Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
11041 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

USSOM418

Incident date

February 15, 2024

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba region, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Two Cuban doctors, general medicine specialist Assel Herrera and surgeon Landy Rodriguez, were reportedly killed in a declared U.S. airstrike (possibly drone strike) conducted around 12:05am on the 15th of February 2024 in the town of Jilib, in the region of Middle Juba, Somalia. The militant group Al-Shabaab stated via Telegram that it had captured the two doctors on the 12th of April, 2019 in Kenya and further claimed that they were killed in an airstrike conducted by AFRICOM (United States Africa Command) which had struck a house in Jilib. The statement from Al-Shabaab also contained two photos which claimed to show the dead body of one of the two doctors.

A CNN report on the incident, dated the 17th of February, quoted a response from AFRICOM spokeswoman Lennea Montandon who said that “the command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as available”. VOA News (Voice of America) reported on the 19th of February that Montandon did confirm that “an airstrike was conducted against Al-Shabaab on February 15th near Jilib”. Montandon also acknowledged that AFRICOM was “aware of reports of a strike alleged to have killed two civilians”. However, she added that there was “no further information” regarding the allegations. Furthermore, the report from CNN quoted an unnamed ‘U.S. defense official’ who “said that there was no credible evidence that there were any civilian casualties in the strike”.

AFRICOM released an official statement on the 28th of February that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command carried out an airstrike against the al-Shabaab terrorist group near Jilib, Somalia, on Feb. 15. U.S. Africa Command has assessed that one al-Shabaab militant was injured in this operation. The command is aware of the reports made by al-Shabaab of civilian casualties related to this strike. The command takes all reports of civilian casualties seriously. The command is conducting a review and will provide additional information as available.”

The strike was widely reported by a variety of media outlets. These included Anadolu Agency whose reporting, on the 17th of February, focused on the initial statement released by Al-Shabaab and the response from the Somali Ministry of Defense. Anadolu Agency’s report included the claim by Al-Shabaab that the US had been “deliberately targeting the prisoners for several months”.

Moreover, a series of online posts quoting the contents of the Al-Shabaab statement were made online by the Somali Guardian via X/Twitter, Caribbean News UK, and independent journalist Zakeriye Axmed, in addition to CTNSIS: a strategic counter-terrorism intelligence briefing service with a focus on East and Central Africa.

One article on the strike by Kenyans.co.ke, dated February 18th, reported the reaction of the Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel and the Cuban Foreign Affairs Ministry, who initially stressed the fact that the deaths of Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez, at the time, remained unconfirmed – a sentiment also repeated in a tweet posted by the Cuban embassy on February 18th. However, a tweet from @SomaliGuardian reported that “Cuban Ministry of Health contacts of families of two doctors held hostage by Al-Shabaab in #Somalia to inform them that they have been killed in an aerial bombardment”.

The report by Kenyans.co.ke contextually noted that the two doctors “came to Kenya following a 2017 health exchange programme where Cuban doctors arrived in the country to help fill gaps in county hospitals”. On the 17th of February, Garowe Online observed that there had been “concerted efforts to rescue the doctors including behind-the-scenes meetings involving government officials in Somalia, clan elders, Al-Shabaab, and the governments of Cuba and Kenya”.

The incident occured at approximately 12:05 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Assel Herrera
Adult male killed
Landy Rodriguez
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Source: @GaroweOnline
  • Source: Kenyans News
  • Source: Kenyans News
  • Source: @ZakeriyeAxmed

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @CTNSIS

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al-Shabaab

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command carried out an airstrike against the al-Shabaab terrorist group near Jilib, Somalia, on Feb. 15.

U.S. Africa Command has assessed that one al-Shabaab militant was injured in this operation.

The command is aware of the reports made by al-Shabaab of civilian casualties related to this strike. The command takes all reports of civilian casualties seriously. The command is conducting a review and will provide additional information as available.

The 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.

U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM417

Incident date

February 9, 2024

Location

in the vicinity of the village of Yaq Dabel, Lower Juba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

On the 9th of February, 2024, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab near the village of Yaq Dabel, located to the west of the city of Kismayo in Lower Juba, Somalia. AFRICOM released a statement on the 14th of February regarding the strike which made reference to an initial post-strike assessment that two Al-Shabaab militants had been killed in the attack and that no civilians had been injured or killed. The statement from AFRICOM classified the attack as a “collective self-defense airstrike” and added that the strike itself consisted of five separate ‘engagements’.

