Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS4819

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Code: R4570)

On 5 October 2023, intense artillery and missile bombardments allegedly by the Syrian regime and/or Russian Military caused the death of at least one civilian and the injury of 14 civilians, including 4 children and 3 women, in the city of Ariha (Jericho).

A Facebook post from local source “Jericho, the bride of the north” included the names of some of the identified victims: a woman named Bushra Habboush who was killed by the attack, and Ahmad Al Jasem from Hawir Al-Eis, Ahmad Al Zain, Mohammed Bassam Zanab, Shahed Yousef Saado, Fatima Ahmad Saynon, a 3-year old and a 14-year old child, all of them injured.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that a missile bombardment on the city of Ariha (Jericho) resulted in the death of a woman and the injury of 14 civilians, including 4 children and 3 women. However, the Political Keys correspondent @political_keys identified one person killed and eight injuries resulting.

According to Syrian Civil Defense the bombings affected a considerable number of vital and public facilities in the city. Additionally, the ambulance and the center’s fire annex were damaged. The bombardment consisted of dozens of shells fired from rocket launchers that led to great destruction in the city. Other sources report that the attacks consisted of the bombardment of 40 missile launchers. In the midst of this, the Syrian Defense team responded by working on the removal of the rubble that blocked the roads.

The Al-Masdar News Agency reported to be monitoring the effects of the destruction from the intense bombardment in Ariha.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the shelling, with sources including @​​Najdat567 reporting that Syrian regime forces stations in checkpoints were responsible while Revolution Coordination identified both the Syrian regime and Russian forces as responsible, and other sources only mentioned “militias” as being involved.

Victims

Individuals

Bushra Habboush
female killed
Ahmad Al Jasem
injured
Ahmad Al Zain
injured
Mohammed Bassam Zanab
injured
Shahed Yousef Saado
injured
Fatima Ahmad Saynon
injured

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
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
1
1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
8–14
4 Children, 3 Women

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 (39)