Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS0709

Location

الصوانة, Sawaneh, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.76986, 37.55804
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R622RS706)

Between nine and 11 civilians were killed in airstrikes on Sawaneh according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Shaam News Network reported: “Russian aviation has committed a massacre after midnight last night against civilians in the town of Sawana, southwestern city of Palmyra, eastern Homs, and claimed the lives of 11 martyrs and almost 50 wounded.”

ARA also put the death toll at 11, adding that “among the dead were two brothers who moved to the city of Palmyra recently, Basil Arif al-Khoja and Obeid Arif al-Khoja.”

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least seven died in regime shelling.

Meanwhile, the Violations Documentation Center identified nine victims.

Victims

Family members (2)

Basel Aaref al-Khawaja
Adult male killed
Ubeid Aaref al-Khawaja
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Ghassan al-Salame
Adult male killed
Isa Ghassan al-Salame
Adult male killed
Wife of Isa Ghassan al-Salame
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Maawiya Thiban al-Aayed
Adult male killed
Wife of Maawiya Thiban al-Aayed
Adult female killed

Individuals

Emad Awad al-Faraj
Adult male killed
Mohammad Abdulla al-Mhawesh
Adult male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
9–11
2 Women, 5 Men
Civilians reported injured
50

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sawaneh (الصوانة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.76986, 37.55804. 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
Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed