Incident Code

RS3330

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: R3124)

Up to 10 civilians were reported killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Douma, Damascus governorate, on March 23rd, 2018, according to local sources.

Enab Baladi reported that an alleged Russian warplane “targeted the residential neighbourhoods of the city with 30 strikes, loaded with incendiary phosphorous and cluster bombs, from midnight to Thursday morning, Thursday, March 23, killing 10 people.” Smart News Agency also documented the death of 10 civilians.

In addition, Step News Agency reported that an unspecified number of civilians were wounded.

The Syrian Civil Defence reported the names of three civilian fatalities, all men. Bashir Nasrullah reported on Facebook Majed Aref Nasrallah was also killed in the airstrikes, posting a photo of the body of the victim.

@aboalhodaalhoms tweeted that the civilian homes were targeted with rockets loaded with phosphorus by Russian and Syrian regime forces during the night. @SiegeWatch reported that Douma “has been bombed with at least 27 airstrikes containing incendiary munitions (both napalm and phosphorus suspected).” Siege Watch said there had been 30 strikes.

While some sources pointed to Russia as the belligerent, others blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Civilians reported killed
4–10
4 Men
Civilians reported injured
2

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

Media From Sources (6)