Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

LC379

Incident date

May 6, 2020

Location

الطريق السريع الساحلي, Coastal Highway, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.822548, 13.522337 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed and 19 others including children injured in alleged LNA artillery attack on the coastal road of Tajoura, Libya on May 6th, 2020, according to local sources.

Libya Observer reported that “Khalifa Haftar’s forces have carried out indiscriminate rocket attacks on the coastal road in Tajoura, eastern Tripoli, killing three civilians and injuring 19 others.”

The Center for Field Medicine and Support (FMSC) identified the three victims as Fouad Omar Oraibi, aged 35, Fathi Ramadan Atta’eb, aged 35 and Ibrahim Muhammad Shubar aged  25.

In addition, three children from the same family were injured. Rudeina Othman Ammar, Rayan Othman Ammar and Maria Othman Ammar.

Civilians were rushed to the Heart Hospital of the The Center for Field Medicine and Support which conducted delicate operations to few of the injured, while transferred some other critical ones to Tripoli’s Central Hospital.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Rudeina Othman Ammar ردينة عثمان عمار
Child female injured
Rayan Othman Ammar ريان عثمان عمار
Child injured
Maria Othman Ammar مارية عثمان عمار
Child female injured

The victims were named as:

Fouad Omar Oraibi, فؤاد عمر عريبي
35 years old male killed
Fathi Ramadan Atta'eb فتحي رمضان التائب
35 years old male killed
Ibrahim Muhammad Shubar ابراهيم محمد شوبار
25 years old male killed
Abdel Wahab Mustafa عبدالوهاب مصطفى
51 years old male injured
Ammar Masoud Yousef عمار مسعود يوسف
37 years old male injured
Anas Fathi Salem Saleh انس فتحي سالم صالح
20 years old male injured
Naji Al-Rajhi ناجي الراجحي
32 years old male injured
Abdul Rahman Karim عبدالرحمن كريم
28 years old male injured
Hamid Shaaban Azmin حامد شعبان ازمين
29 years old male injured
Othman Faraj Ammar عثمان فرج عمار
30 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–19
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • Civilians in hospital after three were killed and 19 others including children were injured in alleged LNA shelling on the coastal road in Tajoura'a on May 6th, 2020 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Civilians in hospital after three were killed and 19 others including children were injured in alleged LNA shelling on the coastal road in Tajoura'a on May 6th, 2020 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Civilians in hospital after three were killed and 19 others including children were injured in alleged LNA shelling on the coastal road in Tajoura'a on May 6th, 2020 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Civilians including children being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC ).
  • Three people were killed in alleged LNA mortars attack on Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Three people were killed in alleged LNA mortars attack on Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Three people were killed in alleged LNA mortars attack on Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • A child being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC ).
  • Civilians including children being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC ).
  • Civilians including children being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC ).
  • A child being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Civilians including children being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC ).
  • Civilians including children being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC ).
  • A child being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Civilians including children being treated at the Heart Hospital of the Center for Field Medicine and Support after alleged LNA mortars hit Tajoura' on May 6th, 2020 (via FMSC ).
  • Three civilians killed and 19 including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Civilians including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Civilians including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Civilians including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Civilians including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Civilians including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Civilians including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Civilians including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Three civilians killed in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)
  • Civilians including children injured in alleged LNA mortars attack on the coastal road in Tajoura on May 6th, 2020 and treated at hospital (Burkan al Ghadab operation)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Coastal Highway (الطريق السريع الساحلي), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.822548, 13.522337. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention Coastal Highway (الطريق السريع الساحلي).

    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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–19
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM117-B

Incident date

August 6, 2012

Location

القيفة, Qayfa, Dhamar, Yemen

Geolocation

14.5333330, 44.6833330 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the night of August 6th 2012, between six to ten Al Qaeda militants were killed in a suspected US drone strike or Yemeni airstrike in Qayfah, Dhamar province. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm.

