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

Belligerent
US Forces
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Yemen
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Incident Code

USYEMTr169

Incident date

June 23, 2018

Location

البيضاء, شبوه, حضرموت, Al Bayda, Shabwah, or Hadramout, Yemen

Geolocation

15.301065, 47.856830 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US strike targeted AQAP in either Shabwah, Hadramawt or Al Bayda governorate on June 23rd 2018, according to CENTCOM. There are no known public reports of a US action on June 23rd.

As Yemen monitor New America first noted: “On July 3rd, CENTCOM confirmed in an email to New America that it conducted two air strikes in Yemen in June 2018. One strike occurred on June 23rd and another on June 30th. CENTCOM did not provide further details on the location, target, or number of casualties from the strikes.”

An August 30th statement from CENTCOM narrowed the strike down to one of three provinces: “U.S. Central Command has conducted six counterterrorism air strikes targeting al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula terrorist network in Yemen in three separate governorates since May 16, bringing the total number of air strikes to 34. These include air strikes May 25, two airstrikes June 23 and 30, two airstrikes July 22 and 24, and one Aug. 14. These air strikes took place in Shabwah, Hadramawt and Al-Bayda governorates.”

One local-language Twitter source, @S1H9Ab, suggested that operations against AQAP, “with American logistical support” and the support of the Saudi-led coalition, were ongoing in Qayfa, Bayda governorate, from around June 22nd 2018.

It is possible that reports of the death of an AQAP jurist which first appeared on June 28th referred to this strike, though they are presently accounted for in a distinct entry (USYEMTr170).

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 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the governorates of Al Bayda (البيضاء), Shabwah (شبوه), and Hadramout (حضرموت) without any specific spatial information. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates are: 15.301065, 47.856830.

  • Reports of the incident mention the governorates of Al Bayda (البيضاء), Shabwah (شبوه), and Hadramout (حضرموت) without any specific spatial information.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

TAMPA, Fla. –U.S. Central Command has conducted six counterterrorism air strikes targeting al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula terrorist network in Yemen in three separate governorates since May 16, bringing the total number of air strikes to 34.



These include air strikes May 25, two airstrikes June 23 and 30, two airstrikes July 22 and 24, and one Aug. 14. These air strikes took place in Shabwah, Hadramawt and Al-Bayda governorates.

A recent United Nations report assessed AQAP leaders recognize Yemen as a hub for external operations.



“AQAP has taken advantage of the conflicts in Yemen, to plot, direct and encourage terror attacks abroad,” said Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a USCENTCOM spokesman. “We will not relent on our pursuit of AQAP terrorists as they remain a significant threat to regional security and stability, and the safety of Americans at home and abroad.”

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 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr033

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Location

الصعيد, Said, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.299611, 46.859139 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that, at dawn on March 4th 2017, one or more US strikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Said district, Shabwa governorate.  Some reports indicated that the strikes killed or wounded AQAP members.

According to several social media sources, a US drone strike targeted a car carrying suspected AQAP militants in the Said district early on Saturday March 4th.  Akhbar al-Youm further reported that, according to local sources, the car was transporting wounded AQAP members out of the area, leading Airwars to assess that a minimum of two reported person hors de combat were killed.

Yemenat reported, on March 5th, that American drones had bombed the Said area “heavily” at dawn on March 4th.  In addition, according to tribal sources and residents spoken with by Reuters, another US drone strike took place in the Said area, targeting “a crowd of suspected al Qaeda militants” on March 4th, though this strike did not result in any reported casualties.

Sources also reported that Abdullah al-Fadhli, the son of Abyan Sheikh Tariq al-Fadhli, was killed by a US drone strike in Shabwa province at dawn on March 4th.  Some sources further indicated that Abdullah was killed alongside an unknown number of “companions”. One source, @m_audin, indicated that Abdullah was killed by a drone strike in the Yashbum area of Said district. Given this, and given that no other known strikes were reported in Shabwa at dawn on March 4th, it appears likely that al-Fadhli was killed in US strikes in Said.

Several sources reported that Abdullah’s brother, Muhammed al-Fadhli, announced, via Facebook, Abdullah’s death at dawn in Shabwa.  As such, Airwars’ assessment counts at least one reported belligerent casualty, with a maximum of three, inclusive of at least two “companions”.

Some social media sources explicitly identified Abdullah as an AQAP member, and several sources alleged that his father Tariq al-Fadhli was an AQAP leader or militant, though other sources variously described him as a “mercenary”, a “tribal sheikh”, and a “former leader” in AQAP.  According to Shafi Jarrouh News, Abdullah was released from prison in Sana’a in April 2016, after spending two years held on charges of terrorism.

