Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2026

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this major incident, referred to by many sources as “a massacre”, alleged Russian or Assad-launched airstrikes on Hamouriya, Damascus killed up to 18 civilians, including women and children, and wounded between 24 and 80 more, local media reported.

Residential areas in Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, were reportedly struck by heavy aerial shelling on March 25th, causing serious civilian harm and destruction to large parts of the city.

The spokesman of the Civil Defense in the countryside of Damascus, Siraj Mahmoud, told Smart News Agency that warplanes loaded with four missiles carried out the strikes, killing 18 civilians, mostly children and women, and wounding another 70. A popular market was reportedly among the locations hit.

Baladi News’s correspondent added that the warplanes – which he believed to belong to the Syrian regime – had launched rocket attacks in the centre of the city, killing 17 civilians and inflicting serious damage to private properties and public facilities. 

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, six women and two children were among the fatalities. The Syrian Observatory put the child death toll at eight.

The Civil Defence identified 16 named victims, hereof one male child, six women and nine men.

Sources were not clear as to whether the incident was carried out by Syrian regime forces or Russia. A few sources claimed that the strikes were carried out by both parties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khaled Ma’atouk
Age unknown male killed
Yusra Ma’touk
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Abdulrahman Qatma
Child male killed
Rama al-Shami
Age unknown female killed
Ibtissam Wanoussa
Age unknown male killed
Rawda al-Himsi
Age unknown female killed
Fatima Qassar
Age unknown female killed
Abd al Rahim Abd Rabbou
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Said Ti’ma
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Abdulrahim al Masri
Age unknown male killed
Mohamamd Issa
Age unknown male killed
Abd al Rahman Sukkar
Age unknown male killed
Jamal Bakir
Age unknown male killed
Himam al Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Amina Qattan
Age unknown female killed
Najiya Juma’a
Age unknown female killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Hamouriya (حمورية), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.528464, 36.389472. 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
    12 – 18
  • (1–8 children6 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–80
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (51) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes on residential areas in Hammouriyeh, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes on residential areas in Hammouriyeh, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes on residential areas in Hammouriyeh, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • Rescuing team trying to safe civilians from under the rubble following the Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Rudaw News)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • Destruction of the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via RFS Media Office)
  • The moment either Assad or Russian-waged alleged airstrikes targeted hit the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Chaotic aftermath following the alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Aftermath in the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, following the alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Aftermath in the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, following the alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Injured children following the alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via Rev Spring News)
  • Footage from the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th 2017, the latter being blamed in this video by locals on the ground (via Yasser Al Doumani)
  • Footage from the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, where the civil defence is rescuing civilians from under the rubble after alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Al Jazeera Mubasher)
  • Footage of the mass destruction caused by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via SMO)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Some of the victims of the contested attack in Hamouriya, Damascus, March 25th, 2017 (via @majidkalbasi)
  • Footage from the chaotic aftermath in the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after being the contested airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Orient News)
  • Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Shehab Agency)
  • Footage from the immediate aftermath in the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, after alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Sky2018)
  • Footage from the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, where the civil defence is rescuing civilians from under the rubble after alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Qasioun News Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Shehab Agency)
  • Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes ton the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, (via @SyrianCoalition)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes ton the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm, including child victims (via @aboalhodaalhoms)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victims of the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via @Omar_Madaniah)
  • Aftermath of the Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • Victims of the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of thealleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of thealleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm (via Step News Agency)
  • The civil defence trying to rescue a civilian man from under the rubble, following the contested strikes on Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via SNN)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm and destruction of the town (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm and destruction of the town (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm and destruction of the town (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017, causing serious civilian harm and destruction of the town (via Damascus White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via SNN)
  • One of the many children that were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via SNN)
  • One of the many civil defence members who were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • One of the many civil defence members who were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • One of the many civil defence members who were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • Many civil defence members were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • Some of the many civil defence members who were wounded by the contested airstrikes on the town of Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Damascus White Helmets)
  • Footage from the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes on Hamouriya, Damascus, on March 25th, 2017 (via Qasıoun News Agency)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 18
  • (1–8 children6 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–80
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (42) [ collapse]