Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS511

Location

الرقة‎, Qitar street, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S451)

Between seven and ten civilians including three children and three women died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Qitar street, according to local sources. While the majority of reports attributed the incident to the Coalition, one report alleged that Russia was responsible. The Coalition later reported that “no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of eight civilians and the injury of more than eight in a raid “on al Qitar street targeting one of the warehouses near al Baraka bakery.” When contacted by Airwars, they said that the strike on Qitar street was the same one as on al Maari school (listed above). Other sources, however, reported it as a separate strike.

Ara News blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at nine including women and children.

According to Syria News Desk, three children were among eight killed in an alleged Coalition raid which completely destroyed four houses and the train station building.

Smart and Shaam News also pointed to the Coalition, as did Baladi, who put the death toll as high as ten.

However, RFS Media Office was alone in attributing the incident to Russia. They also said that eight non-combatants died but provided little detail.

On April 30th 2017 the Coalition flagged the event as ‘not credible’, noting: “Feb. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

 

Victims

Individuals

Child male killed
male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
7–10
3 Children, 3 Women
Civilians reported injured
10–24

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
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
1 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV0074379361
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For February 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, a VBIED, a garage, an IED and a weapons facility; and damaged a bridge.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-09-29
Original Source
After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (11)