Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS606

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Location

حوش نصري, Hosh Nasri, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55803, 36.47058 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on the town of Hosh Nasri, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network reported that “swarms of Russian planes” flew over Eastern Ghouta, targeting towns with several air raids. Activists told SNN that there was a “horrible massacre” which claimed the lives of five non-combatants in Hosh Nasri when civilians’ homes were hit with missiles.

The White Helmets also said that Russia was responsible and put the death toll at five with many more injured, adding that a huge fire broke out across homes and shops. They published disturbing videos depicting dead bodies and rescue attempts.

According to All4Syria, Russian jets conducted “several air strikes, killing five civilians, including a child, and injuring others. They added that the number of deaths was likely to increase due to severity of injuries. Al Jisr TV also attributed the incident to Russia, putting the death toll at five.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, regime warplanes were responsible.

Five victims were named by the White Helmets.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mouriy’i Makiya
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Atef Alloush
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Hamid Al-Mohammad
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Abboud al-Mohammad
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Faisal Othman
Child male Named by White Helmets killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hosh Nasri (حوش نصري), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.55803, 36.47058. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child0–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rescue operations carried out by the civil defence after warplanes targeted Hosh Nasri. (via, The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Watch the civil defence team from Al Rihan centre tending to the wounded and pulling out the martyrs after a massacre carried out by air weapons in Hosh Nasri in Eastern Ghouta. (via, The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    What looks like the remains of a burned body. (via, The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Damascus from February 10th – February 16th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child0–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]