US Forces in Yemen

US Forces in Yemen

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

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Incident Code

CI883

Incident date

February 3, 2024

Location

منطقة السكك, Al-Sikak area in the city of Al-Qaim, Al-Anbar, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were reported killed and up to 15 others were wounded by declared US airstrikes on the Al-Sikak area in the city of Al-Qaim, Iraq early in the morning on February 3, 2024. Between three and five medical personnel in the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were also allegedly killed. Another 11 PMF members were also allegedly killed and 36 injured. US forces claimed that damage was also caused by a secondary explosion that occurred after the strike.

Two of the three civilians alleged killed were named, Abdul Rahman Al-Rawi and Sattar Al-Jughaifi, with most sources stating that they were not members of any militant group; including sources spoken to directly by Airwars researchers. However one source, Usama Al Ma’mouri, listed the two individuals under the caption ‘martyrs of the Anbar and Al-Tafuf Brigade’. Airwars has therefore included the individuals only in our maximum casualty range.

ِAl Baghdadi News reported that a young man named Abdul Rahman Khaled Al-Rawi was killed in the city of Al-Qaim, and Nisreen Al Mousawi reported that the bodies of two civilians had been recovered after the US strikes, Abdul Rahman Al-Rawi and Sattar Al-Jughaifi. According to Nisreen Al Mousawi, at the time of reporting, “there are a number of martyrs and wounded from the Al-Sikak area who have not been reached yet, and ambulances are rushing to the area.” Local sources including ِAbu Ibrahim Al Sabhani offered condolence messages to the family of Abdul Rahman Khaled Al Rawi for their loss, and a post by Journalist Ali Qais Al-Rawi included details that Abdul Rahman was born in 2004 and was a student at Al-Qaim Industrial Preparatory School in his 5th year of the electricity department.

Aِ tweet from @AzharJumaili provided details that more than 10 houses had been burned in the Al-Sikak area, and that 15 civilians were injured so far, including those that lived near the PMF base. A post from Waleed al Obeidi reported that 3 civilians had been killed and 11 had been wounded in Al-Qaim district.

Journalist Ali Qais Al-Rawi spoke with people in Al-Qaim who said that the airstrikes “were the most violent and powerful”. Local sources told Reuters that the struck neighborhood in Al-Qaim is a residential area that was being used by armed groups to store large amounts of weapons, and that the US strikes and secondary explosion caused widespread damage.

A Facebook post by Usama Al Ma’mouri included the names of three people who were identified as medical assistants of a brigade: nurse Qasim Mohsen Sajet, nurse Zulfiqar Talaat Abd, and nurse Abdullah Ibrahim Abdul Jabbar. Medical professionals are considered protected persons under international humanitarian law.

The post also included the names of seven others identified as members of the Anbar and Al-Tafuf Brigade operations: Atheer Jaber Salman, Abdul Abbas Abdullah Abbas, Safaa Hussein Majeed, Hussein Ali Ismail, Hamza Qati Radi Al-Jamali, Abdul Rahman Khaled, Sattar Al-Jughaifi. This contests the sources who reported that Khaled Abdul Rahman and Sattar were both civilians. A post from Bani Hajeem added the name Ajami Dhidan Al-Ghanimi to the list of militants killed while Ghaith Ayed added the names Shammar Kawam Al-Khader and Kazem Abdel Hamza Alwan Al-Aifari.

The ِInformation Directorate of the PMF released a statement that strikes resulted in the death of 16 and the injury of 36 others, and that the search was still ongoing for bodies. The statement broke the casualties down to their specific rolls in the PMF: Anbar Operations Mobile Headquarters and the 13th Brigade Support Battalion (seven killed and seven wounded), Logistics support headquarters (one wounded), artillery location (one killed and four wounded), armor location (three killed and ten wounded), Tank battalion location (four wounded), Two sites belonging to the 45th Brigade (11 wounded), Issam Al-Baldawi Medical Hospital (five killed).

