Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMBi012

Incident date

June 22, 2023

Location

الكور, Al-Kour, Shabwa, Yemen

Airwars assessment

Three Al Qaeda members were killed by alleged US drone strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa on June 22, 2023.

26sep News reported that American strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa resulted in the death of three Al Qaeda members. There are no additional details about those who were killed available.

All of the sources attributed the casualties to US strikes, with many of the sources mentioning drones.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alleged US drone strikes in Shabwa on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @shomokh774)

US Forces Assessment:

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

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM391 KS002

Incident date

June 16–17, 2023

Location

Salagle, Middle Jubba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Two civilian women were killed and two children were injured by alleged Kenyan or United Arab Emirates or US airstrikes on Salagle in Middle Jubba on June 16, 2023.

The Horn Observer reported that two civilians, a mother and her child, were killed and two other children sustained injuries from airstrikes on Salagle.

A tweet from @YusufGarabey also reported that two people were killed by the airstrikes, attributing them to Kenyan jets and identifying both of those killed as women.

The Horn Observer also pointed out that some local sources have attributed the airstrikes to the Kenyan army or drones from the United Arab Emirates, adding that the US has been known to carry out airstrikes in the area. However, no military has taken responsibility for the airstrikes at this time.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, United Arab Emirates Military, Kenyan Military Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kenyan Military Forces
  • Kenyan Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, United Arab Emirates Military, Kenyan Military Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM390 KS001

Incident date

June 16–17, 2023

Location

Saakow, Middle Jubba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

A civilian was injured by alleged Kenyan or United Arab Emirates or US airstrike on Saakow in Middle Jubba on June 16/17, 2023.

Horn Observer reported that a civilian was injured by airstrikes in Saakow, possibly carried out by Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, or the US.

Hormuud, Somalia’s largest telecom provider, also announced that their site was damaged by the airstrikes. The company released a statement that “there are reported human casualties but no Hormuud staff member was physically harmed, nevertheless the disruption of telecommunications services, destruction of property and emotional distress for local communities and our team have been significant.” @Hormuud also tweeted that the airstrikes caused disruption to their telecom and EVC Plus mobile money services, with @AhmedAKosar adding that more than 60,000 people were left without service.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with Garowe Online attributing the airstrike to the Kenyan Defense Forces while others referred to the UAE or US. At this time, no military has taken responsibility for the strikes. Multiple local sources pointed out the Kenya has previously bombed Hormuud installations.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Power Station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Kenyan Military Forces, United Arab Emirates Military, US Forces

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a telecom company caused by airstrikes in Saakow on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by Garowe Online)
  • Damage to a telecom company caused by airstrikes in Saakow on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by Garowe Online)
  • Statement from Hormuud Telecom after airstrikes on June 16, 2023 caused damage to their facility. (Image posted by @HarunMaruf)
  • Damage to a telecom company caused by airstrikes in Saakow on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @Hormuud)
  • Damage to a telecom company caused by airstrikes in Saakow on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @HussienM12)
  • Damage to a telecom company caused by airstrikes in Saakow on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @HussienM12)
  • Damaged homes in Saakow district caused by airstrikes on June 16/17, 2023. (Image posted by @BaidoaU)
  • Damaged homes in Saakow district caused by airstrikes on June 16/17, 2023. (Image posted by @BaidoaU)
  • Damaged homes in Saakow district caused by airstrikes on June 16/17, 2023. (Image posted by @BaidoaU)
  • Damaged homes in Saakow district caused by airstrikes on June 16/17, 2023. (Image posted by @BaidoaU)

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kenyan Military Forces
  • Kenyan Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Power Station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Kenyan Military Forces, United Arab Emirates Military, US Forces

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM389

Incident date

June 16, 2023

Location

14 km from Jamame district, Lower Jubba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

43 al-Shabaab militants were killed by alleged US airstrikes near Jamaane District in Lower Jubba on June 16, 2023.

Garowe Online reported that airstrike carried out by the US struck a location where al-Shabaab militants were holding a meeting in Jamaane District in Lower Jubba, killing “several” militants. @SONNALIVE specified that the airstrikes occurred around 6:15pm in an area 14 km from Jamaane District, resulting in “heavy loss of life and many injuries.”

A tweet from @dhoorebbc identified Adan Abdirahman and Idiris Abdirahim Nur, a Kenyan National, as two top al-Shabaab officials who were killed by the US airstrike and Somali special forces near Jamaane town.

The Somali National News Agency (SONNA), quoted by VOA News, later reported that in addition to the two al-Shabaab leaders, a total of 43 al-Shabaab fighters were killed by the airstrike. According to SONNA, the militants were meeting to plan attacks against Barsanguni military base, which is home to the Somali National Army and local forces.

