Incident Code

CS1382

Location

الملاهي, Malahi, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.95989, 39.001109
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S1208)

In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 20 civilians reportedly died following alleged US-led Coalition attacks on the Malahi area in Raqqa. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally killed three and injured nine in this strike.

Local media reported on the death of 15 or more civilians after “Muawiya bin Abi Sufian” school was struck. An additional five civilians were reported killed in a house in “Mallah” in the same area. The Northern Syrian Observer (NSO) attributed the deaths to “International Coalition bombings”, as did all other sources tracked. NSO reported that the victims were buried in a park adjacent to the amusement area.

Airwars understands that Mallah, Amusement and Malahi all refer to one word and one area – best translated as Malahi.

In March 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “Aug. 17, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike to engage an ISIS fighting position a scooter inadvertently entered the area of the strike and it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. The location given placed the event in the Malahi area.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Civilians reported killed
15–20

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the Amusement Park (الملاهي) area in Raqqah, for which the coordinates are: 35.959355, 39.005692. The Coalition later provided coordinates for this incident: 37SEV001795 (Military grid reference with 100 m accuracy).

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
3
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV001795
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For August 16th-17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 fighting positions, a logistics node, an IED, a command and control node, an ISIS UAS and a vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 16, near Raqqah, Syria, 23 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 18 fighting positions, eight command and control nodes, two tunnels, two heavy machine guns, an ISIS UAS, an anti-aircraft artillery system and an ISIS line of communication.” And that “On Aug. 16, near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two command and control nodes and a mortar system.”
UK Military Strike Report
‘Thursday 17 August – Tornados and Typhoons attacked a mortar near Tall Afar, and two machine-gun teams and a sniper in Raqqa...With the Iraqi forces advancing on Tal Afar, a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair provided close air support on Thursday 17 August. A coalition surveillance aircraft spotted a terrorist mortar, and was able to guide our aircraft into a successful attack with a Paveway IV. A second mixed pair maintained operations over Raqqa, and used Paveways to destroy one sniper and two machine-gun teams.’
French Military Strike Report
In the past week, (11th-18th) France conducted 27 sorties, including 22 armed reconnaissance and ground support (CAS), 1 refueling outlet and 4 intelligence gathering sorties by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrols. Two strikes were carried out in the Raqqah region of Syria. They helped support the Syrian democratic forces in their offensive to retake the city.
French Military Strike Report
For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-03-28
Original Source
Aug. 17, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike to engage an ISIS fighting position a scooter inadvertently entered the area of the strike and it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed.