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
Country
Yemen
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Strike Status
Strike Type
Infrastructure
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Incident Code

USYEM020-C

Incident date

June 21, 2011

Location

جامع حمزة في جعار, Hamza Mosque, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.220151, 45.304792 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven people were killed and four others were wounded in US airstrikes or drone strikes on Hamzah Mosque in Ja’ar on June 21, 2011. At least two of the people killed were identified as possibly being militants.

@YemNews1 tweeted that four people were killed when Yemeni warplanes bombed the Hamzah mosque in the center of Jaar. @noonArabia reported that “scores of dead and wounded” were left following the bombing and @AdenLang referred to “deaths from armed groups and citizens”, indicating that civilians and militants were killed.

A tweet from @AdenLang identified that the right side of the mosque was damaged from the bombing and @YusraAlA added that Nasser Abdulrab Al-Yafi’s building was partially destroyed by the bombardment.

@YusraAIA later clarified to note that shops near the mosque were burned and damaged and two civilians were killed and four wounded by shrapnel because of the strike, while also tweeting that “7 citizens were killed”, in addition to reporting that two militants and “a number of innocent citizens’ were killed. According to @NoonArabia, “2 citizens instantly killed in bus passing by mosque while bombarded”.

Adlhla Press reported that the strike was believed to be carried out by Americans with two missiles used. Residents of Jaar had told Aden al-Ghad that warplanes hovered at noon before launching missiles upon the mosque.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the bombing of the Hamza Mosque in the city of Jaar and the damage to its shops on June 21, 2011. (Image posted by Majdi Naqib via Facebook)
  • Pictures of the bombing of the Hamza Mosque in the city of Jaar and the damage to its shops on June 21, 2011. (Image posted by Majdi Naqib via Facebook)
  • Photo 1: Destruction: June 21st- #Abyan: Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes. (Image posted by @YusraAlA)
  • Photo 2: Destruction: June 21st- #Abyan: Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes. (Image posted by @YusraAlA)
  • Photo 3: Destruction: June 21st- #Abyan: Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes. (Image posted by @YusraAlA)
  • Photo 4: Destruction: June 21st- #Abyan: Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes. (Image posted by @YusraAlA)
  • Photo 5: Destruction: June 21st- #Abyan: Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes.(Image posted by @YusraAlA)
  • Photo 6: Destruction: June 21st- #Abyan: Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes. (Image posted by @YusraAlA)
  • Photo 8: Destruction: June 21st- #Abyan: Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes. (Image posted by @YusraAlA)
  • Photo 9: Destruction: June 21st- #Abyan: Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes. (Image posted by @YusraAlA)
  • A man injured in Hamzah Mosque Shelling in Ja'ar by warplanes. (Image posted by Aldhla Press)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib Mosque (مسجد حمزة بن عبدالمطلب) in the town of Jaar (جعار), for which the generic coordinates are: 13.220151, 45.304792. 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
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM021-C

Incident date

July 5, 2011

Location

جعار, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.217814, 45.307025 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

13.211636, 45.308129 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and six civilians were killed and up to seven others were injured in alleged Yemeni or US airstrikes on Ja’ar on July 5, 2011. Four militants were also reportedly killed.

The numbers of dead and wounded varied, as @NoonArabia tweeted that three civilians were killed and seven people were wounded. According to @AdenLang, the death toll in the bombing rose to six after the death of three of the civilians that were wounded.

An air strike hit the house of Deputy Chairman of Parliament, Ali Al-Shaddadi, in Ja’ar on July 5, 2011 and according to Abdullah Al-Maiseri, two civilians were killed. Abdulkader Al-Guneid (@alguneid) tweeted that two Shaddadi brothers were killed in the strike, while Yusra A @YusraAIA tweeted that Al-Shaddadi’s brother-in-law was killed.

Sahafanet reported that according to the Al-Arabiya correspondent, deputy speaker of the Yemeni parliament Muhammad al-Shaddadi’s home was hit with airstrikes, killing three of his relatives and wounding seven others.

Al-Guneid also stated that the Health Institute building was hit with four people wounded, while Sahafanet stated that the health institute located next to Al-Razi Hospital was struck and led to the killing of four militants affiliated with jihadist Sami Dayan.

Multiple tweets from local sources, including @YusraAlA and @NoonArabia, directly alleged that the US carried out drone strike in Jaar on the same date.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jaar (جعار), for which the generic coordinates are: 13.217814, 45.307025. Sources also mention the Al Razi Hospital (مستشفى الرازي), for which the generic coordinates are: 13.211636, 45.308129. 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

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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM023-N

Incident date

July 14, 2011

Location

بين زنجبار‎ و شقرة, Between Zinjibar and Shaqra, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.2476458, 45.530709 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An airstrike on a car targeted Fahd al Qusaa, also known as Quso, an al Qaeda leader and suspect in the USS Cole bombing. It was a US attack, according to the New York Times quoting an AQAP representative. He claimed that Qusaa had left the car minutes earlier and was unharmed.

