White Helmets first responders fight a fire set by a Russian attack on oil refineries in northeast Aleppo Province, Syria, March 14, 2021

UPDATE, MARCH 15:

Russia has attacked oil refineries in north Syria for the second time in nine days.

Russian forces again fired Tochka surface-to-surface missiles, filled with cluster munitions, from bases in western Syria.

The White Helmets civil defense reported that two civilians were wounded.

The refineries are in northeast Aleppo Province. Russia’s missiles on the sites killed four civilians, including a White Helmets rescuer, and injured 42 on March 6.

UPDATE, MARCH 8:

The White Helmets civil defense updates with video of Russia’s bombing, and figures on the casualties and damage.

Four civilians, including a rescuer, were killed and 42 wounded by seven Tochka surface-to-surface missiles with cluster munitions. More than 200 fuel tankers and two civil defense vehicles were damaged.

UPDATE, MARCH 7:

The White Helmets civil defense has issued a statement about Russia’s bombing of oil refineries in north Syria, updating the casualties to four civilians killed and 42 wounded. Tt notes Moscow’s use of surface-to-surface missiles with cluster munitions.

The White Helmets have also posted photos from the funeral of rescuer Ahmad al-Waki, killed while battling one of the blazes set by the Russian attacks.

TRT World reports on the strikes, noting the importance of the “main lifesource” of oil for farmers, bakeries, businesses, and homes.

UPDATE, 1300 GMT:

Pro-opposition activists have posted an image of a long-range Russian missile purportedly used in Friday’s attacks on oil refineries in north Syria.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Three civilians and a White Helmets rescuer have been killed in the latest Russian attack on oil refineries in northern Syria.

The attack was on refineries near al-Bab and Jarablus in eastern Aleppo Province. More than 100 fuel tanks were detonated, setting large fires to which almost 70 White Helmets responded.

Local sources claim that missiles were fired from the Mediterranean, pointing to Russian responsibility. One pro-opposition activist said at least one missile was launched from Russia’s Hmeimim airbase in western Syria.

The slain White Helmets rescuer was named as Ahmad al-Waki. He was trying to extinguish fires in makeshift refineries in Tarhin near Al-Bab.

Defying the ceasefire which it arranged with Turkey in March 2020 for northwest Syria, Russia has periodically bombed the oil refineries using drones, Tochka missiles, and cluster munitions. There were damaging attacks in November 2019, October and December 2020, and in January and February.

See also Fuel Market Bombed in Northern Syria Near Turkish Border — Is Russia Responsible?

The refineries started as primitive operations trying to supply the opposition area of northwest Syria, even as it was being bombed and besieged by pro-Assad forces. Mainly located in northern and eastern Aleppo Province, they have been developed as fuel stations under the control of the Turkish-supported Syrian National Army.