Geolocation
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.
Summary
Sources (16) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
According to CENTCOM, there were no US military strikes during April 2020 in Yemen.