Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

LC328

Incident date

March 27, 2020

Location

بوقرين, Abugrein, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

31.445278, 15.25443 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two paramedics were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Abugrein.

Libya Alahrar TV said: “Urgent: Media Adviser to the Ministry of Health, Lamine Al-Hashemi: Two paramedics were wounded and an ambulance was destroyed in the Abugrein area due to shelling of Haftar militias”

The Libya Observer wrote: “The Crisis and Emergency Committee of the Ministry of Health has condemned in its strongest terms the targeting of a medical team on Friday in the Abu Qurain area near Sirte.

The attack resulted in the injury of several paramedics and destroyed an ambulance, according to the committee, describing it as ‘an immoral attack’.

The head of the Crisis and Emergency Committee at the Ministry of Health, Fawzi Onis, stressed that such offensives, which violate all domestic and international laws will be added to the record of attacks on the health sector and its workers since the start of the aggression against Tripoli.

‘These actions put medical staff and paramedics at risk and adds to the suffering of the sick and the injured,’ Onis explained.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ambulance allegedly damaged by LNA shelling on Abugrein on March 27th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abugrein (بوقرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.445278, 15.25443. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-103

Incident date

June 4, 2011

Location

نالوت‎, Nalut, Libya

Geolocation

31.873316, 10.976744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 14 civilians were reportedly injured by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on Nalut.

Libya Women tweeted: “The Gaddafi Brigades carried out rocket and mortar bombardments on the town of Nalut and the number of wounded was 10.”

Later it published another post saying the number of wounded had risen to 14. Other sources posted similar numbers.

17 Feb 2011 uploaded a video to Youtube showing victims, with some of them in military style uniforms.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5–7

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the alleged victims

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Nalut (نالوت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.873316, 10.976744. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5–7

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM307-C

Incident date

April 10, 2020

Location

Kamsuuma, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.249699, 42.780173 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One elderly civilian, claimed by al Shabaab to be a tribal elder, was allegedly killed by a US airstrike in Kamsuuma. The US later pushed back heavily against the claim, insisting the victim was a terrorist.

AFRICOM initially described the action – which it said killed one al Shabaab fighter – as a response to US and partner forces coming under fire on the ground, noting “a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged U.S. partner forces, Somali National Army Danab, and Jubaland Security Force.”

Local media – some with pro Shabaab leanings – claimed the victim of the strike was a civilian. Halgan Media reported: “Confirmed reports reaching the Halgan Media service desk reveal suspected US drones bombed the Al Shabaab controlled town of Kabsumma in the Lower Jubba province of Somalia. Local media reports surfacing from Somalia’s Jubba Valley reveal unmanned drones fired a series of missiles on the town, which fatally struck a motorist. It’s being revealed the motorist died instantly in the drone strike. The victim has been identified as a local clan elder named Abbas Mohamed Haji. It’s not clear at the moment whether there are any more victims from the strike.”

Morad News said: “Reports of US drone strike in the outskirt of Kabsuuma town in Somalia’s Lower Jubba region. Prominent clan elder, Suldaan Abaas Mahamed Haji, Suldan of Jareerwene clan killed while riding on his motorbike”

AFRICOM itself declared two strikes in the area on April 9th and 10th: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged U.S. partner forces, Somali National Army Danab, and Jubaland Security Force, near Kobon, Somalia, Apr. 9. The command also conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, Apr. 10. The command’s initial assessment concluded the Apr. 9 airstrike killed ten (10) terrorists and that the Apr. 10 airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. U.S. Africa Command currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of these airstrikes.”

The press release of the Somali Ministry of Information revealed more on the location of the April 9th strike, which it said was conducted “in the vicinity of Koban between Jammaamme and Jilib Districts.” Kamsuuma is located between those two.

AFRICOM later overtly refuted claims of civilian harm in a detailed statement issued five days after the attack: “Immediately prior to the airstrike, this al-Shabaab terrorist displayed the murdered bodies of Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers in a village. Following this act of coercion and intimidation, the al-Shabaab terrorist departed the village. Once isolated in a remote and secluded area, the terrorist was killed by an airstrike executed by the command in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.

“‘This was no innocent civilian. This was a purposeful and heinous act. It was a war crime by an al-Shabaab terrorist who desecrated bodies to scare and intimidate innocent Somalis into submission,’ said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler, U.S. Africa Command director of operations. ‘This terrorist posed with al-Shabaab flags prominently displayed in the background as Somalis of all ages were exposed to his gruesome public display.’

