Incident Code

CS743

Location

رقة السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9327067, 39.0910721
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S656)

The Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes likely belonging to the Coalition shelled the villages of Hamra Buwittiya and Al-Raqqa Al-Samra both near the town of Karama, 20 kilometers east of the city of Raqqa, killing four civilians in the first and one in the second, and wounding nine others in both.”

Al Araby also pointed towards the Coalition.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied involvement in the incident: “April 28, 2017, near Samra, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–9

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Raqqa al Samra (رقة السمرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9327067, 39.0910721. 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 Raqqa al Samr
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For April 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed a command and control node and a front-end loader.” For April 28th-29th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed a front-end loader" and "Near Tabqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and four vehicles" The Coalition later reported: "Additionally, four strikes were conducted in Syria April 28 that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, on April 28, four strikes destroyed three fighting positions and a VBIED.”
French Military Strike Report
'Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the support pillar Add to favorites Share Updated: 28/04/2017 On April 23, a French A400M landed for the first time in Iraq. This first logistical link to Baghdad and Erbil is an opportunity to return to the diversity and complementarity of the means of the "support pillar" of Operation CHAMMAL. Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the pillar support These French resources, engaged in the Inherent Resolve interallied operation, have been operating in the Levant from different areas of influence to all the facades of the theater with optimized effects. They make it possible to sustain and last: the logistic support by air to the air bases and the support points in the Levant makes it possible to respond, by its flexibility, to the impromptu needs: repair of a M88 engine of Rafale, electronic bench of an AWACS, Atlantic optronic ball 2 ... Now relying on A400M flights to Iraqi airports, the armed forces are once again reinforcing their reactivity and the support of the three deployed Task Forces (Narvik, Monsabert, Wagram). They make it possible to assess the situation autonomously and to share the information gathered: for the reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence acquisition missions, the Atlantic 2 sensors and the Rafale RECO NG nacelle cameras confirm their high performance. The endurance of the vectors, the diversity of the sensors and the analytical capacities of the French personnel contribute to the good development of the "situational awareness" (Situation Awarness). They make it possible to respond to requests for support from local security forces or to strike Daech in depth on its hotspots. Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the pillar support After a rigorous targeting process and strong national control, the French armies contribute significantly to coalition strikes in various forms: Prepared strikes in the depths of the Iraqi or Syrian theater, targeting targets of vital importance for Daesh as a booby traps factory or illegal trafficking sites, sources of funding for terrorists. SCALP cruise missiles are regularly used for this purpose. By strikes in support of the local security forces: either on demand, on all lines of contact thanks to the Rafale fighters, punctually thanks to the Atlantic 2, or permanently but on a more restricted area, in direct support surrounding units using CAESAR guns. They enable the detection, control and surveillance of allied air movements thanks to the power of the E-3F (AWACS) weapon system deployed in Qatar, high value added aircraft (HVAA) that exceeds regularly the ten hours of flight after a refueling flight. Most of these assets have increased endurance thanks to the C135-FR air-to-air refueler deployed in the United Arab Emirates. The "Dean" of these abilities CHAMMAL continues to contribute to a commitment in the duration of the different effectors on the zone of combat. The complementarity of the French capabilities deployed in the Levant allows to multiply and combine the effects to ensure the effectiveness of support in the fight against Daesh. This diversity illustrates the commitment and strong involvement of the CHAMMAL forces in the coalition. '
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. (1395)