The official state news agency SABA reported that among the dead was local Al Qaeda leader and wanted bomb-maker Abdullah Awad al Masri (also known as Abu Osama al Marebi). While his nationality is unknown, Long War Journal speculated that his surname al-Masri indicates he is of Egyptian origin. The other six casualties were allegedly militants from different nationalities: Abu Ja’afar al Iraqi, a Bahraini; Abu al-Bara’a al Sharori, a Saudi; Abu Musa’ab al Nasri and Abu Hafsah al Mesri, Egyptians; Abu Hafsah al Tounisi, a Tunisian; and Ebrahim al Sakhi, Yemeni. According to the Long War Journal, a Jihadist website reported on 15th August 2012 that a Tunisian named Muhammad bin Muhammad (possibly above mentioned Abu Hafsah al Tounisi) had died in the attack. Long War Journal also reported on a statement posted by the website Shumukh al Islam with links to AQAP. The statement read “al Tunisi was from the city of Benzert al Jala’a. He “joined the convoy of mujahideen in the Yemen of victory after he spent years in the prisons of the runaway tyrant Zine El Abidine Ben Ali,” the former president of Tunisia who was ousted last year during a national uprising”.

The strike took place a part of Qayfah closely bordering Radaa in al-Bayda and many outlets located the strike to Radaa. There was a strike in Manasih in al-Bayda on the same day that hit a motorbike and some media, like YEMENPOST, Saba and Sheikh Ahmed Zaid, a leader in Radaa speaking to Yemen Times, attributed the casualties of this strike to Manasih.

Some sources, including the Yemen Times, said that the strike hit two vehicles, one of which was ridden by al Masri. A tribal source told Agence France-Presse that “[f]our explosions rocked the area, which was overflown by two drones in the evening.” According to the Chinese state press agency Xinhua, residents “recognised the sound of the drone, which they said had flown over the area for hours before firing the missile.”

The Yemen Post holds Yemeni security forces responsible for the strike. However, most reports including Xinhua, Fox News, BBC Arabic, and Long War Journal claim that the strike was carried out by US drones, drawing on eyewitnesses, local sources, and Yemeni security officials. The US was the only known country with a military presence in the region that possessed drones at the time of the strike.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–10

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention multiple locations, all in the northwestern part of Bayda’a (ٱلْبَيْضَاء‎) province or just across the governorate’s border in Dhamar (ذمار‎) province. The one area that refers directly to the 7 deaths that occurred in this incident is that of the village of Qayfa (القيفة), for which the coordinates are: 14.5333330, 44.6833330. Other areas mentioned are Rada’a city (coordinates: 14.415088, 44.840937), the village of Manaseh (المناسح) (coordinates: 14.579762, 44.750219), the village Sailat Al Jarra (سائلة الجراح) (coordinates: 14.5689930, 44.7515590) and the area of Walad Rabee’a (which we were unable to locate), but they might be connected to other strikes. Due to limited information and satellite imagery 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

Yemeni Air Force Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Yemeni Air Force
  • Yemeni Air Force position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–10

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC401

Incident date

May 16, 2020

Location

طرابلس‎: الفرناج, Al Fornaj: University Dormitory, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.848091, 13.241433 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians, including a child, were killed and 17 civilians were injured in alleged Libyan National Army (LNA) artillery strikes on Al Fornaj neighbourhood in Tripoli on May 16th, 2020. According to local sources, the strikes targeted housing units for displaced people at a university campus.

The Libya Observer reported that “five people were killed and six others were wounded in a rocket attack launched by the militia groups of Haftar on a residential compound for IDPs [Internally Displaced People] in Fornaj district of Tripoli on Saturday [May 16th], medical sources confirm.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center reported the names of five killed civilians and added there had been a sixth killed victim who remained unidentified. One of the victims was 5-year-old Bangladeshi boy Wahi Zuhair Matin. Burkan Al Ghadab Operation added that the the child’s “ambition was to buy a bike and ‘play like the kids’.” His family members Zuhair Matin (52) and Maria Zuhair Matin (5) were injured in the strikes.

The FMSC identified 17 civilians who were injured to varying degrees, including a woman. A spokesman for the FMSC told Libya Al Ahrar that a paramedic and an ambulance driver had been injured while helping the displaced people evacuate from the university campus building.