“One of the two outlets falsely reporting civilian casualties is al-Shabaab associated news affiliate SomaliMemo. Weakened by sustained military operations led by the SNA and AMISOM forces, al-Shabaab is increasingly relying on lies and propaganda, including releasing gruesome pictures of unverified civilian casualties, in an effort to grab media attention, as well as deceive the Somali public.”

AFRICOM later reiterated the statement: “Immediately prior to the strike, the al-Shabaab member displayed the murdered bodies of SNA soldiers, posing with al-Shabaab flags prominently displayed in the background. This was in an area where al-Shabaab had previously conducted executions and displayed deceased SNA soldiers. The al-Shabaab member then departed the village and the strike was conducted in a remote area where the effects were confirmed to be limited to the individual. It is assessed with a high degree of confidence that no civilian casualties occurred as a result of U.S. military action.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Suldaan Abaas Mahamed Haji
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Suldaan Abaas Mahamed Haji, allegedly killed by a US strike on Kamsuuma on April 9th or 10th (via Morad News)
  • Funeral of Suldaan Abaas Mahamed Haji, allegedly killed by a US strike on Kamsuuma on April 9th or 10th (via Halgan Media)
  • Funeral of Suldaan Abaas Mahamed Haji, allegedly killed by a US strike on Kamsuuma on April 9th or 10th (via Halgan Media)
  • Funeral of Suldaan Abaas Mahamed Haji, allegedly killed by a US strike on Kamsuuma on April 9th or 10th (via Halgan Media)
  • Funeral of Suldaan Abaas Mahamed Haji, allegedly killed by a US strike on Kamsuuma on April 9th or 10th (via Morad News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention strikes in the vicinity of Kamsuuma, for which the generic coordinates are: 0.249699, 42.780173. 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
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • Jul 28, 2020
  • Apr 15, 2020

  • U.S Africa Command is aware of two news affiliates alleging an innocent civilian was killed as a result of the command’s precision airstrike in the vicinity of Jamaame, Somalia, on Apr. 10, 2020. These allegations are based on al-Shabaab propaganda and are false. The terrorist that was killed in the Apr. 10 airstrike was an al-Shabaab member complicit in the murder of at least six innocent Somalis. Immediately prior to the airstrike, this al-Shabaab terrorist displayed the murdered bodies of Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers in a village. Following this act of coercion and intimidation, the al-Shabaab terrorist departed the village. Once isolated in a remote and secluded area, the terrorist was killed by an airstrike executed by the command in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia. “This was no innocent civilian. This was a purposeful and heinous act. It was a war crime by an al-Shabaab terrorist who desecrated bodies to scare and intimidate innocent Somalis into submission,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler, U.S. Africa Command director of operations. "This terrorist posed with al-Shabaab flags prominently displayed in the background as Somalis of all ages were exposed to his gruesome public display.” One of the two outlets falsely reporting civilian casualties is al-Shabaab associated news affiliate SomaliMemo. Weakened by sustained military operations led by the SNA and AMISOM forces, al-Shabaab is increasingly relying on lies and propaganda, including releasing gruesome pictures of unverified civilian casualties, in an effort to grab media attention, as well as deceive the Somali public.

  • April 11, 2020 (Unsubstantiated) USAFRICOM received two allegations from an online media source and social media account claiming one (1) civilian was killed as a result of a U.S. airstrike in the vicinity of Jamaame, Somalia, on April 10, 2020. After review, the allegations were assessed to be unsubstantiated. On April 10, 2020 an airstrike was executed on an al-Shabaab member complicit in the murder of at least six Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers. Immediately prior to the strike, the al-Shabaab member displayed the murdered bodies of SNA soldiers, posing with al-Shabaab flags prominently displayed in the background. This was in an area where al-Shabaab had previously conducted executions and displayed deceased SNA soldiers. The al-Shabaab member then departed the village and the strike was conducted in a remote area where the effects were confirmed to be limited to the individual. It is assessed with a high degree of confidence that no civilian casualties occurred as a result of U.S. military action.

