Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM146

Incident date

September 21, 2018

Location

50 km northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.059135, 42.209835 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US forces carried out a ‘self-defence strike’ against al Shabaab on September 21st approximately 50 km northwest of Kismayo and killing 18 al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command.

According to AFRICOM “The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess eighteen (18) terrorists were killed in the strike. Two (2) other terrorists were killed by Somali forces with small arms fire during the engagement. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.”

AP added more detail: “No U.S. or Somali forces were killed or injured in the attack, an AFRICOM spokesman, Nate Herring, told The Associated Press. The airstrike was carried out Friday in self-defense after extremists were ‘observed maneuvering on a combined patrol,’ while the U.S. also responded with ‘indirect fire,’ the spokesman said. The confrontation occurred about 31 miles northwest of the port city of Kismayo, the U.S. Africa Command statement said. Two other al-Shabab extremists were killed by Somali forces ‘with small arms fire during the engagement,’ it said.”

There are no known civilian harm allegations associated with this event.

In a possible match, SNA Radio  reported several days later that “#Somali National Army killed Foreigner senior #Alshabaab leader from #Afghanistan, whose name is identified Nasir Aljabiri and 18 others members of Al shabaab at #JilibMarka Town in Lower Shabelle region.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    18–20

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the area 50 kilometers northwest of the city Kismayo. The generic coordinates for this area are: -0.059135, 42.209835. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

"In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike in self-defense, targeting al-Shabaab militants 50 kilometers northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba Province, Somalia, September 21, 2018.

The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess eighteen (18) terrorists were killed in the strike. Two (2) other terrorists were killed by Somali forces with small arms fire during the engagement.

We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    18–20

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM145-C

Incident date

September 19, 2018

Location

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

1.637795, 42.452829 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three children were killed as up to 12 al Shabaab members were targeted and killed by a night time airstrike, local and international media reported – though it was unclear who was behind the attack.

Several senior al Shabaab officials were killed or wounded in an airstrike, Somalia intelligence officials reportedly said. The intelligence officials said the strike hit both a training school and nearby general hospital in Saakow, in the Middle Juba region.

According to Xinhua: “Independent sources confirmed the attack on al-Shabab militants in Sakow town, saying at least three children were killed in a school. A resident in Sakow town told Xinhua by phone that the warplane dropped four shells into the center of the town near the Jubba River there. ‘I cannot tell you the number of casualties in the airstrike here because I did not get out of my home since this morning, but shells were four that created big fear,” said the resident who asked for anonymity.'”

Hassan Yaqub, a longtime al Shabaab commander, was reportedly targeted in the action. The Somali Deputy Information Minister Adam Isak Ali said that Yaqub had been injured. Twelve members of the group were also killed, he said.

Meanwhile, Al Shabab said three children were killed in what it described as a drone attack, while a local elder told Mareeg also said at least three children died in the strike, which was confirmed it said by witnesses who contacted local radio stations.

Associated Press reported that several young recruits were killed. This suggests that the youngsters may instead have been child soldiers.

It was not clear who had carried out the strike, AP reported. US Africa Command said it had not carried out a strike since September 11th. Kenya also carried out strikes in Somalia at this time, as did Ethiopia. A local news site reported it as a Kenya strike.However, Kenya was also not thought to have precision night time strike capabilities at this time.

A statement from the Somali deputy information minister said only that the action was conducted by “international partners”.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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, Kenyan Military Forces, Ethiopian Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    12
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Damage at Saakow, reportedly the result of a night time air or drone strike on September 19th 2018
  • Damage at Saakow, reportedly the result of a night time air or drone strike on September 19th 2018
  • Damage at Saakow, reportedly the result of a night time air or drone strike on September 19th 2018
  • Damage at Saakow, reportedly the result of a night time air or drone strike on September 19th 2018
  • Al Shabaab image shows damage reportedly from a September 19th 2018 airstrike on Saakow.
  • Al Shabaab image shows damage reportedly from a September 19th 2018 airstrike on Saakow.
  • Al Shabaab image shows damage reportedly from a September 19th 2018 airstrike on Saakow.
  • Al Shabaab image shows damage reportedly from a September 19th 2018 airstrike on Saakow.
  • Bodies of two youths said to be students at a Qurani school at Saakow, killed in an airstrike by an unknown party on September 19th 2018 (Image via al Shabaab propaganda site)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted a school and nearby hospital in the town of Saakow (سااكوو). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to locate the school and hospital. The coordinates for the town of Saakow (سااكوو) are: 1.637795, 42.452829.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

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

Ethiopian Military Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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, Kenyan Military Forces, Ethiopian Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    12
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr180-C

Incident date

September 18, 2018

Location

العشار, Al Ashar, Al Bayda, Yemen

Geolocation

14.499999936, 45.09999993 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two Yemeni National Army soldiers, including a Colonel, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in Al Ashar, Yakla area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of September 18th 2018, according to multiple sources. Some however instead variously indicated that the strike killed two AQAP members, or two civilians.

