Image source: Civil Defense
As September comes to a close, Syrians mark the ninth anniversary of the beginning of the Russian military intervention in their country, during which Moscow committed numerous violations against civilians despite international condemnations over the past years.
At the official request of the head of the regime, Bashar al-Assad, after he lost control over about 78% of Syrian territory, Russia announced its military intervention in Syria on September 30, 2015. This came after the Russian Senate granted President Vladimir Putin authorization to begin military operations outside of Russia, purportedly aimed at “combating terrorism” in accordance with international law, according to the Russian narrative.
The Russian forces established their main base at the Hmeimim military airport in the Latakia countryside, western Syria, and began sending warplanes and special forces units to support the regime’s forces. They employed a “scorched earth” policy through widespread and intense bombing of both civilian and military areas alike, including attacks on Aleppo in 2016, the Damascus suburb of Ghouta in 2018, as well as the Homs and Daraa countryside, among others.
Key Actions by Russian Forces in Syria
Targeting Civilians
Over the past nine years, Russian attacks have resulted in the death and injury of more than 12,500 civilian victims.
The Syrian Civil Defense organization confirmed its response to 5,751 attacks carried out by Russian forces in Syria between September 30, 2015, and September 12, 2024, using 320 different types of weapons.
The attacks resulted in the deaths of 4,073 civilians, including 1,165 children and 754 women, and the injury of 8,431 people, including 2,155 children and 1,706 women.
Use of Internationally Prohibited Weapons on Civilians
Russia illegally used internationally banned cluster and phosphorus bombs on densely populated civilian areas. Local media outlets documented remnants of bombs containing phosphorus in Idlib province just 15 days after Russia’s military intervention began.
Media sources also documented the deaths and injuries of civilians due to Russian warplanes targeting civilian areas in various cities across Syria, including Aleppo, where cluster bombs were used, and Deir ez-Zor, where incendiary phosphorus bombs were deployed.
Amnesty International stated that Russia has not acknowledged its role in killing and injuring civilians, claiming instead that its strikes only targeted “terrorist gangs.” Moscow denied the accusations against it, labeling them as part of a “propaganda war.”
The Attack on Aleppo
Russia played a key role in helping the Syrian regime regain control of Aleppo in December 2016, after the opposition had held it for three years. Russia conducted an intensive military campaign that led to the destruction of most of the city, resulting in the deaths and injuries of thousands of civilians. The campaign also triggered one of the largest forced displacements, as many residents were driven out of the city.
Sponsorship of Forced Displacement Operations
Since its intervention in Syria, Russia has played a major role in overseeing forced displacement operations in several cities across the country. Russia facilitated the implementation of so-called “reconciliation” or “settlement” agreements between opposition forces and the regime. These agreements often followed sieges on opposition-held cities and towns, leading to the forced displacement of civilians and opposition fighters to northern Syria, which remains under opposition control.
Starting in 2016, Russia began enforcing these settlement agreements, purportedly designed to protect civilians, beginning with the forced displacement of the residents of Aleppo, Eastern Ghouta in Damascus, and Daraa.
Russian Use of the Veto to Support the Regime
Russia has politically supported the Syrian regime by using its veto power in the United Nations Security Council.
Over the past 12 years, Russia has used its veto 18 times on resolutions related to Syria, five of which were specifically concerning the delivery of humanitarian aid to northern areas outside of the regime’s control.
International and Western Condemnations of Russia’s Presence in Syria
The United Nations, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have all condemned Russia’s intervention in Syria, particularly its targeting of civilians and the war crimes committed by Russian forces.
In a 2020 report, Human Rights Watch described Russian attacks in Syria as serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Several countries, including the United States and the European Union, have condemned Russia’s intervention, with Washington holding Moscow responsible for the crimes committed by the Syrian regime against civilians due to its military support.
In 2018, Western countries such as France and the United Kingdom condemned Russia’s role in exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Syria and called for international sanctions against Russian officials implicated in war crimes in Syria.
Same Justice organisation condemns Russia’s intervention in Syria and its support for the ruling regime. The organisation highlights Russia’s numerous violations against civilians, including bombings and the use of banned weapons. It emphasizes the need to hold Russia, as a state and individuals, accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria, in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights law, and the laws of war. Same Justice organization also warns that allowing these violations to continue without accountability threatens international peace and security and undermines the rule of international law.
