Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

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

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Incident Code

RS4297

Incident date

January 5, 2020

Location

الزربة, Al Zurba, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was reported wounded as a result of Russian forces attack with rockets, or Syrian regime forces attack with machine guns on Al Zurba town in Aleppo, Syria, on January 5th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Zurba Media office announced that Mahmoud Abdel Fattah Hammoud was wounded. The individual was an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) from the city of Deir al-Sharqi who traveled to the village of Al-Zurba.

The attacks upon Al Zurba struck civilian areas with attacks occurring at 3pm and 3:30 pm. The second strike at 3:30 resulted in material damage and the death of a cow according to @fawaz_jwaid.

While SMART said one civilian was reported injured and admitted to a nearby hospital, @ShahbaPress said that civilians were wounded in the attack, without knowing the exact number of casualties.

SMART Agency blamed both the Russia and the Syrian regime, while @ShahbaPress pointed to the Syrian regime as the perpetrator.

The incident occured between 3:00 pm and 3:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Abdel Fattah Hammoud
Age unknown

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Assad regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Civilian being treated for injuries following strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Damage, including the death of a cow, caused by strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Civil Defense volunteers sort through rubble following strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Civil Defense volunteers sort through rubble following strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Civil Defense volunteers sort through rubble following strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Zerba.media.office)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Zerba.media.office)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Zerba.media.office)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Al Zurba on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Zerba.media.office)

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Assad regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4296

Incident date

January 5, 2020

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians, including a woman, were reported as killed and up to seven others, including two children and a woman, were wounded by Russian or regime forces in Saraqib on January 5th, 2020.

Alarby News and the Idlib Civil Defense Media Center reported that seven civilians, including two children, were wounded in the village of Saraqib and one civilian was killed. Local sources noted that five civilians were wounded, but Turkey Pos News supported earlier reports that the total of wounded civilians was seven. The name of the deceased woman was released as Suhaibah Ibrahim Al-Khaled.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), “Suhaibah Ibrahim Sattouf al Khaled was killed as Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes carried out strikes using machine guns and small- size missiles on Saraqeb city in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate on January 5th”.

Edlib Media Center reported that five airstrikes hit the Saraqeb, while the Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib posted on Facebook that “A woman was killed and two children, a woman and four men were injured after a violent attack on #Saraqeb After 12 airstrikes by Assad’s warplanes, today .”

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria identified that at 13:51, regime “machine guns” struck the city of Saraqib, resulting in one death and five injuries.

A tweet from @thawrat111 provided information that three people were killed and many others were injured in raids on Saraqib. @jisrtv also identified two people, “a man and a woman”, killed.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said also the strikes also targeted the main market in the city damaging several shops and market’s facilities.

While the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Edlib Media Center and Syrian Civil Defense blamed the Syrian regime for the attack, @abuhuzaifa pointed to the Russian forces.

The incident occured at 13:51:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Suhaibah Ibrahim Sattouf al Khaled
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • "Warplanes of the Russian occupiers attacks Saraqib city"
  • Images of alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib on January 5th, 2020 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Images of location of alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib on January 5th, 2020 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Images of location attacked by an alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib on January 5th, 2020 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Images of alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib on January 5th, 2020 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Images of alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib on January 5th, 2020 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Aftermath of the airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib on January 5th, 2020 (via Macro Media Center).
  • Aftermath of the airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib on January 5th, 2020 (via Macro Media Center).
  • Aftermath of the airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib on January 5th, 2020 (via Macro Media Center).
  • Damage caused by airstrikes on Saraqib on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Damage caused by airstrikes on Saraqib on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Damage caused by airstrikes on Saraqib on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by @shaamnews)
  • Damage caused by airstrikes on Saraqib on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by @shaamnews)

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4295

Incident date

January 5, 2020

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

In a major incident, 14 civilians including children and women were reported killed and between 23 and 30 injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the western neighborhood of Ariha city in Idlib, Syria on January 5th, 2020.

