[85][86], On 20 February 2018, the Russian foreign ministry released a statement which, while admitting that there had been citizens of Russia and "countries of the CIS" killed and wounded in the course of the "recent clash" in Syria, claimed that no Russian service members or their materiel had been involved in any way. [70] The same day, a Wagner representative notified the parents of one of the two that both had died in captivity. A detailed account of the battle was included in 8 years with Wagner, a book by a member of the PMC, Kiril Romanovsky, published several days prior. Both this and other memoirs are largely in line with the accounts of the battle presented [citation needed], On 11 May 2018, the coalition stated that SDF units responded to artillery fire from an unknown source on the outskirts of Deir ez-Zor; the SDF returned fire, leading to the destruction of one enemy artillery piece. [12] A Kurdish militia commander and an ex-Russian officer also claimed Russian contractors were present and suffered casualties during the strikes. At this point, armed groups were spotted east of Khasham, in SDF-held territory, which then attacked the government's troops. [94][95] Earlier, Komsomolskaya Pravda military correspondent Viktor Baranets[ru] was cited as saying that according to his information, the Su-57s had done "excellent" work carrying out their mission in Eastern Ghouta. [77] The following day, the Russian foreign ministry's spokesperson Maria Zakharova conceded that five Russian citizens might have been killed in the U.S. attack; she emphasized that they were not members of the Russian Armed Forces. According to Syrian military sources, some 55 pro-government fighters were killed, including around 10 Russian fighters.[13]. The battle of Khasham 2022-03-18 - On 7 February 2018, a large group of Russian-speaking Wagner fighters, working with a pro-Assad militia, launched an attack on a US-backed, Kurdish-controlled military base in Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, where the Kurds had taken control of one of the countrys largest oil and natural gas fields. Furthermore, Russian private military contractors ("volunteers"), notably those associated with the Wagner Group, had been engaged in ground operations throughout that time, although their presence was never officially confirmed by the Russian government. Wagner PMCs then reportedly launched an operation and during the night between 18 and 19 March, fully recaptured Mesraba. But, of course, we should investigate that messed-up stuff., A Russian taboo: film explores death of private soldier in Syria, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. ", "Syrian government air strikes kill 71 and wound 325 in 24 hours, monitor says", "Syria forces ready for assault on rebel enclave", "Syrian regime forces cut Eastern Ghouta into three parts", Syria war: Thousands flee Eastern Ghouta as army advances, "Fears for the lives of civilians after the regime forces advanced in the southwestern pocket of the Eastern Ghouta under heavy fire cover", "Syrian troops cut major roads in suburbs of Damascus", " "" REX", "Syrian army celebrates as rebels quit most of their Ghouta stronghold", "The Latest: Syrian army says it has retaken eastern Ghouta", "East Ghouta officially under the Syrian Army's control after last militant convoy leaves Douma", "Western airstrikes unlikely to impact Assad's war machine", "Ukrainians fight and die among Russian Wagner mercenaries | KyivPost Ukraine's Global Voice", "Ukraine's SBU identifies chief instructor of Ukrainian unit at Russia's PMC Wagner", ": 11 , ", " . It was determined to conduct operations that would bring the government forces of Bashar al-Asad to heel at the Battle of Khasham. In 2018, U.S. forces and U.S.-backed militias from the Kurish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), controlled the Conoco gas field near the town of al-Tabiyeh in eastern Syria. Representatives for Prigozhin have not responded to requests for comment. Troops in Syria: Mattis gave Putin "plausible deniability" for a military assault that went badly awry. The Iranian-backed forces that had gathered consisted of members of the Syrian Army's elite 4th Armoured Division, members of the militias of the local Bekara and Albo Hamad Arab tribes, and members of the Iranian-controlled Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun brigades. The organization that recruited the fighters, known as Wagner group, uses defense ministry transport infrastructure and hospitals. [130] It was thought that Wagner PMCs were involved in the taking over of an abandoned US military base in the area, due to the confirmed presence of a Russian journalist who was known to regularly follow the contractors. The Wagner group certainly has distinct interests in Syria, since its service contracts there are ultimately paid by the Syrian state, not Russia, through a complex Russian state television recently