In a later press release, US Central Command confirmed that a strike had targeted AQAP in Bayda on September 18th. Since there were no other known reported strikes at that time, this event is treated as confirmed.

Military sources told SMA News that Colonel Salem Abdullah Ahmad Al-Taysi, the commander of the second battalion of the local Radaa Brigade, and Ahmed Abbad Al-Taysi, variously described as a “companion” or “companion soldier”, were killed while travelling through the area in a car. According to several sources, including @BelqeesTV, Salmashad, and Yemeni News, the pair were reportedly on their way to meet the Chief of the General Staff in Marib governorate.

Others suggested that those killed were either civilians or AQAP members. Following the strike, a local source told Al-Masdar Online that the airstrike had killed two civilians from the Al-Taysi family as they drove in a car, reportedly on their way to Marib [note that this is the same family name as the Colonel, leaving open the possibility that his companion in the vehicle was a non combatant relative]. According to Hunaa Radaa, a local source also reported the deaths of civilians to Yemen Shabab. The original Yemen Shabab article could not however be found by Airwars.

Reprieve shared their findings on this strike with Airwars, which indicated that two members of the Al-Taysi family, also related to the Al-Ameri family previously targeted by multiple alleged US strikes, were killed while travelling to Marib. An on-the-ground investigator spoke with members of the same tribe as the victims, and saw pictures of those killed taken prior to the strike.

Two local-langage social-media sources, @akhbar and @alteef_news, instead claimed that those killed were AQAP members. AQAP forces have previously been reported to have fought alongside, and integrated into, pro-Hadi government forces.

While most suggested that the strike took place on September 18th, a few later reports suggested that it instead occurred on September 30th; this appears to reflect erroneous reporting of other sources.

It is worth noting that no US airstrikes were reported in Yemen between September 18th and November 2nd – perhaps indicative of a local partner backlash against the apparent killing of a senior commander.

In its annual civilian casualty report to Congress issued in April 2019, the US Department of Defense stated that it had assessed “no credible reports of civilian casualties resulting from US military actions in Yemen during 2018″.

Responding to Airwars’ publication of its Yemen dataset and accompanying report in October 2020, CENTCOM dismissed all but two civilian harm claims under President Trump, asserting that “USCENTCOM conducted a thorough review of the information AirWars provided regarding allegations of potential civilian harm caused by USCENTCOM strikes in Yemen from 2017-2020… The bulk of the information asserted by AirWars, however, did not correspond with dates and locations of U.S. military strikes or raids in Yemen.   Other AirWars allegations either did not allege civilian harm or were not assessed as credible upon our review.”

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The strike reportedly targeted two men of the Al-Taysi family as they travelled to Marib (Yemeni News, September 30th 2018)
  • Multiple sources suggested that those killed in the strike were members of the Yemeni National Army, including Colonel Salem Abdullah Ahmad Al-Taysi (Salmashad, September 30th 2018)
  • The strike reportedly took place in Al-Ashar area of Yakla, Bayda governorate (@belqeesTV, September 30th 2018)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the Al Ashar (العشار) area, allegedly in or around the village of Yakla (يكلاء), within the Wald Rabi (ولدربيع) district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Yakla are: 14.499999936, 45.09999993.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No reason given
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • Nov 5, 2020
  • Apr 29, 2019

  • C. U.S. military action in Yemen against al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and ISIS During 2018, U.S. forces deployed to Yemen continued to work towards disrupting and degrading the terrorist threat posed by AQAP and ISIS. U.S. forces conducted 36 airstrikes against AQAP and ISIS operatives and facilities in Yemen and supported United Arab Emirates and Yemen-led efforts to clear AQAP from Shabwah Governorate. DoD has no credible reports of civilian casualties resulting from U.S. military actions in Yemen during 2018.