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged U.S. partner forces, Somali National Army Danab, and Jubaland Security Force, near Kobon, Somalia, Apr. 9.
The command also conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, Apr. 10.
Somali security forces continue to lead operations alongside African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces to increase security and seize ground from al-Shabaab.
"Our assistance continues to build on the gains our partners are making," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Miguel Castellanos, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command. "The SNA and African partners on the ground keep hitting al-Shabaab hard, and it's having an effect on the al-Shabaab terror network."
The command's initial assessment concluded the Apr. 9 airstrike killed ten (10) terrorists and that the Apr. 10 airstrike killed one (1) terrorist.
U.S. Africa Command currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of these airstrikes.
U.S. Africa Command and our international partners recognize that stability in Somalia will not be achieved through purely military means. It requires providing programs and opportunity for the Somali people.
In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people, including partnered military counterterrorism operations with the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali National Army forces. Together with the partner and allied forces, U.S. Africa Command works on a daily basis to improve security conditions to enhance governance and economic development.
U.S. Africa Command continues to work with its Somali partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM040-B

Incident date

October 5, 2011

Location

زنجبار‎, Al Arqoub, east of Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.194872, 45.446574 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 10 militants, reportedly members of Al Qaeda, were killed and seven more were wounded in a US strike or strikes on Arqoub, east of Zinjibar on October 5, 2011, sources said. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm.

The strike reportedly targeted alleged militant hideouts in al Arqoub, east of Zinjibar, the embattled provincial capital of Abyan in southern Yemen. Officials told the Associated Press that the strike killed five militants and injured seven.

The Long War Journal stated that the exact target of the strikes was not disclosed, and no “senior Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula leaders have been reported killed”.

According to the New York Times, “A strike by an American drone on Wednesday [Oct 5th] killed five militants connected with Al Qaeda in southern Yemen, officials said. A Yemeni official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to comply with military rules, said the drone attacked militant hide-outs in an area east of the city of Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan Province”.

The Yemen Observer said “the drone strike in Abyan killed five and injured seven”. The highest casualty count was provided by @abyanboard, which reported that 10 Yemeni militants were killed.

All of the sources reported that the United States was responsible for the drone strike.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–10
  • Belligerents reported injured
    7

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Arqoub east of the town Zinjibar (زنجبار‎), in the Abyan (أبين‎) governorate. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available, Airwars wasn’t able to locate the Al Arqoub area. The generic coordinates for the area east of Zinjibar (زنجبار‎) are: 13.194872, 45.446574.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–10
  • Belligerents reported injured
    7

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC365

Incident date

April 23, 2020

Location

أربع شوارع زويته, Al Zuwaita Junction, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.81663, 13.267043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by indiscriminate artillery selling on Ain Zara.

Al Wasat wrote: “A spokesman for the ambulance and emergency services, Osama Ali, announced the death of a citizen as a result of a shrapnel wound when ‘shells fell on a house in Zuwita Street in Ain Zara’ in the capital, Tripoli, on Thursday evening.

Ali said that ambulances are still at the scene, pointing out that the Ain Zara ambulance team, supported by the emergency team, joined and appealed to citizens to stay away from balconies and patios.

The spokesman for the ambulance service announced earlier Thursday, that a number of shells had fallen on Zuwita Street in the Ain Zara area of ​​the capital, Tripoli, which caused the fire, and issued an urgent appeal to the civil protection to move quickly to control the fire.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center said two people were killed and one injured

Libya Alahrar TV later reported: “The media advisor to the Ministry of Health, Al-Amin Al-Hashemi, reported the death of three citizens and the wounding of three others, including a foreign expatriate from Niger, as a result of several shells falling on the “four streets of Zuwita” in Ain Zara on Thursday night.

Local reports of shelling point at GNA or LNA as the culprit.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Khalifa Mukhtar Al-Jarnazi
Adult male killed
Ahmad Muhammad al-Jarbi
Adult male killed
Musa Ismail
Adult female Nigerien injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Damaged building after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damaged car after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damaged car after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damaged building after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damaged car after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Destroyed car after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Damaged car after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Damaged car after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Damaged building after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Damaged building after indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via FMSC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Victim of indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara on April 23rd, 2020 (via FMSC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Zuwaita Junction (أربع شوارع زويته), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.815761, 13.300764. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM078-B

Incident date

May 12, 2012

Location

عين, Al Ain district, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.928287, 45.600437 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A possible third US drone strike on May 12th 2012 struck an alleged al Qaeda hideout in Al-Aeen area in central Shabwa, killing at least six militants, reports said. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm.

A local security official told Xinhua about the incident and claimed it was a U.S. drone strike. Xinhua was the only source that mentioned this incident as separate from the other incidents on the same day (USYEM076-B and USYEM077-B).

