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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Yemen
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Incident Code

USYEMTr052

Incident date

March 29–30, 2017

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.425116, 46.171369 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of Mojan, al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There were no known reports of civilian casualties.

Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha area, including Mojan and al-Maroun.  Images of alleged US illumination shells were posted on social media the day after the reported strikes.

According to one source, four AQAP militants were killed in the course of the shelling in al-Maraqisha, though it was unclear in which specific strike these casualties were alleged to have been killed. This claim has been accounted for in this entry.

Several local language social media sources also suggested that US ground forces were deployed in the area, variously described as a success and a failure by different sources, but no further information was available.

Late on March 30th, a few Twitter sources indicated that a naval bombardment was taking place in the area, possibly indicating that the strikes continued into the night of March 30th to March 31st.  These sources may constitute late reporting of the initial reported strikes.

The Mojan area was the target of several alleged US strikes in March 2017, including a reported special forces amphibious landing on March 2nd 2017.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@sanaawald, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mojan (موجان), for which the coordinates are: 13.425116, 46.171369. 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr053

Incident date

March 29–30, 2017

Location

جبل المراقشه, Jabal Al Maraqisha, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.561668, 46.134923 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of al-Maroun, in the al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There are no known associated reports of civilian casualties.

Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha area, including Mogan and al-Maroun. Images of alleged US illumination shells were posted on social media the day after the reported strikes.

According to one source, four AQAP militants were killed in the course of the shelling in the al-Maraqisha area, though it was unclear in which specific strike these casualties were alleged to have been killed. This claim has been accounted for in event USYEMTr052.

Several local language social media sources also suggested that US ground forces were deployed in the area, variously described as a success and a failure by different sources, but no further information was available.

Late on March 30th, a few Twitter sources indicated that a naval bombardment was taking place in the area, possibly indicating that the strikes continued into the night of March 30th to March 31st.  These sources may constitute late reporting of the initial reported strikes.

This reported action took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@sanaawald, March 30th 2017)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Maroun (المرون) within the area of Jabal Al Maraqisha (جبل المراقشه), for which, due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jabal Al Maraqisha are: 13.561668, 46.134923

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Maroun (المرون) within the area of Jabal Al Maraqisha (جبل المراقشه).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr047

Incident date

March 28–29, 2017

Location

القوز, Al Quoz, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.88921, 46.14929 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike took place in Al Quoz village, in the Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 28th to March 29th, killing four alleged AQAP militants in a vehicle. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm.

According to Reuters, local residents said that the strike took place at around midnight, leaving the vehicle burning with four bodies inside. News agency AFP and local- language Twitter sources reported that two missiles were fired at the vehicle from a suspected US drone.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, 50 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Four alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed in a US drone strike in Al-Quoz village. After the strike, AQAP reportedly released these photos of the casualties (@bjoernstritzel, 31st March 2017)
  • Four alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed in a US drone strike in Al-Quoz village. After the strike, AQAP reportedly released these photos of the casualties (@bjoernstritzel, 31st March 2017)
  • Four alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed in a US drone strike in Al-Quoz village. After the strike, AQAP reportedly released these photos of the casualties (@bjoernstritzel, 31st March 2017)
  • Four alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed in a US drone strike in Al-Quoz village. After the strike, AQAP reportedly released these photos of the casualties (@bjoernstritzel, 31st March 2017)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the village of Al Qouz (القوز), for which the coordinates are: 13.88921, 46.14929. 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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr048

Incident date

March 28–29, 2017

Location

وادي النسيل, Wadi Al Naseel, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.713333, 46.011944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several sources reported that three US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP sites in Wadi al-Naseel, in the Wadea area of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 28th to March 29th. There are no known associated reports of civilian or militant harm.

