Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS1501

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 10 civilians including one child and one woman died and as any as 30 more were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Douma, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the deaths, with sources reporting that both parties carried out actions on this day. Many sources referred to the use of cluster bombs and rockets.

But in a later post, the source said that “civilians were martyred due to Assad’s forces shelling on Douma city with cluster bombs”. A popular market was reportedly struck.

The Shaam News Network blamed both Russia and the regime putting the number killed at five with dozens more wounded.

However, other sources attributed the event to only the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that one child and a woman were among five people killed; the Syrian Observatory put the death toll at six; while the highest death count – of eight civilians with 30 more injured – was given by @syria1news1, who blamed “heavy shelling of markets and schools in Douma” – though the source didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Baraka
Child male named by LCCSY killed
Salah Bweidani
Age unknown named by LCCSY killed
Samer Muhammad Takla
Age unknown named by LCCSY killed
Ahmad Daloul
Age unknown named by LCCSY killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Damage in the streets of Douma following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid, Oct 24th (via SNN)
  • Damage to a car in Douma following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid, Oct 24th (via SNN)
  • Damage in the streets of Douma following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid, Oct 24th (via SNN)
  • Damage to a shop in Douma following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid, Oct 24th (via SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties are wrapped in white sheets by members of the White Helmets following an alleged raid on Douma, Oct 24th (via Douma Coordination Committee)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties are wrapped in white sheets by members of the White Helmets following an alleged raid on Douma, Oct 24th (via Yasser Al-Doumani)
  • Damage to vehicles in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via Enabbaladi)
  • Image showing damage to parts of the market in Douma. (via syria1news1)
  • Image showing huge amounts of destruction. (via Alamawi)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]