This reported strike took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017.  A US military intelligence source told NBC News that the strikes beginning March 2nd were “part of ‘new directives’ to aggressively pursue the Dhahab and Qayfa clans”.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (2 other protected persons)
  • 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
    1–3

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Sources suggested that Abdullah al-Fadhli, the son of Sheikh Tareq al-Fadhli (pictured), was killed by an alleged US drone strike in Shabwa on March 4th (Yemenat, March 5th 2017)
  • Sources suggested that Abdullah al-Fadhli, the son of Sheikh Tareq al-Fadhli (pictured), was killed by an alleged US drone strike in Shabwa on March 4th (Alkhabar, March 5th 2017)
  • Sources suggested that Abdullah al-Fadhli, the son of Sheikh Tareq al-Fadhli (pictured), was killed by an alleged US drone strike in Shabwa on March 4th (@demolinari, March 5th 2017)
  • Sources suggested that Abdullah al-Fadhli (pictured), the son of Sheikh Tareq al-Fadhli, was killed by an alleged US drone strike in Shabwa on March 4th (@demolinari, March 6th 2017)
  • Sources suggested that Abdullah al-Fadhli (pictured), the son of Sheikh Tareq al-Fadhli, was killed by an alleged US drone strike in Shabwa on March 4th (@demolinari, December 31st 2017)
  • Sources suggested that Abdullah al-Fadhli, the son of Sheikh Tareq al-Fadhli (pictured), was killed by an alleged US drone strike in Shabwa on March 4th (@m_audin, March 5th 2017)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the district of Said (الصعيد), for which the coordinates are: 14.299611, 46.859139. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the district of Said (الصعيد).

    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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (2 other protected persons)
  • 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
    1–3

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr070

Incident date

April 5–6, 2017

Location

مديرية الصومعة, Al Sawma'ah District, Bayda, Yemen

Geolocation

14.207644, 45.815614 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly killed alleged AQAP militant Khattab al-Wuhayshi and possibly his bodyguard in Mar’taa, in the Suma’a district of Bayda governorate, overnight from April 5th to April 6th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Multiple sources, including AFP, reported that Khattab al-Wuhayshi was killed while riding a motorbike in the area, and that he was the nephew of AQAP leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi, who was also killed in a US drone strike in June 2015.

According to Xinhua, an anonymous security source indicated that the strike also killed a second AQAP militant, the bodyguard of al-Wuhayshi, though no other sources reported this.

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, since February 28th 2017, 70 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Khattab al-Wuhayshi, an alleged AQAP militant, was reportedly killed by a US drone strike while travelling on a motorbike in Suma'a (@Dr_E_Kendall, April 6th 2017)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Marta’a  (مرتعه), within the Al Sawma’ah district (مديرية الصومعة), 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 Sawma’ah district are: 14.207644, 45.815614.

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Marta’a  (مرتعه), within the Al Sawma’ah district (مديرية الصومعة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr162

Incident date

April 18, 2018

Location

مديرية الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Bayda, Yemen

Geolocation

14.166667, 45.831111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Pro-AQAP feeds reported on April 18th 2018 that Abu Nasir al-Baydani and other “brothers” [Al Qaeda fighters] were killed by a US drone strike in Sama’a, in Bayda governorate, according to Dr Elisabeth Kendall, an academic.

No other known sources reported a strike, and it was unclear when the event took place. CENTCOM later informed the Long War Journal of four US military actions in Yemen during April, none of which were on this date: “Four total strikes, one each in Shabwah (April 26) and Al Bayda (April 23), and two in Hadramout (both on April 11).”

Airwars has assessed that at least three alleged AQAP militants (al-Baydani and at least two “brothers”) were reportedly killed in an event we have for now attributed to this date. It may be however that these deaths relate to an earlier US action in Bayda.

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
    3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Suma’a District (مديرية الصومعة) for which the generic coordinates are: 14.166667, 45.831111. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Suma’a District (مديرية الصومعة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr220

Incident date

January 27, 2020

Location

بن معيلي, Bin Ma'aili Station, Ma'rib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.460829, 45.434440 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly targeted a car transporting six alleged AQAP militants near Bin Ma’ali Station, in Marib governorate, on the morning of January 27th 2020. The strike came alongside a second reported US action (USYEMTr219-C) on January 27th in Al Hazmia, also in Marib. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

According to reporting by Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni and Mint Press, the strike targeted the “companions” or “bodyguards” of a local AQAP leader, “Qasilah”, killed in the second January 27th strike. Local tribal leaders and witnesses told Mint Press that “many” were killed and injured.

Given these reports, Airwars has assessed that at least two militants were reportedly killed, and at least two were reportedly injured, in the reported strike.