The Assistant for Medical Affairs in the PMF also accused the US of “targeting medical detachments and hospitals belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces in the Al-Qaim district” and provided the names of those who were killed when hospitals affiliated with the PMU were struck: Qasim Mohsen Sajet, Zulfiqar Talaat Abd, Abdullah Ibrahim Abd al-Jabbar, Atheer Jaber Salman, and Abd al-Abbas Abd Allah Abbas.

The Iraqi government spokesman, Basem Al-Awadi, confirmed that the strikes resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including civilians, and caused “major damage” to homes and private property. In response, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the temporary Chargé d’Affairs at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Mr. David Burger, and issued an official memorandum of protest which denounced “the American aggression that targeted Iraqi security forces as well as civilian sites in the Akashat and Al-Qaim regions, which led to martyrs and injuries, including civilians, in addition to damage to residential buildings and property.”

US CENTCOM released a statement that at 4pm EST (12:00am in Iraq and Syria) “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces.”

A statement from the Department of Defense added that “National security officials said the facilities targeted in today’s strikes were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and were based on clear evidence that they were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel” and John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator was quoted as saying “The Department of Defense is in the early stages of battle damage assessment, but we believe that the strikes were successful,” adding the details that the strikes were against seven facilities utilized by Iran’s IRCG, three of the facilities were in Iraq and four of them were in Syria, and more than 125 precision-guided munitions were fired over the course of 30 minutes. According to Army Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II, director of operations for the Joint Staff, the strikes employed “multiple aircraft, including B-1 Lancers that flew from bases in the U.S.”

Arabi21 News also quoted Director of Operations for the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Douglas Sims, who stated that the strikes were “very successful, which led to large secondary explosions resulting from strikes that hit their weapons.” An unnamed American official also told Arabi21 that the US targeted “a small number of “dynamic targets” that appeared as the mission began, including a surface-to-air missile site and drone launch sites.”

The incident occured between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (0–2 men3–5 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–15
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known targets
    Iranian military, Iraqi militias (PMUs)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    36

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (41) [ collapse]

  • A plane takes off from an unidentified location, as the U.S. launches airstrikes on targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in the screen grab from a handout video released on February 2, 2024. US Central Command via X/Handout via REUTERS
  • Security forces inspect a damaged car at the site of a U.S. airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq February 3, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer
  • Shell casings in al-Qaim, Iraq February 3, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer Acquire Licensing Rights
  • A destroyed building is pictured at the site of a U.S. airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq February 3, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer
  • Destruction from US airstrikes on a PMF site. (AP)
  • "With hearts that believe in God’s will and destiny, I extend my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha, narrator A. The death of their son as a result of the bombing of the city of Al-Qaim"
  • Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha Al-Rawi, reportedly a civilian killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِOmar Abed Husein via Facebook)
  • Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha Al-Rawi, reportedly a civilian killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِAl Boumahal Clan via Facebook)
  • Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha Al-Rawi, reportedly a civilian killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِNashwan Al Mohammed via Facebook)
  • Abdul Rahman Khaled Shehadha Al-Rawi, reportedly a civilian killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by @Iraq.nanoa via Twitter/X)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Members of the 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade reportedly killed by US strikes in Al-Qaim on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِِِِAl Saleh via Facebook)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِAl Sharqiya TV)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِAl Sharqiya TV)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِAl Sharqiya TV)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِAl Sharqiya TV)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Images taken in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Remnants in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Remnants in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • Effects of the US strike in Al-Qaim district on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by ِMountather Al Zaydi)
  • A member of the "Islamic resistance mujahideen in Anbar" who was reportedly killed by US strikes on February 3, 2024. (Image posted by Ghaith Ayed)
  • Some of results of American strikes at AlQaem town on the border between Syria and Iraq

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. - At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (0–2 men3–5 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–15
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known targets
    Iranian military, Iraqi militias (PMUs)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    36

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM340

Incident date

July 25, 2021

Location

Between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district, Galmudug, Somalia

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes

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

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM365

Incident date

January 9, 2023

Location

Hawadley, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    60–61
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes

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

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    60–61
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM392

Incident date

July 8–9, 2023

Location

near Afmadow, Lower Juba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 40 militants were killed by declared US airstrikes near Afmadow in Lower Juba on July 8, 2023.