screened numerous patriotic action movies produced by Prigozhin-linked firms, depicting unnamed Russian military instructors and volunteers fighting in eastern Ukraine, Central African Republic and Mozambique places where Wagner fighters have reportedly been active. [4][5][6] It was reported that the Wagner Group was employed by the Russian Defense Ministry, even though private military companies are illegal in Russia. Wagner publishes details on US air strikes during Battle of Khasham. The Operation Inherent Resolve coalition delivered air and artillery strikes on Syrian Armed Forces and pro-government militias after they reportedly engaged a U.S [22], On several occasions, U.S. forces struck Syrian pro-government units operating in the area. [29] The ISIS Hunters were one of the leading units[30] during the capture of the al-Shaer gas fields from ISIL in late April 2017. [94] A Russian paramilitary chief, critical of the killed contractors, also claimed 218 PMCs were killed and that the families were still waiting for their remains. Don't Be Fooled: Russia Attacked U.S. [2], As with the deconfliction line, the Syrian government itself never officially agreed to this limit but due to its dependence on Russia, the Syrian Army had nevertheless been, by and large de facto adhering to both; the Iranian government also never joined either of these two bilateral U.S.Russian agreements. WebThe Wagner Group is trained at Russian Defense Ministry bases, and the groups leaders have received awards in the Kremlin, but Russia downplayed its involvement in the engagement thats come to be known as the Battle of Khasham. [82][83] According to two U.S. defense officials, the U.S. military assessed that Russian PMCs also participated in the assault, with one saying some of the contractors had been killed in the air-strikes. WebThe Pentagon has described the attack as "unprovoked" and started by forces loyal to the Syrian government that crossed over the Euphrates River, which functions as a border Russia claimed the clash was a result of American aggression. In Ukraine, Wagner had fought a low-intensity More than three years after it took place in The Russian armys achievements in Syria were largely because of the mercenaries sacrifices. Feb 7, 2023 #1 "A Telegram channel linked to the Wagner Group has published an insider account of the only known clash between the mercenary group and the US military the 7 February 2018 battle near Khasham in Syria, in which many Wagner fighters reportedly died. The groups were quickly pushed back. Photos and videos appeared to show at least one Russian PMC accompanying Syrian troops into one of the towns. [37][38], On 13 February 2018, unclassified footage depicting the coalition's targeted airstrikes on a pro-government T-72 tank position and a reported Russian contractor artillery position in the Khasham area was released by the Department of Defense. I thought to myself, Enough, its time to get out of the shadows. I will not be dissuaded from publishing again. [12] Later, a Defense Ministry source told RBK TV that the FSB was also directing the PMCs. The primary U.S.-backed force in the northeastern part of Syria is the Syrian Democratic Forces, a group composed predominantly of Kurdish and Arab militiamen. Reporting by DER SPIEGEL shows that events were likely very different. [31] However, as of the beginning of July, the PMCs were still fighting to secure the al-Shaer gas fields and the areas of the phosphate mines. I am walking on a tightrope here, he said. During one attack, a PMC was tortured to death by ISIL. Gabidullin hopes his book will help lift the veil of secrecy around his former profession. I know you're going to ask, so I'm going to be clear that I will not speculate on the composition of this force or whose control they were under. [7] The Russian Defense Ministry dismissed the early reports by The Wall Street Journal about the Wagner Group's operations in Syria as an "information attack". military officials tell NBC News the Russian mercenaries were from the Wagner group, a shadowy security firm linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, a [35][36] The contractors also accused the man, named as Muhammad Abdullah al-Ismail (or Mohammed Taha Ismail Al-Abdullah a.k.a. [63], Bloomberg, as well as other commentators, opined that both the Russian government and Trump administration, in their official statements, appeared to try obfuscating any Russian government role in the incident. , "Several Russians killed in US airstrikes in Syria", " ", --, " " , Russians killed in clash with U.S.