Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS941

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah: Mr. Sufi's bakery, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9482, 39.0125
Accuracy: Exact location (via Airwars)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S823f)

An August 2017 Amnesty International report stated that a civilian casualty incident occurred in Raqqa on June 8th–9th, killing 6 civilians including 1 or more children and 2 women.

Mohammed, who also witnessed the airstrike mentioned in incident S823c, described to Amnesty’s field researchers that another bombardment struck a tent near a biscuits bakery. The baker, who Mohammed identified as “Mr Sufi“, and his family were killed in the strike – although he did not specify how many members of the family were killed. Zahra, one of the employees of the bakery, was also killed along with her husband and another neighbour. “They were at the bakery working, and when the shelling started nearby, they ran to the tent. They went there because it was a little further away from the built-up area and they thought it would be safer, but the tent was shelled and they were killed right there”, Mohammed said to the Amnesty’s field researchers.

The report did not identify the culprit.

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, 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

Family members (2)

Zahra
Adult female killed
The husband of Zahra
Adult male killed

Individuals

"Mr. Sufi"
Adult male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Weak
Civilians reported killed
6
1 Child, 2 Women

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
37SEV011782
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For June 7th-8th: “Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 fighting positions, three vehicles, two ISIS staging areas, an ISIS excavator, an ISIS weapons cache, and an ISIS training camp.” It also added that “On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed six fighting positions and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS minefield.” For June 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles and a mortar system.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-06-24
Original Source
June 8, 2017, in Raqqah, 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. 3106/CS941 37SEV011782

Media From Sources (1)