Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS3689

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.547312, 36.643567
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: October 22, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R3486RS3697)

A man was killed and three other civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Heesh, Idlib governorate, on May 14th, 2019, according to local sources.

Justice Organisation wrote: “One person was killed and 3 people were wounded as a result of the shelling of the Russian warplanes and the Assad regime’s helicopter warplanes on the city of Heesh in the southern Idlib countryside”, identifying the killed person as Muhammad Yusef Al Diab.

Mr Diab was reportedly replaced from Kafar Zeita. The pro-regime Facebook page “Syria Our Eternal Beloved” called Mr Al Diab a “terrorist”, but other sources identified the victim as a civilian.

Step News Agency wrote that Russian airstrikes caused fires in agricultural crops.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Syrian regime forces helicopters and claimed they dropped explosive barrels on Heesh village. Step News blamed Russia, whereas other sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Assessment Updates

22 October 2025
Geolocation added. Incident had not been geolocated when originally published.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Man
Civilians reported injured
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Heesh (حيش), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.547312, 36.643567. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media from Sources (7)