Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS556

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.882222, 39.048611
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S487)

Two or more civilians were reported killed and five injured in alleged Coalition strikes on Ratlah and al Aekershi.

According to Smart News, likely Coalition aircraft “launched raids on the villages of Ratlah (about 15 km south of Raqqa city) and al Aekershi (about 20 km east of Raqqa), killing two civilians and wounding five others who were transported by boats to the Raqqa National Hospital, according to a local source.”

The Syrian Mirror reported that “Field Activists said three civilians were killed and six others injured due to aerial bombing and on the towns of Ratla and al A’kershi and they were transferred to the Raqqa National Hospital.

 

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
5–6

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ratlah (رطلة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.882222, 39.048611. 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
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Ratla and Aekershi (Raqqah), Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For March 7th-8th the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three fighting positions, two tunnels, a vehicle repair facility, and a tactical vehicle.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-10-27
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.