Geolocation
Airwars assessment
In this event, described by many as a “massacre”, up to 27 civilians, including children and women, were killed and dozens were wounded as the city of Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to heavy aerial shelling, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime.
Some sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), first reported that five civilians were killed by the strikes. However, shortly after it amended that number to “at least 21”, which included nine children and two women.
Four children were identified by name, while Arbeen City’s Facebook page, who identified 14 of the reported 19 fatalities by name, also noted that nine of these were “young people”, not specifying their exact age.
Smart News Agency, who reported 19 fatalities, including six children, said that the warplanes carried out more than 14 raids. Damascus Media Center mentioned that the strikes hit a popular market and residential neighbourhoods in the city.
Some report referred to “several” wounded while others, such as Al Latamna Youth Group, mentioned “dozens of injured”, including women and children, adding that many more were trapped under the rubble.
Most of the sources, who identified a culprit, pointed to the Syrian regime. However, Al Latamna Youth Group attributed blame to Russian warplanes.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the town of Arbin (عربين), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.538143, 36.364331. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Summary
Sources (17) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]
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Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
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Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
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Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
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A civil defence member carrying one of the many victims out from the rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via SN4HR))
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Fawaz Renkusi, doctor at the Irbid Surgical Hospital, was reportedly among the victims of the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via SN4HR)
Russian Military Assessment:
Original strike reports
Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.