The airstrike was reported by several different media outlets including the Ethiopian Addis Standard, Garowe Online, and Antiwar.com. Antiwar.com noted that this was the first known U.S. airstrike in Somalia for the month of February, whilst adding contextual information about the U.S supported Somali campaign against Al-Shabaab.

Independent journalist Zakeriye Azmed also posted a statement regarding the strike online via X/Twitter containing information from the AFRICOM statement, whilst observing that Somali armed forces had conducted an operation against militants in the same area just days before, according to Somali state media.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @addisstandard

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with five engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Feb. 9.

The collective self-defense airstrike occurred in a remote area in the vicinity of Yaq Dabel, Somalia.

The initial post-strike assessment indicates that the U.S. airstrike killed two al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were harmed.

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

Al Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.

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, 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
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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

CS1997

Incident date

February 3, 2024

Location

البلعوم, Al Bal’oum in Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 3rd, 2024, one woman was reported injured while she was at home following a series of US strikes conducted on Al-Baloum neighborhood, in al-Mayadeen city, east of Deir Ezzor, in areas reportedly controlled by Iranian militias. The attacks were carried out at around midnight/at dawn, according to local reporting. Sources also reported a number of Iranian militia members and Syrian regime soldiers were killed and injured in the attacks.

Naher media reported that US strikes targeted several locations controlled by Iranian militias, lightly injuring a woman. @DeirEzzore on Twitter/X added that the woman was wounded “as a result of shrapnel flying from one of the militia positions targeted by coalition aircraft” led at dawn on February 3rd. Local sources often refer to US actions in Syria as ‘Coalition’ actions, given the longstanding presence of Coalition forces following the war against ISIS.

The source further said that the victim was injured while she was at home in Al-Baloum neighborhood, Mayadeen city. @asdaslm9 also reported on the woman’s injuries following the raids.

Euphrates Post further explained that an American air strike reportedly hit Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps militia leader Abu Al-Abbas’s villa, located close to Al-Baloum roundabout, in Mayadeen city, though the source did not link the attack to any civilian casualty.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), quoting a military statement, said the Syrian regime condemned US aerial attacks “on a number of sites and towns in the eastern region of Syria, near Iraqi borders, leaving many civilian and military martyrs, injuring others and causing huge damage to private and public properties” at dawn on February 3rd. The source did not add further details regarding the identification of the civilians harmed nor the locations of those strikes. No further information was available at this stage.

Despite local reporting referring to alleged US strikes conducted on multiple locations at dawn on February 3rd, sources did not always provide sufficient detail to distinguish where the militant casualties occurred. As such, Airwars aggregated the following militant death toll estimations in its ranges. In total, the estimated number of combatants killed was estimated between two and 19 while the number of injured varied between eight and 19. The casualties included Syrian regime army members as well as  Iranian militias militants Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Among those killed during the strikes, Naher media identified “Shalash Maher Mandil” described as an Iranian militia militant from Deir Ezzor. @DeirEzzore posted an obituary of the combatant and said he was killed on February 3rd by an American bombing conducted “west of the monastery”. @DeirEzzore identified Ali Shawish, a Syrian regime lieutenant from Homs as a second combatant killed by American strikes, and posted a picture of the man in military uniform.

On Facebook, Euphrates Post initially reported that three Iranian militia members were killed and others injured by an alleged drone strike in the outskirts of the city of Al-Mayadeen, east of Deir Ezzor. @DeirEzzore on Twitter/X estimated that two militias members were killed and five others injured. Three of those injured were described as Syrian fighters, members of IRGC. Naher media correspondent  reported that an American strike on the IRGC headquarters allegedly killed or injured three Afghans and three Iraqis. The source further stated that they were later transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital in Al-Mayadeen city. @DeirEzzore noted that the death toll was likely to increase, as “three army members” were in “a serious condition”, two of which from Deir Ezzor. SOHR said that 29 combatants were killed in Deir Ezzor and its countryside following US strikes – among which19 militia members either killed or injured in Al-Mayadeen. This number, according to SOHR,  includes members of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. SOHR added that some militants were reportedly still under the rubble in the city, fourteen hours after the attacks.

On Twitter/X, @nahermedia initially reported two American air strikes on February 3rd in Mayadeen, targeting IRGC bases in Al-Tammo neighborhood, and then, several minutes later, “more and more strikes now” conducted in the same city. Both posts were published at night shortly after midnight, local time. A video was published on February 3rd by Euphrates Post  recording several alleged US strikes conducted at night on farms in Mayadeen city, in areas described as ‘the most important strongholds’ of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards militia.