According to Reuters, local residents said that they had heard missile strikes on a “suspected al Qaeda outpost”, but said that the number of casualties was unknown.  Some sources reported that a drone had launched the strikes, though others reported “warplanes”.  According to one source, the strike came alongside another attack in Al-Quoz village (USYEMTr047), which was alleged to have taken place at around midnight.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, 50 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Wadi Al Naseel (وادي النسيل) in the south of the Al Wade’a (الوضيع) district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the district are: 13.713333, 46.011944

  • Reports of the incident mention Wadi Al Naseel (وادي النسيل) in the south of the Al Wade’a (الوضيع) district.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr046

Incident date

March 14, 2017

Location

مديرية العبر, Al Abr District, Hadramout, Yemen

Geolocation

15.934614, 47.224583 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported US drone strike killed two alleged AQAP militants, including a Saudi national, while they were driving in the Al-Abr area of Hadramout governorate, on March 14th 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm.

According to FPA, the alleged militants were named as Abu Jandal al-Hadrami and Abu Hashim al-Sharuri by an anonymous security official. Some sources suggested that the former was an AQAP poet, while others suggested that one of the casualties was a “Saudi leader”.

This reported strike took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, 50 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Two alleged AQAP militants, Abu Jandal Al-Hadrami and Abu Hashim Al-Sharouri, were reportedly killed in a US drone strike against a vehicle in Al-Abr, Hadramout (@MENAanalyst, March 14th 2017)
  • Two alleged AQAP militants, Abu Jandal Al-Hadrami and Abu Hashim Al-Sharouri, were reportedly killed in a US drone strike against a vehicle in Al-Abr, Hadramout (@MENAanalyst, March 14th 2017)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck within the Al Abr District (مديرية العبر), for which, due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Abr District are: 15.934614, 47.224583.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck within the Al Abr District (مديرية العبر).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr045

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Location

الوضيع, Al Wade'a, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.713333, 46.011944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that an alleged US drone strike targeted a vehicle travelling in the Wadea area of Abyan governorate on the afternoon of March 9th, killing at least one alleged AQAP militant. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Most sources indicated that, according to local residents, the strike resulted in one alleged militant casualty, named in a report by Agence France Presse as Qassem Khalil, though one Twitter source did mention two alleged militant deaths.

According to Aden al-Ghad, the strike took place near the village of al-Mohajab.  Sources variously described the targeted vehicle as a motorbike or a car, and several also reported that, in the aftermath of the strike, AQAP members were seen rushing to the site.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP beginning in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, 50 US airstrikes had been conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Reportedly, a US drone strike killed at least one alleged militant in Wadea on March 6th 2017 (Aden al-Ghad, March 9th 2017)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Reportedly, a US drone strike killed at least one alleged militant, Qassem Khalil, in Wadea on March 6th 2017 (@yemencurrent, March 9th 2017)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in Al Wade’a (الوضيع) district, allegedly in the Masaymeh (المصيمة) area to the south, in the vicinity of Al Mahjab (المحجب) village. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the Al Wade’a district are: 13.713333, 46.011944.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr043

Incident date

March 6, 2017

Location

قيفه, Qayfa, Bayda', Yemen

Geolocation

14.449335, 44.817596 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed in a US airstrike on March 6th in the Qayfa area of Bayda governorate. There are no known reports of associated civilian harm.

On March 7th, Reuters reported local sources as saying that a US strike had killed three militants. Several local language Twitter sources also reported that “three gunmen” were killed, in addition to two child casualties in a separate strike in Yakla, also in the Qayfa area (USYEMTr038-C).

One source reported that “5 tribal members and 2 children were killed as a result of the Monday drone strikes in Yakla village”, though it was unclear which specific strikes were alleged to have resulted in casualties, or whether the “tribal members” were civilians or militants. This reported civilian harm is accounted for in event USYEMTr038-C, including the possibility that the five “tribal members” were civilians. In order to account for the possibility that they were militants, inclusive of the reported dead “gunmen”, the maximum militant death toll in this event has been set to five.

One local language Twitter source alleged that “more than five” US drones were overflying the Rada’a area, which includes Qaifa, on March 6th. Another reported that multiple strikes took place on separate locations within Qayfa.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On March 6th, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis announced that 40 US strikes had been conducted in Yemen over the previous five nights. A day earlier, AFP reported that AQAP militants had begun to withdraw from several areas, including Yakla, in response to US actions.