-led forces in Syria, say associates, . INDICTMENT: The Grand Jury for the District of Columbia charges: , Wagner's failed attack on US forces in Syria 'led by former Russian Marine officer', polygraph.info (3 October 2019) Russian News Accidentally Reveals Evidence of PMC Wagner in CAR, " ", "U.S. Airstrikes Kill 100 Russian and Syrian Fighters, Reports Say", "Pentagon Says U.S. Was Told No Russians Involved In Syria Attack", Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White in the Pentagon: Briefing Room: Press Operations: Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White, Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System, "The Lion and The Eagle: The Syrian Arab Army's Destruction and Rebirth", "Struggle Between Russia, Iran For Control Over Syria's Centers Of Power", "Assad Appoints Pro-Russia General as Chief of Staff", "Syria says rare US strike an effort 'to support terrorism', Fifteen Russian security staff killed in Syria explosion: The incident at a weapons depot follows the reported deaths of scores of Russian mercenaries in a US-led coalition attack last week, " . [20] One week later, the PMCs, along with regular Russian troops, supported Syrian government forces in repelling a HTS-led rebel offensive north of Hama. [35], The clashes lasted four hours and saw more than 100 Syrian pro-government fighters killed, with one SDF fighter injured, according to the coalition. Der Spiegel reported no Russians were in either formation; yet there was a small contingent of Russian PMCs stationed in Al Tabiyeh, who were not participating in the fighting. WebAccording to reporting by The New York Times, the Battle of Khasham began as a convoy consisting of 27 vehicles and 500 Russian and Syrian troops advanced towards an ", "U.S. Military Bombs Russian Tank in Video From Syria Attack on Assad Supporters", "In Syria, Russian bad faith turns fatal", "Relatives and friends of Wagner mercenaries we named earlier confirm to @ru_rbc they indeed had been killed in Syria", "Syria condemns US air strike as massacre", "US-led coalition strikes kill pro-regime forces in Syria", Confirmed: Dozens of Syrian troops killed by US 'defensive' airstrikes in Deir Ezzor, Pro-gov't ISIS Hunters release official statement after US airstrikes in Deir Ezzor, US attack on pro-gov't forces in Deir Ezzor killed more than 10 Russians (photos), "About 220 casualties and wounded of the Russian security companies, the regime forces and their allies in Coalition's bombing and the explosion of a warehouse of the Russian protection forces east of Euphrates The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights", Unprovoked attack by Syrian pro-regime forces prompts Coalition defensive strikes, "Unprovoked attack by Syrian pro-regime forces prompts Coalition defensive strikes", " ", "The U.S.-led coalition killed Russians in airstrikes against pro-Syrian government forces, reports say", Russian mercenary boss spoke with Kremlin before attacking US forces in Syria, intel claims, The international coalition to counter ISIL/Da'esh (the 'Islamic State'), "Russia Crosses the Euphrates: Implications", "Syria truce in limbo after US bombs troops", "U.S. strikes Syria militia threatening U.S.-backed forces - officials", "New details on US shoot down of Syrian jet", U.S. moves toward open-ended presence in Syria after Islamic State is routed, US military to maintain open-ended presence in Syria, Tillerson says: US secretary of state says forces will remain in country in push against Isis, Bashar al-Assad and Iranian influence, Tillerson: U.S. [12], According to two unnamed U.S. defense officials cited by CNN on 8 February, the U.S. military had assessed that Russian contractors had been involved, with one saying some of the contractors had been killed in the airstrikes. The battle, wherein as many as 500 or so combatants loyal to the Syrian government were said to have advanced toward a known US position in western Syria and fired with tanks and artillery, reportedly ended with up to "Russians dead in 'battle' in Syria's east", "How a 4-Hour Battle Between Russian Mercenaries and U.S. Hamdi Bouta) from Deir ez-Zor, of being a jihadist for wanting to desert. Arrival and capture of Palmyra and al-Shaer, Push into Deir ez-Zor and clearing of Hama, "Undermining Democracy and Exploiting Clients: The Wagner Group's Nefarious Activities in Africa", "What is the Wagner Group, Russia's mercenary organisation? [17], Wagner PMCs were involved in both Palmyra offensives in 2016 and 2017, as well as the Syrian Army's campaign in central Syria in the summer of 2017 and the Battle of Deir ez-Zor in late 2017. Marat Gabidullin has written memoir about fighting for Wagner because Russians should know mercenaries exist. However, the ISIS Hunters also said they would execute 100 captive militants for each of the Russians if they were killed by the jihadists. [132][133] In early February, vehicles carrying Russian contractors were also blocked by US troops on the highways. Americans responded with airstrikes in a four-hour battle, killing an estimated 200 combatants. [129] Subsequently, the Russian military started patrols between rebel and government-held areas in the Manbij district. [52] At the end of that month, during an ISIL counter-offensive