Small arms and light weapons – Airwars

The Civilian Harm Watchdog

Civilian Casualty Archive

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323 incidents

Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Anbar, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another near Anbar, Iraq. This was later confirmed to be a US action. As CJTFOIR's June 2019 civilian casualty report noted: "Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

15–16 March, 2019

Incident Code

Location

Jilib Marka, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A Mareeg Media report from March 16th 2019 asserted that US-backed Somali forces had carried out an "air and ground operation" near Marka Town in Jilib Marka, 91km southwest of Mogadishu. Citing anonymous Somali military officials, Mareeg said that "at least" 22 "militants" were killed in the operation, including 'senior al Shabaab commanders' Abu Yasin…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons, Unknown, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Huley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US Africa Command confirmed that it had carried out an airstrike on March 12th 2019 in the vicinity of Huley, Lower Shabelle Region. According to AFRICOM, the airstrike killed two "terrorists", and "at this time, it is assessed no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." In September 2019, the TRT World Research Centre…

Summary

Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

دار السلام, Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US conducted a confirmed airstrike on March 11th 2019 in the vicinity of Dara Salaam near Awdegle, Lower Shabelle Region, in "self-defense". AFRICOM stated at the time that the airstrike - which it said killed eight al Shabaab militants - "was conducted in support of Somali-led ground forces that came under attack from militants"…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown

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Incident Date

7–8 March, 2019

Incident Code

Location

Gamboole, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

According to local reports a US airstrike, carried out as part of a land and air operation, was conducted in the Gambole area killing up to eight alleged Al-Shabaab fighters on March 8th. Two civilians were also reportedly killed in the strike and four more injured, Voice of America said. According to Mareeg: "U.S. forces…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Unknown, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

17 February 2019

Incident Code

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria

Bread salesman Abdul Razzaq Mohammed from the village of Abu Juba was heading to work passing through Hadaj village when he was allegedly shot and hit by Coalition machine gun fire during Coalition operations in the village. Local sources reported he died of the injuries sustained in the strike. No other details are known at…

Summary

17 February 2019

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

11 February 2019

Incident Code

Location

Tuwaareey, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US Africa Command initially reported that it had carried out two airstrikes in the vicinity of Janaale in the lower Shabelle region. AFRICOM stated that "the first airstrike on February 11 had killed eight militants and the second airstrike killed four militants" with a total of 12 killed. AFRICOM added that "at this time, it…

Summary

11 February 2019

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown

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Incident Date

10–11 February, 2019

Incident Code

Location

Janaale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A joint night time operation at Janaale by Somali National Armed Forces and AFRICOM - including the reported landing of US forces - led to a number of al Shabaab casualties and possible damage to civilian homes. Although AFRICOM did not confirm the incident at the time, a later FOIA response did confirm the action.…

Summary

10 February 2019

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

6–7 February, 2019

Incident Code

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil - possibly Al-Khayasah neighborhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the house of Majid al-Salama in Al Shahil on the night of February 6th-7th. Baladi News blamed "US helicopters from the International Alliance, backed by high-flying jet fighters" for the airstrike. Other sources claim he was killed by gunfire. Three civilians were later admitted to have…

Summary

6 February 2019

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

2 February 2019

Incident Code

Location

Forsooley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A reported tweet from Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency - apparently since deleted - referred to a joint raid on February 2nd by Somali and US forces which was said to have killed 40 al Shabaab fighters. Goobjoog News, which picked up on the original tweet, said that "The National Intelligence and Security Agency…

Summary

2 February 2019

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

13 January 2019

Incident Code

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A house in the town of Al Soussa was struck by what sources described variously as a drone strike, airstrikes, artillery shelling, a rocket or a rocket-propelled grenade, killing two named brothers. Three of their other brothers were reported injured. Although one source implied the brothers were members of ISIS, this was not mentioned by…

Summary

13 January 2019

Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

3–4 January, 2019

Incident Code

Location

الكشكية, Al Khishkiya or Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

During an exchange of small arms fire, an alleged Coalition helicopter strike hit a civilian home in the town of Al-Kashkiya, east of Deir Al-Zour. Between six and ten civilians from the same family were reported killed, including women and children. In January 2020, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the deaths of nine civilians in…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

30 December 2018

Incident Code

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

A joint action by Somali troops and US Special Forces killed 30 al Shabaab militants including two foreign fighters, in the town of Jilib, according to a Somali National Army commander. Xinhua reported the following: "The Somali National Army (SNA) on Sunday killed 30 al-Shabab militants, including two foreign nationals, in the southern town of…

Summary

30 December 2018

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

21 September 2018

Incident Code

Location

50 km northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

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…

Summary

21 September 2018

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Local reporters alleged that US and Somali forces had killed four civilians including a mother and child, during an operation in Leego. Caasimada alleged that the civilians were killed around midnight, by Somali troops accompanied by 'white US officers', and claimed that the attacking forces had flown there from a military base to the north.…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Baar, Lower Juba, Somalia

An American Special Forces soldier was killed - later named as Staff Sergeant Alexander Conrad - and four others were wounded in an attack by al Shabaab fighters in Jubaland. A member of a partner force was also killed or injured. The US soldiers were among a large force of 800 Somali and Kenyan soldiers…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Khatuniya, Al Hassakah, Syria

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Khatuniya. The Pentagon later reported this to have been a US action. According to CJTFOIR's June 2019 civilian casualty report: "Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

9–10 May, 2018

Incident Code

Location

Bulcida Macalinka (northeast), Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Five civilians were reportedly killed in a US and/or Somali-waged ground operation - possibly also involving airpower - in the Lower Shabelle region, local and international media reported. The US denied allegations of harm on several occasions. The raid was reportedly carried out by Somalia commandos, with the US saying American troops supported the mission…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Local sources reported that 18 civilians were killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces near a cemetery in the city of Saqba, Damascus governorate, on March 20th, 2018. @AJA_Syria tweeted that "Syrian executed 18 civilians on the ground near the cemetery of the city of Saqba, Ghouta, Damascus." Other sources also reported that civilians…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

Russian Military

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Incident Date

18 January 2018

Incident Code

Location

Jameeco Jilyaale near Beled ul Amin, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US confirmed it had accompanied Somali troops in a mission that rescued 30 to 32 boys from an al Shabaab indoctrination centre in the Lower Shabelle region. However, during the rescue attempt, fire reportedly from Somali forces reportedly killed four or five children, and a teacher. A later US government FOIA response indicated that…

Summary

18 January 2018

Civilians reported killed

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

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

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

النجاد العذلان, Al Nijad Al Adhlan, Ma'rib, Yemen

Up to five civilians, including a fifteen-year-old boy and man over the age of 70, were reportedly killed in a US special forces ground operation in Al Khthala village, in the Al Jubah area of Marib governorate, beginning at around 1am on May 23rd 2017, though official US accounts of the raid claimed that there…

Summary

Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

البديع, Al Buday, Al Bayda, Yemen

US airstrikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Badi Al Awad district of Bayda governorate at around 3am on May 23rd 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources, including Yemeni security officials spoken with by the Associated Press, suggested that actions by US drones and helicopter gunships took place…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike (Drone Strike)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

4–5 May, 2017

Incident Code

Location

دار السلام, Andalus Radio, Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

In the first confirmed US kinetic operation since President Trump designated Somalia an active war zone in March 2017, one US Navy serviceman was killed and two or three others injured during an operation against al Shabaab in Somalia on May 5th (local time), the first declared American service member death in combat in the…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Shafa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that 16 civilians were killed and many were injured in Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes on Al-Shafaa neighbourhood in West Mosul. In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh mortar position. Regrettably, 16 civilians were unintentionally…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

الكرامة, Al Karama, Raqqa, Syria

Between seven and 23 civilians including six children died and 18 to 30 more, including women and children, were injured in Coalition airstrikes on Al Karama town and nearby villages in Raqqa governorate, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of Jum’a Mahmood Hamad Al-Hito “who was killed today due…

Summary

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

2–3 March, 2017

Incident Code

Location

وادي يشبم, Yashbum Valley, Shabwa, Yemen

Several sources reported that US airstrikes and ground forces targeted AQAP militants, including alleged leader Saad Atef, in the Yashbum Valley of al-Saeed district in Shabwa province, overnight from March 2nd-3rd 2017, following airstrikes in the same area early on March 2nd. There were multiple allegations of civilian harm as a result of heavy munitions…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Residential, Resources (Gas Facility), Agriculture (Factory)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that US forces were involved in a combined arms operation that took place at dawn on March 2nd 2017 in Mogan, al-Maraqisha directorate, Abyan governorate. The action was variously alleged to have included airstrikes, naval bombardment, and troop landings. Some sources claimed the operation was implemented in cooperation with Emirati special forces…

Summary

Naval bombardment, Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

حصن سعيد, Fort Saeed, Abyan, Yemen

Some sources reported that US forces were involved in a beach landing operation on Nakheela beach, on the al-Maraqisha coast, Abyan governorate, in the region of or near the village of Mogan, at dawn on March 2nd 2017. This raid allegedly took place in tandem with a reported combined arms operation, with which the US…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment, Airstrike (Drone Strike), Artillery

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

29 January 2017

Incident Code

Location

الغيل, al Ghayil, Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen

At least 15 civilians, including at least 10 children and four women, were reportedly killed in a US Navy special forces operation in al-Ghayil village, Yakla region of Bayda province - though the reported civilian toll varied considerably. The US military has to date conceded 12 deaths. A force of US Navy SEALs engaged in…

Summary

29 January 2017

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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