Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1231

Location

السبخة, Sabka, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.810278, 39.263889
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1079)

As many as four civilians were killed and a number of others were injured following alleged Coalition artillery fire on Sabka.

Baladi News and Al Etihad Press reported that the four were killed after their car was targeted while traveling on the road which connects Raqqa and Deir Ezzor.

Three of the six sources which documented the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. The remaining three alleged that the SDF was responsible, however Airwars is aware that they do not have access to artillery, therefore culpability would lie with the Coalition if artillery was indeed used.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
1–3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sabka (السبخة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.810278, 39.263889. 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 Sabkha, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For July 18th-19th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles and a tactical vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On July 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 18 fighting positions, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a weapons cache, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a supply route.”
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.
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.