Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS854

Location

دبسي عفنان, Dibsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.819444, 38.217778
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S750)

One woman and one girl were reportedly killed in Dabsi Afnan in Raqqa governorate, roughly 30km west of Tabaqah, but it was contested who was responsible.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that the Coalition was responsible for the airstrikes, while Mohab Nasser, Euphrates Post and several other sources reported that the Syrian government was to blame.

Al Ragga Truth and Ahmad al Shibli also reported the airstikes, but did not allege who was responsible.

Pro-Hezbollah outlet Almanar TV reported a death toll of six, including two women, and blamed the attack on the Coalition.

 

Victims

Individuals

Khadija al Bayyoud
Adult female killed
Rahaf Adnan al Moussa
Child female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
2–6
1 Child, 1 Woman

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dibsi Afnan (دبسي عفنان), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.819444, 38.217778. 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 Dibsi Afnan, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SDV293639
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For May 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions and a mortar system.” It also later noted that “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed eight command and control nodes and destroyed a VBIED facility” and that “Near Raqqah, Syria, May 23, two strikes destroyed three command and control nodes.” For May 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 15 strikes [1 British] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; and destroyed five fighting positions, four ISIS dump trucks, four vehicles, two artillery systems, a front-end loader, and a weapons cache." It added that "Near Raqqah, Syria, May 23, two strikes destroyed three command and control nodes." And "Near Raqqah, Syria, May 24, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed six fighting positions, a mortar system, and a vehicle."
UK Military Strike Report
"Wednesday 24 May – a Reaper attacked near Raqqa, whilst Tornados prosecuted four Daesh targets in Mosul…A Reaper, conducting surveillance south-west of Raqqa on Wednesday 24 May, kept watch on a small group of terrorists and was able to conduct a successful attack with a Hellfire missile. In Mosul, when advancing Iraqi security forces found themselves facing two buildings defended by a Daesh heavy machine-gun, a sniper team and at least one individual in a suicide-bomb vest, they called for assistance from a flight of Tornados. Our aircraft delivered a very precise simultaneous attack with two Paveway IVs which destroyed both terrorist strongpoints. The Tornados then hit a third terrorist position, again with a Paveway, whilst a second flight bombed a fourth position."
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.