Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2007

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Location

درعا البلد, Dara'a Al-Balad, Daraa, Syria

Geolocation

32.607961, 36.099127 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Daraa al Balad, according to local media sources – though it is unclear who was responsible for the attack. Some sources attributed responsibility to Russian forces; some mentioned weapons known to be used by the Assad regime and some didn’t positively identify the aircraft.

Nabaa Media reported that “three people were killed when Russian warplanes bombed the neighbourhoods of Daraa al Balad”. However, other sources have indicated that two members of the Free Syrian Army were killed in this attack.

Daraa News Network names the two Free Syrian Army members who were killed in the attack and also named one civilian as dying in this attack – it reported that it was due to unidentified artillery shelling.

Halab Today TV, who also didn’t identify a belligerent, reported that two civilians had died and “others injured” by air raids.

Whilst most sources either identified Russia as the belligerent, or didn’t positively identify who was responsible, @gamel2468alzupi stated that “explosive-propelled grenades” were used, weapons which Assad’s regime are known to have used.

Syria News Desk also cited both Russia and the regime to be responsible for the attack: “Russian warplanes targeted with vacuum missiles and the regime with cluster bombs, aimed at opposition-controlled neighborhoods in the Daraa al-Balad area, killing two people.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st – 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]