Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS0014

Location

إحسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7209426, 36.5562773
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: October 31, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R010RS013)

Russian aircraft reportedly bombed the town of Ihsem in Idlib, killing five members of one family – four of whom were young girls.

The victims were later named.

The White Helmets civil defence force tried to reach the dead and injured, but were subjected to a “double tap’”strike which killed one of their rescuers and injured six others, two seriously. In a later interview with al Jazeera, survivor Kaddour al Zaeim spoke of the deaths of family members.

While most sources blamed Russian aircraft, the Syrian Network initially said the attack was the work of the Assad regime. Following an investigation, it later attributed the deaths to Russia, citing local activist Kasem Abu Nizar: At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Russian warplanes launched four airstrikes on Ihsim town in Jabal Al Zawiya in Idlib suburbs. The raids targeted the poultry farm, which was shelled with 10 rockets. The first and second raids shelled three rockets, and the third and fourth raids shelled two rockets at a time.”

Victims

Family members (8)

Mariam Qaddour al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Iynas al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Maysaa Qaddour al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Fatema Qaddour al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Waheede Qaddour al-Zaeim
Adult female killed
Abdo Al Zaeim
male injured
Khadija al-Zaeim
female injured
Khaled a-Zaeim
male injured

Individuals

Adult male Civil Defence Staff killed
Mohammad Faress Fadel
Adult male Civil Defence Staff injured
Ahmad Najjar
male injured
Khaled al Assa'ad
male injured
Ali Takika
male injured
Moustapha al Droubi
male injured
Aya al A'ssar
female injured

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
6–11
4 Children, 1 Woman, 2 Men

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ihsem (إحسم), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.7209426, 36.5562773. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
The Kremlin reported a number of airstrikes in Idlib for October 3rd 2015, though made no direct reference to Ihsem.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media from Sources (32)