The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Russian intervention in Syria in 2021 | 434 fatalities in nearly 13,000 rocket attacks and airstrikes…66 joint patrols with the Turks in NE Syria…ongoing efforts to curb Iranian expansion

SOHR renew its calls on the international community to exert pressure on Russia to stop its atrocities against Syrian people under the pretext of “fighting terrorism”

On September 30, 2015, the Council of the Russian Federation granted the Russian president Vladimir Putin the mandate to intervene militarily in Syria, where Russian forces launched a series of strikes and raids, and provided military and political support to the Al-Assad regime, resulting in the Syrian regime’s control of more than half of the country’s area, after it was a few steps away from a decisive defeat.

With no major changes in the map of influence in Syria, the Russians focused on other interests inside Syria, including attempts to exercise hegemony over the entire country and to eliminate Iran’s presence or at least containits expansion in Syria, as well as sponsoring agreements and reconciliation deals.

In 2021, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has managed to monitor and document crucial developments related directly to the Russian intervention in Syria. These key developments can be summarised in the following main points:

Thousands of airstrikes kill and injure hundreds of ISIS members in Syria’s desert

The Syrian desert experienced almost-daily flights by Russian fighter jets in 2021 as a part of the escalation of aerial operations on positions of ISIS which is active and present in numerous large spaces of the Syrian desert. Meanwhile, the Russian airstrikes on ISIS caves, hideouts and bunkers were concentrated in Aleppo-Hama-Al-Raqqah triangle, east Homs desert and the deserts of Deir Ezzor and Al-Raqqah.

SOHR documented over 12,230 airstrikes by Russian fighter jets in 2021, which killed 401 ISIS members and injured 331 other members. Here is the monthly distribution of these airstrikes and fatalities they left:

  • January: Over 1,090 airstrikes left 58 members dead and 23 others injured.
  • February: Over 1,425 airstrikes left 69 members dead and 16 others injured.
  • March: Over 1,380 airstrikes left 57 members dead and 25 others injured.
  • April: Over 1,260 airstrikes left 60 members dead and 38 others injured.
  • May: Over 1,050 airstrikes left 27 members dead and 41 others injured.
  • June: Over 1,220 airstrikes left 23 members dead and 31 others injured.
  • July: Over 810 airstrikes left 16 members dead and 19 others injured.
  • August: Over 530 airstrikes left nine members dead and 20 others injured.
  • September: Over 1,370 airstrikes left 15 members dead and 32 others injured.
  • October: Over 1,120 airstrikes left 31 members dead and 50 others injured.
  • November: Over 585 airstrikes left 15 members dead and 23 others injured.
  • December: Over 390 airstrikes left 21 members dead and 13 others injured.

Over 60 people killed and wounded in Turkish-held areas

Despite the ostensible “friendship” between “Putin” and “Erdogan”, areas controlled by Turkish forces and their proxy factions in Aleppo countryside came under several attacks by Russian forces, as SOHR documented six attacks in 2021: four airstrikes and two rocket attacks. These attacks left 15 people dead: four civilians and 11 members of Al-Hamza Division, while 46 sustained various injuries. Highlights of these strikes are as follows:

Airstrikes

  • April 30: Russian fighter jets attacked military position of Turkish-backed factions nearby Ain Daqna village in the west of Azaz in north Aleppo countryside.
  • September 25: Russian fighter jets executed five airstrikes on posts of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” in Basofan and Basalihiya in Shirawa district in south-west of Afrin.
  • September 26: Russian fighter jets executed several airstrikes on headquarters and a camp of Al-Hamza Division in Barrad village in Jabal Al-Ahlam area in Afrin countryside. The airstrikes killed 11 members of the faction and injured 13 others.
  • October 7: Russian fighter jets executed three airstrikes on the perimeter of a Turkish base in Al-Tuwais area in the east of Mare city in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

Rocket attacks

  • March 1: Four civilians were killed and 24 others were injured in an attack with surface-to-surface missiles fired by Russian warships on primitive oil refineries in Tarhin and Hamaran controlled by Turkish forces and their proxies in Aleppo countryside. The attack also resulted in the burning down of over 180 oil trucks.
  • March 14: Russian forces renewed their rocket fire on the oil market of Al-Hamaran near the crossing in Jarabulus countryside in north-eastern Aleppo. The attack injured nine civilians and workers and resulted in break out of large fires in oil trucks there.

