Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS567

Location

الكرامة, Al Karama and Al Ghassaniyah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.86808, 39.277394
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S498)

Two civilians died and five were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Karama and Al Ghassaniya, according to a single source.

Activists told the Smart news agency that warplanes “likely” belonging to the Coalition carried out strikes on Al Karama and Al Ghassaniya.

Smart reported that “the planes launched raids on al Karama and Ghassaniya (20 km east of the city of Raqqa), killing two civilians and wounding five civilians, including two children, who were taken to the National Hospital in Raqqa”.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “March 11, 2017, in Al Karama, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 983/S498 37SEV251694”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Weak
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Karama and Al Ghassaniyah (الكرامة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.86808, 39.277394. 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
in Al Karama, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV251694
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For March 10th-11th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes, engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed four fighting positions, two ISIS-held buildings, two watercraft, two weapons factories, a tunnel, a vehicle, and a VBIED; and damaged a supply route.” For March 11th-12th: “Near Ar Raqqah, 12 strikes, engaged three ISIS tactical units and two ISIS staging areas; destroyed three fighting positions, two tanker trucks, a weapons storage facility, a well head, an ISIS-held building, and an anti-air artillery system; and damaged two bridges.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2019-12-05
Original Source
March 11, 2017, in Al Karama, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 983/S498 37SEV251694