Burkan Al Ghadab Operation reported that “the martyr of duty Muhammad Ayyad Diyaf is one of the seven victims as a result of the bombing of the Haftar militia yesterday to accommodate the displaced persons in the university campus.” It is unclear what duties Diyaf was performing when he was killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Wahi Zuhair Matin وحي زهير متين
5 years old male from Bangladesh killed
Zuhair Metin زهير متين
52 years old male from Bangladesh injured
Maria Zuhair Matin ماريا زهير متين
5 years old female from Bangladesh injured

The victims were named as:

Abu Al Qasim Muhammad Al Rayani ابوالقاسم محمد الرياني
60 years old male killed
Ahmed Muhammad Gharib احمد محمد غريب
26 years old male killed
Muhammad Ayyad Daiyaf محمد عياد ضياف
29 years old killed
Fawzi Al Mawloud Abu Saada فوزي المولد ابوسعده
32 years old killed
Mu'tasim Abdul Majeed Al Zain معتصم عبد المجيد الزين
22 years old male injured
Khaled Mansour Shieh خالد منصور شيته
48 years old male injured
Muhammad Ahmad Ali محمد احمد علي
20 years old male injured
Hassan Sharif حسن الشريف
30 years old male injured
Hasna Muhammad Dangir حسنا امحمد دنقير
40 years old female injured
Asaad Saeed Al Rabati اسعد سعيد آلرابطي
Age unknown male injured
Haytham Abdul Rahman Faraj هيتم عبد الرحمن فرج
Age unknown male injured
Mohammed Ayyad Al Mazoughi محمد عياد المزوغي
Age unknown male injured
Muhammad Abdul-Halim Al Muqrin محمد عبد الحليم المقرعن
Age unknown male injured
Mansour Hussain Moftah منصور حسين مفتاح
Age unknown male injured
Maad Jalal معاد جلال
Age unknown male injured
Mohamed Rabie محمد ربيع
Age unknown male injured
Mohamed Al Toumi محمد التومي
Age unknown male injured
Mohamed Al Sidi محمد السيدي
Age unknown male injured
Mohammed Al Rabeh محمد آلرابح
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 child4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Smoke after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via Tk Yahrouq Kl shy).
  • Aftermath of alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via Tk Yahrouq Kl shy).
  • Smoke after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via Tk Yahrouq Kl shy).
  • Ambulance at the site after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Smoke leaving the building after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Child receiving medical help in the hospital after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Injured person receiving medical help in the hospital after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Fire in the building after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Man receiving medical help in the hospital after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Injured person receiving medical help in the hospital after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Aftermath of alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via FMSC).
  • Fire in the building after alleged LNA artillery strikes on a campus dorm housing displaced people in Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via Libya Al Ahrar).
  • Funeral of Muhammad Ayyad Diyaf, a "martyr of duty", who died in alleged LNA strikes on Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).
  • The casket of Muhammad Ayyad Diyaf, a "martyr of duty", who died in alleged LNA strikes on Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).
  • Funeral of Muhammad Ayyad Diyaf, a "martyr of duty", who died in alleged LNA strikes on Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).
  • Funeral of Muhammad Ayyad Diyaf, a "martyr of duty", who died in alleged LNA strikes on Al Fornaj neighbourhood on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).
  • Reportedly a drawing that Wahi Matin made when his family was forced to flee their homes. The 5-year-old boy was killed in alleged LNA artillery strikes on Al Fornaj on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).
  • Photo including Wahi Matin. The 5-year-old boy was killed in alleged LNA artillery strikes on Al Fornaj on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).
  • Photo including Wahi Matin. The 5-year-old boy was killed in alleged LNA artillery strikes on Al Fornaj on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).
  • Wahi Matin (5) was killed in alleged LNA artillery strikes on Al Fornaj on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).
  • The 5-year-old Bangladeshi boy Wahi Matin was killed in alleged LNA artillery strikes on Al Fornaj on May 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab Operation).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the university dormitory, which was being used as an IDP camp, being struck for which the generic coordinates are: 32.848091, 13.241433. 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
    5 – 7
  • (1 child4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr105

Incident date

October 16, 2017

Location

يكلا‎, Yakla, Bayda, Yemen

Geolocation

14.598056, 45.060000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

More than fifty ISIS militants were reported killed in the course of US airstrikes on two ISIS training camps in Wald Rabi area, Bayda governorate, on October 16th 2017, according to a US Central Command statement released on December 20th 2017. At the time, the US had reported killing “dozens” of ISIS fighters.

According to the CENTCOM statement released in December, the strikes constituted the first against ISIS in Yemen, which “used the camps to train militants to conduct terror attacks using AK-47s, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and endurance training”. The two camps were about twenty miles apart, a US official told ABC News, and were targeted by both manned and unmanned aircraft.

