Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS222

Incident date

June 1, 2016

Location

السكاوية, Al Sakkawya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.510278, 38.019444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult civilian male named as Saif Al Din Mohammad Al Sheikh was reported killed by a single source.

According to the Syrian Network, “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted residential houses in Al Sakkawya village, affiliated to Manbej city in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo, which resulted in the killing of the young man Saif Al Din Mohammad Al Sheikh. The village was under the control of ISIS on the day of the incident and it is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.”

No other information is presently known.

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saif Al Din Mohammad Al Sheikh
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition 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 Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA243329
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • June 1, 2016, in Sakkawya, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2967/CS222 37SDA243329

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for May 31st-June 1st 2016 that “Near Manbij, 18 strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units, two ISIL headquarters, two ISIL logistics facilities, an ISIL assembly area, an ISIL weapons cache, and an ISIL training base and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL headquarters, two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL mortar systems, an ISIL cave entrance, two ISIL communication towers, an ISIL artillery system, an ISIL ammunition storage facility, and six ISIL-used bridges and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS221

Incident date

June 1, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten named civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes on the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of Raqqa.

According to the local Civil Defence, “four civilians were martyred due to successive airstrikes by coalition warplanes on Mashlab neighbourhood according to local source.” The Syrian Observatory reported 10 civilian deaths from airstrikes in Al Mashlab and elsewhere in Raqqa, though did not attribute responsibility.

Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered also reported 10 deaths, most of whom it named: “The raids targeted the following sites: The houses of Ali Bashir, Mohammad Alkajwan and Ahmed al-Huwaidi, Al-Halisat mosque and the shops of Alkajwan family.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime, putting the death toll at 10 including one child and two women.

Al Raqqa also said the regime were responsible, as did the Pride Revolution.

A Tweet by Aleppo Now alleged the Coalition were responsible: “coalition planes target al mashlab neighbourhood in raqqa – the biggest centre for Daesh – with several raids.”

RBSS published a number of reports on “warplanes” targeting the Al Mashlab neighbourhood, but did not say who the planes belonged to.

They said that the following areas were targeted:

“1 – the hospitality areaof al Sheikh Ali Al Bashir

2 – the house of Hammoud al Kajwan

3- the house of Mr. Ahmad al Huwaidi

4- near al Kajwan shops.”

However, Raqqa News Network said that this was a Russian incident:

“Treacherous Russian warplanes launched four raids on the city of Raqqa targeting the neighborhood of al Mashlab.”

While the Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the vicinity of raw on June 1st, these appear to have targeted nearby oil facilities rather than the city itself. Both the Assad regime and Russia may also have been responsible.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ali Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Ali Alkajwan's nephew
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Mohammed Jerkh
Age unknown male killed
Walid Jerkh
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

A woman from Mustafa Al Obied family
Age unknown female killed
A woman from Mustafa Al Obied family
Age unknown female killed

Family members (1)

Hammoud al Kajwan and his family
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed al-Huwaidi
Age unknown male killed
Hassan Alharweel
Age unknown male killed
Tamer Marzouk
Age unknown male killed
Issa Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Alharweel
Adult male killed
Adel al Jarakh
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad al Huwaidi (via RBSS)
  • Translation: regime planes launched 4 raids this afternoon targeting al Mashlab neighbourhood which led to the death of an entire family. (via Newsffffff)
  • Translation: raqqa - coalition planes target al mashlab neighbourhood in raqqa - the biggest centre for Daesh - with several raids.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition 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 Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV043777
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • June 1, 2016, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2966/CS221 37SEV043777

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for June 1st-2nd 2016 that “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes destroyed six ISIL oil pump jacks and an ISIL crane.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS827

Incident date

June 1, 2016

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.169667, 37.040255 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including one child died and five more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Assal, according to local sources.

Orient News put the death toll at three and said that one of those killed was a child. It blamed Russia.

Step News Agency also said that Russia was responsible, while SRG reported that Russia had carried out raids on the neighborhood.

Radio Al Kul also put the death toll at three, with “many” injured – and attributed the incident to Russia.

Other sources, including Syrian Press Center and Baladi News Network also put the number killed at three – but did not identify the warplanes that carried out the strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "3 people were killed and 5 were wounded due to warplane targeting Khan Al-Assal in western countryside of Aleppo in missiles"

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS220 RS824

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52691, 37.95561 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 15 civilians including at least three children reportedly died in Coalition airstrikes in support of a major Kurdish ground offensive against Daesh near Manbij.

