Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1287

Location

حي الثكنة, Al Thakana, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9478905, 39.0067863
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1130)

One civilian male died in Raqqa’s Al Thaakan neigbourhood – though it was unclear whether Coalition artillery or an SDF mortar were to blame.

Ahmad Al Rfaai posted in the on Documentary of victims of Ar Raqqa Facebook group, saying that Haj Ahmad Lyla Salim al-Ali was his grandfather and died in his home after it was struck by a mortar on July 28th.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed shelling by the SDF in the Al Thkakana/Barracks area for the man’s death, while Al Hasaka Rasd reported that he died following an artillery bombardment by “Kurdish militias” on the Barracks neighbourhood.

While Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa, the SDF are reportedly using mortars, meaning that they could well be responsible for the victim’s death.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

Victims

Individuals

Haj Ahmad Lyla Salim al-Ali
Adult male killed

Key Information

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

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
Other
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near al-Thakana neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV004780
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units, destroyed an anti-air artillery system, and damaged seven fighting positions.”
UK Military Strike Report
‘Friday 28 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair struck a Daesh position in Raqqa…Another mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair assisted the SDF in Raqqa on Friday 28 July, and a Paveway IV was used to destroy a terrorist position.’
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-02-28
Original Source
July 28, 2017, near al-Thakana neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.
Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (2)