Macro Media Center (MMC) reported that airstrikes were launched by a SU-24 warplane with a full load of vacuum missiles.

Local sources said the airstrikes targeted civilian areas in the city attacking six civilian facilities including Khaled Bashir al Halabiyah School- known as al Muhdatheh School, al Hadidi Mosque- known as al Imam Malek Mosque-, Woman Centre of Zayzafon Charity Organization, Baraem al Islam Kindergarten, al Muslim al Saghir Kindergarten and an institute of Muslim Care Organization.

The Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) reported that the airstrikes also targeted IDPs on the outskirts of the International Highway (Aleppo- Lattakia road) causing casualties. Ariha Facebook Page mentioned that two of the victims are students at the Technical Institute for Media at the University of Idlib, and they died while they were on their way to their homes in Jabal Al-Zawiya.

Initial local repots listed five killed and twenty wounded from air strikes carried out by pro-Assad forces. The air strikes specifically targeted homes and a kindergarten that increased the numbers to seven killed then ten. Alarby News reported that thirteen individuals were killed and thirty-two were killed as a school, a mosque, and homes were bombed. This reported followed a report from Horriya News that listed thirteen killed and twenty wounded. The dead were identified as the following: Najeeb Bezmawi (17 years old), Abd al-Mu’in al-Mustafa (75 years old), Mohammed Abdel Moeen Al-Mustafa (41 years old), Fatima Al-Mustafa (3 years), Hamdo Al-Mustafa (55 years old), Mustafa Ahmed Al-Mustafa (41 years old), Lina Mustafa Al Mustafa (18 years old), Mohamed Madi (age unknown), Mustafa Krum (age unknown), Ahmed Adnan Ajjan (30 years old), Adnan Ahmed Ajjan (12 years old), Abdullah Yasser Al-Bayor (Child), Abdul-Jabbar Muhammad Al-Othman (27 years old).

The wounded were identified as the following: Muhammad Ahmed Al-Mustafa, Jawad Eido, Jalal Al-Hamd, Mohammed Alloush, Mahmoud Habbush, Yasser Pure, Gena Turkmani, Abdullah Saado, Maher Habbush, Fatima Habbush, Adeeb Al-Dabal, Sobhi Rahmoun, Fatima Ghonimi, Abdullah Badawi, Khadija Sham, Sham Al Dabal, Mohamed Sobhi Halloum, Majd Al-Hussein, Ranim Saraqibi, Muhammad Rostom, Ahmed Al-Hassan, Maryam Al-Khidr, Burnata Al Azim.

According to list of names documented by local sources, eight of those killed belong to the same family. Victims include at least three children, one woman and three unidentified bodies and those injured include at least eight women.

The death toll is expected to rise as many of those injured remain in critical conditions.

According to Human Rights Watch report in October 2020, “at about 1 p.m., six rockets struck al-Naqib neighborhood in Ariha. One hit next to al-Hadid mosque, another hit the top story of a four-story building that housed the Muslim Care preschool on the ground floor, and two others hit residential buildings next to two schools – Khaled Bashir Halabieh and Omar Bin Abdul Aziz (also known as Muhadatheh) – which teachers had evacuated minutes earlier. The other two rockets struck just off the M4 highway. The strikes killed a total 13 civilians, wounded another 25, and destroyed four residential buildings, including the one that housed the preschool.”