AFRICOM announced on July 9, 2023 that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted three collective self-defense airstrikes overnight in a remote area near Afmadow, approximately 105 kilometers north of Kismayo, against al-Shabaab terrorists. The airstrike was in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization. Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed 10 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Kenyans.co.ke reported that the operation was carried out with Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and according to the Counter Terrorism and Security Intelligence (CTNSIS), “three Kenyans were among the militants shot dead during the operation” as well as two other militants who were Ethiopians. CTNSIS added that the join operation captured an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) factory and recovered a Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED), and that the commandos were deployed to the Hagar area for the operation.

Voice of America joined out that the Somali government had also reported that three operations conducted by Somali forces and “international partners” in Afmadow resulted in the death of 40 militants.

AFRICOM spokeswoman Kelly Cahalan told Task & Purpose that no US troops were on the ground at the time of the airstrikes.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10–40

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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 provide assistance to Somalia National Army

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted three collective self-defense airstrikes overnight in a remote area near Afmadow, approximately 105 kilometers north of Kismayo, against al-Shabaab terrorists.

The airstrike was in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization.

Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed 10 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack partner and U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests.

Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10–40

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM420

Incident date

February 24, 2024

Location

Jilib Marka, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Airwars assessment

On the 24th of February, 2024, the Federal Government of Somalia released a statement claiming that attacks by Somali government forces and international partner forces, conducted early in the morning of the same day, had killed 30 Al-Shabaab militants at a meeting point in the village of Jilib Marka, in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. However, multiple sources pointed to US involvement in the strikes, with one referring to it as a “drone strike”.

According to Halqabsi News, reporting on the 24th of February, the Somali government statement specified that the forces involved in the operation had “targeted a gathering of Al-Shabaab” and also “confiscated a military cache used in their operations” after actionable intelligence had been obtained. Halqabsi News reported that the operation had included an airstrike and that the attacks had been conducted before dawn.

A similar report on the attack from the Shabelle Media Network, also dated the 24th of February, contained the headline “Suspected U.S. airstrike kills at least 30 Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia”. The news site AxAdle (February 24th) more specifically classified the attack as a drone strike, stating that it was “the second strike by the U.S. Africa Command in collaboration with the Somali National Army”.

On the same day, Halbeeg News stated that the operation had led to the destruction of vehicles in the Al-Shabaab ‘base’ and further noted that “the government also claimed to have killed ring leaders”.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    30

Sources (5) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    30

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1992

Incident date

May 3, 2023

Location

قورقانيا, Qurqaniya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.133082, 36.623254 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 60 year old male civilian was killed by a declared US drone strike on the outskirts of Qurqaniya just before noon on May 3, 2023. At the time of the strike, US Central Command released a statement that they had targeted a senior Al Qaeda leader without any additional details. On May 2, 2024, the US military admitted that “a civilian, Mr. Lufti Hasan Masto (Masto), was struck and killed instead.”

The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) tweeted that a civilian named Lutfi Hassan Masto (Abu Hassan), age 60, was killed by an unidentified drone while grazing sheep on the outskirts of Qurqaniya. The drone strike also resulted in the death of sheep.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement on May 3rd that “at 1142am local Syrian time on 3 May, US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral strike in Northwest Syria targeting a senior Al Qaeda leader. We will provide more information as operation details become available.”

However, the information provided by CENTCOM has been disputed by local sources. A tweet from Syrian journalist @pressrahhal stated that while “US Central Command claimed targeting a leader it said was prominent in the “Al-Qaeda” organization…the target is the martyr uncle “Lutfi Hassan Masto” at the age of 60, and he is a civilian who has no connection with any organization, neither now nor previously.”

