Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3041

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

بيت سوى , Beat Sawa, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.537531, 36.399937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what was described as a “massacre”, up to 55 civilians, including 40 children and women were killed and “dozens” wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime continued its heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta, this time in Beat Sawa, local media reported.

While many towns of eastern Ghouta were subject to lethal air raids and artillery shelling around February 19th, the shelling of Beat Sawa was one of the most intense. While the initial reports counted 17 fatalities, the final update, provided on February 21st by Marshad al-Hassaka and Euphrates Post reported 55 fatalities, hereof 40 women and children. The report added that many were still left under the rubble.

Ghouta Media Center (GMC) posted an image of some of the dead bodies noting that “entire families were martyred” by the shelling.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) identified one male civilian by name and photo,  a member of the civil defence who reportedly was struck as he was helping the already wounded locals.

According to Baladi News, who blamed Assad-launched explosive barrels and artillery shells, additionally  “dozens” were likewise left injured.

Several sources, including above-mentioned Baladi News, attributed blame to the Syrian regime. However, Russian culpability cannot be ruled out as Marsad Al Hasaka and Euphrates Post blamed Russian forces and SN4HR pointed to shared Russian/Assad responsibility.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Firas Jum’a
Adult male Civil Defence member killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 55
  • (2–20 children2–20 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Firas Jum’a, member of the civil defence, was reportedly among the victims by the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Both children and women were among the victims of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Entire families were reportedly among the fatalities of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via GMC)

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
    17 – 55
  • (2–20 children2–20 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ collapse]