Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3236

Incident date

March 11, 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 14 civilians were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Arbeen, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Step News Agency initially reported that “Russian aircraft and helicopters launched several air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels” on the town.

Step later said that there were “more than, 44 Russian air strikes, one of which was loaded with incendiary materials, targeting the city of Arbeen in the eastern Ghouta, which resulted in three deaths, including a woman, the injury of others, and the burning of a warehouse”. It added that “rockets and explosive barrels” were also used.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially gave a death toll of three, but then revised this up to nine, including two women. The source blamed “Syrian/Russian warplanes”.

SN4HR: at least 3 civilians, including a woman, killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired missiles on Irbeen city in Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus suburbs, on March 11, 2018.

However, according to the Shamm News Network – who also pointed to Russia – 14 civilians perished.

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 14
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A child wounded due to airstrikes on Arbeen, 11th March 2018. (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 14
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]