Conflicts

Russian Military in Syria
U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Codes

CS1313 RS2383

Location

مقلة, Muqla, banks of Euphrates, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.797703, 39.497702
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Code: S1149a)

Several civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on boats on the Euphrates river near the village of Makla, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame for the casualties.

According to Sound and Picture, “Coalition aircraft targeted civilian boats along the banks of the Euphrates, causing civilian injuries from the village of Makla, east of Raqqa. Coalition aircraft had dropped leaflets calling upon civilians to leave areas under the control of Daesh.”

However, Baladi reported that raids had been conducted by both Coalition and Russian jets on the Euphrates River, killing and wounding an unspecified number of civilians in Makla.

Key Information

Country
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted civilian boats on the Euphrates, near the village of Makla (مقلة), which is located on the river banks. The coordinates for the village of Makla (مقلة) are: 35.797703, 39.497702  

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 Makla, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV450611
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For August 1st-2nd: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two ISIS headquarters, an IED, an ammunition cache, and a fuel supply point.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, two ammunition caches, and a VBIED factory; and damaged a fighting position.” And that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units, destroyed two staging areas and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged a VBIED factory.”
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.
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed