Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3327

Incident date

March 22, 2018

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 16 and 25 civilians were killed and up to 200 were wounded in aerial and artillery strikes on residential neighbourhoods in the city of Zamalka, Eastern Ghouta. Several sources claimed Russian forces were responsible for the attack, whereas others blamed the Assad regime.

Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, put the initial death count at 16. Siege Watch later wrote on Twitter that “estimated 25 civilians killed in at least 22 airstrikes, 65 barrel bombs and over 500 artillery and mortar rounds. Several hundred wounded.” HalabTodayTV mentioned 20 deadly civilian casualties and spoke of 17 airstrikes and 63 barrel bombs.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria listed the names of three men and one woman who were killed in the airstrikes.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that “17 civilians were killed in an initial toll and more than 90 injured in Russian airstrikes on the town of Zamalka.” @SaifAtrash reported “several hundred” wounded. @ldqCeSzzkM8wJjQ stated that “more than 200” civilians were injured.

Arabi21 reported that activists have said that napalm and phosphorus bombs were used in the raids. The Syrian Civil Defence came to the same conclusion.

According to @N_workMediaHoms “46 airstrikes targeted residential neighborhoods in Zamalka city from the early morning hours until this moment, coinciding with helicopters throwing more than 30 barrels of explosives on the city of Erbeen and several air raids from warplanes.”

Zamanalwsl reported the Syrian regime had been responsible for the airstrikes, whereas the Local Coordination of Committees of Syria blamed Russian forces. Others, such as Erem News, blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 25
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    90–200
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via @Omar_Madaniah).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018. Photo does possibly show human remains (via @siegewatch).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded man after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).
  • Injured receiving medical help after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via Swaida Khabar).
  • Report of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via Al Hadath).
  • Young girl receives treatment in a field hospital after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @AlarabyTV).
  • Victim receiving medical care after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @HalabTodayTV).
  • Wounded man after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 25
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    90–200
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]