Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS2581

Location

الحوايج, Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0528105, 40.4941326
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R2425RS2577)

Up to five civilians were killed and several wounded as airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, hit Huwaij, near al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

@Euphratesmedia reported after the incident “a large number of air raids targeted the towns and villages of the eastern countryside and Al Shahil crossing water”, adding that it had caused a number of victims and wounded.

The same media later reported a total of five victims. The remaining sources, however, reported the death of two men, both identified by name. The Violations Documentation Centre was the only source to report the death of just one of the men, Hmaid al-Hamed al-Meshaan

According to Jisrtv, seven civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes several areas in Deir Ezzor on that day, including al-Shuhail, though the source didn’t specify the exact number in al-Shuhail.

Besides from Jsirtv, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also attributed the strike to Russia.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at two, identified the Syrian regime as responsible.

Victims

Individuals

Adult male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
1–5
2 Men
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hawaij (الحوايج), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.0528105, 40.4941326. 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 - 31st 2017.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media from Sources (2)