Conflicts

Russian Military in Syria
U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Codes

CS1229 RS2345

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.751769, 39.61639
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: S1077R2211RS2349)

Three people were reportedly wounded following airstrikes in Ma’dan on the eastern border of Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible.

One source, Shaam News Network, claimed that the airstrikes caused a “massacre” and that 12 civilians were killed. However it was at odds with nine other sources which reported the incident without claiming there were civilian casualties, stating that three people were instead injured.

Only one other source, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, also claimed there were civilian casualties, but did not identify the number of people purportedly killed.

It is believed that Shaam News Network claimed the high civilian casualty rate because there were a number of other airstrikes in the surrounding towns – documented by Airwars in other incidents – and it may have confused strikes in other areas with those in Ma’dan. Shaam News Network was also the only source to allege that Russia was responsible, whereas seven sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Three sources did not make any claims with regards to responsibility.

Amnesty Intentional later shared an unpublished report with Airwars stating that “Fifteen days ago [c July 11th] “the Russians” started dropping barrel bombs [in the areas near Maadan]. The first barrel bomb attack on Maadan was one week ago [around 19 July]”.

Key Information

Country
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
0–12
Civilians reported injured
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ma’adan (معدان), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.751769, 39.61639. 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
Stated location
near Ma’adan, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 18th-19th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles and a tactical vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On July 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 18 fighting positions, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a weapons cache, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a supply route.”
French Military 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 the report of civilian casualties.
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed