Civilian Casualty Archive

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930 incidents

Incident Date

16 October 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr106

Location

العبل, Al Abil, Al Bayda, Yemen
More than fifty ISIS militants were killed in the course of US airstrikes on two ISIS training camps in Qayfa area, Al Bayda governorate, on October 16th 2017, according to a US Central Command statement released on December 20th 2017. At the time of the attacks, CENTCOM had reported killing "dozens" of ISIS fighters. There…

Summary

Published
16 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
26
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr104

Location

سعود, Saud archaeological area, Ma'rib, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed at least four alleged AQAP militants in Raghwan district, Marib governorate, on October 8th 2017. The strike was later confirmed by a US Central Command spokesperson in an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, which stated that five AQAP militants were killed by a strike in the area…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr103

Location

Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed two alleged AQAP militants, including AQAP leader Shroum al-Sanaani, in Yakla, in the Radaa area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of October 4th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. In a later email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command spokesperson…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Code

USSOM094

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not proactively release information…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM093

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not proactively release information…

Summary

Published
30 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr102-C

Location

القوز, Al Qawz junction, Abyan, Yemen
A US drone strike killed at least two alleged AQAP militants on a motorcycle at Al Qawz junction, Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, on the night of September 14th 2017. However it was also reported that a passing vehicle was damaged, causing civilian injuries. More than three years later, in response to Airwars publishing its…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Motorcycle)
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12–13 September, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM092

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US carried out an air strike on September 13th, killing six al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command. The strike took place at approximately 0215 local time (1115 GMT), hitting an area in southern Somalia about 260km south of the capital, AFRICOM said. The original press release said three…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr101

Location

جاعر, In the vicinity of Ja'ar, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least one US drone strike reportedly killed at least two alleged AQAP militants in the Al-Sallabah and Ja'er area of Sama'a district, in Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of September 11th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to some Twitter sources including @demolinari, the strike targeted a vehicle in…

Summary

Published
11 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr098-C

Location

السرو ، بالقرب من قريضة, Al Saru, in the vicinity of Quraidah, Al Bayda, Yemen
Two US drone strikes in the Al Saru area of the Sama'a district in Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of September 9th 2017, reportedly killed at least one alleged AQAP militant and as many as four civilians, according to some sources. In a later email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command…

Summary

Published
9 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Motorcycle)
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military actors reported killed
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr099

Location

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen
In an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command spokesperson stated that three strikes had been conducted against AQAP in Al Bayda governorate on September 9th 2017. Multiple sources reported that one strike took place in the village of Qareidah (USYEMTr100) on that day, while two munitions reportedly targeted a single…

Summary

Published
9 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr100

Location

على مقربة من هوائي بين قريضة والرباط, In the vicinity of an Antenna, between Quraidah and Al Rabat, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed at least two alleged AQAP militants in the village of Qareidha, Sama'a area of Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of September 9th 2017. In a later email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command spokesperson confirmed that three strikes were conducted in Bayda governorate on September…

Summary

Published
9 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM091

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had conducted "a precision airstrike in Somalia against al-Shabaab on Thurs., Sept. 7 at approximately 2:45 p.m. local Somalia time". The release made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM asserted that the strike had killed "one (1) terrorist". The strike was carried out under authorities passed in…

Summary

Published
7 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM090

Location

Tortoroow and Dodale, Bay, Somalia
On September 5th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had conducted a precision airstrike in "central Somalia" against al-Shabaab militants that same day at approximately 9:50am local Somalia time. The release made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM asserted that the strike had killed "three (3) terrorists". The action, it said, had hit in the…

Summary

Published
5 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

31 August–1 September, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM089

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow near Barawe, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US said it carried out a strike near Barawe in southern Somalia on August 31st, killing one al Shabaab fighter and wounding one other. AP reported that "At least one missile struck a location outside Barawe that the extremists often use to launch attacks on the government-held town, a Somali intelligence official said. He…

Summary

Published
31 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 August 2017

Incident Code

USSOM088-C

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US military and the Somali government announced they were investigating reports that ten civilians, including three children, were killed during an operation on a farm in Bariire, in Somalia's southern Lower Shabelle region. However, on November 28th 2017, the US published a press release concluding that only "armed enemy combatants" were killed. Earlier that…

Summary

Published
25 August 2017
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
10
Military actors reported killed
0–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr097