  • Via email to Airwars: U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) continues to focus on ways to minimize civilian casualties during its military operations. We assess or review all reports of civilian casualties because such assessments or reviews help us identify ways to improve our operations and counter misinformation and propaganda. We routinely share the results of every one of our assessments in Department of Defense (DoD) reports to Congress, including annual reports, many of which are publicly available. We also share the results of our assessments or reviews with the public via the USCENTCOM website and our statements to the media. Individuals wishing to understand U.S. military operations in Yemen more fully should consult these official sources of information. USCENTCOM conducted a thorough review of the information AirWars provided regarding allegations of potential civilian harm caused by USCENTCOM strikes in Yemen from 2017-2020. Of the information AirWars provided, one strike on September 14, 2017, was assessed to have caused injuries to two civilians. Also, as previously released by USCENTCOM to the public in February 2017, USCENTCOM acknowledged there may have been civilian casualties during a raid on January 29, 2017. The bulk of the information asserted by AirWars, however, did not correspond with dates and locations of U.S. military strikes or raids in Yemen. Other AirWars allegations either did not allege civilian harm or were not assessed as credible upon our review. Consistent with our mission, our authorities, and our obligations under the law of war, USCENTCOM will continue to conduct military actions in Yemen when required to protect the Nation and our allies and partners from al Qa’ida and ISIS terror cells that are committed to inflicting terror. In every strike and raid, we take careful measures to minimize civilian harm and take responsibility for our actions. When our military operations result in reports of civilian harm, we will continue to assess the credibility of such reports to help us identify ways to improve our operations and respond as appropriate.

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command conducted two counterterrorism air strikes targeting al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen in September, bringing the total number of air strikes to 36. In October, there were zero air strikes.

September strikes include Sept. 9 in Abyan and Sept. 18 in Al-Bayda governorates.

"Despite a decline in counterterrorism air strikes against AQAP, they continue to pose a significant threat," said Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a USCENTCOM spokesman. "We remain vigilant and will continue to work by, with and through our regional partners to disrupt, deter and destroy AQAP."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1797

Incident date

September 13, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported a “massacre against civilians” after air and artillery strikes in the area of Sheikh Hamad in the town of Al Bagouz Fawqani. A hospital was also reported damaged or destroyed in the action.

Orient News reported “a large number of dead and wounded […] as a result of artillery and rocket fire and Coalition warplanes, especially on the Sheikh Hamad area in the town of Al-Baguz”. Halab Today said that “dozens of civilians” were killed and injured as a result of Coalition airstrikes.

Jisr TV reported “intensive artillery from the French and American international coalition.” Smart New Agency claimed that the shelling had struck a hospital, leading to the death of one civilian.

According to the media outlet, Al Bagouz was “subjected to dozens of raids and artillery shells and missiles, resulting in large-scale destruction”. The media outlet went on to say that the SDF was responsible for the attack, though it is Airwars’ understanding that only the Coalition had access to artillery at Deir Ezzor.

Additionally, Step News Agency stated in a tweet that six ISIS members were killed by air raids by the Coalition as they tried to advance to points controlled by the SDF near the Sheikh Hamad School in al Bagouz.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.46417, 40.94528

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al Baghouz Fawqani, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU7867215341
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Sept. 13, 2018, near al Baghouz Fawqani, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3187/SCS1797 37SFU7867215341

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reported the following: “On September 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal, 12 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, and destroyed nine ISIS supply routes, four ISIS fighting positions, one ISIS compound, one ISIS sentry location, one ISIS staging area and one ISIS counter battery fire and damaged one ISIS compound and suppressed two ISIS mortar firing points."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For the third consecutive week Dutch jets deployed weapons. Aircraft targeted ISIS storage units during 2 missions in Deir Ezzor governorate and near Abu Kamal. Between September 13th-18th, F-16s supported ground troops during 9 missions in DE and Iraq.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 19-09-2018 | 12:00 In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour en Irak. Er zijn 2 keer wapens ingezet in de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal. Logistieke opslagplaatsen van ISIS waren het doelwit. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 13 tot 18 september 2018. Afgelopen week maakte het kabinet bekend dat Nederland de bijdrage van F-16’s in de strijd tegen ISIS na 31 december niet verlengt.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Sept 12th-17th, France report that Task Force Wagram has carried out 22 artillery ‘firefights’ from Iraq this week. Aircraft conducted 19 sorties but there were no airstrikes.