US Central Command told Airwars that no US military strikes were conducted during January 2020 in Yemen. It is, however, possible that an undeclared strike was conducted by the CIA, or as part of a clandestine US military action.

The incident occured in the morning.

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
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Bi’in Ma’ili (بن معيلي) station, south east of the city of Ma’rib (مأرب). According to one source, @JoshuaKoontz__, and after verifying his claims, we have found two stations on the same street bearing the name Bi’in Maili. One at: 15.464066, 45.439751, and the other at: 15.457613, 45.428775. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates between these two stations are: 15.460829, 45.434440.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Bi’in Ma’ili (بن معيلي) station, south east of the city of Ma’rib (مأرب).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • According to one source, @JoshuaKoontz__, and after verifying his claims, we have found two stations on the same street bearing the name Bi’in Maili.

    Imagery:
    @JoshuaKoontz__

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

CENTCOM told Airwars that there were no US military strikes during January 2020 in Yemen. The last declared CENTCOM action was on June 24th 2019 in Al Bayda province.

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
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr233

Incident date

December 14, 2020

Location

البطحة, Al Batha, Marib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.478001, 45.318089 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one person, believed to be affiliated with Al Qaeda, was reported killed in an alleged US drone strike on a motorcycle in the Al Batha area, Marib governorate, on December 14th, 2020, according to local sources.

Al Arabiya reported that according to a source within the local authority in Marib, “an unmanned drone, likely to be an American, launched a raid on an al-Qaeda operative in the Al Batha area, isolating the forts of Al Jalal in the Wadi Directorate, northeast of the city of Ma’rib.”

@Ywbmmd tweeted that “a drone, believed to be an American, targeted a motorcycle in which a person (believed to be affiliated with Al Qaeda) was travelling in the Al Batha area – the car market in the forts of Al Jalal.” According to @Abolbrahim2018, the victim was a senior leader of Al Qaeda.

Several sources, including Al Hadath Center, reported two killed Al Qaeda militants.  @mobass20 was the only source reporting that the motorcycle was carrying three Al Qaeda militants.

According to Yemen Post, the event took place in the “Al Batha area in the car market in the forts of Al Jalal of the Wadi Directorate.”

Sahaftak wrote that “local sources said that a drone bombed a motorcycle carrying two Al Qaeda operatives in the Al Jalal fortress area in the valley, killing two Al Qaeda operatives and burning the motorcycle.”

@saifbinrashid7 reported that “an Al Qaeda operative was killed in Marib by bombing of an American drone.”

According to Al Sharae News, the identity of the target was unknown. The source added that the killed man’s “body parts were littered with his motorcycle”.

Al Hadath Center reported that “the airstrike resulted in the killing of the target and the burning of his bicycle, without identifying him.”

All sources blamed the United States for the strike.

The incident occured in the evening.

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
    1–3

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “A drone, believed to be an American, targeted a motorcycle in which a person (believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda) was traveling in the Al-Batha area - the car market in the forts of Al Jalal” (via @aden_news24).
  • Aftermath of an alleged US drone strike on motorcycle reportedly carrying an Al Qaeda operative near Al Batha area, Marib governorate, on December 14th, 2020 (via @aden_news24).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Batha (البطحة) area, allegedly located within the area of Marib (مأرب) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Marib are: 15.478001, 45.318089.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    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
    1–3

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi016

Incident date

February 24, 2024

Location

حي صوفان, Sofan, Sana'a Governorate, Yemen

Geolocation

15.399286, 44.194547 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured by an alleged US-UK strike on the Sofan neighborhood of Sana’a on February 24, 2024.

Abdullah Ahmad Obaidi Al Rabi’i posted on Facebook that “on my way back home in the Sofan neighborhood, I encountered this missile strike by the American-British aggression occurring dozens of meters away in a densely populated residential neighborhood.”

According to @alharthalafari, the strike hit an insecticide factory which led to a fire and “civilian casualties”. Anadolu Agency quoted the Ministry of Public Health and Population of the unrecognized Houthi government who announced that “two civilians were injured as a result of the raids of the (American-British) aggression on the Al-Nahda neighborhood in the capital, Sana’a.” Yemen Data Project provided a similar casualty toll of two civilians injured.

US Central Command released a statement that “at approximately 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen….The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one- way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter.”

The UK Ministry of Defence announced: “Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager tankers, again participated in a deliberate coalition strike on Saturday 24 February against Houthi military facilities in Yemen which had been conducting missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. The RAF aircraft were allocated multiple targets located at two sites. Intelligence analysis had successfully identified several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions, at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles north-east of Sanaa. Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, notwithstanding the Houthis’ use of the old missile battery revetments to try to protect the drones.”

