Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS252

Location

تل السمن, Tal al Samin, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.2273118, 38.9727974
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S226)

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition night raid on the village of Tal al Samin.

According to Local Civil Defence of Syria, “Coalition planes launched a raid last night on the village of Tal Al Samin south of the town of Ain Issa, which led to the death of two civilians – after a group of Daesh members sneaked into the village.

The Syrian Press Centre also reported the deaths, noting they occured “after an infiltration attempt by a group of IS to the village, which was dominated by People’s Protection Units and a brigade of Raqqa’s rebels after fierce battles with IS in the region, according to the local coordination committees.”

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

Victims

Individuals

Jassem al Ahmad Al Hamdo
male From the village of Tal Al samin killed
Shawwakh Ismail al Shawwakh
male From the village of Tal Al samin killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal al Samin (تل السمن), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.2273118, 38.9727974. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SDA975091
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 8th-9th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes struck two ISIL-used bridges.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-03-25
Original Source
July 8, 2016, in Tal al Samin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2999/CS252 37SDA975091