While Justice Organization blamed solely Russia for this incident, most of sources blamed the Syrian regime like @SyriaCoalition, Macro Media Center, Ariha Today, Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. From their side, Syrian Civil Defense, Step News, Shaam News and @SyrianCoaltion blamed Russia and the regime, with @SyrianCoaltion stating that the attack was done by the regime with Russian and Iranian support.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Muhammad Abdul-Ghani Al-Mustafa محمد عبد الغني المصطفى
41 years old male killed
Hamdo Al-Mustafa حمدو المصطفى
55 years old male killed
Muhammad Abdul Mui'n Al-Mustafa محمد عبد المعين المصطفى
41 years old male injured
Abd Al-Mu’in Al-Mustafa عبد المعين المصطفى
75 years old male killed
Fatima Al-Mustafa فاطمة المصطفى
3 years old female killed
Lina Mustafa Al-Mustafa لينا مصطفى المصطفى
18 years old female killed
Ahmed Muhammad Abdul Moeen Al-Mustafa أحمد محمد عبد المعين المصطفى
10 years old male killed
Daughter of Abdul Hamid Al-Mustafa ابنة عبد الحميد المصطفى
female killed
AbdulJabbar Muhammad Al Othman عبد الجبار محمد العثمان
27 years old male killed

Family members (2)

Ahmed Adnan Ajan أحمد عدنان عجان
30 years old male killed
Adnan Ahmad Ajan عدنان أحمد عجان
12 years old male killed

Family members (3)

Mahmoud Habbouch محمود حبوش
Age unknown male injured
Maher Habbouch ماهر حبوش
Age unknown male injured
Fatima Habbouch فاطمة حبوش
Age unknown male injured

The victims were named as:

Najib Bizmaw نجيب بزماوي
17 years old male killed
Burnata Al Azim برناطة العظم
Adult female elderly woman injured
Jawad Eido جواد عيدو
Age unknown male injured
Jalal Al-Hamad جلال الحمد
Age unknown male injured
Mohammed Al-Aloush محمد العلوش
Age unknown injured
Yasser Bure ياسر بيور
Age unknown male injured
Jana Turkmani جنى تركماني
Age unknown female injured
Abdullah Saadou عبد الله سعدو
Age unknown male injured
Adeeb Al Dabal أديب الدبل
Age unknown male injured
Subhi Rahmoun صبحي رحمون
Age unknown male injured
Fatima Ghoneimy فاطمة غنيمي
Age unknown female injured
Abdullah Badawi عبد الله بدوي
Age unknown male injured
Sham Khadija شام خديجة
Age unknown female injured
Sham Al-Dabal شام الدبل
Age unknown female injured
Muhammad Subhi Halloum محمد صبحي حلوم
Age unknown male injured
Majd Al-Hussein مجد الحسين
Age unknown male injured
Raneem Saraqabi رنيم سراقبي
Age unknown female injured
Muhammad Rustom محمد رستم
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Al-Hassan احمد الحسن
Age unknown male injured
Maryam Al-Khader مريم الخضر
Age unknown female injured
Muhammad al-Madi محمد الماضي
Adult male student at the the Technical Institute for Media at the University of Idlib killed
Mustafa Krom مصطفى كروم
Adult male student at the the Technical Institute for Media at the University of Idlib killed
Abdullah Yaser al Bayyour عبد الله ياسر البيور
Child male from the village of Kfarrouma killed
Muhammad Ahmed Al-Mustafa
Age unknown injured
Jawad Eido
Age unknown injured
Jalal Al-Hamd
Age unknown injured
Mohammed Alloush
Age unknown injured
Yasser Pure
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (3–8 children1–2 women5–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–30
  • 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
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Unknown

