Russian MoD Annuls Report Claiming Civilians Dead in Coalition Strikes in Raqqa

The Russian Defense Ministry has annulled the statement claiming that the US-led coalition's airstrikes in Syria's Raqqa had allegedly resulted in civilian casualties, saying the publication had been made due to a technical glitch. 

The Russian Defense Ministry reported earlier on Monday that coalition's airstrikes had allegedly killed at least 11 civilians in Raqqa over the past 24 hours.

The coalition's aerial operation in Syria has repeatedly resulted in casualties among civilians, according to the coalition's statements and reports by local media and international watchdogs. The coalition admitted that its strikes against Daesh in Syria and Iraq had left at least 624 civilians dead since the start of the anti-terrorist campaign, according to the latest update. However, several NGOs suggested that the actual death toll as a result of the coalition's strikes could be higher.

The Raqqa operation supported by the US-led coalition is conducted on the ground by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) opposition fighters. According to the UN and watchdogs, civilians in Raqqa are increasingly facing deadly risks as the bombardment by forces seeking to liberate the city from Daesh terror group has intensified as the operation nears its end. As of today about 20,000 innocent civilians remain trapped in the besieged city, many of whom are looking for any opportunity to flee the warzone.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said last Friday that Raqqa may be liberated by the end of October.