Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS725

Location

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.08, 39.05917
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S641)

One woman died and several other civilians were wounded in an incident in Al Rahiyat, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, the Syrian Democratic Forces or ISIL were responsible.

Shaam News Network was the only source that named the Coalition as the culprit. Step News Agency instead blamed artillery shelling for a woman’s death and the injury of several other civilians. But Qasioun reported that a woman was killed by an ISIL sniper, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an ISIL bomb was responsible for a woman’s death.

Hope-fm-radio also reported “ISIL mortars”, while according to Raqqa24, “Syria Democratic Forces targeted a gathering of displaced people”.

Al Raqqa Truth named the victim but did not mention the culprit.

Victims

Individuals

Khawla Salem al Sheikh
40 years old female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Rahiat (الرحيات), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.08, 39.05917. 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 al Rahiyat, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV053928
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For April 23rd - 24th the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIS well head" For April 24th - 25th the Colaition reported: "Near Tabqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed three ISIS command and control nodes, a fighting position, and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units" The Coaliton later reported: "On April 24, near Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS vehicles. On April 24, near Tabqah, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; and destroyed two fighting positions and a rocket-propelled grenade team."
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-06-28
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.
Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed
ISIS Assessment
Suspected belligerent
ISIS
ISIS position on incident
Not yet assessed