Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3099

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5582404, 36.4335823 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed as al Shifonya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by explosive barrels and missiles, local media reported – though it was unclear who was to blame.

As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its seventh day, Shifonya was again struck on February 24th, which according to HalabTodayTV and Step News Agency resulted in two civilian fatalities.

Though the streets were left in complete rubble, there are, as of now, no known reports of how many were left wounded.

Sources reported about both the launch of aerial missiles carrying phosphorus and explosive barrels.

Omar Madanieh, among others, tweeted that the town was struck by “Russian raids with phosphorus”, while others, such as HalabTodayTV, reported that it were explosive barrels, launched from helicopters, that had killed the two civilians.

Finally, reports were not clear in terms of culpability, as blame was appointed to either Russia, or to both Russian and Syrian regime forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Shifonya (الشيفونية), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.5582404, 36.4335823. 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
    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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The streets of Al Shifonya, Damascus, after being struck with missiles and explosive barrels, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, February 24th, 2018 (via Jsirtv)
  • The streets of Al Shifonya, Damascus, after being struck with missiles and explosive barrels, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, February 24th, 2018 (via Jsirtv)

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
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]