Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS144

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah [exact location], Raqqa, Syria

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

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2

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.