Location

Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen
US airstrikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants travelling in Yakla, east of the Qifah area of Bayda governorate, early on the morning of August 19th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources suggested that US helicopters and warplanes, reportedly including drones and "vertical fighters" [possibly USMC Harriers], targeted four suspected…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16–17 August, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM087-C

Location

Sheikh Ahmed Yare, 15 miles from Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Seven civilians from the same family including a wife and husband died in US airstrikes which reportedly hit civilian homes near Jilib, according to two reports. The victims are named below. The US announced it carried out a series of attacks between August 16th and 17th, allegedly killing up to seven al Shabaab fighters. However…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
7
Military actors reported killed
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 August 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr096-C

Location

المرون , بالقرب من الخبر, Al Maroun, in the vicinity of Al Khabr, Abyan, Yemen
In an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, US Central Command stated that a strike was conducted against AQAP in Abyan governorate on August 13th 2017, confirming multiple earlier reports that at least two alleged AQAP militants were killed in at least one afternoon US drone strike in Al Maroun, in the Khabr Maraqisha…

Summary

Published
13 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2017

Incident Code

USSOM085

Location

Banaadir, Somalia
The US carried out two "kinetic" strikes against al Shabaab members in the Banadir region of southern Somalia on August 10th, US Africa Command announced. There were no known associated public reports of civilian harm. As AFRICOM itself has treated these as distinct events, we have separated them here. A press release from the Somali…

Summary

Published
10 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2017

Incident Code

USSOM086

Location

Shashweyne, Banaadir, Somalia
According to a Freedom of Information request obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, this previously unknown US strike took place in the vicinity of Shashweyne, Bandir region, Somalia against al-Shabaab fighters. In its FOIA response, AFRICOM again confirmed it had targeted what it says were "AS fighters", in the vicinity of Shashweyne, Banadir…

Summary

Published
10 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 August 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr095-C

Location

الروضة, Al Rawda, Ma'rib, Yemen
A reported US drone strike targeted a minibus in Al Rawda neighbourhood, in the Wadi Ubaida area of Marib governorate, on the afternoon of August 3rd 2017. Several sources suggested that the strike targeted AQAP militants in the bus, killing three, though others indicated that as many as two civilians were killed and four injured,…

Summary

Published
3 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr094

Location

الخثلة, Al Khathla, Ma'rib, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed five alleged AQAP militants, including foreign fighters, in Al Khathla village in the Juba area of Marib governorate, early on July 31st 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to AFP, a Yemeni security official said that five alleged militants were killed in a drone…

Summary

Published
31 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr093

Location

كوكب, Kawkab, Abyan, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly targeted at least one alleged AQAP militant, described as a leadership figure, near Kawkab village, in the Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, on the evening of July 30th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to @demolinari, the strike targeted the vehicle of a "local AQAP…

Summary

Published
30 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

USSOM084

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed a US strike killed Ali Muhammad Hussein, believed to be a high-level al Shabaab commander. No civilians were reported to have been killed or injured in the strike. The strike took place in Tortoroow in southern Somalia at around 1500 local time on July 30th, reportedly killing Jabal alone. Africom…

Summary

Published
30 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Code

USSOM083

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
On November 17th, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported actions, which included this strike. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not proactively release information about…

Summary

Published
29 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

USSOM082

Location

Southern Somalia, Bay, Somalia
On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. No casualties were reported. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did…

Summary

Published
28 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr092

Location

جبل المراقشه, Jabal Al Maraqisha, Abyan, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that US airstrikes, or possibly US naval strikes, targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Al Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, late on July 23rd 2017. Other sources reported similar strikes in the area the previous night, though did not assign responsibility to the US. There were no known reports of civilian harm.…

Summary

Published
23 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Naval bombardment
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2017

Incident Code

USSOM081

Location

Galcayo, Mudug, Somalia
A suspected al Shabaab associate who once lived in the US was arrested during a mission in Somalia, a US Africa Command spokesperson told AP. It was a Somali-led mission with “limited tactical advisory support” from the US, spokesperson Jennifer Dyrcz said. The suspect, identified as Abdirizak Tahlil, was accused of “facilitating the use of improvised…

Summary

Published
23 July 2017
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2017

Incident Code

USSOM080

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
On November 17th, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. No casualties were reported. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not…

Summary

Published
21 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2017

Incident Code

USSOM079

Location

Gaduud, Lower Juba, Somalia
On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not proactively release information…

Summary

Published
20 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident