Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3064

Incident date

February 22, 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

Between three and five civilians, including at least one child, were killed and several left wounded by Russian and/or Assad waged warplanes striking in Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

Without specifying how many were killed on February 22nd alone, Qasioun News and al-Youm reported that between ten and 13 civilians, including five children, were killed in the last 24 hours in Arbeen.

Qasioun blamed both “heavy air, missile and artillery bombardment,” adding that more than 100 also were left wounded during the past day’s shelling.

Specifically reporting from Arbeen on Thursday, February 22nd, other media outlets reported between three and five civilian fatalities. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported “at least” three fatalities, including one girl, while Damaski Agency and Step News Agency reported five victims.

Damaski Agency also reported the launch of explosive barrels while Damascus Media Center tweeted that clutser bombs had been used.

The majority of sources, including Step News Agency and SN4HR, identified joint Russia/Assad forces as responsible, while Damaski Agency was the only source who only blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Arbeen (عربين), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.538143, 36.364331. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • The immediate aftermath of the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 22nd, 2018 (via Damaski Agency)

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
    3 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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]