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

RS556

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.840505, 36.72922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One male child, Yahya Mohammad Qaddour, aged three, was killed in an airstrike on Talbiseh according to local sources.

The Violations Documentation Center – which blamed Russian shelling for the death – linked to an extremely graphic video posted by Talbissa, which shows the dead body of the child.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights – which also named the child – he was killed by regime warplanes.

Syrian Revolution Talbissa News reported that four Russian airstrikes had led to “a huge number of injuries” and also killed the child Yahya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yahya Mohammad Qaddour
Child male killed
Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “During air duty mission, Su-25 attack aircraft detected 3 hardware columns transporting militants, armament and munitions along the highway Al-Qaryatayn – Homs. The strike resulted in elimination of 9 heavy trucks with munitions and more than 40 militants.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS557

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tadeef, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

These victims were also named by Halab News and the Syrian Human Rights Committee.

Shahba Press also said two non-combatants died in a Russian raid.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Kareem Obeid al-Hasan al-Obeid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Abdul Razak Obeid al-Hasan al-Obeid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS558

Incident date

February 7, 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

Between three and five civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources. The victims included members of a family who had returned to Anadan to bury their two children killed in a strike on Kafr Hamra on February 7th, listed above.

The Shaam News Network reported that five were killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “several citizens (most of them are from one family) were killed and injured in a bombing by warplanes believed to be Russian on the Anadan area in the northern countryside of Aleppo during the burial of two of their children, who were also killed by warplanes this morning when they targeted Kafr Hamra area northwest of Aleppo city.“

Halab Today also put the death toll at five and blamed Russia as did Aleltihad Press, which  reported that the city had been hit badly in the previous five days by Russia, resulting in more than 40 deaths including women and children.

Shahed Ayyan Halab gave the following testimony: “A family from Anadan decided to flee to the town of Kafr Hamra to escape the intense shelling in the Anadan City, the Russian Aviation targeted Kafr Hamra. There were two  martyrs – children from the families from Kafr Hamra. The family returned to Anadan to bury their children and were targeted again by Russian airstrikes. The rest of the family were among the dead and wounded.”

Radio Al Kul put the death toll lower, at three civilians.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS559

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children, displaced from Anadan, were killed in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. All reports but one blamed Russia. However the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the regime (see also event below.)

An eyewitness told Shahed Ayyan Halab: “A family from Anadan decided to flee to the town of Kafr Hamra to escape the intense shelling in the Anadan City, the Russian Aviation targeted Kafr Hamra. There were two  martyrs – children from the families from Kafr Hamra. The family returned to Anadan to bury their children and were targeted again by Russian airstrikes. The rest of the family were among the dead and wounded.”

Alethiad Press reported the same, explaining that Russian warplanes struck Kafr Hamra with two vacuum missiles, killing two children displaced from Anadan. Shahba Press also said that Russia was responsible.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes” (it did not say who they belonged to) killed two children when they targeted Kafr Hamra.

Two victims (both male children) were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdul Rahman Koraj
Child male killed
Mustafa Rifaat Koraj
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A report on the strike on Anadan Feb 7th

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the alleged victims (Aletihad Press)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS560

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One child, named by the Violations Documentation Center as Hasan Nasser,  was killed in an airstrike on Hraytan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “places in Qabr al-Englizi area (tomb of the English) were bombed by warplanes believed to be Russian, which killed a child and injured others”.The Syrian Human Rights Committee and Halab News also named Hasan Nasser and blamed Russia.

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights regime warplanes carried out the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Nasser
Child male Named by VDC killed

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS561

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

قباسين, Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.43304, 37.5671053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, a single source, the Shaam News Network, reported that four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasein.

LCCSY also put the death toll at four with more wounded but did not say who was responsible, while Shahba said that there had been Russian strikes in the town but didn’t provide casualty numbers.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS562

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.247681, 37.053483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including two women and two children died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Additionally, Shaam News Network reported alleged Russian strikes on the town, but did not provide casualty numbers: “They [Russia] also targeted with cluster bombs anadan city and the towns of Tamourah, Meng, Tel Mssibeen, Ma’arat Al Arteek, Hayan, Bayanoun, Kafrhamra, Kafrnaya which killed people in kafr hamra and Ma’ara al Arteek and caused several injuries.“

Three victims of an alleged Russian strike were named by Halab News in addition to an unidentified woman.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee also named these people as killed in “shelling“, but didn’t give any further details. According to Shahba Press, four non-combatants died in a Russian raid.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Abdul Qadir
30 years old female Listed by Halab News killed
Badr al-Din Yahya Ja’alok
2 years old male Listed by Halab News killed
Elaf
8 years old male Listed by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS563

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

طابية شامية, Tabya Shameih, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2500351, 40.2948475 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four children and one woman died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tabya Shameih, according to local sources.

In a news brief, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said two victims (children) “died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Tabiyet Al Sham town in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern countryside, February 7, 2016.”

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported that two children died and three houses were destroyed “after Russian planes targeted the village with three missiles.” A second report said that three people died:  “1- the child Khudar Mohammad al Jada’an  2- the girl Russal Mohammad al Jada’an 3- the young woman Samaher Ismail Al Jada’an and there are many others in critical condition.“

According to Free Deir Ezzor radio, the “two twin sons of Mohammad Ismail Jadaan” died in a Russian strike.

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said that Russia was responsible and added that three children and another civilian had not yet been identified.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khudar Mohammad al Jada’an
Child male Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Russal Mohammad al Jada’an
Child male Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Samaher Ismail Al Jada’an
Adult female Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Step News Agency reporting Russian strikes and victims

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]