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (25) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via @SyrianCoalition).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage made by a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer of the aftermath of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via MMC).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via SCD Idlib).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via Ariha Today).
  • Muhammad Al Madi and Mustafa Krom, students at the Technical Institute for Media at the University of Idlib, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020, when they were on their way to their home in Jabal Al- Zawiya (via Ariha Today).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ariha on January 5th, 2020 (via Ariha Today).
  • SCD volunteer broke into tears as she carried body of a child killed in the airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib on January 5th 2020 (via SCD).
  • Satellite imagery from February 3, 2020. © 2020 Maxar Technologies. Source: EUSI. Bottom left image: © 2020 Orient News. Bottom right image: © 2020 Arab 24 News Agency. (via HRW)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • White Helmets sort through rubble following strikes on Afrin on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Al Quds News)
  • *The documented martyrs and injured in #Ariha until this moment:* -1- *Naguib Bezmawi* -2- *Mohamed Abdel-Ghani Al-Mustafa* 3 * Daughter of Abdul Hamid Al Mustafa * -4- *Ahmed Adnan Ajjan* -5- *Adnan Ahmed Ajjan* -6- *Hamdo Al-Mustafa* -7-8-9- *unidentified corpses* *injured* 1- *Muhammad Ahmed Al-Mustafa* 2- *bone marrow* is elderly 3- *Jawad Eido* 4- Jalal Al-Hamd 5- *Mohammed Alloush* 6- *Mahmoud Habbush* 7- *Yasser Pure* 8- * Gena Turkmani * 9- *Abdullah Saado* 10- *Maher Habbush* 11- *Fatima Habbush* 12- *Adeeb Al-Dabal* 13- Sobhi Rahmoun 14- *Fatima Ghonimi* 15- *Abdullah Badawi* 16- *Khadija Sham* 17- *Sham Al Dabal* 18- *Mohamed Sobhi Halloum* 19- *Majd Al-Hussein* 20- *Ranim Saraqibi* 21- *Muhammad Rostom* 22- *Ahmed Al-Hassan* 23- *Maryam Al-Khidr* C
  • Damage caused by strikes on Afrin on January 5, 2020. (Image posted by Walk.in.ariha via Facebook)

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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (3–8 children1–2 women5–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–30
  • 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
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Unknown

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4299

Incident date

January 5, 2020

Location

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib governorate, on January 5th, 2020.

Various local sources, including @MolhamKaied, reported that “injuries” resulted from airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi but did not mention how many were injured.

The majority of sources attributed airstrikes and the resulting injuries in Deir Al Sharqi to Russian forces. However, Pressn News reported that “SANA’s reporter stated that the army’s operations focused during the past few hours on the locations of terrorist groups on the outskirts of the city of Maarat al-Numan and the villages of al-Deir al-Sharqi “.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4298

Incident date

January 5, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Civilians were reported wounded in alleged shelling by Russian and Syrian regime aircraft on several towns in Idlib on January 5th, 2020, as reported by Shaam News Network.

Shaam reported that the following cities and towns were targeted: Maarat Al Nu’man, Al Ghadfa, Ma’saran, Ma’arshamin, Benin, Marashamsha, Ma’shurin, Tilmans, Hantoutin, Deir Sunbul, Ihsim, Kafroumah, Khan Al Sabil, Al Hamidiya, Deir Al Sharqi and Dadekh.

No other information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4294 IRS004

Incident date

January 1, 2020

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 11 civilians including seven children and two women were reported killed, and 16 others including three children and three women – one of whom was pregnant – were injured in an alleged Russian, Iranian forces or Syrian regime shelling with a cluster missile or a rocket carrying cluster bombs on ‘Martyr Abdou al Sheikh Salameh Primary School’ and the surrounding area in Sarmin, Idlib, Syria on January 1st, 2020 according to local sources.

The Smart News Agency said the shelling targeted the school, a nearby kindergarten and a market.

The victims included a teacher and four students, two of whom were IDPs originally from Ma’arat Al Nu’man, as some sources said the school housed IDPs.

Local sources noted that a school and a market were specifically targeted by these air strikes. Al Jazeera released the name of the schools that was struck and damaged as the Salama Abboud School, and Enab Baladi News listed the name as Martyr Abdo Salama school. The names of the victims, both children and adults, were later released and were as follows with children listed first: Hoor Al-Serjawi, Yahya Raed Sarmini, Mohammad Abdel-Fatah Al-Shater, Abdul al-Serjawi, Ali Nazir Muta’b, Child Abdul Qadir Shakol, Abdel Aziz Eid. Adult victims are listed as follows: Abdul Rahman Dibo Aref, Abdul Rahman Dibo Aref’s wife, Muhammad Bassas, Fatima Abdo Ghazal.