Xeber24 News was the only source that referred to “the leader of one of the terrorist organizations” as being killed in the drone strike but did not clarify if it was the same person as the elderly man killed. However, multiple terrorism experts that spoke with the Washington Post pointed out that “it would be very unusual for al-Qaeda — particularly a senior leader — to operate in any meaningful way near the area, which is controlled by a rival group (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) that split from the organization years ago and now considers al-Qaeda an adversary.” Other terrorist analysts pointed out that there were no announcements or celebrations of martyrdom among any terrorist organizations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a militant group that controls Idlib province, told The Post the victim was a civilian.

A Washington Post investigation into the victim identified him as “a father of 10 tending to his sheep when he was slain by an American missile” and “a former bricklayer who lived quietly in this town in northwest Syria” according to interviews with his brother, son and six others who knew him. Those that knew him described a kind, hard-working man whose “whole life was spent poor.”

Multiple local sources referred to the location of the strike as being on a poultry farm, specifically in the vicinity of “Abu Khalouf poultry farm.”

Aramme News attributed the strike to a MQ9 reconnaissance aircraft.

On May 9th, AP quoted Maj. John Moore, a CENTCOM spokesperson, who said Tuesday that U.S. forces “are in the process of confirming the identity of the individual killed in the strike….We are aware of the allegations of a civilian casualty and the outcome of the confirmation process will inform if further investigation is necessary and how it should proceed.” On May 18th, the Washington Post quoted two U.S. defense officials, one who said “We are no longer confident we killed a senior AQ official,” while the other official said  “though we believe the strike did not kill the original target, we believe the person to be al-Qaeda.”

The victim’s brother, Mohamed Masto, told AP that reports that his brother was involved in al-Qaida were “absolute lies” and that his killing was “an injustice and an aggression…He had nothing to do with the revolution. … He had nothing to do with the Al-Nusra Front or with the Islamic State” or any of the other armed groups involved in Syria’s 12-year-old uprising-turned-civil-war, Masto said.

A neighbor named Fayad Jamil Raji told AP he had known Lufti Masto — or “Abu Hassan,” a nickname meaning “father of Hassan” — for many years. “The man was a civilian. He had a farm with poultry, cows and sheep,” he said.

According to the Washington Post, on the day of the strike, his son Hassan said that Masto had gathered with his family about 7:30 a.m that morning. “We had breakfast that morning like there was nothing wrong. We had breakfast and everything was fine, and then he went to herd his sheep,” the son recalled. Masto then took a break after a few hours outside near his home to have tea with his brother, and they parted ways around 11:30 a.m., and he returned to his animals as they grazed. An MQ-9 Predator drone soared overhead and struck him close to where he had just had tea with his brother 20 minutes ago. Neighbors pointed out that aircraft had been surveilling the area for nearly two weeks.

In a civilian casualty assessment released on November 30th 2023, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

On May 2, 2024, the CENTCOM released the findings of their investigation that “the investigation determined U.S. forces misidentified the intended Al Qaeda target and that a civilian, Mr. Lufti Hasan Masto (Masto), was struck and killed instead. Many of the facts and other findings of the investigation involve classified information and cannot be shared publicly. What we can share is the investigation concluded the strike was conducted in compliance with the law of armed conflict as well as Department of Defense and CENTCOM policies. However, the investigation revealed several issues that could be improved. We are committed to learning from this incident and improving our targeting processes to mitigate potential civilian harm.”

