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

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:

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

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)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown female killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
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

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:

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

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)

Adult male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
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]

Incident Code

RS1591

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.17594, 37.14111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians reportedly died in Al Sukkari, Aleppo, following a suspected Russian attack, however most sources reported only six killed. Numerous sources, including, Aleppo24 said that of those six four were children. 

Sdusyria listed various neighbourhoods of Aleppo struck by “Assad forces” and a “Russian airliner” – it counted 11 dead in Al Sukkari.

Annahar blamed Russia for the attacks whilst Al Jazeera did not name the culprit and referred only to “explosives and space rockets”. The news outlet said six were killed. @ShahbaPress and @Shahed_alep also suspected six killed – including four children, though neither source identified the culprit. 

Syrian News Desk said eight died in Al Sukkari – including two children. The source explained the raid on the neighboorhood was part of a larger offensive on areas over Aleppo in which numerous civilians died.

@Abohraid007 posted a very graphic photograph of one of the victims and attributed blame to three parties, “Assad”, “Iran”, and “Russia”. 

@3rj5oPnn2XeKaYg said both Russia and the Regime bombed the neighbourhood.

Rasd named four of the victims and said an addition two children, unnamed, died at the “headquarters of the ‘Illegal Medicine’ “.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mu’tassam Bare’ Hijazi
5 years old killed
Bare’ Ahmad Hijazi
35 years old killed

The victims were named as:

Mahmood Mansour bin Adeeb
13 years old male killed
Malak Dahrouj
12 years old killed
Maher Badawi bin Abdulqadir
45 years old male killed
Rabie Assani bin Abdo
40 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (2–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–40
  • 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, Iranian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the destruction in Al Sukkari following suspected Russian strikes - the source suspected five families under the rubble. November 16th (via Syrian Civil Defense)
  • A building in Al Sukkari destroyed by suspected Russian shelling, November 16th (via Aleppo24)
  • A digger in action in the Al Sukkari neighbourhood, cleaning up the damage caused by alleged Russian strikes, November 16th (via Aleppo24)
  • The White Helmet rescue team at the scene in Al Sukkari following suspected Russian shelling, November 16th (via 24Aleppo)
  • A street scene in Al Sukkari reveals the material damage caused in alleged Russian strikes, November 16th (via Aleppo24)
  • Locals walk down a road in Al Sukkari after alleged Russian attacks, November 16th (via Aleppo24)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A very graphic photograph of a girl killed in alleged Russian shelling on Al Sukkari, November 16th (via @Abohraid007)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets rescue civilians from the destruction caused by alleged Russian strikes on Al Sukkari, November 16th (via @3rj5oPnn2XeKaYg)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little girl, one of the dead in Al Sukkari - the source cited both Russia and the Regime, November 16th (@3rj5oPnn2XeKaYg)

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones”.

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (2–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–40
  • 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, Iranian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS003

Incident date

September 30, 2015

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to SN4HR, Russian actions reportedly killed eight or more civilians – including four children, most from one family – in a further series of strikes as part of the Kremlin’s first day of military action in Syria.

VDC placed the toll at 11 civilian deaths, with its local contact reporting: “Russian warplanes, likely Sukhoi jets, targeted the southern entrance to Rastan city at about 11:30 am, destroying a simple house for civilians of the al-Taweel family, causing the death of six civilians and injuring several others, although the area had no military significance.”

An anonymous local doctor added that “five others passed away after succumbing to their wounds, bringing the death toll up to 11 civilians.”

VDC named 6 of the victims.

According to the Syrian state-run news agency SANA, Russian warplanes targeted a number of “ISIS dens” in Homs, though locals insisted there was no Daesh presence at Al rastan. Russian media made no mention of civilian casualties – with TASS referring only to “pinpoint airstrikes” against what were described as ‘ISIS targets.’

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult male father killed with three sons killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • (5 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–50
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video showing alleged Russian shelling on Al Rastan on 30.09.2015 (via VDC)
  • Russian Ministry of Defence video showing strikes 'against ISIS targets in Syria' on 30.9.2015. (via Russian Ministry of Defence )
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of a man killed with his three children in al Rastan. The caption here says they were killed by 'Assad's planes'. (Via al Rastan news)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian MoD has confirmed carrying out airstrikes on September 30th 2015, though did not give precise locations: “Today the Russian aviation, which was located at the Syrian airfield Hmeymim, performed high accuracy strikes against international terrorist organization ISIS. The attack jets with modern armament hit eight facilities, including munition, armament and POL storages, combat vehicles, command and communication posts. All targets have been successfully engaged. The pilots completely destroyed HQ and coordination centers of the ISIS troops located in the mountains.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • (5 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–50
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS293

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 11 civilians were reported killed including two children in three airstrikes on Al Bab, according to multiple reports. Shahba Press claimed that “Russian warplanes launched three air strikes on al Bab City, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including two children, in addition to a large number of injuries and widespread destruction in the public property and homes of citizens.”

The Daesh-linked agency Al A’maq later raised the civilian death toll to 11 citing a medical source, but did not say whether the Assad regime or Russia was responsible. Syria 2011 named four victims who it said were “killed by Russian air raids on the city of Al Bab today.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Ghani Ali Kirmani
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Ahmed Kirmani
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Zakaria Marwan Hamadeh
Age unknown killed
Mohamed Ahmed Sidamr
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the incident. (via, Al Jisr Satellite)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. 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

No Russian reports were published for December 16th-18th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]