US Forces in Yemen

Mabkhout Ali al Ameri with his 18-month old son Mohammed, shortly after a botched US raid on al Ghayil in January 2017 had killed at least 20 villagers, including Mohammed's mother Fatim Saleh Mohsen. © Iona Craig

Belligerent
US Forces
Country
Somalia
Afghanistan
Iraq
Libya
Pakistan
Syria
Turkey
Yemen
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Strike Status
Strike Type
Infrastructure

Incident Code

USSOM344

Incident date

October 7, 2021

Location

Garbahaarey, Gedo, Somalia

Geolocation

3.329517, 42.219786 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of casualties among militants resulted from alleged Somalia forces with the assistance of US airstrikes/drone strikes on October 7, 2021.

Harun Maruf a journalist with Voice of America reported that the Somali military in collaboration with international security partners carried out airstrikes on four militant camps, destroying them. At the time there was no comment from @USAfricaCommand on the strikes.

Garowe Online added that there were casualties among militants without giving specific numbers. The other sources that reported on the strikes did not mention casualties.

Evelyn Tremble tweeted that “strikes most likely carried out by #USA military drones deployed in the region”.

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 attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention camps being struck in the vicinity of Garbahaarrey (غاربهاارآي) town. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Garbahaarrey are: 3.329517, 42.219786.

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
    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 attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM374

Incident date

February 15–16, 2023

Location

Iji and Afad, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

3.182270, 45.542860 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

3.597604, 45.676374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

More than 272 al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed and others were injured by Somali forces and “international partner” airstrikes or ground operations in Iji and Afad villages near Jalalaqsi district on February 15-16, 2023.

Hiraan Online News reported that “unidentified drones” bombed villages in the Hiraan region on as part of clashes between Somali government forces and al-Shabaab. Residents told Hiraan Online that fighting started in Iji and Afad villages near Jalalaqsi district on Wednesday and that Somalia government forces announced that they had seized control of Afad village.

Voice of America (VOA) quoted Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Adala who said that “The Somali National Army with the help of the local clan forces and international partners killed over 200 al-Shabab terrorists in the Iji area alone, about 23 kilometers from the Mahaday district in the Middle Shabelle region on Thursday. Also, the joint forces recovered weapons and supplies of medicine and foodstuff from the militants.” Adala added that four militant commanders were among those killed and a number of others were injured, and taken into custody.

The deputy security chief of Jalalaqsi town told VOA that “The joint forces responding to the militants’ movement launched military operations in which 72 militants were killed, and weapons were seized” in Afad village area.

AFRICOM announced airstrikes in a different region near Bacadweyne on February 15th that resulted in the death of 5 al-Shabaab militants.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    72–272
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Iji and Afad. The generic coordinates for Iji are: 3.182270, 45.542860. The generic coordinates for Afad are: 3.597604, 45.676374. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    72–272
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM402

Incident date

September 2, 2023

Location

Xerta Sheikh Mohamed Rage Center, about 500 meters south of Dumaaye village, Mudug, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Somali state media reported that 167 al-Shabaab militants were killed by Somali airstrikes in collaboration with “international partners” near Harardhere town on September 2, 2023. al-Shabaab instead identified those killed as four inmates in a prison, adding that seven others were injured, while a local source attributed the airstrike to the US military.

@HarunMaruf quoted the Somalia interior and federal affairs minister @AhmedMoFiqi who reported that an al-Shabaab base near Harardhere town has been targeted while another source identified airstrikes as being used in the targeting. @HarunMaruf also quoted state media which reported that the strike was in collaboration with “international partners” and killed “many terrorists and their leaders” while al-Shabaab media reported that the strike hit a prison killing 4 inmates, and injuring 7 others, 3 of them seriously. The Somali government later claimed that 167 militants were killed in the airstrike, a number which was not independently verified.

Goobjoog News identified the airstrike as being carried out by the US, according to military sources, and identified the target of the strikes as a forest in Dumaye area where al-Shabaab militants were gathering.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (0–4 other protected persons)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–167

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (0–4 other protected persons)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–167

Incident Code

USSOM355

Incident date

November 3, 2022

Location

near the villages of Cadale, Mora-Erri, Garas Magan, and El Hareeri, Hiiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

2.760694, 46.322374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and 200 al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared US airstrikes in support of Somali forces and/or Somali ground operations near the villages of Cadale, Mora-Erri, Garas Magan, and El Hareeri on November 3, 2022.