The incident occured at 11:42:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Lutfi Hassan Masto لطفي حسن مسطو
60 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Remnants of the missile from a US drone that killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Sheep killed by a US drone that also killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Remnants of the missile from a US drone that killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Remnants of the missile from a US drone that killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • A raid by the armed coalition warplanes targeted a poultry farm near the town of Qorqanya, north of Idlib
  • White Helmet volunteers at the site of a declared US drone strike that killed a civilian in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The civilian "Lutfi Hassan Masto" (60 years old) was killed by a missile strike from a drone that targeted him while he was working in herding sheep on the outskirts of the town of "Qorqanya", north of Idlib.
  • Image of Lutfi Hassan Masto, age 60, killed by a declared US drone strike in Qurqaniya, Syria on May 3, 2023. (Image posted by @khaleedalkhteb)
  • Mohammed Hassan Masto sits next to the grave of his brother Lutfi, who was killed on Wednesday, May 3, in a U.S. military strike, in the village of Qorqanya, a rural area in northern Idlib province, Syria, Sunday, May 7, 2023. Maj. John Moore, a CENTCOM spokesperson, said Tuesday, May 9, that U.S. forces are investigating reports that they killed a civilian in the recent strike in northwest Syria that meant to target a senior al-Qaida leader. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
  • An undated image of Lotfi Hassan Misto, who was killed on May 3 by a U.S. drone strike in Syria. (Courtesy of the Misto family)
  • Location of strike: Satellite image © 2023 Maxar Technologies via Google Earth

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Qurqaniya (قورقانيا). Reporting from the Washington Post places the strike at the following exact coordinates: 36.133082, 36.623254.

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US Forces Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • May 2, 2024
  • Nov 30, 2023

  • May 03, 2023, near Qurqanya, Syria, via White Helmets report. 3334/CS1992/37S BA 86128 01283

  • May 2, 2024 Release Number 20240502-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. – On May 3, 2023, the United States conducted a unilateral counterterrorism air strike in Northwest Syria targeting a senior Al Qaeda leader. Soon after the air strike, reports surfaced the strike may have resulted in a civilian casualty. Following initial reviews by subordinate elements, General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), directed Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF - OIR) to conduct a joint investigation on 6 June 2023 in accordance with Army Regulation 15- 6. The investigation, which concluded on November 15, 2023, was conducted by Investigating Officer, Brigadier General John P. Cogbill, U.S. Army, and supported by a team of ten senior service members and civilian employees not directly involved with the strike with extensive subject matter expertise in intelligence, law of armed conflict, operations, and targeting matters. The investigative team received both cognitive bias training and red team training. The team conducted site visits in the United States, Iraq, and Jordan, and interviewed more than forty witnesses. The investigative team also sought information from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The team reviewed classified and unclassified information held by DoD and other federal agencies. The investigation determined U.S. forces misidentified the intended Al Qaeda target and that a civilian, Mr. Lufti Hasan Masto (Masto), was struck and killed instead. Many of the facts and other findings of the investigation involve classified information and cannot be shared publicly. What we can share is the investigation concluded the strike was conducted in compliance with the law of armed conflict as well as Department of Defense and CENTCOM policies. However, the investigation revealed several issues that could be improved. We are committed to learning from this incident and improving our targeting processes to mitigate potential civilian harm. U.S. Central Command acknowledges and regrets the civilian harm that resulted from the airstrike. We take all reports of civilian harm caused by U.S. military operations seriously and continue to employ thorough and deliberate targeting and strike processes to minimize civilian harm. This process includes a thorough review and vetting of lawful targets prior to a strike and another review after each strike. CENTCOM is fully engaged in implementing the objectives in the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) and the DoD Instruction (DoDI) 3000.17, titled “Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response.”

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At 1142am local Syrian time on 3 May, US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral strike in Northwest Syria targeting a senior Al Qaeda leader. We will provide more information as operation details become available.
"This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS and Al Qaeda," said General Michael "Erik" Krill, CENTCOM Commander.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1959

Incident date

June 28, 2021

Location

القائم, Al Qa’em, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly killed and three other civilians, including women and children, were wounded in US airstrikes on the Al Qa’em area near the Syrian-Iraqi borders on June 28, 2021. Local sources also reported that between four and 11 militants, with at least four members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization, were also killed. The US Department of Defense confirmed they carried out the airstrikes but initially only recognized killing militants until admitting that “at least one civilian was killed or wounded” in November 2023, which was revised to “one civilian killed” in the 2022 1057 report released April 25, 2024.

