Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1143

Location

الرقة‎, Al Kasrat or Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S997)

A civilian male was killed in Raqqa. However there were conflicting reports as to how he died.

Four of the seven sources reporting the incident alleged that the death was caused by SDF sniper fire. Meanwhile two sources claimed that Coalition airstrikes were to blame. One further source claimed that artillery fire was responsible, which would also be attributable to the Coalition. From reviewing the sources, sniper fire seems to be the most compelling cause of death, but the other allegations cannot be ruled out.

Complicating reports further, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Dr ali Zumar was actually shot on June 26th in the rural village Al Kasrat, but died in Raqqa of his wounds on July 2nd.

Victims

Individuals

Dr Ghazi Ali al Zumar
Adult killed

Key Information

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

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Kasrat or Ar Raqqa (الرقة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. 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
Insufficient information on the time and location
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Al Kasrat, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, a front-end loader, a mortar system and a heavy machine gun.” It additionally reported that “On July 1, near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroyed a fighting position and a heavy machine gun, and suppressed 27 fighting positions.”
UK Military Strike Report
‘Sunday 2 July – Tornados and Typhoons struck four Daesh positions in Mosul, and two in Raqqa…On Sunday 2 July, mixed pairs of Tornados and Typhoons operated over both Mosul and Raqqa. In Mosul, the Iraqi ground forces encountered three groups of snipers – all three positions, plus another Daesh-held building, were successfully struck with Paveways. In similar fashion, Paveway IVs were used against two terrorist firing points in Raqqa.’
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-02-22
Original Source
The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Media From Sources (2)