On February 3rd, Euphrates Post reported new ‘American air strikes carried out by warplanes’ targeting “Iranian positions close to Al-Rahba castle, Haidariyah and Al-Hashimiyeh”.  Among the areas hit, Naher media correspondent also listed the IRGC headquarters located near the “Ain Ali” shrine in Al-Quria desert, east of Deir Ezzor, and further strikes and raids: strikes conducted in Al-Mayadeen city: “two raids on headquarters in the Al-Tammu neighborhood, another raid on an Iranian militia headquarters near the old sheep auction”, and another raid “targeted a headquarters for the Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas militia in the Al-Baloum area, west and south of the city of Al-Mayadeen.”

In total, SOHR indicated that “26 vital positions of the Iranian militias” were hit by American strikes, including “positions in Al-Tamo Neighbourhood, Ain Ali Base, Al-Shably Neighbourhood, Al-Haidariya and grain silos (…) in Al-Mayadeen City”.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known targets
    Hezbollah, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–19
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–19

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • @nahermedia
  • @DeirEzzore
    @DeirEzzore
  • Source: @DeirEzzore
    source: @DeirEzzore

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

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
    Agriculture
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known targets
    Hezbollah, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–19
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8–19

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi014

Incident date

February 2, 2024

Location

مزارع الجار, ِAl Jar farms, Hajjah Governorate, Yemen

Geolocation

16.030247, 42.980695 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A farm worker was injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes on a farm in the “Al-Jar Farms” area in Abs District on February 2, 2024.

According to Jameel Ahmad, American-British fighter jets launched four airstrikes against former President “Ali Saleh’s farm in the “Al-Jar Farms” area in Abs District,” which was a farm that the Houthis had converted to grow produce but “there was no military site there.” Jameel Ahmad also spoke with a source who said that reconnaissance planes had flown over the area earlier in the day “as dozens of workers were present on the farm, and that most of the farmers were able to leave before the bombing, while one of the farmers was moderately injured”. Al Mashhad News and Yemen data project reported a similar casualty number, and Al Mashhad News quoted Houthi sources who said that the strikes did not hit any vital or sensitive targets.

Islamic Republic News Agency reported similar details that the US-UK jointly carried out strikes on the city of Abs in Hajjah Province, according to a Yemeni intelligence official, hours after a British vessel was hit off the western coast of Yemen.

US Central Command released a statement that “at approximately 4:40 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against four Houthi UAVs that were prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. forces subsequently struck and destroyed the UAVs in self-defense.” It is unclear if these are the same strikes which hit the farm as the US military did not provide a location.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, UK Military, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an alleged strike in the al Jar farms area (مزارع الجار) to the west of Abs (عبس). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the al Jar farms are: 16.030247, 42.980695.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[43.050957,16.0829295],[43.050957,15.9864145],[42.923069,15.9864145],[42.923069,16.0829295],[43.050957,16.0829295]]]}}]}

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. - On Feb. 2, at approximately 10:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), USS Carney (DDG 64) engaged and shot down one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damage reported.
Later that same day, at approximately 4:40 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against four Houthi UAVs that were prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. forces subsequently struck and destroyed the UAVs in self-defense.
Then, at 9:20 p.m. (Sanaa time), USS Laboon (DDG 58) and F/A-18s from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group engaged and shot down seven UAVs over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.

UK Military Assessment:

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

UK Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, UK Military, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM415

Incident date

January 24, 2024

Location

Remorse area in the vicinity of Caad, Mudug, eastern Somalia, Somalia

Airwars assessment

On the 24th of January, 2024, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab in a remote area near the town of Caad in the Mudug region of eastern Somalia. AFRICOM stated that six Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the strike and assessed that no civilians were injured or killed.

AFRICOM released a statement on the 26th of January announcing that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with three engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Jan. 24. The strike occurred in a remote area in the vicinity of Caad, Somalia. The initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed six al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

On the 26th of January, Jeff Seldin, national security correspondent for VOA News (Voice of America) posted a brief statement regarding the strike using X/Twitter, however the post only contained the basic details contained in the AFRICOM public statement, namely the location of the strike, the number of militants allegedly killed, and the assessment that there had been no civilian casualties. These details were similarly reported by Garowe Online in a tweet dated the 27th of January.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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
    6

Sources (5) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al Shabaab

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with three engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Jan. 24.

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with three engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Jan. 24.

The strike occurred in a remote area in the vicinity of Caad, Somalia.

The initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed six al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

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

Al Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.

