Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

RS3035

Incident date

February 19, 2019

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

Up to seven civilians including one child were killed and several wounded as Mesraba in eastern Ghouta, Damascus was struck by airstrikes and artillery, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported,

On this day, several parts of eastern Ghouta, including Mesraba, were subject to what was referred to by many as intense aerial bombardment, which Orient News referred to as “genocide”. In Mesraba, Ghouta Media Center reported that residential neighbourhoods and the cemetery were struck, both by aerial and artillery shelling.

The death toll spanned from one to seven, the lowest reported by Arabi12 and the highest by Orient News.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) identified two victims by name, a man and a male child. SN4HR mentioned that the adult victim was a doctor. The source added that the the boy child died along with his father. However, the report did not specify whether the child’s father was the already-identified doctor or a third victim.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghadi al Takla
Adult male doctor killed
Mahfouz Fadi Jo’ana
Child male from al Qaboun neighborhood killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The immediate aftermath of the contested shelling of Mesraba, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Smart News Agency)
  • The civil defence working in the rubble, trying to rescue surviving civilians following the contested shelling of Mesraba, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via HalabTodayTV)
  • The aftermath of the contested shelling of Mesraba, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Ghouta Media Center)
  • Ghadi al Takla (middle) was among the fatalities of the contested shelling of Masreba, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)
  • The child Mahfouz Fadi Jo’ana was among the fatalities of the contested shelling of Masreba, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3034

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5112138, 36.3881891 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including one woman were killed and dozens were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Jisreen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

The death toll amounted to three or four, sources on the ground said. However, a total of five fatalities were identified by name by Zaman al-Wasl and Damascus Media Center; four men and one woman. Three of the men were most likely related.

While most sources only mentioned aerial shelling, RFS Media Office, who did not identify the culprit, also reported artillery strikes.

Sources were conflicted in terms of culpability. Damascus Media Center pointed to Russia, while Baladi News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Dahir Darwish
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Rahman Darwish
Age unknown male killed
Khalil Darwish
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Sayah Zekrk
Age unknown female killed
Shaiah Osman
Age unknown from Melihah

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • Jisreen, Damascus, after being subject to the contested shelling on February 19th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
  • Jisreen, Damascus, after being subject to the contested shelling on February 19th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
  • Wounded civilian receiving treatment following the contested shelling in Jisreen, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Damascus Media Center)
  • Jisreen, Damascus, after being subject to the contested shelling on February 19th, 2018 ((via Ghouta GMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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

RS3042

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

كفربطنا , Kafar Batna, Damascusus , Syria

Geolocation

33.514529, 36.374577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians, two men and one woman, were killed and several were left wounded as Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to air and artillery shelling as reported by local media. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame.

Damas Press, who did not identify a culprit, reported how “rocket-propelled grenade launchers” had struck residential neighbourhoods, and other reports mentioned aerial shelling.

Following the incident, most sources reported two fatalities and several wounded. However, Ghouta Media Center (GMC) updated its initial report from two to three victims; two men and one woman.

It was, however, unclear who carried the blame. Orient News pointed to the Syrian regime while others, such as GMC, identified Russia as responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • One of the victims of the contested shelling of Kafar Batna, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via HalabTodayTV)
  • Smoke rising from Kafar Batna following the contested shelling of the town of February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • Smoke rising from Kafar Batna following the contested shelling of the town of February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • A wounded child following the contested shelling of Kafar Batna on February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • A wounded child following the contested shelling of Kafar Batna on February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)
  • A wounded man following the contested shelling of Kafar Batna on February 19th, 2018 (via Damas Press)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3036

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

اوتايا, Otaia, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.524241, 36.455908 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media, a family of up to seven members, including as many as five children, were killed and several others were left wounded by air and artillery strikes in Otaia, Damascus, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime.

Sources reported that multiple towns of eastern Ghouta were subject to aerial and artillery shelling on February 19th, 2019, including the town of Otaia. The Civil Defence tweeted that in Otaia, a residential house had been subject to “double targeting”.

While Free Deir Ezzor Radio reported four fatalities, the majority of sources reported that between six and seven civilians were killed, all from the same family. Barada News and Mohamemd Aldaher both published a graphic image of the victims, noting that five of the seven victims were children.

The Civil Defence, as the only one, reported that the shelling also caused several wounded, including women. Many were taken to medical points.

Arab48 and the Civil Defence reported both the occurrence of aerial as well as artillery shelling.

Sources were unclear in terms of culpability. While some, such as Orient News pointed to the Syrian regime, Mohamemd Aldaher and al-Hasaka Arabea blamed Russia. And finally, Free Deir Ezzor Radio, pointed to shared culpability between Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A family of at least six was reportedly killed by the contested strikes in Otaia, Damascus on February 19th, 2018 (via Barada News)
  • The immediate aftermath of the contested strikes in Otaia, Damascus, February 19th, 2018, where the Civil Defence is trying to rescue civilians from under the rubble (via The Civil Defence)
  • Wounded civilians being transferred to a medical point following the contested strikes in Otaia, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via The Civil Defence)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3041

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

بيت سوى , Beat Sawa, Damascusus , Syria

Geolocation

33.537531, 36.399937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what was described as a “massacre”, up to 55 civilians, including 40 children and women were killed and “dozens” wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime continued its heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta, this time in Beat Sawa, local media reported.

