Civilian Casualty Archive

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Incident DatePublication Date
1266 incidents

Incident Date

15–16 December, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM110

Location

30 miles northwest of Kismayo, IVO Qudus, Lower Juba, Somalia
On December 18th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early evening hours on Friday, Dec. 15, approximately 30 miles northwest of Kismayo". It added that "we assess no civilians were killed in the strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the strike had killed "eight (8) terrorists" and destroyed "one…

Summary

Published
15 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
5–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11–12 December, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM109

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Forces carried out a strike against an "al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised explosive device" in the early hours of December 12th, US Africa Command announced, which it said had removed an "imminent threat to the people of Mogadishu". The early morning strike hit 65 kilometers southwest of the capital, AFRICOM said (later noting that the strike…

Summary

Published
12 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 December 2017

Incident Code

LQ063

Location

بنغازي‎, Municipal hotel, Benghazi, Libya
Civilian infrastructure in Benghazi was targeted by LNA strikes, according to local sources Libya Today TV reported that an LNA strike in central Benghazi – in the Akhribesh area – resulted in the destruction of “infrastructure and public and private property of citizens.” Ayon Benghazi reported strikes in the vicinity of a hotel, and several other…

Summary

Published
10 December 2017
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
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Incident Date

6 December 2017

Incident Code

USSOM108-C

Location

130 km southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Between five and seven civilians, including two children, were killed when a vehicle carrying suspected al Shabaab fighters exploded in their village, after being hit by what is thought to have been a US airstrike - though US Africa Command deny any strikes in the area on this date. The explosion reportedly injured a further…

Summary

Published
6 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

3 December 2017

Incident Code

LQ062

Location

بنغازي‎, Sidi Kharibesh, Benghazi, Libya
LNA MiGs reportedly conducted heavy airstrikes in Sidi Akhribesh and the Afet neighbourhood near the hotel, which were described by one source as “the last strongholds of the terrorists.” There were no public reports of civilian harm at the time.

Summary

Published
3 December 2017
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
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Incident Date

29 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM107

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted an al Shabaab training camp in Tortoorow, Lower Shabelle according to local media. While not declared by AFRICOM at the time, the US later admitted the event in a May 2019 FOIA response. According to Garowe Online, "The attack took place in Toratorow, a main al Shabaab stronghold town in the…

Summary

Published
29 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM106

Location

Hills around Dasaan, Bari, Somalia
On the same day, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against ISIS, in northeastern Somalia on Nov. 27". It added that "the strike occurred at approximately 3 p.m. local Somalia time" and made no mention of civilian harm. However, it did claim that the strike had "killed one terrorist". Reuters placed the attack near Qandala:…

Summary

Published
27 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2017

Incident Code

LQ061

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Al Butnan, Libya
Various sources reported Egyptian airstrikes destroying 10 vehicles allegedly loaded with ammunition and weapons at the Libyan side of the border. “‘The air force has dealt a new blow to smugglers and infiltrators across the border,’ preventing them from bringing weapons and ammunition into Egypt, army spokesman Tamer al-Refai said in a statement posted on…

Summary

Published
22 November 2017
Military Actor
Egyptian Military
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Incident Date

21 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM105

Location

Bur Elade, Bay, Somalia
AFRICOM reported on the same day that it had "conducted an airstrike in Somalia against an al-Shabaab camp on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at approximately 10:30 a.m. local Somalia time". It added that "the operation occurred 125 miles northwest of the capital, Mogadishu" though AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. However, it claimed that the…

Summary

Published
21 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
100–105
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM104

Location

Idow Jalaad, near Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US strike killed "several" al Shabaab fighters in the seventh aerial attack in Somalia in six days. Lower Shabelle's deputy governor told Voice of America the strike had killed six al Shabaab fighters in the village of Idow Jalad. A statement from US Africa Command said the strike was carried out "in coordination with…

Summary

Published
14 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM103

Location

Awhiigle, Gaduud, Lower Juba, Somalia
The sixth declared US strike in five days hit Somalia, targeting al Shabaab fighters, the US military told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. An Africa Command spokesperson said the attack occurred at 0840 near Gaduud about 250 miles southwest of Mogadishu. As of November 15th, the US was still "assessing the results of the strike".…

Summary

Published
13 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

12 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM101-C

Location

Southeast of Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US strike on al Shabaab fighters in the Lower Shabelle region also killed three civilians, Amnesty International later reported. Two US strikes took place in Somalia on November 12th, with one targeting al Shabaab and the other hitting Islamic State fighters, according to US Africa Command. The strikes killed "several fighters", it said. The…

Summary

Published
12 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
0–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM102

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
Two US strikes took place in Somalia on November 12th, with one targeting al Shabaab and the other hitting Islamic State, according to US Africa Command. The strikes killed "several" fighters, it said. The first strike against al Shabaab is recorded in a separate event. The second attack was carried out at approximately 0900 local…

Summary

Published
12 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
23
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM100

Location

Osman Gaduud, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab at approximately 1630 local time on November 11, US Africa Command said. It made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM stated that the strike killed a single fighter, and that it took place near Gaduud, located 250 miles southwest of the capital, Mogadishu. This and…

Summary

Published
11 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10–11 November, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM099-C

