Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMTr224

Incident date

April 26, 2020

Location

جبل الحاول, Jabal Al Hawl, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.502728, 47.195511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A possible US drone or airstrike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in Jabal Al Hawl, overlooking Wadi Amaqin, in the Rawda district of Shabwa, on the morning of April 26th 2020. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Local sources told Marib Today that the strike had targeted AQAP leaders, while 7adramout and @AdenHurra reported that smoke was seen rising from the targeted locations. According to Yaqeen, “local sources said that a drone believed to be American carried out, today, Sunday [April 26th], an air strike targeting leaders of al-Qaeda in the town of Amaqin in the Rawda district, without providing information about the results of the raid.”

Alleged images of the strike location appeared to confirm reporting by 4May that the aircraft had targeted an area of Jabal Amaqin, though that source did not attribute the attack to a particular party.

No known sources gave details on possible casualties.

US Central Command told Airwars that no US military strikes were conducted in Yemen during April 2020. It is, however, possible that an undeclared strike was conducted by the CIA, or as part of a clandestine US military action.

The incident occured in the morning.

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Wadi or Jabal Amaqin (عماقين), within the Al Rawda (الروضة) district of Shabwa (شبوة) governorate. Research shows the location to be locally known as Jabal Al Hawl (جبل الحاول), located west of both Al Rawda city and Amaqin town. Comparing various audiovisual materials of the location, we have narrowed this strike down to an approximate location at the coordinates: 14.502728, 47.195511.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Wadi or Jabal Amaqin (عماقين), within the Al Rawda (الروضة) district of Shabwa (شبوة) governorate. Research shows the location to be locally known as Jabal Al Hawl (جبل الحاول), located west of both Al Rawda city and Amaqin town. Comparing various audiovisual materials of the location, we have narrowed this strike down to an approximate location.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • General distribution of locations in the vicinity of the strike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Close up satellite imagery of the viewpoint with tags and sight markers.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite imagery of the viewpoint with tags and sight markers, indicating the approximate location of the strike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual at the time of the strike.

    Imagery:
    @binshafloot

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • No known sources gave information on possible casualties resulting from the strike (@AdenHurra, April 26th 2020)
  • The strike reportedly targeted AQAP leaders in the area (@poYuTYMufvCx2yk, April 26th 2020)

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces

According to CENTCOM, there were no US military strikes during April 2020 in Yemen.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (16) [ collapse]