Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS167

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S158)

There were claims by some of a wedding convoy hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa on the evening of January 22nd. Al Jazeera instead said that “an unmanned drone targeted a car belonging to IS near Bab Baghadad east of the town.”

The event, which took place in the Baghdad Bab neighbouorhood of the city, was alleged by some to have killed 25 or more people “including women and children.” However these casualty claims may relate to Russian airstrikes which also reportedly hit the city that day.

So-called Islamic State – which issued what it said was a post-strike video – was quick to accuse the US of responsibility for the attack on a “wedding convoy”.

However the Coalition did not publily declare any strikes on the city that evening. Responding to Airwars, a CJTF-OIR spokesperson stated: “As per the daily strike release on Jan. 23, there were no strikes conducted near Raqqah on Jan. 22.”

 

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
25

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. 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
Not yet assessed
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
The Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in Raqaa for January 22nd-23rd 2016, later confirming to Airwars this was the case.

Media From Sources (2)