This and earlier CENTCOM statements confirmed reports that US airstrikes had targeted alleged ISIS militants in the Yakla area early in the morning of October 16th. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

According to several sources, including Al Masdar Online and @demolinari, local residents said that eight strikes targeted the camp in Yakla, the site of several US strikes and a ground raid against alleged AQAP militants in early 2017. Four strikes also reportedly targeted the second camp, in Al-Abil (see USYEMTr106).

While the final publicised number of deaths in the strikes, according to the US, was “over fifty”, initial US statements indicated that dozens were killed in the course of the strikes across the two camps. Only two sources gave alternative casualty numbers.  One, @MasadryNet, gave an initial report that five militants were killed, while the other, counter terrorism analyst @DonKlericuzio, said that “about 34” had died.

Since no known sources gave specific casualty figures for the two strike locations, Airwars has split the US casualty figure of “over fifty” evenly between USYEMTr105 and USYEMTr106. Some sources suggested that other alleged militants may have been wounded in the strikes, leading Airwars to assess that a minimum of two militants were reportedly injured. This figure has also been split between USYEMTr105 and USYEMTr106.

Locals told AFP that the camps had been named after prominent ISIS figures. One was reportedly named after Abu Bilal al Harbi, described as the group’s Yemen chief, and the second after former global spokesman Abu Mohamed al-Adnani, who was killed in a US air strike in Syria in August 2016.

According to India TV News, local residents told Xinhua News that “large explosions” were heard and that “cars rushed to rescue the victims”. The original reported Xinhua article could not be found. AFP reported that villagers were prevented by tribal leaders from approaching the area, “for fear of additional strikes”.

According to “tribal sources” reported by Aleshteraky, aircraft had been present in the area for three days prior to the strikes. One week previously, on October 9th, ISIS had released sixteen photos of militants training in the “Abu Muhammad al-Adnani” camp.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS - Yemen
  • Belligerents reported killed
    25
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • A week prior to the strikes, ISIS released sixteen photos of militants training in the "Abu Muhammad al-Adnani" camp, reportedly one of two camps targeted by US airstrikes on October 16th 2017 (Long War Journal, October 16th 2017).
  • CENTCOM's initial report on its first strikes against ISIS in Yemen.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention training camps being struck in the vicinity of Yakla (يكلا‎) village, within the Wald Rabi district (بمديرية ولد ربيع). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Yakla are: 14.598056, 45.060000.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

U.S. forces have conducted multiple ground operations and more than 120 strikes in 2017 to remove key leaders and disrupt the ability of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS-Yemen to use ungoverned spaces in Yemen as a hub for terrorist recruiting, training, and base of operations to export terror worldwide.

AQAP is one of the terrorist groups most committed to and capable of conducting attacks in America, as assessed by the intelligence and defense communities, while intelligence estimates indicate that ISIS-Y has doubled in size over the past year.

In November, the U.S. conducted 10 strikes across Yemen governorates al-Bayda, and Marib including a strike on Mujahid al-Adani, AQAP Shabwah leader, who was killed Nov. 20 in al-Bayda Governorate, Yemen. Al-Adani, also known as Mohammad Shukri, was a senior leader responsible for planning and conducting terrorist attacks against Yemeni, Coalition and tribal security forces. He exerted significant influence within AQAP's terrorist attack networks, similarly, maintained close ties and access to the group's other senior leaders, and previously served as an AQAP military leader in Aden.

Al-Bayda AQAP facilitator Abu Layth al-Sanaani and three AQAP associates were also killed in the Nov. 20 strike.

Ruwahah al-Sanaani, also an AQAP facilitator, was killed Nov. 2 in Marib Governorate.

In October, a strike Oct. 19 killed Ubaydah al-Lawdari, the Emir of Lawdar, and four associates in al-Bayda Governorate. Al-Lawdari had been known to provide equipment and money in support of AQAP attacks against Coalition forces, posing an increased threat to U.S. interests.

Meanwhile, a series of strikes against two ISIS terror training camps in al-Bayda Oct. 16 killed more than 50 ISIS-Y combatants, disrupting the organization's attempts to recruit and train new fighters.

"The removal of key facilitators in this region will interrupt AQAP's freedom of movement and likely force the group into a reactionary posture, limiting their ability to challenge Yemeni Security Forces and partnered advances," said Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a CENTCOM spokesman.
"U.S. forces also expanded counterterrorism operations in October to encompass both AQAP and ISIS. This parallel targeting effort is required to prevent ISIS-Y from filling the vacuum left by a diminished AQAP footprint or influence in the region," he said.