Citing the Syrian Observatory, Reuters noted that “U.S.-led air strikes in support of the ground operation [reportedly] killed 15 civilians including three children near Manbij in the past 24 hours.” SOHR said the dead came from two families.

According to the Local Civil Defence of Syria, “International Coalition warplanes targeted and destroyed the bridge of Aon Dadat village that connects between the cities of Jarablus and Manbej. The planes also targeted Hawatma village in Manbej city and 6 people from the same family were martyred.”

The Syrian Network also said that al-Hawatmah was hit, reporting that “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted residential houses in Al Hwatma neighborhood, which resulted in the killing of three individuals including a female child. Additionally, three others were wounded. Manbej city was under the control of ISIS on the day of the incident and it is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.

The Coalition claimed to be unaware of civilian casualty allegations when approached by the Independent. A spokesperson told the paper: “We will review any information we have about the incident, including information provided by third parties, such as the proximity of the location to CJTF air strikes, and any other relevant information presented,” a spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve said. If the information supporting the allegation is determined to be credible, we will then determine the next appropriate step.”

In a later report, the Syrian Network noted: “International coalition forces launched a number of airstrikes on Manbij city and its suburbs to assist Syrian Democratic Forces as it advanced against ISIS. Some of these strikes didn’t distinguish between civilians and fighters, while other airstrike didn’t respect the principle of proportionality.The international coalition airstrikes resulted in the killing [in total] of 38 civilians including 16 children and six women.”

On July 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “May 31, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that eight civilians, who were not observed near the target during the engagement, were unintentionally killed.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Hussein Al Houran
Age unknown male killed
AbdulHai Al Houran
Age unknown male killed
Daughter of AbdulHai Houran
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 15
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.5269242, 37.9559288

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA065429
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • May 31, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that eight civilians, who were not observed near the target during the engagement, were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for May 31st-June 1st 2016 that “Near Manbij, 18 strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units, two ISIL headquarters, two ISIL logistics facilities, an ISIL assembly area, an ISIL weapons cache, and an ISIL training base and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL headquarters, two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL mortar systems, an ISIL cave entrance, two ISIL communication towers, an ISIL artillery system, an ISIL ammunition storage facility, and six ISIL-used bridges and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 15
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS826

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, LCCSY, reported that nine civilians were killed in Homs – “most of them in Russian airstrikes on Sukhnah city”.

No further details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS825

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that up to ten civilians died in air raids on Kafr Hamra. The majority of sources linked the event to both Russian warplanes and regime helicopters.

LCCSY reported that one civilian died and others were injured following alleged Russian raids on the town.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that ‘warplanes’ carried out strikes on areas in the town, killing and injuring several civilians, though didn’t identify the aircraft. Further reports from Qasioun and a number of local tweets stated that Russian warplanes were involved.

Multiple other sources did not identify the planes, while others specifically cited ‘regime helicopters’ as the main actors in this event. In the SOHR report it states that there were 120 strikes in the Aleppo Province on this day from a combination of helicopter and warplanes.

In a tweet by ARNN, the identity of one of the dead – caused by ‘barbaric Russian warplanes shelling’ – was reported as Suleiman Ahmad Akhras.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Suleiman Ahmad Akhras
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The shelling which destroyed Kafr Hamra. (via Thiqa)
  • The shelling which destroyed Kafr Hamra. (via Thiqa)
  • The shelling which destroyed Kafr Hamra. (via Thiqa)
  • The shelling which destroyed Kafr Hamra. (via Thiqa)
  • The shelling which destroyed Kafr Hamra. (via Thiqa)
  • The shelling which destroyed Kafr Hamra. (via Thiqa)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st,

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS823

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Location

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.1169382, 36.5147781 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Activists told the Shaam News Network that “Sukhoi 24 warplanes” carried out strikes on Kafr Takharim, killing two children and wounding other civilians. In a later news roundup it said that the aircraft were “believed to be Russian”. A number of other news reports, including from Qasioun News, also blamed Russia.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime, reporting that its warplanes fired missiles near a dispensary.

