Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3044

Incident date

February 20, 2018

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least seven but as many as 18 civilians, including up to eight children and one woman, were killed and dozens left wounded as Russian and/or Assad forces carried out aerial and artillery shelling of Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, as reported by numerous local sources.

In this widely-documented incident, Arbeen was, like the rest of eastern Ghouta, subject  to intense air and ground-launched shelling, especially striking residential areas.

The initial death toll spanned from seven to 11, with many sources reporting four child fatalities. However, the following day, February 21st, The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that the toll rose to “at least 18 civilians”, including eight children and a woman, while describing the incident as a “massacre”.

A total of eight civilians were identified by name, including one pair of siblings and a female nurse.

According to Damas Press and Moaz ALshami, “dozens” of civilians were left wounded, hereof mostly children as noted by the latter.

Sources were not clear in terms of culpability. While some, such as the Syrian Civil Defence, blamed the Syrian regime, Aleppo AMC and Ghouta Media Center pointed to Russia. Finally, several reports, including SN4HR, attributed blame to both belligerents, while Ahmad Abazeid, as the only one, blamed both the Syrian regime, Russia and Iran.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Child female killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Adult female nurse killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 18
  • (4–8 children1 woman)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Footage from Arbeen, Damascus, that on February 20th, 2018 was subject to aerial shelling carried out by either Russia or the Assad regime (via Step News Agency)
  • The immediate aftermath of the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 20th, that left houses in rubble and inflicted great harm upon civilians (via Arbeen Youtube)
  • The moment Arbeen, Damascus, is being hit by airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, February 20th, 2018 (via Arbeen Youtube)
  • The immediate aftermath of the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 20th, that left houses in rubble and inflicted great harm upon civilians (via Omar Madaniah)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A paramedic holding the body of a dead child, reportedly killed by the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 20th, 2018 (via Omar Madaniah)
  • The missiles, striking in Arbeen, Damascus, on February 20th, 2018, ignited a fire on residential houses (via HalabTodayTV)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A father from Arbeen posted images of his dead son and daughter, reportedly killed by the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 20th, 2018 (via Ahmad Abazeid)
  • The CIvil Defense evacuating wounded civilians following the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 20th, 2018 (via Syria CIvil Defense)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Most victims of the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 20th, 2018, were children (via Moaz ALshami)
  • Marwan Abeid was along with his sister Amina among the victims of the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 20th, 2018 (via SN4HR)
  • Most victims of the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 20th, 2018, were children (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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 18
  • (4–8 children1 woman)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]