Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CS983

Location

العجيلي/السبع دربات, Ar Raqqah: A'jili/Sabi Darbat neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9425747, 39.0252399
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: S855)

A family of three civilians, including one woman, were killed and several more were injured in artillery fire allegedly carried out by the US-backed, Kurdish-led SDF militia in the Al A’jili neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. However, only the Coalition was using artillery in the city in this period.

The Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office said that it expects the death toll to be higher reporting that “a number of civilians were killed” after “dozens of shells” fell on Al A’jili neighbourhood, Al Mansour Street, the area surrounding the Cultural Centre, the Grand Mosque, the police station and the Pullman garage.

The majority of sources reported that the SDF militia or that the Coalition was responsible.

Additional possible casualties were reported at al Mathaf and al Jazra by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, though it has not been possible to determine numbers.

Victims

Family members (3)

Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel,
Adult male killed
Rami Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel
male son of Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel, killed
Wife of Maher Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel.
female wife of Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel's son Maher killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
3
1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
2

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 Al A’jli, Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For June 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, five vehicles, five ISIS boats, two VBIEDs, a recoilless rifle, a command and control node, and a tunnel; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 13, near Raqqah, Syria, 10 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and a sniper and destroyed a fighting position, a tunnel, an ISIS headquarters, a weapons cache, a vehicle, and a VBIED.” For June 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, three ISIS boats, and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”
French Military Strike Report
June 15th 2017, the French MoD reported "in the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-02-22
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.

Media From Sources (5)