Zarman al Waskl News later increased the number of fatalities from six to ten.  Civil Defense reported ten dead and twelve wounded, while another local source claimed seven civilians were killed, including three children, two women, and two men. The majority of the dead were from a family of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who escaped Maarat and fled to Sarmin for safety. A later local source then increased the number of the dead to nine children, while Enab Baladi News said eight killed and fifteen wounded. The director of Civil Defense, Mustafa Hajj Youssef, told Enab Balidi that eight civilians had died, and sixteen civilians were wounded. Conflicting reports emerged as Watan FM Radio and Zaituna News both reported that eight civilians had died, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that four children and two women were killed, and Ebaa News reported that five children were killed. Smart News released a later reported detailing eight dead civilians and twenty-five wounded, and UNICEF identified the age of the children to be between six and thirteen.

The Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) in Idlib described the attack as a “massacre”, and posted: “Abdelkader’s mother sent her child to school to learn, despite the inherent dangers because she wanted him to have an education. Today [Jan 1st] regime forces killed Abdelkader, four of his friends, and two of his teachers, after they targeted their school in Sarmin City in Idlib with cluster bombs.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) expected the death toll to rise since ten of the injured including the pregnant woman were left in a critical condition.

@john_marquee geolocated the remains of the Tochka missile used in the strikes.

While some sources said the attack was launched from the Mediterranean, referring to the Russian forces, others said it was launched from Sinjar area in Idlib where the Syrian regime army operates.  However, Nors for Studies said it was likely initiated by the Iranian forces from Aleppo’s southern countryside.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Rahman Dibo Aref
Adult male killed
Abdul Rahman Dibo Aref's wife زوجة عبد الرحمن ديبو عارف
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Hoor Ismail Serjawi حور إسماعيل سرجاوي
Child female killed
Abdelkader
Child male killed
Yahya Raed Sarmini
Child male killed
Muhammad Yahya Al-Bassas
Age unknown male killed
Yasser Ahmed Al-Kayyari ياسر أحمد الكياري
Adult male displaced from the village of Abu al-Dhuhr killed
Ali Nazir Muta’b
Child male killed
Mohammad Abdel-Fatah Al-Shater محمد عبد الفتاح الشاطر
Child male killed
Abdel Aziz Eid عبد العزيز عيد
Child male killed
Fatima Abdo Ghazal فاطمة عبدو غزال
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 11
  • (4–7 children1–2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–16
  • 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, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military

Sources (61) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (46) [ collapse]