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the district of Ain (or Aeen) (عين) in the province of Shabwa (شبوة‎). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the district Ain (عين) are: 14.928287, 45.600437.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC105a

Incident date

April 6, 2019

Location

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.743819, 13.357047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian doctor was allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie.

Al Wasat said: “The field medicine center mourned the doctor Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, who was killed in the clashes areas south of Tripoli.

The field medicine center said, Saturday, ‘The field medicine and support center mourns the martyr of duty Dr. Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, who was martyred this morning Saturday while fulfilling his national and humanitarian duty to save the wounded and injured in the clashes that have taken place in the suburbs of the capital Tripoli since Thursday.'”

Ahmed Al Shar said he was killed by a bullet.

The GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation claimed that his ambulance was targeted by warplanes.

His family later filed a lawsuit against the LNA leader Khalifa Haftar saying: “54. Plaintiff Abdulhameed Al-Harramah’s son, Dr. Ayman Al-Harramah, was always
dedicated and committed to humanitarian work. He worked alongside the Children’s
Hospital as a member of many civil society organizations related to humanitarian
activities.
55. He and his colleagues founded the ‘All Doctors Foundation’ before the revolution of
2011. It provided a variety of services, including the distribution of recordings of
additional lectures that medical students and other students were unable to attend or
have no material resources.
56. On April 6, 2019, in the Spring Valley area, also known in Arabic as ‘Wady Al-
Rabii’, Dr. Ayman al-Harramah was doing his work providing medical care and
saving lives in a civilian field hospital when Defendant Haftar indiscriminately
bombed the hospital, killing Dr. Ayman al-Harramah.
57. Plaintiff Abdulhameed Al-Harramah is grief stricken about the loss of his son.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie on April 6th, 2020 (via Khaled Kaloul)
  • Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie on April 6th, 2020 (via Only Libya)
  • Body of Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie on April 6th, 2020 (via Only Libya)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.709600, 13.382378. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM123-B

Incident date

August 31, 2012

Location

الخشعة, قطن, Between Kasha and Qatn , Hadhramout, Yemen

Geolocation

15.781785, 48.292870 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged US drone strike killed between eight and 10 suspected Al Qaeda militants on the road between the town of Qatn and the village of Khasha in the Hadramout province at 7.30am on August 31st, 2012. There were no reports of civilian harm.

@basselabowardh was among the first to tweet that a drone was responsible for an attack that killed eight people. There were a series of reports that included discrepancies concerning the number of individuals who were killed. Journalist @ahmadalwosabi and @bamakhrmh both tweeted that eight people were killed, with the former specifically describing the missile fired as “American”. Eight was the generally accepted number as a Reuters report noted eight deaths, citing an anonymous member of the Yemeni Defense Ministry. The Nashwan News reported that eight suspected Al Qaeda operatives were killed, and this report was mirrored by Xinhua and Bloomberg News.

However, @Alraimediagroup and the Hadath newspaper both reported that nine individuals were killed in the strike, and the Syrian News Network reported that ten suspected militants died in the strike. Sadasaida.com and Anawen.net both listed the death toll at nine following the strike. Albawaba News reported that eight militants were killed in a “remote location”, citing an anonymous local Yemeni official. The same official said the men who were killed were carrying machine guns and explosives and were traveling to “launch an attack”. Suhf.net tweeted (@suhfnet_ye) reported that Al Qaeda militants were killed in a “U.S. plane attack” but did not reference any civilian deaths.

Sadasaida.com referred to the location of the strikes as a vehicle in the Al-Khasha area while Nashwan News quoted AFP who reported that a four-wheel drive vehicle on the road between the town of Qatn and the village of Khasha was struck by a drone.

The Yemen defense ministry subsequently announced that Khaled Musalem Batis (aka Bates or Batees) died in the strike. Batis had been captured previously by security forces but escaped prison during the 2011 uprising. He was described as a top Al Qaeda militant wanted for allegedly masterminding a 2002 Al Qaeda attack on a French oil tanker MV Limburg. A Bulgarian sailor died in that attack.

The incident occured at approximately 7:30 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    8–10

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the vehicle was struck in the desert district of Hawra (حورة), in the governorate Hadramout (حضرموت‎), on the road between the town of Qatn (قطن) and the village of Khasha (الخشعة). The coordinates for the middle of the road between the two are: 15.781785, 48.292870, just north of the town of Hawra (حورة). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Road between the town of Qatn (قطن) and the village of Khasha (الخشعة)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    8–10

Sources (30) [ collapse]