It is unclear if the US and/or UK statements are the same strikes which hit the Sofan neighborhood as the US and UK military did not provide a location.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

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    Source: The Guardian news

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    Source: The Guardian news

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    Source: @grantshapps

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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sofan (سوفان) to the north of Sana’a (صَنْعَاء). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to find boundaries for the neighbourhood and to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Sofan are: 15.399286, 44.194547.

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. 24, at approximately 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. These strikes from this multilateral coalition targeted areas used by the Houthis to attack international merchant vessels and naval ships in the region. Illegal Houthi attacks have disrupted humanitarian aid bound for Yemen, harmed Middle Eastern economies, and caused environmental damage.
The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one- way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter. These strikes are intended to degrade Houthi capability and disrupt their continued reckless and unlawful attacks on international commercial and U.S. and U.K. vessels in the Red Sea, Bab AI-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
The goal of this multi-national effort is to defend ourselves, our partners, and allies in the region and restore freedom of navigation by destroying Houthi capabilities used to threaten U.S. and partner forces in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. These strikes are separate and distinct from the multinational freedom of navigation actions performed under Operation Prosperity Guardian.

UK Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

UK Military
Official source

Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by two Voyager tankers, again participated in a deliberate coalition strike on Saturday 24 February against Houthi military facilities in Yemen which had been conducting missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping and coalition naval forces in the Bab al Mandab, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

The RAF aircraft were allocated multiple targets located at two sites.
Intelligence analysis had successfully identified several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions, at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles north-east of Sanaa. Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, notwithstanding the Houthis’ use of the old missile battery revetments to try to protect the drones.
Previous RAF strikes, on 11 January and 3 February, had already successfully destroyed a number of buildings used to support drone and cruise missile operations at Bani, some fifteen miles west of Abbs airfield in north-western Yemen. Additional buildings at the Bani site had subsequently been confirmed as also being involved in the drone and missile activities there and were therefore targeted during this latest strike.
In planning the strikes, as is normal practice with such RAF operations, the greatest possible care was taken to minimise any risk of civilian casualties.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM010-B

Incident date

March 14, 2010

Location

مودية, Moudia, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.948639, 46.202048 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A night time precision strike reportedly carried out by the Yemeni air force or the US forces killed between two and nine militants in an air raid on a suspected terrorist training site in Abyan province on March 14, 2010.

Al-Jazeera reported “Local residents told the Reuters news agency that as many as 20 civilians may have been killed in those attacks targeting Al Qaeda.” AFP reported civilian casualties of an unknown number, adding that “some said they fled their homes in fear of being targeted by the strikes.” It is likely that the civilian casualties referred to occurred during the strikes on the following day, March 15th (assessed in USYEM011-C).

According to AFP, Jamil Nasser Abdullah al-Anbari, also known as Abi Saber al-Abyani, believed to be the leader of Al Qaeda in southern Abyan province, was one of two militants killed.

However, Critical Threats reported that three alleged Al Qaeda members were killed – the others named as Samir al Sanaani, (also known as Abu Fawwaz al-Sanaani or Amin al-Maqalih), and Ahmed Amzarba.The Long War Journal quoted the Yemeni Defense Ministry, who claimed the two Al Qaeda commanders were plotting to carry out attacks “against vital installations” inside Yemen. Gregg Carlstrom, a correspondent for The Economist, added that one of the men killed was from Saudi Arabia.

A brief statement from the Yemen government said the raids were carried out in Moudia, with an official saying that up to nine people died.

Yemeni soldiers were reportedly dispatched to the scene of this and the subsequent strike to take samples from corpses for DNA analysis. AQAP later set up a Jamil al Anbari Martyrs’ Brigade, and released an audio eulogy to the “fallen fighters”, which stated that Al-Anbari and al-Maqalih (Sanaani) was trying to connect to the net when he was killed by an air raid in the area of Jiza in Abyan province therefore reportedly confirming these deaths.

Gregg Carlstrom, a correspondent for The Economist posted on Twitter that: “Some speculation in the Yemeni press that the Abyan airstrike targeted the Southern Movement, not AQAP. Saleh’s people deny, naturally.”

The New York Times referred to this incident as “the next known American strike” without citing how this was known, adding that the strike killed “Al Qaeda operative named Jamil al-Anbari and possibly another militant” and that “on June 19, the group retaliated with a lethal attack on a government security compound in Aden that left 11 people dead and said the “brigade of the martyr Jamil al-Anbari” carried it out.”

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected targets
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–9
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of the strike (Al Motamar, March 15, 2010)
  • Explosion from the strike (Al Jazeera, March 15, 2010)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Moudia (مودية) district, for which the generic coordinates are: 13.948639, 46.202048. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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US Forces Assessment:

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

Yemeni Air Force Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected targets
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–9
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (20) [ collapse]