Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS952

Location

الصناعة, Ar Raqqah: Sina'a neighbourhood (Mukhtalata, unknown location), Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.947746, 39.032995
Accuracy: Exact location (via Airwars)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S826a)

Eight civilians including four children and two women died in a declared Coalition airstrike on the al Mukhtalata area in Raqqa’a al Sina’a neighbourhood, local media reported.

According to the Syrian Press Center, “Coalition forces continue to commit the worst massacres against civilians in the city of Raqqa, under the pretext of eliminating terrorism. A massacre that killed eight martyrs and many wounded were carried out after targeting a mixed area with several air strikes. The International Alliance aircraft committed a massacre, two days ago, in Al Mukhtalata area in the industrial district in the city of Raqqa, which led to the deaths of 8 civilians, including four children and a woman.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who also blamed the Coalition, put the death toll at eight, including four children and two women.

Multiple sources – all attributing the event to the Coalition – named eight victims. 

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported that an entire family of eight were killed when their family home was hit. On the ground field research reported that Najma, sister of Faddawi and his daughter Najahm, says strike was 15th. However, Ramadhan says it was Thursday at 9pm. She was at her cousin’s across the road.

Najma’s testimony stated “We were together and then I went to my cousins’ house across the road and my brother’s house was bombed and they were all killed. Why did they kill innocent people?”

Originally deemed to be non-credible by the Coalition, their assessment was revised on March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report that “Coalition aircraft
conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a building. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.”

Victims

Family members (8)

60 years old male killed
50 years old female wife of Faddawi Majim al-Nasser killed
35 years old male son of Faddawi Majim al-Nasser killed
20 years old female wife of Mahmoud killed
5 years old male killed
4 years old female killed
8 years old female killed
20 years old female killed

Individuals

Eidah Mohammed Rahil
male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
8
4 Children, 2 Women, 2 Men

Geolocation Notes

A building was struck at 35.947746, 39.032995. According to Amnesty research it was the family home of said victims.

Before strike. (via Amnesty)

After strike. (via Amnesty)

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Civilian deaths conceded
8
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Raqqah, Syria
MGRS coordinate
37SEC0297578153
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For June 9th-10th: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, a VBIED, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“ It additionally added that “On June 9, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two weapons caches, and an ISIS staging area.”
UK Military Strike Report
Friday 9 June – Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa…On Friday 9 June, Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-07-26
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.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2022-03-10
Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a building. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike. 2688 37SEC0297578153

Media from Sources (10)