‘CHAMMAL Cette semaine est marquée par le 4ème anniversaire de l’opération Chammal qui a débuté le 19 septembre 2014 et constitue la contribution française à l’opération Inherent Resolve regroupant 74 pays et 5 organisations internationales dans la lutte contre Daech. SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation n’a pas évolué de manière significative. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français n’a connu qu’une seule évolution, avec la relève du Chevalier Paul par la FREMM Auvergne en Méditerranée orientale. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate En appui de l’offensive lancée le lundi 10 septembre par les forces au sol dans la région de Hajine, la TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 22 missions de tirs cette semaine (bilan du 12 au 17 septembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1911 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Emirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech au sein de la coalition. La semaine dernière, ils ont réalisé 19 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 12 au 17 septembre inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8477 sorties / 1457 frappes / 2249 objectifs neutralisés. TF Monsabert et Narvik La Task Force Monsabert et la Task Force Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation au profit des forces irakiennes.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1796

Incident date

September 12, 2018

Location

الباغوزالباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that one or more civilians were killed and injured in a bombardment on Al Bagouz. One victim was specifically named.

Deir Ezzor 24 and the Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that a named adult civilian male Najem Hassan al-Saleem was killed by ‘SDF artillery shelling’ on the village. It is important to note that it is Airwars’ understanding that only the Coalition had access to artillery in Deir Ezzor. @Alahmed_nasser claimed in a tweet that in fact the French military was shelling the town with artillery.

Al Shaafa reported dead and wounded civilians as a result of “a hysterical artillery bombardment on the entire town of Bagouz”, but did not identify the culprit.

According to a Halab Today correspondent, the Coalition was instead responsible for “martyrs and wounded civilians as a result of air raids”. Step News Agency also noted that the “International Alliance launched several air raids targeted the town of Al-Bagouz”, though the outlet did not make mention of any civilian casualties.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Najem Hassan al-Saleem
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.46417, 40.94528

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al Baghouz Fawqani, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU7867215341
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Sept. 12, 2018, near al Baghouz Fawqani, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3186/CS1796 37SFU7867215341

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition stated that “On September 12 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes. Near Abu Kamal, 14 strikes [1 British?] engaged 11 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed seven ISIS supply routes and one ISIS command and control center."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Wednesday 12 September – a Reaper killed several terrorists in combat in eastern Syria…A Reaper supported the SDF on Wednesday 12 September as they mounted an offensive towards Abu Kamal, at the southern end of the one significant remaining pockets of Daesh-held territory in eastern Syria, near Hajin. Daesh fighters were observed in action on the outskirts of a village to the east of Abu Kamal, throwing grenades and firing a machine-gun. The terrorists took cover beneath the overhang of a building, but the Reaper’s crew were able to guide a Hellfire missile very accurately to strike them.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For the 2nd straight week, Dutch F-16s fired weapons on ISIS targets. The Dutch MoD reported that between September 6th-12th, jets targeted a weapon storage unit in one mission near Hajin. Aircraft supported ground troops in DE and Iraq in 9 missions.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 12-09-2018 | 12:00 In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour en Irak. Hier is tijdens 1 vlucht wapeninzet geweest in de buurt van Hajin. Hierbij is een wapenopslagplaats van ISIS aangevallen. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 6 tot 12 september.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Sept 12th-17th, France report that Task Force Wagram has carried out 22 artillery ‘firefights’ from Iraq this week. Aircraft conducted 19 sorties but there were no strikes.

‘CHAMMAL Cette semaine est marquée par le 4ème anniversaire de l’opération Chammal qui a débuté le 19 septembre 2014 et constitue la contribution française à l’opération Inherent Resolve regroupant 74 pays et 5 organisations internationales dans la lutte contre Daech. SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation n’a pas évolué de manière significative. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français n’a connu qu’une seule évolution, avec la relève du Chevalier Paul par la FREMM Auvergne en Méditerranée orientale. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate En appui de l’offensive lancée le lundi 10 septembre par les forces au sol dans la région de Hajine, la TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 22 missions de tirs cette semaine (bilan du 12 au 17 septembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1911 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Emirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech au sein de la coalition. La semaine dernière, ils ont réalisé 19 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 12 au 17 septembre inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8477 sorties / 1457 frappes / 2249 objectifs neutralisés. TF Monsabert et Narvik La Task Force Monsabert et la Task Force Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation au profit des forces irakiennes.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM144

Incident date

September 11, 2018

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

1.9172773, 44.7731843 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a US strike in Mubaraak, two al Shabaab militants were killed along with a combatant with US partner forces, a US statement asserted the following day. Members of al Shabaab and the partner forces were also left wounded.