Ongoing operations pressuring the network have also degraded AQAP's propaganda production, reducing one of the methods for the terror group to recruit and inspire lone wolf attacks across the globe. The al-Masra Newsletter, previously published three times a month, has not been published since July.

Al-Malahim Establishment for Media Production, which produces AQAP's terrorist-inspiring video series, as well as Inspire Magazine, saw a large drop in October. Unable to produce video series and graphic terror-inspiring magazines, AQAP has resorted to using low-tech audio messages.

"U.S. forces have enabled regional counterterrorism partners to regain territory from these terrorists - forcing them to spend more time on survival," said Brown. "These operations have helped to illuminate terrorist networks, making intelligence-gathering, subsequent targeting and follow-on operations increasingly productive and effective.

"Every strike, every raid and every partnered operation advance the defeat of these violent extremist organizations. U.S. forces will continue to use all effective measures to degrade the groups' ability to export terror."

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
    ISIS - Yemen
  • Belligerents reported killed
    25
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC409

Incident date

May 30, 2020

Location

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688716, 13.173889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Tarhuna 24 said: “Citizen Hamza Al-Barghouth was wounded by shrapnel as a result of a missile landing in Qasr Bin Gashir area, which has been under heavy bombardment for more than a week.”

Tk Yahroug Kl shy only reported heavy artillery shelling in the area but did not mention civilian harm.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamza Al-Barghouth
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hamza Al-Barghouth, allegedly injured by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on May 30th, 2020 (via Tarhuna 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.688716, 13.173889. 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr179

Incident date

September 9, 2018

Location

وادي المرون, Wadi Al Maroun, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

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

Sources (58) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

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

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

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

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

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

-30-

Summary

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

Sources (58) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr219-C

Incident date

January 27, 2020

Location

لحزمة, Al Hazma, Ma'rib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.56667, 45.38333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly targeted an alleged AQAP site in Al Hazma village, in the Wadi Obeida area of Marib governorate, at dawn on January 27th 2020. Multiple sources suggested that at least one alleged AQAP militant had died in the strike, and one source, Mint Press News, reported that civilians near the house had been killed.  Some sources later indicated that AQAP leader Qasim al-Raymi died in this strike, one of three apparent January US actions in which he was reportedly killed.

At least one missile reportedly targeted a house where an al-Qaeda leader was staying, having rented the house in the previous week. According to Mint Press, the strike, which reportedly involved multiple munitions releases, killed “some innocent civilians” near the house, though no further details were given. Given this, Airwars has assessed that at least two civilians were reportedly killed in the strike, though this allegation has been assessed as weak based on limited reporting.

Ali Hammoud, a farmer who said that one of his relatives was killed in the strike, told Mint Press that “U.S. drones do not differentiate between civilians and al-Qaeda-linked fighters… In the end, you will be killed by plane, whether you are a civilian, or from al-Qaeda. Joining al-Qaeda is what is on my mind now.”

Tribal sources told the Al-Khabar press agency that “communications devices and computers” were found in the building, while other local language media outlets, such as Al-Ain, reported that the house contained a store of missiles and mine-making tools.  Mint Press suggested that explosives in the building continued to detonate in the aftermath of the initial explosion, and that AQAP militants cordoned off the area soon afterwards. According to Yem News, a local resident said that AQAP had been operating in the area “openly” over the prior months. A second reported airstrike on January 27th (USYEMTr220) was said to have targeted AQAP militants in the same area.

Several sources, including @alghadye, suggested that one AQAP militant, a leadership figure, had been killed. Mint Press and others named the dead militant as “Qasilah”, who had reportedly rented the house. According to Al-Khabar press, “Qasilah” had previously been “expelled by the people of the area”.

Similarly, Al-Ain reported that the renter of the house presented himself as “displaced” from central Yemen. Local sources told Al-Masdar Online that this person was named Abdullah Al-Adani, and that a man took his body away in the hours after the strike.  These sources indicated that Al-Adani was “known to be connected to AQAP”. A single social media source (@geHYX4hFs5Df0mP) reported that “a number” of militants had died in the strike.

