Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1353

Location

Hurriyah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.961696, 39.004436
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1180a)

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians.

In January 2018, their monthly civilian casualty report noted “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the area of the blast after the weapons were fired from a Coalition aircraft.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV004797 (Military grid reference with a 100 m accuracy) which placed the event at the Hurriyah neighbourhood.

Although Airwars researchers have not monitored local reports of civilian harm that mention the Hurriyah neighbourhood specifically for this date, there were multiple civilian casualty events in Raqqa on the day.

Those other, locally reported events might or might not relate to this Coalition-reported incident — most likely an event in the neighbouring Al Hadika al Bayda area or one that targeted the electricity directorate building.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
2

Geolocation Notes

37SEV004797, 100 m precision

Date taken: October 21, 2017

Imagery: © 2019 Google Earth

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
Civilian deaths conceded
2
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV004797
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For August 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 37 fighting positions, two command and control nodes, two weapons caches, two vehicles, and a weapons depot.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 7, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, an ISIS communications tower, and a mortar system.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-01-25
Original Source
Aug. 7, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the area of the blast after the weapons were fired from a Coalition aircraft.