Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3078

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55869, 36.36515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As Russian and/or Assad warplanes struck the town of Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported that up to three civilians were killed and several left wounded.

The town of Harasta was bombed with at least four air raids, as reported by Ghouta Media Center, who blamed Russia. Meanwhile, al-Jazeera, who quoted field source, said that the Syrian regime had launched explosive drums in Harasta.

While both LCCSY and Step News Agency reported that the strikes killed one civilian, the Syrian Network for Human Rights put the toll at three.

Also, a number of civilians were left wounded.

As it appears above, sources were not clear in terms of culpability, as blame was appointed to either the Syrian regime, Russia, or both across the reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Harasta (حرستا), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.55869, 36.36515. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

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

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 – 3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]