Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3339

Incident date

March 26, 2018

Location

التمانعة, Al Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians were possibly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the town of Al Taman’a, Idlib governorate, on March 26th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network.

@Wateen_media reported that “Russian occupation aviation targets the vicinity of the town of Al Taman’a with several airstrikes with vacuum missiles.”

@RFS_mediaoffice, however, reported Syrian regime artillery strikes: “Syrian regime forces stationed in Tal Marq village targeted Al Taman’a town, southern Idlib countryside, with artillery shells.”

According to @Step_Agency, warplanes targeted the bridges of Al Shughour and Al Taman’a, but no civilian casualties were reported.

Shaam News Network, however, reported the following: “Russian aircraft launched fierce air raids on the cities and towns of Ariha, Al Taman’a, Harsh Abidin, Al Naqir, Harsh Al Habit in the southern countryside, and Jisir Al Shugur, Al Safyat and Zarzour in the western countryside, which led to the fall of a number of wounded civilians.”

As it is unclear in which specific incidents civilians were harmed according to the Shaam report, and other sources do not mention civilian casualties for this incident, Airwars has graded the civilian harm status for this incident as “weak”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3325

Incident date

March 22, 2018

Location

دوما , Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two male civilians, including a journalist, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery strikes on a market in Douma, Damascus governorate, on March 22nd, 2019, according to local sources.

Douma Revolution posted on Facebook that Fozdika shells were launched upon a popular market in Douma, leading to the death of Suhayeb A’yyoun “Abu Al Bara”, a journalist for Sham Emergency System.

Douma Revolution did not mention a possible belligerent, but according to Zamanalwasl news and Euphrates Post, the Syrian regime was responsible. Other sources, such as @remas2300 and @hamadaalhr blamed Russian airstrikes.

According to the Violations Documentation Center in Syria, a male civilian named Majed Kanoun was also killed in the artillery strikes. The Violations Documentation Centre blamed the Syrian regime for the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Suhayeb A’yyoun "Abu Al Bara" صهيب عيون " أبو البراء
Adult male journalist of Sham Emergency System killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Suhayeb A’yyoun "Abu Al Bara", journalist for Sham Emergency System was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling in Douma on March 22nd, 2018 (via @HassounMazen).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Suhayeb A’yyoun "Abu Al Bara", journalist for Sham Emergency System was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling in Douma on March 22nd, 2018 (via @HassounMazen).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Suhayeb A’yyoun "Abu Al Bara", journalist for Sham Emergency System was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling in Douma on March 22nd, 2018 (via @HassounMazen).

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
    2
  • (2 men1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

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:

Ameen Abbas
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khair Hasoun
Adult male killed
Mariam Laila
Adult female killed
Tamer Idrees
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 attackers
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3323

Incident date

March 21, 2018

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55869, 36.36515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and several civilians, among which children, were wounded in alleged artillery and airstrikes on the city of Harasta. Conflicting reports blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

While most sourced mentioned 1 casualty, @hmadaataya reported on Twitter that nine civilians were killed.

Smart News Agency reported that more than eight aerial, 12 artillery and three rocket strikes took place.

Smart said: “The civil defense reported the killing of a civilian and wounded others in the bombing of the city of Harasta with more than eight air raids and 12 land to land missiles, and three rockets loaded with phosphorous burning, pointing out the center in the city for service because of repeated bombing.”

Mortar shells were also reportedly used in the attacks.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 9
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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
    1 – 9
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3322

Incident date

March 21, 2018

Location

عين ترما, Ayn Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51602, 36.35078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and eight civilians, including two children and two women, died in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery or rocket strikes on Ayn Tarma, according to sources on the ground. There were conflicting reports blaming both Russia and the regime, and it remains unclear which party was responsible for the civilian harm.

Initial reporting by @Wesal_TV and @HalabTodayTV put the death toll at four civilians. However, other sources said that this number climbed to six or eight killed.

According to the Smart News Agency, “The town of Ayn Tarma in the Eastern Ghouta of the Syrian capital of Damascus, on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, was subjected to dozens of raids from warplanes of Russia and the Syrian regime forces. Additionally, helicopters dropped dozens of barrel bombs, coinciding with artillery shells and rockets, killing eight civilians, including two children and two women”.

Among the victims was journalist and photographer Obaida Abu Omar, who worked for several media to document massacres and destruction in Eastern Ghouta.

Smart wrote: “The house of the photographer Obaida Abu Omar in the town of Ayn Tirma was hit by rocket fire, killing him and injuring other civilians, including his brother and the Smart correspondent in eastern Ghouta. Civilians close to Abu Omar buried his body in a nearby cemetery.”

Smart added: “For several years, Abu Omar worked as a collaborator with Smart and a number of other media. He took photographs of massacres committed by regime forces and Russia in several cities and towns in the eastern Gouta. He also documented several stages in the revolutionary movement and the suffering of those trapped.”

On his Facebook account, Obaida Abu Omar wrote about his colleague Ahmad Hamdan, “who died in a similar bombing a few days” ago. He said that Ahmad Hamdan was “one of the most beautiful roses of Al Ghouta, (…) a man with a beautiful smile and a high morals”.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Obadia Abu Omar عبيدة أبو عمر
Adult male Journalist and photographer killed
Abu Mohammad Al Agawani
Adult male killed
Majed Ahmad Jomea
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (2 children2 women1 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Reporter "Obaida Abu Omar", killed in airstrikes, 21, March 2018. (via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the airstrikes on Ein Tirma, March 21, 2018 (via Mohammed Fadhl Abbas on Facebook).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the airstrikes on Ein Tarma, March 21, 2018 (via JN News).

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
    4 – 8
  • (2 children2 women1 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R3115

Incident date

March 20, 2018

Location

الميدان, Al Maydan, Damascus, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) reported that one civilian was killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces in the village of Al Maydan, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus governorate, on March 20th, 2018.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3319

Incident date

March 20, 2018

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55027, 36.39659 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) reported that one civilian was killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces in the village of Msraba, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus governorate, on March 20th, 2018.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3318

Incident date

March 20, 2018

Location

المليحة, Al Maliha, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.487365, 36.371312 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) reported that one civilian was killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces in the village of Al Maliha, Damascus governorate, on March 20th, 2018.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]