Incident Code

CS078

Location

سلوك, Slouk, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.59539, 39.128559
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S075)

Two or three alleged Coalition incidents were clustered together in most news reports: the killing of a family of five at Slouk; the death of a child near Ma’adan; and up to 15 further civilian deaths in other airstrikes in the vicinity.

According to SOHR, “international coalition aircraft last night carried out several strikes in the area of Sukair in the southern countryside of Tal Abiyad. Initial reports indicate deaths and injuries of civilian nationals in the bombing. We have confirmed reports of the death of a child following coalition bombing on the area of Ma’adan in the Raqqa countryside.”

The Shaam Network claimed that as many as 20 civilians died in attacks, a number also cited by Eldorar which stated: “Activists reported that five people from one family from the village of Slouk were killed yesterday morning following coalition air strikes on civilians fleeing from the hell of the battles in the countryside of Tal Abiyad. A further 15 were killed in aerial bombardments on the villages and towns in the areas areas that are seeing clashes with IS.”

Those killed at Slouk were reported to be trying to flee the fighting in two vehicles when they were struck. The head of the family was later named as Juma Al Jassim.

Islamic State also posted a video [now deleted] showing a rescue in progress at Ar Raqaa, which it said was the result of a “coalition airstrike.” However elsewhere Daesh attributed the attack to Assad regime aircraft.

 

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Civilians reported killed
6–20
1 Child, 2 Women

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the area near Suluk, in the vicinity of Tal Abiyad, Ar Raqqah. Halab Today TV alleged civilians were harmed when two vehicles that were fleeing the fighting where struck by a Coalition airstrike. Airwars was unable to establish the direction the vehicles were travelling in. The wider area was under the control of Daesh at the time. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the event happening during the night. The coordinates for the midpoint of Suluk town (سلوك) are: 36.59539, 39.128559

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 Suluk, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEA114499
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
Despite claims of heavy coalition airstrikes in support of Kurdish forces in the retaking of Tel Abyaf, the coalition officially reported only a small number of events in Syria for the date in question.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-07-26
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.