Some, including Twitter user @AnisAbdulla1, Mint Press, and Aden Gad, indicated that AQAP leader Qasim al-Raymi, also known as Abu-Huraira al-San’ani, may also have been killed in this event, though two local sources denied to Mint Press that this was the case. Given this, Airwars has assessed that at least one alleged militant was killed in the attack, with a maximum of two, to account for reports of Al-Raymi’s death.

Throughout late January and early February 2020, numerous local-language and English-language sources reported that al-Raymi had been killed by a US strike at the end of January. These reports variously indicated that he was killed by one of two alleged strikes in Wadi Obeida, Marib, on January 25th (USYEMTr218) or January 27th; or by an alleged strike in Bayda on January 29th (USYEMTr221).

On February 2nd, Marib governor Sultan al-Arada told Asharq Al-Awsat that two strikes had taken place in Marib in the prior 10-day period, and that security authorities had been unable to identify those killed in either strike. OSINT analyst @RebeccaRambar initially reported that Al-Raymi was killed on the 27th, but later indicated that he was in fact killed in Yakla, Bayda governorate, on January 29th.

Due to the congruence of alleged strike circumstances, several reports of a strike in Marib could not be definitively tied to a particular incident. Numerous local-language news outlets, including Akhbar Al-Aan, reported only that Al-Raymi was killed in a strike against a house in Wadi Obeida, conceivably referring to either of the Marib strikes mentioned above. Similarly, the New York Times reported that two militants were killed by an undated strike in Wadi Obeida, while Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed suggested that “at least four” were killed by a strike in the same area.

One Twitter source, @goldensla, suggested on January 27th that “one of the most wanted” AQAP members in Ataq, Shabwa governorate, had rented a house in Wadi Obeida a week previously. A second tweet from the same source, on January 29th, suggested that Qasim al-Raymi had been reportedly killed in Marib after being seen in Ataq, but did not specify the date of his death. The same source reported on February 2nd that Al-Raymi had died on a farm belonging to the head of the Islah group in Marib, Mabkhoot Obood Al-Sharif.

Given that the first known reports of al-Raymi’s death emerged on January 29th, post-dating all three alleged strikes in which he was reported to have died, it was impossible to reasonably exclude the possibility that he died in any of these three reported events.

On February 6th, a White House statement confirmed that al-Raymi had been killed by a January strike, but did not specify where or when he had died.  “This was not a [Department of Defense] operation”, a US Pentagon official told Politico.  A former US official told Foreign Policy that the strike was conducted by a CIA aircraft.

US Central Command told Airwars that no US military strikes were conducted in Yemen during January 2020, effectively confirming that the strike that killed Al-Raymi was a CIA operation. This event is treated as declared to account for the admission.

Al-Raymi had been the leader of AQAP since 2015, having been a founding member of the group in 2006.  On February 23rd 2020, AQAP confirmed that al-Raymi had died, and announced Khalid Batarfi as its new leader, according to Dr Elisabeth Kendall.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (89) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (29) [ collapse]