AFRICOM released a statement two days later, on November 5th, that “In support of the Federal Government of Somalia’s ongoing operations against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Cadale, Somalia, on Nov. 3, 2022. The command’s initial assessment is that the Somalia National Army-requested strike killed 15 attacking al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Hiiraan Online News reported that “Abdullahi Ali Anod, a spokesman for the defence ministry told reporters in Mogadishu that 100 al-Shabab fighters were killed during the “intense operation” in the Garas Magan and El Hareeri villages of the Hiran region and that drones were striking the militants during the fight. Another member of the Somali military, Major Ahmed Abdullahi Beeryare, commander of the 16th battalion of the US-trained Danab commandos, told local media in Hiiiraan that “the number of al-Shabab fatalities could be as high as 200.” Hiiraan added that new organizations had not yet verified the government casualty claims.

Reuters reported that al-Shabaab stated that they killed dozens of Somali army soldiers and macawisley fighters during clashes with the army and that eight of their own fighters were killed by US airstrikes. Reuters also mentioned that the Somali national army posted photographs of the bodies of alleged al-Shabaab fighters on their Telegram channel.

The US airstrike came as Somali Armed Forces were advancing to Adanyabal, an al-Shabaab stronghold, after Somali troops took over Qura’dhere and Habal-Hussein villages that same day, according to @dhoorebbc.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • 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
    8–200

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Cadale, for which the generic coordinates are: 2.760694, 46.322374. Due to limited satellite imagery and information 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

In support of the Federal Government of Somalia’s ongoing operations against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Cadale, Somalia, on Nov. 3, 2022.
The command’s initial assessment is that the Somalia National Army-requested strike killed 15 attacking al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.
U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.
Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack partner and U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests.
Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the 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.
U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • 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
    8–200

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM382

Incident date

April 20, 2023

Location

between Ugunji and Mubarak villages, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

1.873068, 44.721608 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

1.916810, 44.772570 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 20 al-Shabaab militants were killed and “dozens” of others were injured by an operation carried out by the Somali government and international security partners between the Ugunji and Mubarak areas of Lower Shabelle region on April 20, 2023.

The National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA) announced that 20 al-Shabaab militants, including a ring leader, were killed in a planned operation carried out by the NISA and international security partners between the Ugunji and Mubarak areas of Lower Shabelle region. The statement added that the targeted al-Shabaab members had been organizing themselves in a forest area at the time of the operation and that some of the militants escaped.

According to Voice of America, NISA also announced that “dozens” of other al-Shabaab members were injured in the operation.

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
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a forested area between the village of Ugunji and the town of Mubarak. The generic coordinates for Ugunji are: 1.873068, 44.721608. The generic coordinates for Mubarak are: 1.916810, 44.772570. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Somali Military Forces 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, 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
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi015

Incident date

February 24, 2024

Location

شامير, Shamir, Taiz Governorate, Yemen

Geolocation

13.681626, 43.703559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and between six and seven others, including at least one child, were injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes on a telecommunications site in the Shamir area in the Maqbanah District on February 24, 2024.

Anadolu Agency quoted the Houthi Al-Masirah satellite channel which reported that “a citizen (civilian) was killed and 6 others, all from one family, were injured, as a result of the US-British aggression’s air strikes on the Shamir area in the Maqbana District in Taiz Governorate.” The Yemen Data Project reported that in addition to the civilian who was killed, seven others were injured.

The Human Rights Office in Taiz Governorate condemned the “American-British aggression coalition aircraft carried out this morning” which struck “the communications network in the Al-Aqhouz area”. The Human Rights Office and the Insan Organization for Rights and Liberties also provided the names of the victims. Saber Muhammad Amin Ghalib, between 22-25 years old, was killed and six others were injured: Rafiq Abdullah Muhammad Hassan, 16-18 years old, various body parts; Watheq Abdullah Amin Ghalib, 25-28 years old, seriously injured; Abdel Samad Muhammad Ahmed Ghaleb, 15 years old, fracture of the right foot; Hammam Fayed Amir Ghalib, 32-41 years old, various body parts; Ahmed Muhammad Ahmed Ghaleb, 23 years old, various body parts; Saqr Hamid Hamid Ghalib, 22-24 years old, various body parts.

