Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS844

Location

علي الغانم, Ali Al Ghanem, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.773056, 39.4025
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S741)

Two civilians were killed and four were injured – in addition to two members of ISIL – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Ali Al Ghanem village, 50km east of Raqqa, according to local reports.

Two sources, Draas News Agency and Smart News Agency, reported that the Coalition was responsible. Meanwhile, the remainder of the sources reported that the deaths were a result of airstrikes, but did not make any assertions about who was responsible.

Smart News Agency reported that four people were injured in addition to two members of ISIL.

 

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ali Al Ghanem (علي الغانم), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.773056, 39.4025. 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 Ali Al Ghanem, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SEV364591
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.” For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported:" Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit."
UK Military Strike Report
"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-01-25
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.