While many towns of eastern Ghouta were subject to lethal air raids and artillery shelling around February 19th, the shelling of Beat Sawa was one of the most intense. While the initial reports counted 17 fatalities, the final update, provided on February 21st by Marshad al-Hassaka and Euphrates Post reported 55 fatalities, hereof 40 women and children. The report added that many were still left under the rubble.

Ghouta Media Center (GMC) posted an image of some of the dead bodies noting that “entire families were martyred” by the shelling.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) identified one male civilian by name and photo,  a member of the civil defence who reportedly was struck as he was helping the already wounded locals.

According to Baladi News, who blamed Assad-launched explosive barrels and artillery shells, additionally  “dozens” were likewise left injured.

Several sources, including above-mentioned Baladi News, attributed blame to the Syrian regime. However, Russian culpability cannot be ruled out as Marsad Al Hasaka and Euphrates Post blamed Russian forces and SN4HR pointed to shared Russian/Assad responsibility.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Firas Jum’a
Adult male Civil Defence member killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 55
  • (2–20 children2–20 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Firas Jum’a, member of the civil defence, was reportedly among the victims by the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Both children and women were among the victims of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Entire families were reportedly among the fatalities of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via GMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 55
  • (2–20 children2–20 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3040

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52034, 36.36494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and 11 civilians, including two children and four women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian and/or Syrian forces carried out aerial and artillery shelling of Hazza, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

As a part of a intensification of shelling of large parts of eastern Ghouta, the town of Hazza was subject to heavy air, and possibly also artillery shelling in residential areas, multiple sources said.

The death toll spanned from “so far six” as initially reported by Damascus Media Center to as many as 11 as reported by many sources, such as Ghouta Media Center (GMC), who updated its initial report from seven to 11 fatalities.

The same source identified seven of the victims by name which included one child while five others were described as “young”. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), who reported seven fatalities, two children and four women were among the victims.

Additionally, several sources mentioned that a number of civilians were left wounded.

While most reported about aerial shelling, several reports, including Zaman al-Wasl and HalabTodayTV described how Hazza also had been subject to rocket attacks.

It remained unclear among the sources where to apportion blame. While Zaman al-Wasl solely pointed to the Syrian regime, several others, including GMC, blamed Russian warplanes. Finally, a handful of reports, including SN4HR, identified both belligerents as responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Safa Mari
Age unknown female killed
Alaa Mari
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Najma Al Taweel
Age unknown female killed
Hussein Bilal Taweel
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Maysa’ Kasem
Age unknown female killed
Talya Eid Amer
Age unknown female killed
Ziad Bassam Al-Hafar
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (1–2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A rocket attack hits Hazza as the Civil Defence is evacuating civilians following the contested shelling on February 19th, 2018 (via HalabTodayTV)

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 11
  • (1–2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3038

Incident date

February 19, 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

As many as nine civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed and at least one civilian was wounded as the Syrian regime and/or Russia carried out air and artillery shelling of Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

As several sources reported, large parts of eastern Ghouta, including Douma, were subject to heavy shelling around February 19th, 2018.

Arab48, blaming the Syrian regime, described the situation as “a new escalation of the regime’s forces”. In Douma, Safeildeyn tweeted that the city had been subject to “eight attacks by the city since morning”.

The death toll spanned from three to as many as nine – the latter reported by Orient News’ correspondent. Several reports, including Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported three fatalities; two children and one woman. A photo of one of the child victims, a small baby, was published by some sources.

According to al-Jazeera, at least one civilian was left wounded.

However, sources were not clear in terms of apportion of blame. Most reports blamed the Syrian regime, pointing to aerial shelling from its warplanes and helicopters, while Hasan Mustafa also blamed the regime for launching surface-to-surface missiles.

Meanwhile, Marshad al-Hassaka blamed Russia in general terms for carrying out heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta, however without mentioning Douma specifically.

Finally, several reports blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime, including Safeildeyn.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby child was among the fatalities of the contested shelling of Douma, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Safeildeyn)
  • The immediate aftermath of the contested shelling of Douma, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Hasan Mustafa)
  • The moment an explosive barrel is being dropped from an unidentified helicopter flying over Douma, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Douman)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3037

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514157, 36.487656 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians, including at least one child, were killed as the town of Al Nashabiya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial, and possibly also artillery shelling, local media reported. Sources were unclear whether to blame Russia or the Syrian regime – or both.

As several sources reported, large parts of eastern Ghouta were subject to heavy shelling around February 19th, 2018. Enab Baladi reported that the joint Assad/Russian campaign “has intensified its bombing of warplanes and inflicted dozens of civilian casualties in the past three days”, including the town of Al Nashabiya.

Reports spanned from three to five civilian fatalities, and Step News Agency, who reported three deaths, said that one child was among these.

None of the sources mentioned how many civilians, if any, were left wounded.

Step News Agency reported as the only one about both aerial and artillery shelling.

While the majority of sources attributed blame to both the Syrian regime and Russia, Marshad al-Hassaka blamed only Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]