Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3105

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Location

أوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.524241, 36.455908 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian and/or Assad-waged shelling potentially resulted in civilian harm, as the town of Otaya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by both airstrikes, explosive barrels and artillery, local media reported.

Besides from reports of airstrikes and artillery shelling, both Oday Hussein and Homam al-Hassan, reported how the town also was stuck by explosive barrels, launched from helicopters.

Step News Agency was the only source that indicated that the shelling had resulted in civilian harm. While the report made no specific mentioning of civilian harm, it is assessed that at least two civilians were wounded as it was noted by how the shelling “resulted in general injuries to the target areas.”

Also, sources were not clear in terms of culpability. al-Arabiya blamed the Syrian regime, Oday Hussein pointed to Russian forces only, while finally, Step News Agency blamed both belligerents.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Otaya (أوتايا), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.524241, 36.455908. 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
    Unknown
  • 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 (4) [ 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]