US Central Command released a statement that “at approximately 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen….The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one- way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter.”

The UK Ministry of Defence announced: “Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager tankers, again participated in a deliberate coalition strike on Saturday 24 February against Houthi military facilities in Yemen which had been conducting missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. The RAF aircraft were allocated multiple targets located at two sites. Intelligence analysis had successfully identified several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions, at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles north-east of Sanaa. Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, notwithstanding the Houthis’ use of the old missile battery revetments to try to protect the drones.”

It is unclear if the US and/or UK statements are the same strikes which hit the Shamir area as the US and UK military did not provide a location.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Saber Muhammad Amir Ghaleb صابر محمد امين غالب
22-25 years old killed
Watheq Abdullah Amin Ghalib وثيق عبدالله امين غالب
25-28 years old injured
Abdel Samad Muhammad Ahmed Ghaleb عبدالصمد محمد احمد غالب
15 years old injured
Hammam Fayed Amir Ghalib همام فايد امير غالب
32-41 years old injured
Ahmed Muhammad Ahmed Ghaleb احمد محمد احمد غالب
23 years old injured
Saqr Hamid Hamid Ghalib صقر حميد حامد غالب
22-24 years old injured

The victims were named as:

Rafiq Abdullah Muhammad Hassan رفيق عبدالله محمد حسان
16-18 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Power Station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Human rights office in Taizz
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Human rights office in Taizz
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Human rights office in Taizz
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Guardiannews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Guardiannews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @grantshapps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Shamir area (معان), potentially related to Shamir Alkadh (شمير القادح), allegedly located northwest of the Maqbanah district (مديرية مقبنة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to find boundaries for the area and to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Samir Alkadh are: 13.681626, 43.703559.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 24, at approximately 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. These strikes from this multilateral coalition targeted areas used by the Houthis to attack international merchant vessels and naval ships in the region. Illegal Houthi attacks have disrupted humanitarian aid bound for Yemen, harmed Middle Eastern economies, and caused environmental damage.
The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one- way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter. These strikes are intended to degrade Houthi capability and disrupt their continued reckless and unlawful attacks on international commercial and U.S. and U.K. vessels in the Red Sea, Bab AI-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
The goal of this multi-national effort is to defend ourselves, our partners, and allies in the region and restore freedom of navigation by destroying Houthi capabilities used to threaten U.S. and partner forces in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. These strikes are separate and distinct from the multinational freedom of navigation actions performed under Operation Prosperity Guardian.

UK Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

UK Military

Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager tankers, again participated in a deliberate coalition strike on Saturday 24 February against Houthi military facilities in Yemen which had been conducting missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

The RAF aircraft were allocated multiple targets located at two sites.
Intelligence analysis had successfully identified several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions, at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles north-east of Sanaa. Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, notwithstanding the Houthis’ use of the old missile battery revetments to try to protect the drones.
Previous RAF strikes, on 11 January and 3 February, had already successfully destroyed a number of buildings used to support drone and cruise missile operations at Bani, some fifteen miles west of Abbs airfield in north-western Yemen. Additional buildings at the Bani site had subsequently been confirmed as also being involved in the drone and missile activities there and were therefore targeted during this latest strike.
In planning the strikes, as is normal practice with such RAF operations, the greatest possible care was taken to minimise any risk of civilian casualties.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Power Station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM340

Incident date

July 25, 2021

Location

Between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district, Galmudug, Somalia

Geolocation

4.82888, 47.923205 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The US conducted its second airstrike within four days against Al Shabab fighters in the Qay’ad area between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district on July 23, 2021 at 10:21AM.

According to Morad News, the US airstrike was in support of Somali forces involved in fighting with Al Shabab fighters as they were trying to capture Qay’ad.

The Somali Ministry of Information released a statement that “at 10:21 in Galmudug state between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district an airstrike has crippled the al-Shabaab terrorist. The precision strike only destroyed al-Shabaab fighters and weapons with zero civilian casualties.”

