Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS409

Location

معيزيلة, Ma'yezila, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.1189143, 39.1815376
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S360)

Between 17 and 32 civilians were reported killed and a further 20 or more injured following alleged Coalition strikes on Ma’yezila.

According to Riba FM, the strike took place near the town’s Alh mosque. Raqqa News Network reported that “Al-Ma’yzila’s population is less than 300 and they all have the same grandfather. More than 28 martyrs were killed, around 10% were killed. This is a genocide.” And Shaam News reported that “Activists said the international coalition targeted several civilian houses in the village of Maizalh with missiles, leaving 17 martyrs in an initial toll and dozens wounded.”

In a detailed report, Syria Newsdesk said “32 civilians were killed and more than 20 others wounded on Thursday evening, by the the international coalition planes targeting with six raids houses in the centre of al Ma’yezila village which is under the control of the organization of the Islamic state in northern Raqqa. The media opposition activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from the village, told Syria News Desk that two planes belonging to the international coalition bombed using vacuum missiles five houses in the village, killing 30 civilians, including two families made up of 16 people each including children. He confirmed that there are nine serious cases among the wounded, who were transferred to the National Hospital in Raqqa, the death toll is likely to rise in the coming hours, while the rest of the injured were ministered to at other medical points of the city. The source said the raids also resulted in the destruction of five houses completely and great damage occurred to four others houses.”

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event had been submitted “for further review.”

 

Victims

Family members (1)

Al-Afir family
8 members killed

Family members (4)

Mahmood Al-Ahmad Al-Shinan
male killed
Mahmood Al-Ahmad Al-Shinan's daughter
female killed
Ismaeil Al-Ahmad Al-Shinan
male killed
Abdur Rahman Ahmad Al-Shanan
Child male killed

Family members (1)

Asa’ad Suleiman al Juma’a
4 members of this family killed

Individuals

Ahmad Al-Shinan Al-Qalit
male killed
Mohammed Al-Hashim's daughter
female killed
Ahmad Al-Hameed Al-Qalit's daughter
female killed
Bushra Mohammad al Kalit
female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
17–32
7–10 Children, 3 Women
Civilians reported injured
20

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ma’yezila (معيزيلة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.1189143, 39.1815376. 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
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Mayaezila Village, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV163971
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For December 8th-9th 2016 the Coaltion reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed a vehicle, a fighting position, and a supply cache. Near Ayn Isa, two strikes damaged five ISIL supply routes.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-03-28
Original Source
After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Media From Sources (5)