  • The January 27th strike reportedly took place in Al-Hazmia, Wadi Obeida (@JoshuaKoontz__, January 28th 2020)
  • The January 27th strike allegedly targeted a house, which was later found to contain weapons and ammunition (@JoshuaKoontz__, January 28th 2020)
  • Qasim al-Raymi, the leader of AQAP, was alleged to have been killed in the strike (@Rita_Katz, January 30th 2020)
  • The strike was one of three alleged US actions in January which reportedly killed Al-Raymi (@NATSEC09, January 31st 2020)
  • Sources initially suggested that an unidentified AQAP leader had been killed in the strike, possibly referring to Al-Raymi (Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni, February 2nd 2020)
  • A single source, @goldensla, suggested that Al-Raymi was killed in a farm belonging to the head of the Islah group in Marib, though it was unclear whether this referred to this strike (@goldensla, February 2nd 2020)
  • The US State Department had previously offered $10 million for information leading to Al-Raymi's capture (New York Times, January 31st 2020)
  • On February 1st, an apparently pre-recorded message from Al-Raymi claimed responsibility for the December 2019 Pensacola naval base shooting (@Dr_E_Kendall, February 1st 2020)
  • In a tweet, academic Dr Elisabeth Kendall pointed out that a February 1st video of Al-Raymi omitted "the usual "May Allah protect him"... which would have shown he's alive" (@Dr_E_Kendall, February 2nd 2020)
  • On February 23rd, AQAP confirmed the death of Al-Raymi, announcing Khalid Batarfi as his successor (@Dr_E_Kendall, February 23rd 2020)
  • Khalid Batarfi, Al-Raymi's successor as AQAP leader (@Dr_E_Kendall, February 23rd 2020)
  • Al-Raymi had been leader of AQAP since 2015, after his predecessor was killed by a US drone strike (@englishsssn, January 31st 2020)
  • In 2017, Al-Raymi said that lone shooter attacks brought him joy (Long War Journal, February 6th 2020)
  • Al-Raymi was confirmed to have been killed by the White House on February 6th 2020 (BBC Monitoring, January 31st 2020)
  • Al-Raymi (right), alongside Pensacola shooter Muhammed bin Saeed Al-Shamrani (Long War Journal, February 6th 2020)
  • Al-Raymi, born in 1978, was a founding member of AQAP (BBC Arabic, February 7th 2020)
  • (@RebeccaRambar, February 7th 2020)
  • The US Rewards for Justice page, displaying an image of Al-Raymi on January 31st 2020 (@Dr_E_Kendall)
  • (@jibalalyaman8, January 29th 2020)
  • (@RebeccaRambar, February 3rd 2020)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hazma (لحزمة), allegedly immediately north-east of the city of Ma’rib (مأرب), within the Wadi Obeida (وادي عبيدة) area. The generic coordinates for Al Hazma are: 15.56667, 45.38333. It is important to note the existence of another Al Hazma, south-east of Ma’rib city, at these coordinates: 15.44646, 45.39902. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hazma (لحزمة), allegedly immediately north-east of the city of Ma’rib (مأرب), within the Wadi Obeida (وادي عبيدة) area. It is important to note the existence of another Al Hazma, south-east of Ma’rib city.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, the United States conducted a counterterrorism operation in Yemen that successfully eliminated Qasim al-Rimi, a founder and the leader of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and a deputy to al-Qa’ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Rimi joined al-Qa’ida in the 1990s, working in Afghanistan for Osama bin Laden. Under Rimi, AQAP committed unconscionable violence against civilians in Yemen and sought to conduct and inspire numerous attacks against the United States and our forces. His death further degrades AQAP and the global al-Qa’ida movement, and it brings us closer to eliminating the threats these groups pose to our national security. The United States, our interests, and our allies are safer as a result of his death. We will continue to protect the American people by tracking down and eliminating terrorists who seek to do us harm.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (89) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr128-C

Incident date

December 22, 2017

Location

يكلا‎, Close to Yakla village on road from Rada'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

Geolocation

14.598056, 45.060000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly killed one civilian in Yakla, in Bayda governorate, on December 22nd 2017, according to multiple local language sources.

Tweets from news sources, including @7adramout_net, @yem_Breaking, and @yemenakhbar, suggested that the strike targeted the car of a Qat seller, killing him as he travelled through the area. No known sources suggested that he was a belligerent.

In its May 2018 annual civilian casualty report, the US Department of Defense stated that “there were credible reports of civilian casualties caused by U.S. military actions in Yemen against AQAP and ISIS during 2017”, but did not specify which specific actions these reports referred to.

Overall, the Department of Defense assessed that there were credible reports of “approximately 499 civilians killed and approximately 169 civilians injured during 2017”, as a result of US military actions in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen.

In March 2021 in its report Death From The Sky, Mwatana added significant additional details on this event. It named the victim as father of eleven “Abdallah Ahmed Hussein Al Aameri, 47 years old, [killed] while he was driving grain and poultry from Rada’a city to Yakla village.”

The human rights organisation noted that “Mwatana found no credible indication that Abdallah was directly participating in hostilities with AQAP or IS-Y, or that he was in any way associated with these groups. His family is unaware of any investigation into the incident.”

The incident occured at approximately 4:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdallah Ahmed Hussein Al Aameri
45 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Video still of Abdallah’s car after the December 22, 2017 strike in Al Bayda, Yemen. Video taken the day of the strike, received from a relative. Via Mwatana.
  • Video still of Abdallah’s car after the December 22, 2017 strike in Al Bayda, Yemen. Video taken the day of the strike, received from a relative. Image via Mwatana.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Yakla (يكلا‎), within the Ould Rabi district (بمديرية ولد ربيع). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Yakla are: 14.598056, 45.060000.

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
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (9) [ collapse]