In their May 2018 annual civilian casualty report, the US Department of Defense stated that “there were credible reports of civilian casualties caused by U.S. military actions in Yemen against AQAP and ISIS during 2017”, but did not specify which specific actions these reports referred to.  Overall, the Department of Defense assessed that there were credible reports of “approximately 499 civilians killed and approximately 169 civilians injured during 2017”, as a result of US military actions in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–5

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention strikes within the area of Qifah (قيفه), north of Rada’a (رداع) town, for which the generic coordinates are: 14.449335, 44.817596. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention strikes within the area of Qifah (قيفه), north of Rada’a (رداع) town.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

Defense Department officials detected and tracked multiple missile launches out of North Korea today, four of which landed in the Sea of Japan, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters this morning.

Explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Platoon 501, prepare for an EOD mine-countermeasure exercise with members of a South Korean navy underwater dive team off the coast of Jinhae, South Korea, as part of exercise Foal Eagle 2017, March 3, 2017. Foal Eagle is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance the readiness of U.S. and South Korean forces and their ability to work together during a crisis. Navy Combat Camera photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alfred A. Coffield
Explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Platoon 501, prepare for an EOD mine-countermeasure exercise with members of a South Korean navy underwater dive team off the coast of Jinhae, South Korea, as part of exercise Foal Eagle 2017, March 3, 2017. Foal Eagle is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance the readiness of U.S. and South Korean forces and their ability to work together during a crisis. Navy Combat Camera photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alfred A. Coffield
Davis said the four medium-range ballistic missiles were launched from the northwest corner of North Korea, traveled over the Korean Peninsula and out into the sea, totaling about 1,000 kilometers in distance, or more than 620 miles.

Missiles Land Off Japan’s Coast

The missiles landed in the vicinity of Akita Prefecture off the coast of Japan near that nation’s exclusive economic zone, he said. The EEZ is defined as a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind.

“The North American Aerospace Defense Command detected that the missiles from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America,” Davis said. “This [North Korean missile launch] is very similar in terms of the path and the distance of the three missiles that flew into Japan’s EEZ in September 2016.”

He added, “These launches, which coincide with the start of our annual defensive exercise, Foal Eagle, with the Republic of Korea’s military, are consistent with North Korea’s long history of provocative behavior, often timed to military exercises that we do with our ally,”

The United States stands with its allies “in the face of this very serious threat and are taking steps to enhance our ability to defend against North Korea’s ballistic missiles, such as the deployment of a [Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense] battery to South Korea, which will happen as soon as feasible,” Davis said.

U.S. Strikes AQAP in Yemen

Also overnight, the United States made an airstrike on Yemen’s Abyan Governorate against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula fighters, bringing to 40 the strikes there in the past five nights, Davis said.

Since the first airstrike against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen on Feb. 28, “We will continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] militants and facilities to disrupt the organization’s plot and protect American lives,” the captain said.

The strikes have been coordinated with and done in full partnership with the government of Yemen with the goal of denying al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists’ freedom of movement within traditional safe havens, Davis emphasized.

The captain also confirmed the deaths of three al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula operatives in March 2 and 3 airstrikes in Yemen.

Usayd al Adani, whom Davis described as a longtime al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula explosives expert and facilitator who served as the organization’s emir, was killed in a U.S. airstrike March 2 within the Abyan Governorate. Killed with him was former Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detainee Yasir al Silmi.

Killed March 3 was al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula fighter and communications intermediary for Adani, Harithah al Waqri, Davis said.

“[Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] has taken advantage of ungoverned spaces in Yemen to plot, direct and inspire terror attacks against the United States and our allies,” he said. “And we will continue to work with the government of Yemen to defeat [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula].

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–5

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr041

Incident date

March 6, 2017

Location

قيفه, Qifah, Al Bayda', Yemen

Geolocation

14.449335, 44.817596 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, Al-Masdar Online, alleged that a US airstrike killed Yasser Ali Abdullah al-Silmi, also known as Abu al Muhajir al Ebbi, in Qayfa, Bayda governorate, at dawn on March 6th 2017. A US Pentagon spokesperson, however, announced on March 6th that a US airstrike killed AQAP members Usayd al-Adani and Yasir al-Silmi in Abyan governorate on March 2nd 2017, a declaration accounted for in USYEMTr014. There were no known reports of civilian harm.

