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

RS4264

Incident date

December 18, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four men were killed in allegedly Russian and Syrian regime air- and artillery strikes on the city of Ma’arat Al Numan, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources.

The four male victims were identified as Muhammad Ziyad Al Abd, Abd Al Razzaq, Yaman Serjawi and Fares Ahmad Al Salloum. The Syrian Civil Defence reported five wounded, including two children.

The MMC reported “intense Russian military raids with vacuum missiles, targeting residential neighbourhoods in Ma’arat Al Numan city”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported artillery shelling by the Syrian regime, in addition to Syrian regime airstrikes by helicopters. The shelling targeted Al Bezr market in the middle of the city, partially destroying several shops and damaging the market’s facilities.

The Syrian Civil Defence also reported that the Syrian regime shelled a building of SCD in the city.

Human Rights Watch said “In December 18, 2019, at about 11 a.m., the Maarat al-Nu`man Center for Primary Emergencies, a 24-hour ambulance deployment facility with additional emergency and child protection services, run by Violet, was hit. The center served about 600 people in the community. A Violet employee said that artillery shells struck the center’s ambulance garage and reception rooms, collapsing the building. The 10 people inside the office at the time were not wounded, but it took them five days to reopen the center. Human Rights Watch reviewed two photographs posted on Violet’s Facebook page that day that show damage to the office interior. These photographs also show damage to the windows and doors.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Ziyad Al Abd محمد زياد العبد
Age unknown male killed
Abd Al Razzaq عبد الرزاق ابن نايف القيطاز
Age unknown male son of Nayef Al Qaytaz, other sources however reported he died in airstrikes in the town of Ma’ar Shamarin on Dec 18th killed
Yaman Serjawi يامن سرجاوي
Age unknown male killed
Fares Ahmad al Salloum
Age unknown male from Jarjanaz town killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via MMC).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via MMC).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via MMC).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via MMC).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via MMC).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad Ziyad Al Abd was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via MMC).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abd Al Razzaq was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via MMC).
  • Damage in a medical facility affiliated with Violet Organization by alleged Syrian regime shelling, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (via SN4HR).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Abd Al Razzaq was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Numan on December 18th, 2019 (via Oula Al Assad).

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
    4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4265

Incident date

December 18, 2019

Location

خان السبل, Khan As Subul, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly killed and at least three civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Khan As Subul, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources.

A number of sources, among them Facebook user Mohammad Alsafar, identified the victim as Atta Muhammad al-Hamdun. @oulaalassaad reported instead that one woman died.

Edlib Media Center (EMC) reported that “a man was killed and four others were wounded when the Russian occupation warplanes targeted Khan Al Sboul, south of Idlib, with rockets”. According to @zamanalwsl, only three civilians were wounded.

In another post, EMC stated that the wounded were civilians. Quoting an unnamed source in the field, Arabic RT claimed instead that the raids were targeting terrorist positions.

While some sources, among them Shaam News Network, blame the attack on both  “Russian and regime warplanes and helicopter” airstrikes, others blame Russian military solely.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Atta Muhammad al-Hamdun عطا محمد الحمدون
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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

Sources (14) [ 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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4266

Incident date

December 18, 2019

Location

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), one civilian was killed in Russian bombardment of Deir Sharqi village in Idlib, Syria on December 18th, 2019.

No further details are available at the moment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4268

Incident date

December 18, 2019

Location

الغدفة, Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly injured and died as a result of his injuries in the aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Ghadafa, southeastern Idlib, on December 18, 2019, during daytime.

The man was identified by several sources as Abdel Qader Al Khaled. He was injured during the airstrike and was first transferred to the hospital, where he died several days after the incident. Al Khaled’s family is allegedly affiliated to the rebels and had been displaced from Abu Al-Zuhur, according to Facebook user Rabia Abdul.

Some sources, among them @iA6TWquU3yvk2RK, claimed that the raid was conducted by the regime’s Sukhoi-22 warplanes. @oulaalassaad reported instead that regime helicopters targeted the outskirts of the town with barrel bombs. According to @Hani_Alymani, however, Russian warplanes attacked the town with vacuum missiles.

