Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3003

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55869, 36.36515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between two and five civilians were killed and six were wounded as alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes launched airstrikes and artillery in the suburb of Harasta in eastern Ghouta, Damascus.

Syrianoor reported that several cities in eastern Ghouta were subject to aerial shelling on February 8th, causing the “death and injury of dozens” and “extensive destruction of infrastructure and property,” including Harasta.

While most sources reported that two civilians were killed, Sham Syria put the death toll at five.

Six civilians were reported wounded according to several reports.

Also, Step News Agency and Sham Syria indicated that the city had been struck by both airstrikes and artillery.

Only a few sources identified the responsible, but those who did, al-Araby and LCCSY, identified both the Syrian regime and Russia as the culprits.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Harasta (حرستا), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.55869, 36.36515. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Russian and/or Assad airstrikes in the city of Harasta, Damascus on February 9th, 2018 (via Mulhak)

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]