Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1198

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dari'ya, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.947222, 38.991389
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1051)

Between seven and 10 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed and a “large” number of people wounded following alleged Coalition airstrikes in the Al Dariya neighbourhood of Raqqa, local sources reported.

Among the 19 sources who reported the incident, 17 alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Baladi News said that SDF artillery strikes contributed to the deaths. However Airwars understands only the Coalition has access to artillery therefore they would still be responsible. Ara News instead claimed that the civilians were killed as a result of ISIL mines, but no other report validates this claim.

Amnesty International later reported generally on the situation in the neighbourhood, citing ‘Mahmouda’, who escaped on July 21st: “They were fighting on both sides when we left. They [the SDF/coalition] had been shelling for two months. IS slaughtered people like birds. Many people were killed in the shelling. There were bodies all over the streets. The killing was from both sides but the worst was from IS. Families and families died.

The planes couldn’t distinguish between IS and civilians as IS made us all wear the same clothes. If the religious police caught my 12 year old son they’d make him cut his trousers [between the knee and the ankle – Kandahari style] so they couldn’t distinguish.”

Victims

Family members (7)

Member of the Ba’anat family 1
killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 2
killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 3
killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 4
killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 5
killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 6
killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 7
killed

Family members (2)

Ahmed al Zuhu
Adult male killed
Wife of Ahmed al Zuhu
Adult female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
7–10
2 Children, 1 Woman, 1 Man
Civilians reported injured
12–24

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
Stated location
near Al Dariya, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 13th-14th: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed three ISIS communication towers, three fighting positions, a command and control node, a front-end loader, and an artillery system; and damaged three supply routes.“ It additionally reported that “On July 13, near Raqqah, Syria, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed five ISIS communication towers.” And that On July 13, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes damaged nine fighting positions and suppressed five mortar teams.”
French Military Strike Report
In the past week, France reports 21 sorties and 4 strikes, 2 in Raqqa and 2 in Iraq. Task Force Wagram conducted 15 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014, it reports 1311 strikes, 2076 targets destroyed and 6775 sorties.
Unknown Strike Report
For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-03-28
Original Source
After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to