  • SCD volunteer rescuing a civilian after the shelling on a school in Sermin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via Horrya Press).
  • SCD volunteers rescuing casualties of the shelling on Sarmin in Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via SCD).
  • SCD volunteers rescuing casualties of the shelling on Sarmin in Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via SCD).
  • A civilian injured in the alleged Russian, Iranian or Syrian regime shelling on Sarmin in Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Translation: "8 civilians were killed including 4 children and 2 women and 16 others injured, on the morning of Wednesday, as a result of attacking a school in the center of Sarmin town east of Idlib with a rocket carrying cluster bombs. The shelling that hit the school which was full of students and teachers resulted in a massacre of children and women."
  • An image of the school that was targeted with the shelling on Sarmin in Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Images of the missile used in the shelling on a school in Idlib Jan 1st, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Images of the missile used in the shelling on a school in Idlib Jan 1st, 2020 (via MMC)
  • A van affected by the shelling that took place on a school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Images of the missile used in the shelling on a school in Idlib Jan 1st, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Civilians reported injured and killed in the shelling on a school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (MMC)
  • Images of the missile used in the shelling on a school in Idlib Jan 1st, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Images showing the school that was targeted with shelling in Sarmin (via MMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians reported injured and killed in the shelling on a school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (MMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hoor Serjawi was reported killed in the alleged Russian, Iranian or Syrian regime shelling on Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020. (via MMC)
  • Mother of Abdelakder, a child killed in the attack, is paying farewell to her son (via SCD).
  • Aftermath of the shelling on a school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020. (via IdlibPlus)
  • Civilians including children reported killed and injured on the shelling on a school in Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via IdlibPlus).
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian, Iranian or Syrian regime shelling on a school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020. (via IdlibPlus)
  • Images of the missile allegedly used in shelling the school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020. (via IdlibPlus)
  • Images of the school building allegedly targeted with a Russian or Iranian missile (via EMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in the shelling on the school in Sarmin, Idlib (via EMC)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian, Iranian or Syrian regime shelling on a school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020. ( (via EMC)
  • Images of the missile used in the shelling on a school in Idlib Jan 1st, 2020. (via EMC)
  • Aftermath of the attack on the school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via EMC)
  • Van directly affected by the shelling of the school and its surrounding in Sarmin in Idli. (via EMC)
  • Images of the missile used in the shelling on a school in Idlib Jan 1st, 2020. (via EMC)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian, Iranian or Syrian regime shelling on a school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020. (via EMC)
  • SCD Rescuing civilians including children killed and injured in the shelling on the school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020. (via @ShahbaPress)
  • Abdulkader was reported killed in the attack on a school in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via @abuhuzaifa)
  • AbdulQader's mother paying farewell to her child who got killed in the attack on the school (via @abuhuzaifa).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in the attack (copyright Smart, published in the public interest).
  • Civilians reported killed and injured in the shelling on the school. (copyright Smart, published in the public interest)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The school targeted in the shelling (copyright Smart, published in the public interest)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians killed and injured in the attack (copyright Smart, published in the public interest)
  • Victims of the alleged Russian, Iranian or Syrian regime shelling on a school and its surrounding in Sarmin, Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via SN4HR)
  • Image of the targeted school (via SOHR)
  • Geolocation of the airstrikes by @john_marquee

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Hoor Al-Serjawi", a child killed in strikes on Sarmin on January 1, 2020. (Image posted by @fatina_sam98)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • The child Ali Nazir Miteb, another martyr in the Sarmin massacre, bringing the number of martyrs to 9. (Image posted byNabil Shiar via Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Iranian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iranian Military
  • Iranian 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 11
  • (4–7 children1–2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–16
  • 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, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military

Sources (61) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4291

Incident date

December 30, 2019

Location

قرية الشيخ أحمد, Sheikh Ahmed village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On December 30th, between four and five civilians, including up to two women and two children, were wounded by Russian or regime air strikes, with ten vacuum missiles and two cluster bombs, launched upon the village of Sheikh Ahmed in the southern countryside of Aleppo.

Local sources initially reported four wounded civilians and Civil Defense confirmed that number.  Enab Baladi News reported the death of a Civil Defense volunteer. Our Syria News also noted four wounded civilians, but there were no other reports of a killed Civil Defense volunteer. Hadel Al-Muhammad from Step News Agency also confirmed four wounded, including one woman. Later, Smart News reported that the four wounded were two women, a child, and a youth.

The Syrian Civil defense released a video of civilians being rescued from a home struck by land-to-land missiles. Two missiles with cluster bombs destroyed numerous homes.

Macro Media Center reported five wounded.

All sources reported Russia as the belligerent, except for the White Helmets, who reported that the airstrikes were launched by the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers helping a elderly woman who was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers helping a elderly woman who was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers helping a elderly woman who was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via Shaam News Network).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via MMC on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via MMC on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via MMC on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30th, 2019 (via MMC on Facebook).
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @almohrarmedia2)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @almohrarmedia2)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @almohrarmedia2)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Sheikh Ahmed village on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @almohrarmedia2)
  • Strikes on the village of Sheikh Ahmed on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by Zerba.media.office via Facebook)
  • Strikes on the village of Sheikh Ahmed on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by Zerba.media.office via Facebook)
  • Strikes on the village of Sheikh Ahmed on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by Zerba.media.office via Facebook)
  • Strikes on the village of Sheikh Ahmed on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by Zerba.media.office via Facebook)

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
    4–5
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4293

Incident date

December 28, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were killed and up to four civilians were wounded in initial reports about a Russian bombing raid upon the village of Maarat Numan on December 30th.