According to the Long War Journal, Qusaa was being sheltered by the Awlaki tribe, and was allegedly involved in the failed AQAP airline bombing attack over Detroit on Christmas Day, 2009. Yemeni journalist Nasser Arrabyee claimed that the car was travelling between Shakra and Zinjibar in Abyan Province.

This incident was identified by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and has been included in Airwars’ database even though no casualties are mentioned.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck between the village of Shaqra (شقرة) and the city of Zinjibar (زنجبار‎ ). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for this middle point are: 13.2476458, 45.530709.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Shoqra شُقرة","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[45.698859857198165,13.35732480761884],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Zinjibar زنجبار","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[45.38832158502853,13.13520023596864],"type":"Point"}}]}

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
    Unknown
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM022-C

Incident date

July 14, 2011

Location

مديرية الوضيع, Wadi’a district , Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Initial reports of a US or Yemeni bombing raid upon a police station in Wadi’a district on July 14, 2011 may have resulted in as many as fifty people killed, with as many as thirty civilians among the deceased. Militants were also killed and injured, though there was huge variation in the numbers reported, which ranged from six to 50 killed and 10 to 12 others injured.

Yusra A @YusraAIA tweeted that warplanes struck a police station in Wadi’a; the location was believed to be a gathering place for militants, with Al Jazeera adding that the militants had taken over the police station. Long War Journal also reported that US airstrikes struck a police station in Yemen, killing six “Islamic militants” during a nighttime raid. @YusraAIA went on to tweet that six armed people were killed, including Mohammed Sufina, a leader of these militant groups. An eyewitness told al Jazeera that the entire police station was demolished and while six dead bodies of gunmen were pulled from the ruins of the police station, the death toll could “climb with ongoing rescue operations”.

Yemeni journalist Nasser Arrabyee claimed that “some 20 Al Qaeda fighters were killed… including leaders Hadi Mohammed Ali and Abu Bilal”. Sahafanet added that eight militants were killed, including “Hadi Mohammad Ali Al-Sa`tari, Al-Tali from Al-Ain, and a person called Al-Hassan from the Mudia and Maslah district. Another is from Marib, whose identity has not been identified, and another is called Al-Kudur from Mudiyah, and three have not yet been identified.” The source added that “the raid injured more than ten others, including a person named Farouk Al-Sout, who was seriously injured, and he was treated at Al-Razi Hospital in Harar.”

Yemeni newspaper Akhbar al Youm reported that fifty “Al Qaeda militants” were killed while CNN reported that Yemeni officials claimed that a single US drone strike had killed fifty militants in Southern Yemen.

“The casualty toll is high because fighters were gathered in that area with family members,” a senior security source in Abyan allegedly told CNN. Witnesses also told the channel that “at least 30 civilians” – “hiding from the attacks” were among the dead. However, according to CNN, “the Yemeni government said that a US drone was not involved in the attack and that its air forces conducted the raid. The Interior Ministry said on its website that nine fighters were killed and dozens were wounded and that the number of deaths was expected to rise.” However, Yemeni officials told the Associated Press that the strike must have been carried out by an American plane “because Yemeni planes aren’t equipped for nighttime strikes”.

The CNN report went on to quote Yousra Bandar, a mother of three, who said: “No one knows who is dying in Abyan. We want to leave the province, but go to where? Leaving the province is a slow death for all of us.”

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 30
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–50
  • Belligerents reported injured
    10–12

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the police station in Al Wadi’a district in Abyan province. The coordinates for Al Wadi’a district (مديرية الوضيع) are: 13.713333, 46.011944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to locate the police station.

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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 30
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–50
  • Belligerents reported injured
    10–12

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM024-B

Incident date

July 27, 2011

Location

مديرية زنجبار, Karadeef, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.135000, 45.430278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged US airstrike that took place on Karadeef in West Zinjibar was reported to have killed five militants and injured two others, with no civilian harm reported, on July 27th 2011.

Xinhua news quoted a local official who said that five AQAP militants, including a field commander, were killed by a US drone strike on Karadeef, in western Zinjibar. Multiple sources corroborated the death of five militants. Akhbar Al-Youm overall reported that on July 27, 2011 “the killing of many militants and the injury of others. In the raid, the young man, “Adel Al-Houtari,” in Wadi Hassan was also killed, and 2 others were wounded.”

AdenHurra and Aden-online added that three of the militants were from Ma’rib and that one was the son of Nasser Al-Marqashi.

