Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1240

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R1126RS1235)

Between seven and nine civilians, including two female children and two or three members of the civil defence died in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, according to sources on the ground. While the majority of reports blamed Russia, several attributed the attack to the Syrian regime or did not identify the culprit.

According to Smart, 20 civilians were also wounded. It reported “when the civil defense came to rescue them the warplanes came back and targeted their car. Two members of the civil defense were killed and two were wounded.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at eight an in a later report at nine, reporting that “two female children and civil defense members” were killed.

PrimoAhmad, however, alleged three members of the civil defense died.

The source Mohamadsalomala attributed the event to the Syrian regime, while the Shaam News Network referred to “Russian/Assad planes”.

Victims

Individuals

Abdul-Hamid Kirawan
35 years old male White Helmet killed
Ibrahim Dayoub
30 years old male White Helmet killed
Maher Saloum Al-Abed
killed
Mohammed Khattab Abu-Anas
male killed
Rami Mohammed Ref’at Idris
killed
Norman Abdul-Razzak
Child killed
Bilal Issawi
killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
7–9
2 Children, 3 Men
Civilians reported injured
3–20

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Shaykhun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.44208, 36.65095. 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 not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (5)