“Cold war” with Iran

As Iranian forces and their proxy militias are proceeding with their plan to strengthen their presence throughout Syria, the Russians have intensified their efforts to restrain the Iranian expansion in light of the “cold war” between both sides, as each side is attempting to impose absolute influence on Syria, especially with the “symbolic” regime domination.

Such conflict continued in different areas across Syria. However, it was most noticeable in south Syria and west Euphrates region. Meanwhile, in Daraa, Russia sponsored “reconciliation” deals and other agreements, attempting to lure more ex-fighters to join the Russian-backed 5th Corps so that the Russians could enhance their military presence in south Syria and compete with the Iranians in their western stronghold, west Euphrates region.

SOHR sources have confirmed that the Russians in the first half of 2021 focused on offering financial incentives to attract Iranian-backed local militias to split from these militias and join the Russian-backed military formation.

Russia offers monthly salaries of 240,000 SYL to each fighter splits from Iranian-backed militias and join Russian-backed formation, which is a double of the salary offered by Iran. Moreover, the new recruits of the Russian-backed formations serve in headquarters in Deir Ezzor city and countryside with a 5-hour-shift a day. According to SOHR sources, tens of fighters have abandoned serving in Iranian-backed militias and switched to work for the Russians.

On March 30, the Russian-backed Palestinian militia of “Liwaa Al-Quds” seized 11 houses in Al-Rashada area in Al-Mayadeen city in eastern Deir Ezzor. These houses were owned by opponents of the Syrian regime from the area. According to SOHR sources, “Liwaa Al-Quds” stored weapons and ammunitions in five of these houses, while the other houses remained empty.

66 joint patrols with the Turks in NE Syria

In 2021, Russian forces conducted 66 joint patrols with Turkish forces in north-east Syria region, all documented by SOHR. It is worth noting that 41 patrols were conducted in Aleppo countryside, precisely in the western and eastern countryside of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani), while the other 25 patrols were conducted in Al-Hasakah countryside, some of which were attacked by civilians rejecting the Russian-Turkish agreement.

The monthly count of these patrols is as follows:

  • January: Three patrols: one in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.
  • February: Five patrols: three in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.
  • March: Five patrols: three in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.
  • April: Five patrols: three in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.
  • May: Six patrols: four in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.
  • June: Six patrols: four in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.
  • July: Eight patrols: four in Ain Al-Arab and four in Al-Hasakah.
  • August: Eight patrols: Five in Ain Al-Arab and three in Al-Hasakah.
  • September: Six patrols: four in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.
  • October: Four patrols: two in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.
  • November: Four patrols in Ain Al-Arab.
  • December: Six patrols: four in Ain Al-Arab and two in Al-Hasakah.

In the last quarter of 2021, north-east Syria region witnessed noticeable escalation of boosting of Russian bases and the arrival of Russian military reinforcement in the area from east Aleppo countryside and Ain Issa in northern Al-Raqqah, on Aleppo-Al-Hasakah international highway. In early November, Russian forces established a new military base on Aleppo-Al-Hasakah international highway “M4” in eastern Manbij city in the eastern countryside of Aleppo. According to sources, Russian vehicles were stationed in an artillery base where regime forces had been stationed. The new base was nearly 20 kilometres to the south of Turkish positions.

Also, Russian forces exerted pressure on SDF to allow the deployment of regime tanks in Manbaj in east Aleppo. However, SDF rejected the request of the Russian general who threatened to bombard Al-Tayeh crossing (AbouKahaf) in western Manbij which connects regime-held areas with SDF-held areas.

