Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3001

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Location

عربين, Arbin, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

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

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:

Adult male physician killed
Age unknown butcher killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
8 years old female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male from Adaba town killed
Age unknown male from Otaia town killed
2 months years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 27
  • (4–6 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The streets of Arbin, Damascus, covered in dust and destruction following the contested airstrikes hitting the city on February 8th, 2018 (via Smart News Agency)
  • The moment Arbin, Damascus, is hit by airstrikes on February 8th, 2018 (via Arbeen)
  • The moment Arbin, Damascus, is hit by airstrikes on February 8th, 2018, and the following destruction and civilian harm they inflicted (via Arbeen)
  • Raghd Al Haj Ahmad, 8 years old, was reportedly among the fatalities following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Mashit25)
  • The body of a little girl is being carried away as she along with many others were killed by the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • 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 Omar Madaniah)
  • Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, with dozens of civilians wounded or killed, February 8th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Large parts of the city was complete left in rubble following the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, with dozens of civilians wounded or killed, February 8th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Omar, only two months old, was reportedly among the victims of the contested aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 8th, 2018 (via Abu Ahmad)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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))
  • 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:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 27
  • (4–6 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]