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, 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
    6

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM413

Incident date

January 24, 2024

Location

the town of Gal Hareri, Galgaduud, central Somalia, Somalia

Airwars assessment

On the 25th of January, 2024, an alleged Somali or US drone or air strike was conducted against the Al-Shabaab militant group in the town of Gal Hereri, in the Galgaduud region of Central Somalia, killing at least 20 militants, according to Somali regional and military officials. One woman, Maido Yusuf Abdulle, was reported to have been fatally injured in the drone strike, and was one of ten civilians killed or injured, according to Mogadishu News.

On the 25th of January, VOA News (Voice of America) quoted the Galmudug Regional Security Minister, Mohamed Aden Gaboobe who announced that “Somali military forces, supported by international partners, conducted the strike in the town of Gal Hareri, targeting sites used by militants to manufacture improvised firearms, bombs and other explosives”. According to Uzalendo News, a Kenyan online newspaper, Mohamed Aden Gaboobe had also stated that the strike had additionally “targeted Radio Andalus, Al-Shabaab’s mouthpiece in Somalia.”

VOA News noted that no details were provided regarding which international partners’ “drones were involved in the strike”. VOA News further emphasized that U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) had “often conducted such strikes in Somalia at the request of Somalia’s federal government”. However, one Somali security official, who had requested anonymity, told VOA News that Turkish drones “were also providing air support to Somali forces”.

M.M. Dhoore, a former BBC journalist and current managing editor of SNTV London stated that the number of militants killed in the strike was higher, quoting Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) which claimed that 30 militants had been killed, including 11 “top commanders”. The released list of the 11 commanders killed included Abdi Jarin Shan-Bogolle and Abdullahi Maalim Bashir. Haberler.com reported that Abdi Jarin Shan-Bogolle was known as one of the ‘Khawrij’ founders in the Galgaduud region. ‘Khawrij’ is the preferred term recently used by the Somali government to refer to the Al-Shabaab militant group.

On the 27th of January, Mogadishu News posted a tweet on X/Twitter regarding the attack, stating that 10 civilians had been killed or injured, including women and children. Mogadishu News also referred to unnamed pro-Al-Shabaab media sources who, they said, had “released photos of the victims of the airstrike”.

The Mogadishu News X/Twitter post also referred to reporting that Maido Yusuf Abdulle, a mother of two children, had “succumbed to her injuries” on the 27th of January, following the strike, which they attributed to the US. The claim that 10 civilians were killed or injured by the strike was repeated by independent Somali journalist Huda Farhan, who tweeted a statement which was identical to that of Mogadishu News.

On the 26th of January, one user of the social media platform Telegram, Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada, posted a series of very graphic photos showing the dead bodies of individuals allegedly killed or injured in the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Maido Yusuf Abdulle
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    20–30

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @dhoorebbc

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @dhoorebbc

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Mogadishu_News
  • Source: @dhoorebbc

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @UzalendoNews_KE

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram
  • Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ololaha la dagaalanka Argagixisada Telegram

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

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

Media
from belligerent (2) [ collapse]

  • Source: @dhoorebbc
  • Source: @dhoorebbc

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    20–30

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM414

Incident date

January 21, 2024

Location

35 km northeast of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

On January 21st, 2024, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a drone strike against the Al-Shabaab militant group 35 kilometers northeast of the city of Kismayo in the Lower Juba region of Somalia, reportedly killing three militants. To date, there have been no reports of civilian casualties in connection to the strike.

Two days later, on the 23rd of January, AFRICOM released a statement on the strike: “at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with two engagements against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group on Jan. 21”. The statement added that after an initial assessment, it was judged that “no civilians were injured or killed” by the airstrike and that three Al-Shabaab militants had been killed.

The Long War Journal published an online article, written by Bill Rodrigo and Caleb Weiss, dated January 23rd, which stated that the attack had specifically been a drone strike and observed that the attack was the first declared US drone strike in Somalia in 2024. The Long War Journal noted that “neither AFRICOM, the U.S. military command responsible for such strikes, nor Somalia itself have confirmed the exact coordinates” of the strike.

Additionally, a report from Associated Press (AP) written by Omar Faruk on January 23rd, reported that there had been “no immediate response” from Al-Shabaab concerning the strike. Furthermore, Garowe Online on January 24th, stated that the militants killed were “not notorious” but that the strike had been carried out “for defense purposes” in coordination with the Somali National Army (SNA).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @hornafricanguy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @jseldinit should be @jseldin

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @5hekina

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al Shabaab

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with two engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Jan. 21.

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with two engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Jan. 21.

The collective self-defense strike occurred in a remote area of Somalia, approximately 35 kilometers northeast of Kismayo.

The initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed three al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

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

Al Shabaab is the largest and most active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    3

Sources (18) [ collapse]