Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS689

Location

الخاتونية, Khatouniya, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9219103, 38.737935
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S606)

Local sources reported the death of three civilians following an alleged Coalition drone or air strike on a fire engine which was passing along the road between Al Jazara and Khatouniya.

The local news agency reported: “A local source told the Smart correspondent on Thursday that three civilian workers were killed in an air strike likely to be an international coalition on a road west of the city of Raqqa, northeast of Syria. The sources pointed out that an unmanned aircraft targeted a fire engine belonging to the Islamic Civil Defense Organization, as it passed the road between the villages of Al Khatouniya and Al Jazara killing three workers.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Weak
Civilians reported killed
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the road between the villages of Al Jazara (الجزرة) and Al Khatouniya (الخاتونية, alternative name: Al Saljiya, السلحبية), Raqqa governorate. The coordinates for Al Khantouniya are: 35.9219103, 38.737935.

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 Khatouniya, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For April 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqa seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle and a fighting position.” For April 13th-14th: “Near Raqqa, four strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.”
UK Military Strike Report
Update from UK MoD for Thursday 13 April: ‘Thursday 13 April – Typhoons supported the Syrian Democratic Forces, hitting seven terrorist positions north of Raqqa in Syria…The following day [April 13th], Typhoons patrolled over Raqqa. North of the city, Syrian Democratic Forces reported being in very close combat with a group of seven, strongly defended, Daesh positions. Despite heavy cloud, the Typhoons were able to destroy one position on their first pass, then having confirmed the exact location of the other six targets, struck all of those simultaneously with Paveway IVs on a second pass.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-12-28
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. (1322)