Geolocation
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:
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the village of Beat Sawa (بيت سوى ), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.537531, 36.399937. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Summary
Sources (9) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]
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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)
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Both children and women were among the victims of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR) -
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Russian Military Assessment:
Original strike reports
Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.