Local sources reported that Russian helicopters dropped barrel bombs, and there were early reports of four wounded civilians, the death of a child, and the killing of a Civil Defense Worker.  The child was identified as Muhammed Fateh Arafat. Human Rights Watch confirmed the death of the child and noted that the child was only eighteen months old. The Civil Defense Worker was later identified as Muhannad Muhammad al-Shaar. Some local sources referred to three civilians killed and three wounded. There were numerous conflicting reports, including one report that noted two dead and two wounded. Syrian Human Rights Committee reported five victims of the bombings, with two dead and three wounded, including a woman.

Civil Defense reported that volunteers were aiding a family of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) evacuate a home in which they were hiding when the house was struck, and the child was killed. Shaam News described the ten hours necessary to remove the deceased Civil Defense volunteer from the home. Zaman Alwasl News reported numerous air strikes by Russian and pro-Assad forces that targeted highways linking Maarat Numan and Saraqib and Maarat Numan and Ariha.

Al Jazeera News detailed how the strike was carried out by Russian and pro-Assad forces.

A White Helmets post read: “Today [Dec 30th] we bid farewell to another of our White Helmet brothers, Muhannad al-Shaar, a hero killed in a direct hit via regime helicopters, along with a child from the family our team was evacuating in #MaaratalNuman City in #Idlib. The remaining family was rescued.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhanad Muhamad Al Sha'ar مهند محمد الشعار
Age unknown male killed
Muhammad Fateh Arafat محمد فاتح عرفات
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Assad regime

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (32) [ collapse]

  • SCD volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble in Ma'arat Al Nu'man - Dec 30, 2019 (via MMC)
  • SCD volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble in Ma'arat Al Nu'man - Dec 30, 2019 (via MMC)
  • SCD volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble in Ma'arat Al Nu'man - Dec 30, 2019 (via MMC)
  • SCD volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble in Ma'arat Al Nu'man - Dec 30, 2019 (via MMC)
  • SCD volunteers searching for survivors under the rubble in Ma'arat Al Nu'man - Dec 30, 2019 (via MMC)
  • Muhannad al-Shaar,, SCD volunteer was killed in Ma'art A NU'man on Dec 30th, 2019 (via SCD Idlib)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Muhamad Arafat was killed in Ma'arat Al Nu'man in Idlib on Dec 3th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • Damage caused by the airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Nu'man (via MMC)
  • The child Muhammad Fateh Arafat was killed while a number of his family were injured in an airstrike on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on December 30, 2019. (via SN4HR).
  • White Helmet volunteers sort through the rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @_abdulazizketaz)
  • White Helmet volunteers sort through the rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @_abdulazizketaz)
  • White Helmet volunteers sort through the rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @_abdulazizketaz)
  • White Helmet volunteers sort through the rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @_abdulazizketaz)
  • White Helmet volunteers sort through the rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @Media_idlib)
  • Rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @Media_idlib)
  • Rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @Media_idlib)
  • Rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @Media_idlib)
  • Rubble following strike on Maarat al-Numan on December 30, 2019. (Image posted by @Media_idlib)
  • The child "Mohammed Fateh Arafat" who was martyred today in the city of Maarat al-Numan as a result of the bombing of the city by helicopters
  • While helping to evacuate a family from Maarat al-Numan: Ten hours to retrieve the body of a volunteer who was killed by the regime's helicopters Yesterday, Monday, the Syrian Civil Defense Organization "White Helmets" mourned the volunteer in the Syrian Civil Defense Muhannad Muhammad al-Shaar, who was killed by air strikes by the regime's helicopters while carrying out his humanitarian work, in evacuating a family from the city of Maarat al-Numan. A helicopter targeted them with barrel bombs, which led to the death Volunteer Muhannad and another child.

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Assad regime

Sources (40) [ collapse]