Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS144

Location

Ar Raqqah [exact location], Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎

Geolocation

35.955939, 38.992188
Accuracy: Exact location (via Airwars)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S139b )

At least three civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, the alliance later confirmed.

At the time the Syrian Observatory cited “reliable sources’ as saying that “Coalition warplanes targeted a heavy machine gun for IS near al-Nour mosque but missed the target and killed 3 people at least by opening fire on a house.”

Airwars initially listed the event for November 15th. In its monthly July 2017 report, the Coalition denied responsibility, saying it had conducted no strikes in the near vicinity that day: “Nov. 15, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. “

After reassessing original reports, the reported incident [originally S140] was identified by Airwars as likely having occurred on November 14th. The Coalition has since confirmed a civilian casualty event on this date. According to the Coalition’s August 2017 monthly casualty report, “Nov. 14, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed and one was injured.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the strike next to the Al Nour mosque in the an Nadah neighbourhood of Raqqa.

Key Information

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
No reason given
Civilian deaths conceded
3
Civilian injuries conceded
1
Stated location
near Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
1 m
MGRS coordinate
37SDV9929579061
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 13th-14th the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL building.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-08-04
Original Source
Nov. 14, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed and one was injured.