A tweet from @GaroweOnline pointed out that the strikes occurred just days after the head of AFRICOM visited Jubaland and met with President Ahmed Madobe on counterterrorism.

The incident occured at 18:15:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    43

Sources (11) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    43

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi011

Incident date

June 15, 2023

Location

المصينعة, Al Musinaa, Shabwa, Yemen

Airwars assessment

An Al Qaeda leader was killed and four soldiers in the Shabwa Defense Forces were injured by alleged US drone strikes in Al Musinaa in Shabwa governorate on June 15, 2023.

A tweet from @aboalfatl2019 reported that “leader” Abu Muhammad al-Shalwani al-Awlaki was killed by American drones in Shaab Madhab in the Musinaa area. @egl3000 identified Abu Muhammad as an Al Qaeda leader, and a tweet by @ywsfl56704748 added that an American drone had bombed Al Qaeda sites in Shabwa.

While the majority of sources attribute the casualties in Musinaa to an American drone, @egl3000 mentioned a clash with the Shabwa Defense Forces while @OrintJournal reported that four soldiers of the Shabwa Defense Forces were injured in a drone attack, making it possible that the drone strikes occurred during clashes between Al Qaeda and the Shabwa Defense Forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abu Muhammad Al-Shalwani Al-Awlaki, reportedly an Al Qaeda leader who was killed by alleged US drone strikes on June 17, 2023. (Image posted by @egl3000)

US Forces Assessment:

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

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM388

Incident date

June 11, 2023

Location

Bulo-Mohamed-Abdalla under Awdhigle district, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Airwars assessment

At least 19 al-Shabaab militants were killed by operations carried out by Somalia government forces and international partners in Bula-Mohamed-Abdalla village on June 11, 2023

Somali National News Agency (@SONNALIVE) announced that at least 19 al-Shabaab militants were killed by joint operations between the National Intelligence Service Agency and international allies in Bula-Mohamed-Abdalla village. In addition, vehicles and weapons were destroyed.

Other local and international sources provided similar details quoted from the Somali government sources, with @ZakeriyeAxmed added that they had not independently verified the claims.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    19

Sources (5) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Somali Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    19

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM387

Incident date

June 1, 2023

Location

in the vicinity of Wayanta, Lower Juba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Three al-Shabaab fighters were allegedly killed by declared US airstrikes in the vicinity of Wayanta, Somalia on June 1. There have been no reports of civilian harm at this time.

AFRICOM released a statement that “at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of the Somali National Army engagements against al Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike in the vicinity of Wayanta, Somalia on June 1. The initial assessment is that the strike, approximately 60 km southwest of Kismayo, killed three al Shabaab fighters. The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed.”

A tweet from reporter @HarunMaruf stated that prior to the release of the AFRICOM statement, Somalia state media reported that the US-trained Danab forces were present in the area conducting operations.

Task and Purpose News also quoted AFRICOM spokeswoman Kelly Cahalan who said that Somali troops were fighting against al-Shabaab militants at the time of the strike, and that no US service members were close to the strike. Cahalan declined to provide information on which type of U.S. military aircraft was involved or what ordnance was used.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (8) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of the Somali National Army engagements against al Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike in the vicinity of Wayanta, Somalia on June 1.

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of the Somali National Army engagements against al Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike in the vicinity of Wayanta, Somalia on June 1.

The initial assessment is that the strike, approximately 60 km southwest of Kismayo, killed three al Shabaab fighters.

The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has publicly stated that economic reform, social and political reconciliation, and religious tolerance are key pillars of his strategy to mobilize society against international terrorism. Military actions are just one part of the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to comprehensively address their security challenges.

The U.S. is one of several countries providing humanitarian aid, stabilization efforts, economic development, and military assistance to the Federal Government of Somalia in their ongoing campaign.

U.S. Africa Command is the defense arm of the U.S. whole-of-government approach with African partners -- diplomacy, development and defense. This three-pronged, or “3D” approach brings together multiple agencies from within the U.S. government to increase cooperation and support for partner-led, U.S.-enabled solutions to shared security challenges, including violent extremism or terrorism.

Somalia remains central to stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces train, advise, and assist partner forces to help give them the tools they need to defeat al-Shabaab, the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world.

U.S. Africa Command and partner forces will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command will continue to take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote greater security for all Africans. To view the U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Casualty reports, visit: https://www.africom.mil/what-we-do/airstrikes/civilian-casualty-report

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Published

May 2023

Written by

Airwars Staff

Annual report 2022

Airwars annual report for May 2022-May 2023.

The report outlines key highlights from the organisation’s research, investigations and advocacy departments over the time period, as well as strategic objectives and basic financial details.

It includes a foreword by Airwars’ director Emily Tripp, who took over at the beginning of the time period, and is designed to provide an overview of the how the different parts of the organisation overlap to achieve shared goals.

Annual report 2022