Location

2km north of Baasra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab at approximately 8pm local Somalia time killing "several" fighters, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said. It was also alleged by local officials that three civilians had died. The strike hit the Lower Shabelle region. A Somali military official told Voice of America the strike, which they said…

Summary

Published
10 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
10–13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM098

Location

Buulo Fuulay, Bay, Somalia
AFRICOM reported on the same day it had "conducted an airstrike in Somalia against al-Shabaab on Thur., Nov. 9 at approximately 3 p.m. local Somalia time". It added that the "operation occurred in the Bay Region of Somalia, about 100 miles west of the capital, Mogadishu". AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. However, it stated that…

Summary

Published
9 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM097

Location

Buqa, Bari, Somalia
On November 3rd 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted two separate airstrikes against ISIS, in northeastern Somalia on Nov. 3". It made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM stated that the strikes had killed "several terrorists", though it was "currently assessing the results of the strikes". The command added: "The first strike occurred at approximately…

Summary

Published
3 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM096

Location

Buqa, Bari, Somalia
The US conducted its first known strike against so-called Islamic State in Somalia. CNN reported that both strikes were carried out by armed drone. According to Associated Press, "A US official said the strikes were carried out in northeastern Somalia, with the first around midnight local time and the second later in the morning. The…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 November 2017

Incident Code

LQ060

Location

ورشفانة, Wershafana, Al Jafarah, Libya
Facebook sources reported “indiscriminate” shelling of Wershefana, 45km from Tripoli, with a BM-21 Grad. According to one source, Amany El Weshahy, the attack displaced civilians from the area. However there were no reports at the time of civilian harm. The War is Boring blog also reported artillery shelling but with Chinese GP1 laser-guided ammunition which…

Summary

Published
1 November 2017
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
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Incident Date

30 October 2017

Incident Code

LC075

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Al Kufrah, Libya
Two sources reported that the Egyptian Air Force destroyed six vehicles at the border with Egypt in the Kufra district. One of them claimed that it had loaded weapons and ammunition while another claimed it was a civilian car coming back from a fishing trip. Mansoura Today reported, for example, that “Yesterday, the air force…

Summary

Published
30 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
Egyptian Military
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Incident Date

30 October 2017

Incident Code

LC074

Location

الفتايح, Al Fatayeh, Darnah, Libya
In the first significant civilian casualty report in several months, various sources said that between 12 and 18 civilians were killed in an airstrike in Al-Fatayih – among them up to eight children and five women. In addition, 25 to 30 people were reported injured in the strike. Most sources claim Egypt was responsible for…

Summary

Published
30 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–18
Civilians reported injured
15–30
Military Actor
LNA/UAE Military/Egyptian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2017

Incident Code

LQ059

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Al Butnan, Libya
Egyptian planes destroyed a convoy of eight cars before it crossed the border from Libya. Reportedly the cars were loaded with weapons and belonged to an unknown extremist militia. Al Hayat reported the following: “Army spokesman Colonel Tamer al-Rifai said that  Egyptian forces are conducting sweeps and raiding to the mountains and mountainous areas to…

Summary

Published
23 October 2017
Military Actor
Egyptian Military
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Incident Date

16 October 2017

Incident Code

USSOM095-C

Location

Farah Waeys, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US drone strike near Bariire on October 16th was confirmed by the US military. However, numerous allegations of civilian harm by international media have been denied. Whilst US Africa Command did not initially publish a press release regarding this strike, they confirmed to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism at the time that they carried…

Summary

Published
16 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Code

USSOM094

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not proactively release information…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Code

LQ058

Location

درنة‎, Derna, Darnah, Libya
A boat carrying ammunition was possibly among the targets hit by airstrikes in Derna, according to local reports. 24/24 reported strike targeting a convoy of militants in “the southern axis” of Derna city. Annona3 reported aircraft targeted “ammunition boats,” and suggested Egypt might have been responsible. Another report on Twitter, posted by TanasuhTV, said that…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
Military Actor
LNA/UAE Military/Egyptian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM093

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not proactively release information…

Summary

Published
30 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

LQ057

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Al Butnan, Libya
The Egyptian air force destroyed ten vehicles it said were attempting to enter the country from the border with Libya, and which were allegedly smuggling weapons. According to Arab Today, “The raid was carried out on Wednesday on the basis of information that “criminal elements were preparing to infiltrate” Egypt, said army spokesman Col. Tamer…

Summary

Published
28 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
Egyptian Military
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Incident Date

12–13 September, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM092

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US carried out an air strike on September 13th, killing six al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command. The strike took place at approximately 0215 local time (1115 GMT), hitting an area in southern Somalia about 260km south of the capital, AFRICOM said. The original press release said three…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM091

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had conducted "a precision airstrike in Somalia against al-Shabaab on Thurs., Sept. 7 at approximately 2:45 p.m. local Somalia time". The release made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM asserted that the strike had killed "one (1) terrorist". The strike was carried out under authorities passed in…

Summary

Published
7 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM090

Location

Tortoroow and Dodale, Bay, Somalia
On September 5th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had conducted a precision airstrike in "central Somalia" against al-Shabaab militants that same day at approximately 9:50am local Somalia time. The release made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM asserted that the strike had killed "three (3) terrorists". The action, it said, had hit in the…

Summary

Published
5 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident