Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3059

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55027, 36.39659 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media, between two and three civilians, including one child, were killed along with a number of wounded as Mesraba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes.

For the third day in a row, eastern Ghouta, including Mesraba, was subject to heavy shelling, as reported by numerous media. Baladi News reported that ten civilians were killed in Mesraba within the past 72 hours.

During this air raid, sources reported two or three fatalities According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who reported “at least” three fatalities, they were from the same family. A video published by the Civil Defense showed the body of one of the fatalties, a young boy.

Without specifying the number, sources described how “several” and “many” civilians were left wounded.

While the majority of sources, including LCCSY and Smart News Agency, identified Russia as responsible, the incident remains contested, as Orient News and Damas Press suggested the Syrian regime’s involvement as well.

Finally, it should be noted that the incident possibly took place the preceding day, on February 21st, as the Civil Defence, on the 22nd, published a video of “yesterday’s strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a dead young boy in the streets of Mesraba, Damascus, following the contested shelling of the city on February 22nd, 20218 (via Syrian 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
    2 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]