A Tweet by Abulghafour alleged that as many as six civilians were killed in strikes on the city.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Warplanes shelling in Kafr Tkharim. (via Kafr Tkharim)
  • White helmets look for surviours in Kafr Tkharim. (via Kafr Tkharim)
  • Putting down the fire in residential buildings. (via Kafr Tkharim)
  • aftermath of the airstrike. (via Zakaria Nassani)
  • aftermath of the airstrike. (via bridge)
  • aftermath of the airstrike. (via bridge)
  • aftermath of the airstrike. (via bridge)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM056

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Location

Farwamo, near Bulogadud, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

1.47922, 42.528713 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 16 al Shabaab fighters died in an operation reportedly carried out by Somali forces with US support, multiple sources said. The US claimed at the time that at the time that Somali forces alone were responsible for the kinetic actions. However, a FOIA response obtained in 2019 confirmed that the US had in fact carried out a strike in the vicinity on an “al Shabaab named objective”. There are currently no reports of civilian harm associated with this incident.

Four commanders were among up to 16 reported dead, including a senior figure, Mohamed Mohamud Ali, who was said to have been one of several fighters responsible for the killing of 148 students in their dormitories at Garissa University in eastern Kenya on August 2nd 2015.

Initial reports varied but several suggested US forces conducted the attack. Others said the US had assisted African troops with helicopters. US spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Baldanza told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism: “US forces supported this Somali-led operation in an advise and assist role”.

According to Capital FM, “Sixteen armed men, four of them senior commanders including Mohamed Mohamud Ali known as Dulyadin… were killed by the Somali commandos and the special forces of the Jubaland,” [said] Abdirashid Janan, minister of state security for Jubaland, an autonomous region in southern Somalia.”

Somali officials first claimed that al Shabaab member Mohammed Dulyadeen was killed in the attack. The US was more circumspect. “We have received initial reports of a ground operation conducted in southern Somalia last night by the Somali National Army,” Baldanza told the Bureau. “The operation may have resulted in the death of al Shabaab member Mohammed Dulyadeen, also known as ‘Mohammed Kuno’ and ‘Kuno Gamadere. We are working with Somali officials to assess the results of the operation and will provide further details when appropriate.”

US Africa Command were more forthright on June 8th 2016, reporting “further assessment by US forces also indicates that Dulyadeen was killed in the operation.” That AFRICOM press release makes no mention of a US strike but says “a Somali National Army unit led a ground operation near Gaduud, Somalia”.

However, in a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM reported it had struck what it says was an “al Shabaab named objective”, in the Gaduud area of Somalia.

Al Shabaab itself confirmed Dulyadeen had died on June 21st 2016. The group said: “We console ourselves and our nation for the martyrdom of the Muslim knight commander Sheik Mohamed Mohamud Ali (Dulyadin). May Allah accept him and lift him to paradise.”

The attack reportedly took place in Farwamo village, 30km north of the port of Kismayo.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Known attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    16

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohamed Mohamud Ali known as Dulyadin (via FILE/Capital FM)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted the village Farwamo near Bulogudud, 30 kilometres north of the city Kismayo. A subsequent FOIA response pointed to the area around the village Gaduud (1.478266, 42.496045). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the village Farwamo. The coordinates for Bulogudud are: 1.47922, 42.528713.

  • The villages Gaduud and Bulogadud

    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

An AFRICOM press release on June 8th stated:

STUTTGART, Germany -- U.S. Africa Command has completed assessment of two recent actions against al-Shabaab targets in Somalia.
On May 27, 2016 U.S. forces carried out an airstrike in south-central Somalia targeting Abdullahi Haji Da'ud a senior military commander for al-Shabaab. The final assessment of that operation concludes that Da’ud was struck and killed in the airstrike.

On May 31, a Somali National Army unit led a ground operation near Gaduud, Somalia, with the intent to capture extremists associated with al-Shabaab. An initial assessment of that operation by Somali authorities indicated that it resulted in the death of al-Shabaab member Mohammed Dulyadeen, also known as "Mohammed Kuno” and “Kuno Gamadere." Further assessment by U.S. forces also indicates that Dulyadeen was killed in the operation.

We are confident that the removal from the terrorist network of these two experienced al-Shabaab leaders will disrupt near-term attack planning, potentially saving many innocent lives.

U.S. forces remain committed to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army, and our African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) partners in defeating al-Shabaab and establishing a safe and secure environment in Somalia.


In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM reported it had struck what it says was an "al Shabaab named objective", in the Gaduud, Somali.

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Somali Military Forces
Official source

“Sixteen armed men, four of them senior commanders including Mohamed Mohamud Ali known as Dulyadin… were killed by the Somali commandos and the special forces of the Jubaland,” Abdirashid Janan, minister of state security for Jubaland, an autonomous region in southern Somalia.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Known attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    16

Sources (5) [ collapse]