On the other hand, SOHR activists documented, on June 9, the death of a Russian soldier who was later transferred to a field hospital in the SDF-held Al-Darbasyah city. The soldier eventually succumbed to the wounds he sustained in the explosion that targeted a Russian military vehicle while it was passing through the village of Al-Asadiyah on the frontline separating areas controlled by SDF and regime forces from areas controlled by Turkish forces and their proxies in Abu Raseen countryside in Al-Hasakah province.

Exhumation of graves belonging to “Israelis”

Exhumation of graves in the south of Syria’s capital, Damascus, topped the events in early 2021, as Russian forces started to search for the remains of two Israeli soldiers and the prominent Israeli spy “Elie Cohen” in Al-Yarmouk camp. These Israelis were killed decades ago and buried in that area. Meanwhile, the Russians excavated and dug several tombs and conducted DNA analyses of the remains exhumed from these graves. This incidents sparked public anger over the desecration of the dead in the region. While the Syrian regime took no action or even commented on such blatant violation practiced in an area under its control, and it seemed to care only about obtaining benefits, including the potential relieving of US sanctions.

Over 560 airstrikes on “Putin-Erdogan” area kill nearly 15 civilians

The “de-escalation zone”, also known as “Putin-Erdogan” area, experienced a complete cessation of aerial operations by regime jets and helicopters in 2021, but instead, Russian aircraft remained active in the area. SOHR documented over 562 airstrikes by Russian fighter jets on the “de-escalation zone” in 2021. These airstrikes resulted in the death of 18 people: 14 civilians, including six women and three women, as well as four jihadists, including one Turkistani jihadist and another Chechen. The Russian airstrikes also left over 117 people, mostly civilians injured.

The total death toll included five civilians: a man, his wife, two of his children and a nephew, who were killed in the only massacre by Russian jets in 2021. The five civilians were killed on November 11 when their house was hit during Russian airstrikes on the outskirts of Bruma and Al-Habbat junction in the northern countryside of Idlib.

The Russian airstrikes in 2021 targeted 62 positions, and they are distributed regionally as follows:

Idlib

  • 48 positions: Sheikh Bahr, Harbanoush, Qorqanya, the perimeter of the central prison, the surrounding areas of MarratMisrin, the surrounding areas in Sarmada, HurshBasinqoul, Al-Rouj station, Sheikh Youssef, Muhambel, Ain Shaib, Saan, Al-Ruwayha, Sarja, Mantaf, Maarzaf, Bayanin, Sfuhen, Jozif, Al-Bara, Mar’ayan, Kansafrah, Baylon, Al-Fterah, Maarbalit, Majdalya, Hursh Al-Hamamah, Urm Al-Jouz, Ihsim, Al-Kendah, Sheikh Sandyan, Bruma, Bsamis, Al-Aliyah, Al-Ghassaniyyah, the surrounding areas of Zarzour, Deir Sonbol, Mashoun, Shaan, Iblin, Al-Fu’ah, Jisr Al-Sughour, the surrounding areas of Al-Kfir, Qah camps, the surrounding areas of Idlib city, Taltita, Shadirni and Al-Ya’qoubiyyah.

Latakia

  • Five positions: Kabana, Al-Khudr, Kafridin, Al-Bernas and Barzah in northern countryside of Latakia.

Hama

  • Six positions: Al-Sarmaniyah, Duwayr Al-Akrad, Al-Ziyyarah, Zayzoun power plant, Kherbet Al-Naqous and Hemaymat in the north-western countryside of Hama.

Aleppo

  • Three positions: Arhab, the surrounding areas of DaratIzza and Sheikh Suleiman in the western countryside of Aleppo.

Here is a monthly distribution of the Russian airstrikes on the “de-escalation zone” in 2021:

-January: Nine airstrikes left no fatalities.

-February: 20 airstrikes left no fatalities.

-March: 18 airstrikes. A civilian was killed in airstrikes on March 21.

-April: 15 airstrikes left no fatalities.

