Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1426

Location

الغسانية, Al Ghassania, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8142663, 36.2616084
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R1293RS1420)

Local sources reported that aerial shelling in al-Ghassania, outside Idlib, killed one woman and injured 15 more civilians. While most sources attributed this civilian casualty event to Russia, there were also allegations against the Syrian regime.

According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes shelled  Al-Ghassania village in Idlib and killed a woman and wounded 15 others – six of them women. The number of martyrs is likely to rise due to critical injuries”.

The victim’s name and origin was identified by sources such as LCCSY who reported that “young lady Sarah Mgharbil was martyred due to the Russian airstrike on Ghasania village. The martyr is from Jablah city”.

Syria News Desk added that four children were among the injured.

The twitter account @Syrian191124 reported about the culprit’s use of cluster bombs as it tweeted “extensive Russian warplanes shelling with cluster bombs and missiles Ghasania (…)”

While most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, UrgentLive blamed the Assad regime, while the Step News Agency said that both Assad and Russia were responsible.

Victims

Individuals

Sarah Mgharbil
Adult female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
15

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Ghassania (الغسانية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.8142663, 36.2616084. 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 October 1st – 19th 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed