(Previous Incident Codes: R3110RS3315)

At least nine civilians, including two children, were killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the city of Harasta on March 20th, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights suggested that the death toll could be as high as 20, including 16 children and four women. An unknown number of civilians was injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights initially reported the death of nine civilians, including two children, before noon on March 20th, adding that some injured civilians were in critical condition. Later, the SOHR monitored the deaths of 20 civilians, including 16 children and four women due to the result of Russian airstrikes.

Harasta city posted the names of eight killed victims, Harasta Jaree7a later added the name of another killed man to the list.

@HossamDamascene reported that “Russian aviation targeted residential neighbourhoods in Harasta city in Eastern Ghouta with four airstrikes loaded with internationally prohibited incendiary phosphorus missiles.” @N_workMediaHoms spoke of many injured civilians in more than 13 Russian air raids and dozens of artillery shells.

Whereas most sources blamed Russia for the incident, the Local Coordination Committees of Syria pointed at both Russia and the Syrian regime.