in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, two Wagner PMCs were captured by the militants. On paper, the firm does not exist, with no company registration, tax returns or organisational chart to be found. [29], In February 2018, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, Commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, talked about the circumstances before the attack: "The coalition observed a slow buildup of personnel and equipment the previous week, and we reminded Russian officials of the SDF and coalition presence via the telephone deconfliction line. Exclusive: Russian mercenaries The groups were quickly pushed back. The situation with the passports of killed mercenaries is a glaring confirmation., "The oil field carnage that Moscow doesn't want to talk about", " , - ", 14 "" , "PMC Wagner chief: 14 were killed in Syria", " ''. [2], U.S. military forces once again opened fire, but this time with the intention of inflicting casualties. I believe that war between Ukraine and Russia will be a complete disaster for Russia. US intelligence officials say that the Wagner Group, known by the nickname of the retired Russian officer who leads it, is in Syria to seize oil and gas fields and At the end of November, it was reported that the Russian military was negotiating for the release of the two PMCs who were reportedly being held on the border of Syria and Iraq. [104] The coalition discussed the development with Russian counterparts via the established deconfliction line.[105]. [107], On 18 February 2018, the Syrian military launched an offensive against the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, east of Damascus,[108][109] and split the region into three separate pockets by 12 March. [104] Der Spiegel and the SOHR reported mostly Syrians were killed in the strikes. No U.S. troops were reported killed or wounded. Mercenary groups are nothing to be ashamed of, they exist everywhere, but we lie about them, he said. The presence of the PMCs in Syria was first reported in late October 2015, almost a month after the start of the Russian military intervention in the country's civil war, when between three and nine PMCs were killed in a rebel mortar attack on their position in Latakia province. [82] On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a Euronews channel interview said, "[The United States] seem to be seeking to isolate a vast part of the Syrian territory from the rest of the country in violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "[83][84] According to an insider source quoted on 19 February by Vedomosti, there were 50 citizens of Russia and Ukraine dead as a result of the U.S. We have specialised skills that a normal army lacks.. "What losses PMC Wagner suffered in Syria", "The Conflict Intelligence Team Versus The Kremlin", "Syrian army announces recapture of Palmyra from Islamic State", "Isis driven out of ancient Syrian city of Palmyra for second time", "Mysterious Russian private military group pops up again in media reports", "ISIS Hunters on the verge of liberating the strategic Al-Sha'er Gas Fields", "ISIL falls apart in northern Palmyra as Syrian Army troops liberate strategic gas fields", "Syrian man filmed being bludgeoned with hammer blows by 'Russian mercenaries', "Al-Sha'er gas field in Homs restarts production", " : "" ", "Investigators say man filmed beheading Syrian is Russian Wagner Group mercenary", "Russian mercenaries 'beat and beheaded Syrian man' in leaked video", "Russian Mercenaries Linked to Gruesome Syrian Torture and Beheading Video", "Man who filmed beheading of Syrian identified as Russian mercenary", "Russian Press Names Wagner Mercenary as Likely Perpetrator in Gruesome Syria Beheading", "One of the suspected Russian mercenaries who helped torture and execute a man in Syria is now reportedly teaching kids about patriotism in Bryansk", "Journalists say Russian mercenaries in Syria tortured, beheaded, and burned a deserter from Assad's army. [39], A Russian independent media report identified one of the perpetrators as Stanislav Yevgenyevich Dychko,[40] a confirmed operative of the Wagner Group[35][36] who previously worked for the Russian Interior Ministry. [69] However, on 4 December, the ISIS Hunters reported they had killed the commander of the ISIL militants that had captured and executed the two PMCs. Syrian Army 1 links Land force branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. [106] According to former Wagner members, the battle at Khasham had an impact that lead to changes to the organization, with the PMCs subsequently being given only guard duties at the local plants. [118], In March, an anonymous senior commander of the Wagner Group was quoted as saying that there were five Wagner companies operating in Syria, as well as The Carpathians (Russian: , romanized:Karpaty) company attached to Wagner, composed mainly of Ukrainian citizens.
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