The attack reportedly caused great damage to civilian property.

The victim’s brother Al Tayeb Abu Ali Medani posted on Facebook: “Dear friends in Al-Muharrir, God has honored us with the death of my brother Abdul Qadir, and because of the harsh circumstances, we ask you not perform the duty of condolence.”

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Abdel Qader Al Khaled عبد القادر الخالد
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising in the aftermath of an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ghadafa, December 18, 2019 (via @khaleedalkhteb)
  • The victim Abdel Qader Al Khaled in the aftermath of an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ghadafa, December 18, 2019 (via Rabiâ Abdul).
  • The victim Abdel Qader Al Khaled in the aftermath of an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ghadafa, December 18, 2019 (via GMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

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
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4267

Incident date

December 18, 2019

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Ash Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Jisr Al Shughur on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources.

@Baladinetwork tweeted that “a child was injured due to a raid by the warplane, which targeted the city of Jisr Al Shughour in the western Idlib countryside”.

@Sy_intelligence reported that there was joint Russian-Syrian “artillery and missile shelling on the headquarters and movements of militants in the villages of Badama and Al Najiya in the Jisr Al Shughour countryside, west of Idlib”. Other sources attribute the attack to only the regime forces.

It is unclear if the airstrike on the city of Al Shughour was part of the same raid as the artillery strikes on the villages of Badama and Al Najiya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4261

Incident date

December 17, 2019

Location

دير شرقي, Deir Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A young man was reportedly killed and another man injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Deir Sharqi in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate on December 17, 2019.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) identified the deceased victim as Abdul Rahman Khalil Al Jark (18).

@MasarPressNet reported that regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the village. SNHR claimed instead Russian fixed-wing warplanes fired missiles. According to Al Bayan, a total of 18 barrel bombs had been dropped in Deir Sharqi and other villages in the neighborhood.

Relatives, among them Ahmad Al Jark and Abdul Rahman’s cousin Mohammad Al Jark mourned the victim’s death on Facebook.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Rahman Khalil Al Jark عبدالرحمن الجرك
18 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The victim Abdul Rahman Khalil al Jark in the aftermath of the alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Deir Sharqi on December 17, 2019.
  • The victim Abdul Rahman Khalil al Jark in the aftermath of the alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Deir Sharqi on December 17, 2019.

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4262

Incident date

December 17, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Several people were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns in Idlib governorate on December 17th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network.

Shaam reported that the following towns were targeted with airstrikes by Russian and Syrian regime warplanes: Ma’rat Al Nu’man, Ariha, Jisr Al Shughur, Ma’shammaran, Zayn, Jarjnaz, al-Halbah, Tahia, Tataia, Al Alya, Tal Mardikh, Sheikh Idris, Bazpur, Qatrah, Furan, Shaara, Ain Qurei, Parisa, Balaisa, Tal Dam, Umm Al Tina, and the Al Katiyba Al Mahjoura. The raids also targeted the hospital of the martyr Maysar Al Hamdo in Ghadqa.

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

RS4255

Incident date

December 17, 2019

Location

بابيلا, Babila, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly killed in an alleged regime or Russian artillery/airstrike on the village of Babila, Idlib governorate, in the early morning of December 17th, 2019.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee identified the victim as Othman Al-Diab. Edlib Media Centre claimed as the only source that the attack “resulted in the martyrdom of civilian IDP families” without specifying the number of civilian deaths. @NagiNajjar reported that beyond the casualties, “several others were wounded”.

The sources make conflicting on whether Russian Armed Forces or the Syrian regime conducted the attack.

While most sources reported that warplanes conducted airstrikes on the outskirts of the city, a number of others, such as Jisr TV, claimed that Syrian regime’s fighters shelled the town with heavy machine guns. Others claim that the belligerents attacked with heavy machine guns from airplanes.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Othman Al-Diab عثمان الدياب
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A Syrian civil defense volunteer during a rescue operation after an alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrike on December 17th, 2019 (via @abdalkaderlhep2).

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 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]