.

Local sources identified the second injured civilian as the rescued girl’s mother.

Stepnews noted that Russian aviation conducted strikes on January 16, 2020 causing a wave of displacement, due to the intensification of the airstrikes and shelling.

The majority of sources attributed the airstrikes to Russia or did not report on who was responsible. @Step_Agency identified vacuum missiles as being used in the airstrikes.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Zurba town in Aleppo on January 16th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Syrian Civil Defense searching for survivors after an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Zurba town in Aleppo on January 16th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Destruction caused by an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Zurba town in Aleppo on January 16th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • "Russian warplanes target the village of Khalsa in the southern countryside of Aleppo with an air raid" (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • White Helmets rescue a girl injured in strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • White Helmets rescue a girl injured in strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • White Helmets sort through the rubble after strikes on the outskirts of the town of Zerba on January 16, 2020. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]