Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS2851

Incident date

January 5, 2018

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes which hit Arbeen, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids.

Baladi News was the only source to specify that three civilians were killed.

According to the Smart News Agency, an entire family was killed which led to the local council of Arbeen putting pressure on the international community to end Russian impunities, however no other source reported this.

As many as 70 raids were allegedly “targeted” at Harasta and Arbeen throughout the week, according to Anapress. Another source added that “The cities of “Harasta” and “Arabeen” on Thursday [received] more than 60 land-to-land missiles and more than 300 shells”.

Alsouriya News added that “Russian air force intensified its strikes on residential neighbourhoods targeting the towns of Hamuriya, Madera and the Arbeen and Harsta and Masara several raids, causing extensive destruction and a number of victims.”

Members of the Civil Defence took victims to a medical facility to receive treatment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 5th Jan 2018. (via Zamanalwasl)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians in a medical facility reviving treatment in the aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 5th Jan 2018. (via U.M.O erbeen)
  • Civilians in a medical facility reviving treatment in the aftermath of airstrikes on Arbeen, 5th Jan 2018. (via SCDrifdimashq)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In an article published on January 30th 2018 Russia reported: ”crews of the Aerospace Forces of Russia had successfully performed 34,561 sorties. The Minister of Defence pointed out that the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, as well as the Su-24M, Su-34 and Su-35S short-range aircraft had proved to be efficient. The Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers delivered 66 strikes by cruise missiles, and each eliminated the assigned target. The Minister of Defence also stated that Russian UAVs provided complete control over the whole Syrian territory. The head of the military department paid attention to the significant contribution to the achievement of the operation made by the Navy. The naval surface forces carried out 171 combat missions. The ships and submarines carried out 100 high-precision attacks with the Kalibr cruise missiles. For the first time, the aircraft carrier "Admiral of the Soviet Union Fleet Kuznetsov" participated in combat operations. Due to high professional skills of deck aircraft, 1,252 terrorist objects were eliminated.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]