Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1214

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1066)

Three civilian males were killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported.

In a report which made no reference to civilian casualties, Mohab Nasser documented that Coalition airstrikes targeted the Al Hall Market, the Old Wall and the Abu al Hayes areas of Raqqa on 16 July, which could be linked with the deaths of three men, however it was not known definitively.

Although seven sources reported the deaths of the men and alleged that the Coalition was responsible, the reports were carbon copies of each other indicating that they originated from a single source, making the quality of reporting weak.

Victims

Individuals

Dua’a Khalil al Awad
killed
Asmaa Al Aboud Al-Awad
killed
Ahmed Tawfiq al Ataba
killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Weak
Civilians reported killed
3
3 Men

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Raqqah (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
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near al-Hal Market, Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV025770
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 15th-16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, two anti-air artillery systems and a VBIED.” It was additionally reported that “On July 15, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, three mortar team positions, a mortar system, a fighting position and a vehicle.”
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.
UK Military Strike Report
‘ Sunday 16 July – in Raqqa, a Reaper killed terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades, whilst Tornados and Typhoons dealt with three sniper teams and three other defended positions… In the course of surveillance over Raqqa on Sunday 16 July, a Reaper delivered a Hellfire missile attack which killed a small group of terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades, who had been firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces from a rooftop. Tornados and Typhoons were also very active over the city, and used a Brimstone missile to attack one terrorist firing point, and Paveway IVs to deal with three sniper teams and two other positions defended by Daesh extremists. Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon said: "Mosul may have been freed from the brutal grip of Daesh, but the battle against this dangerous death-cult is far from over. Over the weekend the RAF repeatedly struck Daesh targets in Raqqa, their Syrian stronghold, with precision and purpose. It is key that we maintain momentum in the campaign to remove Daesh from Syria and the remaining towns across Iraq, both to stop the spread of a poisonous ideology and to help keep us safe at home."
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-09-27
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.