Conflicts

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

Incident Codes

CS237 RS0930

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.94727, 39.00887
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: S214R830RS926)

Up to 38 civilians including six children and three women were killed and up to 150 injured in airstrikes on Raqqa, according to multiple sources.

While most alleged that Russia carried out the attack, the United States later admitted responsibility – though admitted only three civilians deaths: “June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike targeting an ISIL headquarters building, it is assessed that three individuals were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

This was revised on April 30th 2017 with the Coalition noting that “June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria: Number 12 and 13 on Nov. 9, 2016, U.S. Central Command press release were both based on the same report. The actual assessment was that on June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, during a strike on an ISIS headquarters four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

An initial report by Shaam News blamed Russia, but it then changed its position: “Coalition planes launched raids on al Dalla roundabout and the area of the electricity company in Raqqa which led to civilians deaths and wounded.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named 27 or more victims.

However, according to the total number of identified victims across other sources, the death toll reached no less than 38, including at least six children and several women.

Syrian Press Center – who blamed Russia – said that the following locations were targeted:

“one raid near al Rahman laundry

one raid near the electricity HQ

one raid near Shukri Bozan gas station.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

Victims

Family members (2)

Abd al Sattar Rashid al Zoro
10 years old killed
Mohammad Rashid al Zoro
15 years old male injured

Family members (2)

Ibrahim Matar al Wakka
male killed
Musha’al Ibrahim al Wakka
Child injured

Family members (6)

Saleh al Jamal Al Nayef
killed
The wife of Jamal Al Nayef
female killed
Child of Jamal Al Nayef
Child killed
Abdallah Jamal al Nayef
Adult male killed
The wife Abdallah Jamal al Nayef
Adult female killed
Child of Abdallah Jamal al Nayef
killed

Family members (6)

Yasser al Satouf
male killed
Khaled al Satouf
male killed
Fadi al Satouf
killed
Wafaa al Satouf
killed
Fadia al Satouf
killed
Wafaa al Satouf
Child killed

Family members (3)

Dr. Mohammad Ali al Heito
Adult male killed
Wife of Dr. Mohammad Ali al Heitoand
Adult female killed
Son of Dr. Mohammad Ali al Heito
male killed

Individuals

Ahmad Al Sheikh Khalil Al Yaseen
male killed
Ammar Abdullah Al Hasan
killed
Mouhammad al-Ahmad
male killed
Mouhannad Abu Heif
male killed
Tawfeeq Al A’nizan
male killed
Jamal Al Batran
killed
Mohammad al Sheikh Khalil al Yasin
male killed
Mohammad Al Ahmad al A’zzami
male killed
Ibrahim Juma’a al A’far
male killed
Ammar Abdallah Al Hassan al Satouf
killed
Jomaa al A’bo Al Fannash
male killed
Daughter of Jomaa al A’bo Al Fannash
female killed
Khalif Al Ibbo al Fanash
15 years old killed
Na’el al Fayyad
10 years old killed
Khashab al Khashab
killed
Tahseen al Hamoud
killed
Jamila Hussein al Jazra
killed
Hani al Hafez
killed
Hussein Issa al Noaimi
Child killed

Key Information

Country
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
23–38
6–7 Children, 4 Women, 11 Men
Civilians reported injured
150

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

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
4
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV008781
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For June 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “ Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes struck an ISIL-used bridge and destroyed five ISIL oil pump jacks.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2016-11-09
Original Source
during a strike targeting an ISIL headquarters building, it is assessed that three individuals were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-04-30
Original Source
“June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria: Number 12 and 13 on the Nov. 9, 2016, U.S. Central Command press release were both based on the same report. The actual assessment was that on June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, during a strike on an ISIS headquarters four civilians were unintentionally killed.”
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Media From Sources (26)

Sources (46)

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