-May: 15 airstrikes left no fatalities.

-June: 18 airstrikes. A pregnant woman was killed in airstrikes on Mantaf village in Idlib countryside on June 12.

-July: 80 airstrikes left no fatalities.

-August: 95 airstrikes left no fatalities.

-September: 204 airstrikes left four people dead as follows:

  • A child was killed in Al-Bara in Idlib countryside on September 3.
  • A Turkistani child was killed in a camp near Zarzour town in western Idlib on September 15.
  • Two jihadists: a Syrian and a Turkistani, were killed in Idlib province on September 24.

-October: 45 airstrikes. A member of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham was killed in HurshBasinqoul in Idlib countryside on October 7.

-November: 40 airstrikes left eight civilians dead as follows:

  • Five civilians: a man, his wife, two of his children and his nephew, were killed in a massacre by Russian jets on November 11, as their house was hit during airstrikes on the outskirts of Bruma and Al-Habbat junction in the northern countryside of Idlib.
  • Two olive pickers were killed on the outskirts of Taltita, which is inhabited mostly by the Druze sect, in north-western Idlib on November 22.
  • A woman was killed nearby Shenan village in Idlib countryside on November 25, while picking olive.

November’s airstrikes also left over 20 people injured.

-December: 15 airstrikes. Three people: a man, a little girl and a Chechen jihaidst were killed nearby Al-Ya’qoubiyyah village in western Idlib on December 11.

Also in 2021, the Russian base of Hmeimim in Jableh countryside in Latakia came under two separate attacks in 2021, with the first taking place on June 27 when air defences in the base fired several missiles, attempting to intercept unknown “hostile” targets, which resulted in breakout of fires near the base. However, no casualties were reported.

The second attack was on October 4, as several explosions were heard near the Russian base, as Russian air defences were attempting to intercept objects targeting the base. It is not known if these objects were missiles or drones, while no casualties or material damage were reported.

Since the beginning of Russia’s intervention in Syria on the 30th of September 2015, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the death of 20,944 persons. The breakdown of fatalities is as follows:

  • 8,679 civilians: 3,005 children under the age of eighteen, 1,320 females over the age of eighteen, 5,254 men and young people.
  • 6,039 ISIS members.
  • 6,226 fighters of rebel and Islamic Factions, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamic Turkestani Party, and fighters of Arab and foreign nationalities.

SOHR sources reported that Russia used the “Thermite-type explosives” in their airstrikes, a substance composed of aluminium powder and iron oxide which causes burns as it continues to ignite for about 180 seconds; some of the bombs used by Russian jets on the Syrian territory were loaded with this substance.

It has been discovered that they are “RBK-500 ZAB 2.5 SM” cluster incendiary bombs each weighed about 500 kg (about 1100 pounds) and they were dropped by military aircraft. They carried anti-individuals and anti-vehicles small sized bombs of the type (AO 2.5 RTM), loaded with 50 to 110 small-sized bombs stuffed with “Thermite”, which outpour out of it when they explode; the range of this anti-individuals and anti-vehicles bombs reaches 20 to 30 meters.

As years pass, the Syrians suffer the scourge of the Russian intervention, which cited “fight against terrorism” as an excuse to commit horrific massacres against innocent civilians. Russia also sponsored agreements, then quickly abdicated its duties and abandoned guarantees it vowed to fulfil. Russia’s firepower, shells and missiles have been deadly and fatal. Russia has Syrian blood on its hands, despite its attempt to act as the one coming to lay values of peace and coexistence.

SOHR stresses that Russia’s real objective in Syria has never been eliminating terrorism, but it has aimed to help Al-Assad’s regime to regain control and achieve a victory by killing and displacing countless Syrians and destroying their properties.

We, at the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), renew our appeal to the international community to exert pressure on Russia to stop its aggression against the Syrians immediately, and constructively help the international community in reaching a peaceful settlement and find a workable political solution to the Syria’s protracted war which has been raging for over a decade.