Conflicts

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

Incident Codes

CS1251 RS2354

Location

لصبخاوي, Sabkhawi, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.695, 39.236667
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: S1098R2218RS2357)

At least two civilians including one child died during a night time airstrike on Sabkhawi, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were responsible.

Smart, the Shaam News Network and R.Tahrir.Alsham blamed the Coalition for the strike.

However, Baladi, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Mohab Naser blamed Russia.

According to Syrian Press Center, “Russian warplanes deliberately targeted a gathering of displaced people in the village of Bir al-Sabkhawi”.

Raqqa rwb – who also blamed Russia – named another victim. This was the only source which claimed the event occurred on July 21st. All others said it happened in the early hours of July 22nd.

 

Victims

Individuals

Ibrahim al-Hudairi
13 years old male named by Raqqa-freedom1, from Rahbi vllage killed
Khamis al-Hisat
13 years old male killed

Key Information

Country
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
2
1–2 Children

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sabkhawi (لصبخاوي), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.695, 39.236667. 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 Sabkhawi, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV214250
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 22nd-23rd: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units, destroyed eight fighting positions and a mortar system, and damaged two supply routes.” It additionally reported that “On July 22, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a storage facility, and a tunnel.”
French Military Strike Report
In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.
UK Military Strike Report
Saturday 22 July – Tornados struck an engineering vehicle in northern Iraq…Update: air strikes against Daesh – GOV.UK The following day [July 22nd], a Tornado mission used a single Paveway IV to destroy an engineering vehicle which terrorists had attempted to conceal some miles north of Tall Afar. On Sunday and Monday, the RAF operations focused on supporting the SDF in Raqqa.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-05-31
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