According to the Pentagon, al-Adani was “a longtime al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula explosives expert and facilitator who served as the organization’s emir”, while al-Silmi was a “former Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detainee”. Multiple sources reported that al-Silmi, also known as Mohammed Tamar, was held at Guantanamo Bay from 2002 to 2009, when he was repatriated to Yemen. Almasdar Online reported that al-Silmi, “nicknamed as Abu al Muhajir al Ebbi”, was originally from Hazm al Udain in Ibb governorate, and was an AQAP leader in charge of education while the group controlled Mukalla city, Hadramout governorate.

A local source told Al-Masdar Online that a strike took place in the Qaifa region of Bayda governorate, at dawn on March 6th, which had killed al Ebbi. It is possible that a second strike was conducted against al Ebbi if he survived the first, or that the Al-Masdar report constitutes confused reporting of the US declaration.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On March 6th, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis announced that forty strikes had been conducted in Yemen over the previous five nights. Earlier, AFP reported that AQAP militants had begun to withdraw from several areas in response to US attacks.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Yasser al-Silmi, previously a Guantanamo Bay detainee from 2002 to 2009, was killed by a US airstrike in Yemen (Almasdar Online, March 8th 2017)
  • Yasser al-Silmi, previously a Guantanamo Bay detainee from 2002 to 2009, was killed by a US airstrike in Yemen (@AsodGuantanamo, March 7th 2017)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the Qifah (قيفه) area, north of the city of Rada’a (رداع) within the Al Bayda’ governorate (مُحَافَظَة ٱلْبَيْضَاء‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 14.449335, 44.817596. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Conflicting reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck at two distinct locations. Some mention the Qifah (قيفه) area, north of the city of Rada’a (رداع) within the Al Bayda’ governorate (مُحَافَظَة ٱلْبَيْضَاء‎)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2017 — Defense Department officials detected and tracked multiple missile launches out of North Korea today, four of which landed in the Sea of Japan, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters this morning.
Davis said the four medium-range ballistic missiles were launched from the northwest corner of North Korea, traveled over the Korean Peninsula and out into the sea, totaling about 1,000 kilometers in distance, or more than 620 miles.
Missiles Land Off Japan’s Coast
The missiles landed in the vicinity of Akita Prefecture off the coast of Japan near that nation’s exclusive economic zone, he said. The EEZ is defined as a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind.
“The North American Aerospace Defense Command detected that the missiles from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America,” Davis said. “This [North Korean missile launch] is very similar in terms of the path and the distance of the three missiles that flew into Japan’s EEZ in September 2016.”
He added, “These launches, which coincide with the start of our annual defensive exercise, Foal Eagle, with the Republic of Korea’s military, are consistent with North Korea’s long history of provocative behavior, often timed to military exercises that we do with our ally,”
The United States stands with its allies “in the face of this very serious threat and are taking steps to enhance our ability to defend against North Korea’s ballistic missiles, such as the deployment of a [Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense] battery to South Korea, which will happen as soon as feasible,” Davis said.
U.S. Strikes AQAP in Yemen
Also overnight, the United States made an airstrike on Yemen’s Abyan Governorate against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula fighters, bringing to 40 the strikes there in the past five nights, Davis said.
Since the first airstrike against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen on Feb. 28, “We will continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] militants and facilities to disrupt the organization’s plot and protect American lives,” the captain said.
The strikes have been coordinated with and done in full partnership with the government of Yemen with the goal of denying al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists’ freedom of movement within traditional safe havens, Davis emphasized.
The captain also confirmed the deaths of three al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula operatives in March 2 and 3 airstrikes in Yemen.
Usayd al Adani, whom Davis described as a longtime al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula explosives expert and facilitator who served as the organization’s emir, was killed in a U.S. airstrike March 2 within the Abyan Governorate. Killed with him was former Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detainee Yasir al Silmi.
Killed March 3 was al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula fighter and communications intermediary for Adani, Harithah al Waqri, Davis said.
“[Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] has taken advantage of ungoverned spaces in Yemen to plot, direct and inspire terror attacks against the United States and our allies,” he said. “And we will continue to work with the government of Yemen to defeat [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula].

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (19) [ collapse]