Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS3498

Location

أم المياذن, Um Al Mayadhen, Daraa, Syria

Geolocation

32.585547, 36.190245
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R3307RS3515)

Up to ten civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Um Al Mayadhen on July 5th, 2018, according to sources on the ground.

@Step_Agency reported that “eight people, including a member of the Civil Defense, were killed as a result of the aerial bombardment targeting the town of Um Al Mayadhen, east of Dara’a, this morning [July 5th].”

The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported the names of nine men who were killed in the airstrikes. Huran.net wrote that in addition, an unidentified young man from Homs was also killed.

Multiple sources named Suleiman Mohammad al Maf’alani, age 30, as a victim of the strikes, stating that he was killed while performing his duties as a volunteer for Syrian Civil Defense.

According to Hamza Alshaheed, Suleiman al Maf’alani was killed “in the course of his humanitarian duty to rescue the injured and evacuate the civilians after a previous aerial bombardment of Umm Al Mayadhen.”

Furthermore, the source reported “a number of civilians” wounded, as well as “severe damage” to civilian infrastructure in the airstrikes which intensified throughout the day, “accompanied by artillery shelling and a heavy missile”.

Whereas most sources, such as @JobarNewsNet, reported Russia as the belligerent for the airstrikes, others, such as @alahmed_nasser pointed to the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Victims

Family members (4)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Individuals

Adult male volunteer killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
9–10
8–9 Men
Civilians reported injured
3–4

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Um Al Mayadhen (أم المياذن), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.585547, 36.190245. 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
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media from Sources (2)