Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3051

Incident date

February 21, 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

As the aerial shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on February 21st, the town of Arbeen was struck by Russian and/or Assad-waged air raids, killing up to five civilians and wounding another three, local media reported.

On February 21st, al-Modon reported that “more than 50 air raids” were carried out in multiple towns in eastern Ghouta, including Arbeen, who reportedly was among the locations most intensely struck. Euphrates Post reported that the strikes in Arbeen hit residential neighbourhoods.

While some reports, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported one fatality, Baladi News put the toll at five.

A family was reportedly among the fatalities as tweeted by Mohammed al-Ezzo who published a photo of a father mourning the death of his family.

It should be noted that the Violations Documentation Center Syria reported that a total of 18 civilians were killed in Arbeen “since yesterday”. This number should be seen in light of the shelling on February 20th where up to 18 civilians were reported killed (see R2849).

The number of wounded spanned from one to three, the highest reported by Step News Agency.

It should be noted that two separate strikes possibly took place; one during the night and one during the day. Videos published by Arbeen Media Center namely depict air raids in daylight and nighttime, both dated February 21st.

Finally, it remains unclear whether Russia carries the responsible alone or whether if it is shared with the Syrian regime. Baladi News and al-Modon point to the latter while others, including SN4HR, only blame Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The moment the contested airstrike hits Arbeen, Damascus, February 21th, 2018 (via Arbeen Media Center)
  • The moment the contested airstrike hits Arbeen, Damascus, February 21th, 2018 (via Arbeen Media Center)
  • The moment the contested airstrike hits Arbeen, Damascus, February 21th, 2018 (via Arbeen Media Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man mourning the death of his family, reportedly killed by the contested airstrikes in Arbeen, Damascus, February 21st, 2018 (via Mohammed al-Ezzo)
  • Civil defence members evacuating wounded civilians following contested airstrikes in Arbeen, Damascus, February 21st, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)

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
    1 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]