US forces carried out a strike during a Somali partner forces-led operation against al­ Shabaab in the central Somali village of Mubaraak, west of the capital Mogadishu, Africa Command said in a press release:

“The US air strike was conducted against an enemy fighting position in self-defense after US and partner forces came under attack,” the press release stated. “We currently assess two terrorists were killed and one terrorist was wounded in the strike.”

AFRICOM said that it found no civilian casualties. During the operation however, one member of a partner force was killed and two others injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the village of Mubaraak (مبارك), for which the coordinates are: 1.9172773, 44.7731843. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

"U.S. forces conducted an airstrike during a Somali partner forces-led operation against al­ Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, September 11, 2018, in the central Somali village of Mubaraak, approximately 37 miles west of Mogadishu.

The U.S. airstrike was conducted against an enemy fighting position in self-defense after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess two (2) terrorists were killed and one (1) terrorist was wounded in the strike. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.

No U.S. personnel were injured or killed and all are accounted for following this operation. One (1) partner force member was killed in the operation and two (2) were wounded in action."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr179

Incident date

September 9, 2018

Location

وادي المرون, Wadi Al Maroun, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.438644632, 46.171223584 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four alleged AQAP militants, including a leadership figure, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike against a car in Wadi Al Maroun, in the Khabr, Al Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, on the morning of September 9th 2018.

A US strike against AQAP in Abyan on that date was confirmed in a later US Central Command press release. Given that there were no other known reported US strikes on that day, this event is treated as declared.  There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Multiple local-language news outlets, including Al-Aan, Mareb Press, and Al-Yemeny, indicated that AQAP leader Ali Shanna, also named as Sameh Al-Marmi and Sameh Al-Zanjibari, was killed in the strike. Ali Shanna was reported by these sources and others to have been a close associate of Jalal Baleedi, a top AQAP commander in Yemen before he was killed by a US drone strike in 2016.

Sources including Associated Press, The National, and academic Dr Elisabeth Kendall (@Dr_E_Kendall), further indicated that three other unidentified militants were killed in the strike alongside Ali Shanna.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (58) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in Wadi Al Maroun (وادي المرون), allegedly in the vicinity of Al Khabr (الخبر) town, south of the Jabal Al Maraqisha (جبل المراقشة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Khabr are: 13.438644632, 46.171223584.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in Wadi Al Maroun (وادي المرون), allegedly in the vicinity of Al Khabr (الخبر) town, south of the Jabal Al Maraqisha (جبل المراقشة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command conducted two counterterrorism air strikes targeting al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen in September, bringing the total number of air strikes to 36. In October, there were zero air strikes.

September strikes include Sept. 9 in Abyan and Sept. 18 in Al-Bayda governorates.

"Despite a decline in counterterrorism air strikes against AQAP, they continue to pose a significant threat," said Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a USCENTCOM spokesman. "We remain vigilant and will continue to work by, with and through our regional partners to disrupt, deter and destroy AQAP."

-30-

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (58) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R3342

Incident date

September 8, 2018

Location

قلعة المضيق, Qal'et al Madiq, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Qal’at Al madiq in Idlib on September 8th, 2018 according to local sources. Two of the victims were identified as Naser Hashoum and Muhammad al-Sheikh. Albasaer newspaper said that one of the victims died as a result of wounds sustained earlier “as a result of the artillery shelling that struck the town of Qal`eat Al-Madiq in the western countryside of Hama.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said ” Three civilians were killed as Syrian period artillery fired several shells on Qal’et al Madiq town in Hama governor northwestern suburbs, on September 8th.”

Many of the sources blamed the Syrian regime for this incident, like @hamanewscenter that tweeted “A martyr and a number of wounded civilians, due to artillery and missile shelling by the regime’s militia stationed in the village of Hayaleen and the surrounding checkpoints on the town of Qal`eat Al-Madiq, west of Hama.”

@HamahNow said that artillery and rocket launchers shelling targeted the city of Qal`eat Al-Madiq, west of Hama.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nasser Hashoum ناصر هشوم
Adult killed
Muhammad al-Sheikh محمد الشيخ
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Nasser Hashoum was killed in alleged artillery shelling on Qal'at Al Madiq on Sep 8th, 2018 (Ahmad Alhashoum)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]