Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS843

Location

السلحبية الشرقية, Al Sallhabiya, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.953611, 38.786389
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S740)

One civilian male was reported killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Al Salhabiya Al Sharqiya village in western Raqqa.

Although all three said the victim was killed as a result of air raids, only Sharqiya Voice alleged the Coalition was responsible.

It reported that Coalition airplanes provided aerial cover to the YPG Kurdish militia units as they fought ISIL fighters in the area.

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “May 21, 2017, near al Salhabiya, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

 

Victims

Individuals

Hassan al Oud al Idris
male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
1

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sallhabiya (السلحبية الشرقية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.953611, 38.786389. 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
Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near al Salhabiya, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SDV805785
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.” For May 21st -22nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit."
UK Military Strike Report
"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-12-30
Original Source
May 21, 2017, near al Salhabiya, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.