Incident Code

RS3138

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: R2933)

In this incident, as many as 14 civilians, including two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded, as airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime, or both, struck Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, reported local media.

Step News Agency reported that “in the morning hours, the military and helicopter gunships launched a number of air strikes targeting the city of Douma”.

The airstrikes, that hit residential neighbourhoods, killed at least two but as many as 14 civilians, local reports said.

Violations Documentation Center, for example, reported 13 fatalities, ten identified by name and counted two women. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who reported 14 fatalities, also mentioned the death of two women.

The number of wounded spanned from two to as many as “dozens” as reported by Douma revolution.  Al-Jazeera’s correspondent said that among the wounded was a number of civil defence members while other sources also mentioned that children were among the injured.

While most sources reported about aerial shelling, others mentioned artillery shelling as well. For example, Douma revolution reported that the assault had included  “17 air strikes, ten explosive barrels, three surface-to-surface missiles and a number of rocket-propelled grenades.”

Sources were, however, unclear in terms of culpability. While some, including @MasarPressNet and @alaraby_ar blamed the Syrian regime, others, such as Smart News Agency identified Russia as responsible.

Finally, a handful of reports, including Douma revolution and Syrian Network for Human Rights, blamed both belligerents.

Victims

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Invidivuals

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilians reported killed
2–14
2 Women, 8 Men
Civilians reported injured
2–24

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Douma (دوما), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.5714804, 36.4033699. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st - 31st 2018.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (2)