Syrian Arab News Agency reported that the airstrikes attacked “residential houses near the Syrian-Iraqi borders in the countryside of al-Bokmal” led to “the martyrdom of a child, the injury of 3 civilians, and material damage”. Sputnik News also pointed to local sources that reported that “a child was killed and 3 other civilians were wounded” and that “the source denied that the target site was a military one, pointing out that the warehouses contain large quantities of oil derivatives, stressing that the fires affected vehicles that were in the target area”.

Eye of Euphrates provided information on both civilian and belligerent casualties, reporting that “the initial statistic that was reached indicates the killing of about 10 members of the Sayyid al-Shuhada militia (4 of them were recognized by the militia), amid reports of a civilian death and wounding of others, including women and children, with varying injuries, after which they were transferred to the city of Deir Ezzor”. According to them, the civilian casualties were caused by “Iranian militias hiding among civilians and taking their headquarters and warehouses within residential areas”.

The US Department of Defense released a statement that “the targets were selected because these facilities are utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq. Specifically, the U.S. strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries. Several Iran-backed militia groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), used these facilities.”

Various sources reported on militants that were killed in the strikes. According to Euphrates Post, “Iraqi Popular Mobilization Militia mourns four of its fighters who were killed as a result of the American air strikes” and included an image of the four that were killed. @DeirEzzorNow also named four Popular Mobilization members killed as “Karar Abdel Aziz, Hussein Ali Abdul Hussein, Karar Saad Hamdan, Mohamed Al-Fartousi” and later provided an elevated death toll of 11.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights provided a death toll of seven Iraqi Popular Mobilization” militia members in addition to “destruction of an ammunition and weapons depot, in addition to the destruction of another military point for the militias.” Step News gave their own toll of “6 militants were killed and about 12 others were wounded”.

A tweet from @YusufAd76532779 identified that “the house that was targeted by the American aircraft last night near the city of #Albukamal and the Syrian-Iraqi border, which was used by the militias of the “Sayyid Al-Shuhada” as their headquarters, has become completely destroyed and all of the militia members were killed in it”.

Geolocation for the incident was provided by @obretix, @AuroraIntel and @SAMSyria0.

In a civilian casualty assessment released November 3, 2023, the Coalition classed this event as ‘credible’, admitting that ” Strikes on this date targeted an operational and weapons storage facility utilized by militias that engage in unmanned aerial vehicle attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel and facilities. An assessment found that at least one civilian was killed or wounded given the nature of the target buildings and observable effects of the deployed munitions.”

