Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS1363

Location

Al Na'im area, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.95268, 39.00998
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1190)

Multiple local sources reported that there had been an “escalation of civilian martyrs” following alleged artillery shelling on the Na’im area of Raqqa. This was later confirmed to have been a US airstrike.

Raqqa News Post for example reported at the time: “#Urgent : # Ar Raqqa The fall of artillery shells on the area of Naim and Tal Abyad Street and Al Salam hospital by the Kurdish units.”

While there were reports of “an escalation of civilian martyrs” no specific casualty numbers were reported.

In its civilian casualty report for November 2019 – published on January 2nd 2020 – the Coalition conceded one death and one injury in this event, noting: “August 11, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh vehicle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and one civilian was unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike. 2074/S1190 37SEV009787”.

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US military action.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention several areas in the city of Raqqa: the area around the Na’im (ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺍﻟﻨﻌﻴﻢ) roundabout, for which the coordinates are: 35.95447, 39.009392; Tal Abyad street (ﺷﺎﺭﻉ ﺗﻞ ﺃﺑﻴﺾ), for which the coordinates are: 35.948534, 39.012615; and Al Salam hospital (مشفى السلام), for which the location is unknown to Airwars. Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 35.95447, 39.009392.

Na'im (ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺍﻟﻨﻌﻴﻢ) roundabout and Tal Abyad street (ﺷﺎﺭﻉ ﺗﻞ ﺃﺑﻴﺾ) in the city of Raqqa

Imagery: © 2018 Google

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
No reason given
Civilian deaths conceded
1
Civilian injuries conceded
1
Stated location
in Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV009787
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For August 10th-11th the Coalition have reported *Near Raqqah, 33 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions, four command and control nodes, three ISIS communication nodes, two IEDs, a logistics node and an ISIS communication facility.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 10, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, a mortar system, a logistics node, and a command and control node.”
UK Military Strike Report
‘Friday 11 August – Tornados and Typhoons attacked a position in Raqqa…On Friday, a mixed pair continued to provide support to the SDF and destroyed a further defensive position in Raqqa with a Paveway. ‘
French Military Strike Report
For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)
French Military Strike Report
France reports that in the past week (4th -11th) it carried out 31 sorties, including 24 Army reconnaissance and Ground Support (CAS), as well as 4 intelligence reports by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrol. Two strikes were carried out in the Hassaka region of Syria and the Al Qaim region of Iraq. They destroyed ISIL storage sites and weapons caches.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-01-02
Original Source
August 11, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh vehicle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and one civilian was unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike. 2074/S1190 37SEV009787
U.S. Forces Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-05-06
Original Source
Since last year’s Section 1057 report, CJTF-OIR assessed that an additional 21 reports of civilian casualties during 2017 were credible, with approximately 71 civilians killed and approximately 13 civilians injured as result of U.S. military operations. With these additional assessments, CJTF-OIR assessed that a total number of 191 reports of civilian casualties during 2017 were credible, with approximately 864 civilians killed and approximately 219 civilians injured. 11-Aug-17 Al Na'im, Syria Air 1 civilian injured 1 civilian killed