The US confirmed that it carried out the strike. AFRICOM released a statement saying “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab in the vicinity of Qeycad, Galmudug, Somalia today. There were no U.S. forces accompanying Somali forces during this operation. U.S. forces were conducting a remote advise and assist mission in support of designated Somali partner forces.”

@jseldin, correspondent for Voice of America, reported that “@PentagonPresSec tells @VOANews’s @CarlaBabbVOA, other reporters traveling w/@SecDef that like Tuesday’s strike, US troops executed the strike while working w/Somali forces remotely.”

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told VOA and other reporters traveling aboard a US military aircraft with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Friday’s strike was carried out in support of Somali forces near the village of Qeycad. He said the strike was permitted by the powers granted by the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Kirby added that just as with the earlier airstrike that week, US troops were not on the ground with Somali forces but were conducting a remote advise-and-assist mission. Further information was not provided because of “operational security.”

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin further justified the need for the strikes in a statement that asserted: “Most recently what’s happened is our partner forces have increased their op[erational] tempo, and they have been pushing back on al-Shabab in a more significant way,” Austin told reporters traveling with him to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. “The result of that is some engagements that were fairly intense, and we conducted those strikes to support our partner forces,” he added.

The Hill pointed out that while the authority to carry out the strike on July 20th was justified by U.S. Africa Command chief Gen. Stephen Townsend’s “existing authorities to act in the defense of our Somali partners, who were under attack by al Shabaab,” the strike on July 23rd was permitted by the AUMF.

Reuters also quoted several lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who leads a key Senate foreign relations subcommittee, [who] criticized the Pentagon for carrying out the strikes even when no US forces were in danger. “It’s time to do away with questionable legal justifications claimed by one administration after the next for acts of war like this,” Murphy said in a statement.

The incident occured at 10:21:00 local time.

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
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A statement released by the Somali Ministry of Information about the US airstrike near Qaycad on July 25, 2021.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area between the town of Qeycad and the boundary of Xarardheere district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these two locations are: 4.82888, 47.923205.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

n coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab in the vicinity of Qeycad, Galmudug, Somalia today. There were no U.S. forces accompanying Somali forces during this operation. U.S. forces were conducting a remote advise and assist mission in support of designated Somali partner forces. U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in support of combatant commander-designated partner forces under the 2001 Authorization of Use for Military Force.

The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed given the remote nature of where this engagement occurred.

“The engagement was conducted to support our Somali partners who were taking significant fire from al-Shabaab fighters,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Greg Anderson, U.S. Africa Command, director of operations.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. These efforts contrast with the indiscriminate attacks that al-Shabaab regularly conducts against the civilian population.

The Federal Government of Somalia and the U.S. remain committed to fighting al-Shabaab to prevent the deaths of innocent men, women and children.

Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to U.S. and regional interests.

Due to operational security U.S. Africa Command is unable to release further information at this time.

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
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM365

Incident date

January 9, 2023

Location

Hawadley, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

2.582890, 45.489100 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 61 al-Shabaab militants were killed and dozens of others were wounded by alleged US drone strikes/Somali army operations near Hawadlay on January 9, 2022.

Anadolu Agency reported that according to the Somali Information Ministry, at least 61 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and dozens others were wounded by an operation carried out by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and “international partners.” Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf al-Adalla was quoted by Anadolu Agency as saying that 150 al-Shabaab forces were planning to bomb government forces in Hawadlay when Somali forces attacked.

@SONNALIVE added that 2 VBIEDs were also destroyed by Somali forces and international partners at farmland in Hawadlay village.

Horn Sentinel attributed the casualties to US drone strikes that struck a convoy of “two heavily loaded VBIEDs that detonated after the drone missiles hit.” According to Horn Sentinel, the US drone strikes killed 50 al-Shabaab fighters and destroyed their convoy of “heavy battle wagons” while pointing out that though the Somali government claimed that the NISA was involved, sources in the Galmudug government confirmed there was no NISA involvement.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    60–61
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Location of Somali and international partner operations near Hawadley on January 9, 2023. (Image posted by Anadolu Agency)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hawadley, for which the generic coordinates are: 2.582890, 45.489100. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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, Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    60–61
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (8) [ collapse]