In the Department of Defense’s 2022 annual report on civilian casualties (1057 report), released April 25, 2024, the US military revised their estimate to “one civilian killed”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • Image of the alleged members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Militia killed in US airstrikes on the Syrian-Iraqi border on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)
  • Explosions and smoke caused by the US airstrikes near Al-Bukamal, east of Deir Ezzor, on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Eye)
  • Explosions and smoke caused by the US airstrikes near Al-Bukamal, east of Deir Ezzor, on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Eye)
  • Geolocation of the US airstrikes on the Syrian-Iraqi border on June 28, 2021 done by @obretix.
  • Geolocation of the US airstrikes on the Syrian-Iraqi border on June 28, 2021 done by @obretix.
  • Image of the alleged members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Militia killed in US airstrikes on the Syrian-Iraqi border on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by @SAMSyria0)
  • According to @SAMSyria0, "one of the American raids targeted a site (the yellow circle) near the site that was targeted in previous raids (the red circle), and the two sites are located on the Syrian-Iraqi border near the crossing Qaim."
  • Images of the "American strikes on the free zone in Al-Bukamal, Syria (on the border with Iraq) targeting sites" (Image posted by @mas2oul1)
  • Images of the "American strikes on the free zone in Al-Bukamal, Syria (on the border with Iraq) targeting sites" (Image posted by @mas2oul1)
  • Images of the "American strikes on the free zone in Al-Bukamal, Syria (on the border with Iraq) targeting sites" (Image posted by @mas2oul1)
  • The before image of a home that allegedly belonged to militias of the "Sayyid Al-Shuhada" as their headquarters and was destroyed by US airstrikes on the Syrian-Iraqi border. (Image posted by @YusufAd76532779)
  • The after image of a home that allegedly belonged to militias of the "Sayyid Al-Shuhada" as their headquarters and was destroyed by US airstrikes on the Syrian-Iraqi border. (Image posted by @YusufAd76532779)
  • One of the headquarters of the "Sayyid al-Shuhada" militia, which was destroyed by US warplanes, in the countryside of Al-Bukamal. #Nahr_media
  • Geolocation of one of the strikes using video footage with coordinates provided. (Images posted by @AuroraIntel)
  • Geolocation of one of the strikes using video footage with coordinates provided. (Images posted by @AuroraIntel)
  • Geolocation of one of the strikes using video footage with coordinates provided. (Images posted by @AuroraIntel)
  • Geolocation of one of the strikes using video footage with coordinates provided. (Images posted by @AuroraIntel)
  • Geolocation of one of the strikes using video footage with coordinates provided. (Images posted by @AuroraIntel)
  • Geolocation of one of the strikes using video footage with coordinates provided. (Images posted by @AuroraIntel)
  • Damage to the Iranian militia headquarters in Al-Hari caused by the US airstrikes on the border areas of Al-Bukamal countryside on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by the US airstrikes on the border areas of Al-Bukamal countryside on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by the US airstrikes on the border areas of Al-Bukamal countryside on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates via Facebook)
  • Damage to a Civilian house caused by the US airstrikes on the border areas of Al-Bukamal countryside on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates via Facebook)
  • Damage to the Afghan headquarters in Al-Hari caused by the US airstrikes on the border areas of Al-Bukamal countryside on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates via Facebook)
  • Damage to the Iranian forces in Al-Hari crossing caused by the US airstrikes on the border areas of Al-Bukamal countryside on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates via Facebook)
  • Area near the US airstrikes on the border areas of Al-Bukamal countryside on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates via Facebook)
  • A crane belonging to the Revolutionary Guard heads to the sites of the raids to remove the rubble and retrieve the bodies following US airstrikes on the border areas of Al-Bukamal countryside on June 28, 2021. (Image posted by Eye of Euphrates via Facebook)

US Forces Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • Apr 27, 2024
  • Nov 3, 2023

  • June 28, 2021, near Al Qaem, on the Iraq-Syria, via Airwars report. Strikes on this date targeted an operational and weapons storage facility utilized by militias that engage in unmanned aerial vehicle attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel and facilities. An assessment found that at least one civilian was killed or wounded given the nature of the target buildings and observable effects of the deployed munitions.

  • 28 JUN 21 Al Qa’im, Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria, Air, 1 civilian killed

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

"At President Biden's direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted defensive precision airstrikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region. The targets were selected because these facilities are utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq. Specifically, the U.S. strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries. Several Iran-backed militia groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), used these facilities.

As demonstrated by this evening's strikes, President Biden has been clear that he will act to protect U.S. personnel. Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. interests in Iraq, the President directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks. We are in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq for the sole purpose of assisting the Iraqi Security Forces in their efforts to defeat ISIS. The United States took necessary, appropriate, and deliberate action designed to limit the risk of escalation - but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message.

As a matter of international law, the United States acted pursuant to its right of self-defense. The strikes were both necessary to address the threat and appropriately limited in scope. As a matter of domestic law, the President took this action pursuant to his Article II authority to protect U.S. personnel in Iraq."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12

Sources (29) [ collapse]