Yemenpost and AdenHurra reported the strike took place on Wadi Hassan in Zinjibar, resulting in some confusion over whether the location of the strikes was Wadi Hassan or Karadeef, or they were separate strikes. Aldi Apres added that the alleged strike was one of 12 strikes in the area on the afternoon of July 27th 2011.

Neither the US nor Yemeni officials have taken responsibility for the strike.

The incident occured during the day.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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
    5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Karadeef area in Western Zinjibar. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to locate this area. The coordinates for Zinjibar district (مديرية زنجبار) are: 13.135000, 45.430278.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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
    5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM025-B

Incident date

July 29, 2011

Location

زنجبار, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.131375, 45.384415 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 14 militants were killed and 50 others were wounded in alleged US or Yemeni airstrikes or drone strikes on the city of Zinjibar on July 29, 2011.

In a tweet from @YusraAIA, Yemeni aircraft were identified as being used as “camouflage” to cover up U.S. drone strikes. According to @FADHLESAY, fourteen people were killed and another fifty wounded by a series of bombings from Yemeni warplanes in Zinjibar. Militants who had gained control of the town were the reported targets.

Ma’reb Press reported that the Yemeni air force bombed areas known for “tribal gatherings” heading towards Zanjibar. In the fighting, five members of the Yemen military, including Colonel Muhammad al-Salahi, were killed along with an equal number of Al Qaeda operatives. There had been a series of clashes between the Yemeni military and Al Qaeda operatives. The military actions taken by the Yemeni military were reportedly done with either the support of or coordination with the United States and @YusraAIA directly mentions US involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–14
  • Belligerents reported injured
    50

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Zinjibar (زنجبار), for which the generic coordinates are: 13.131375, 45.384415. 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

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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–14
  • Belligerents reported injured
    50

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM026-B

Incident date

August 1, 2011

Location

مديرية زنجبار, Al-Khamila, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.128649, 45.339509 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three drone strikes taking place on August 1st 2011, allegedly by US drones or Yemeni airplanes, killed up to 16 suspected Al Qaeda fighters and wounded up to 32 others in various areas of Zinjibar according to military officials. One report stated that the drones were acting in conjunction with the Yemeni government, but the Yemen Interior Minister said all attacks were carried out by the Yemeni army and the United States was not involved. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm.

There were a series of conflicting reports concerning the strike, as Fahd Othman Aljebzi tweeting as @Aljebzi noted that thirteen individuals were killed, which was supported by a tweet from @AdenLang citing a Reuters report. Albawaba.com reported that a military source told Agence France-Presse that Al Qaeda leader Nader al-Shaddadi was among the possible 16 alleged militants. However, al-Shaddadi was reportedly killed on October 18, 2012 in US drone or Yemeni airstrikes (USYEM131-B).

Local sources noted as many as thirty-two people wounded. Yusra A tweeting as @YusraAIA noted that apparently sixteen suspected Al-Qaeda members were killed and another seventeen wounded over the course of three strikes, while Aljazeera reported that Yemeni government airstrikes killed fifteen suspected Al-Qaeda operatives and destroyed a tank controlled by militants.

Multiple sources, including Albawaba, reported that “the raid destroyed an army armored vehicle, truck, personnel carrier and artillery that Al Qaeda militants had seized during the previous battles.”

The Washington Post identified the locations of the three strikes: “The security and local officials said the first strike targeted the al-Wahdah stadium and surrounding areas. They said it destroyed military equipment that the militants seized during a June 30 battle to control the stadium in which dozens of soldiers and militants were killed. They said the second strike hit the al-Amodiah region between Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan taken over by militants in May, and the city of Jaar. The third attack hit the al-Khamilah area, which the militants also use as a hideout.” Reports that Al-Khamleh and Al-Amudiyah were also struck was corroborated by Elaph, Lebanese Forces, and Radio Sawa. None of the sources specify how many militants were killed in each individual strike.

In an article for The Washington Post, Mohammad Al-Qadhi reported that Yemeni local and security officials claimed the strikes stemmed from US Predator drones, yet Reuters reported that Yemeni warplanes conducted at least one of the strikes, on the village of Al Khamila. Bill Roggio, writing for Long War Journal, reported that unmanned US Predator or Reaper drones carried out the strike, but Yemeni Interior Minister denied that claim. Writing in August 2011, Roggio said the US had carried out ten strikes since December of 2009 and four since May of 2011.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    13–16
  • Belligerents reported injured
    17–32

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Three different locations are mentioned in reports of this incident. A first strike targeted Al Wahda (Unity) stadium. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to locate Al Wahda stadium. A second strike occurred in Al Amudiya (عمودية) area between Zinjibar and the city of Ja’ar, for which the coordinates are: 13.1351, 45.3635. A third strike took place in Al Khamila village (الخاملة), for which the coordinates are: 13.125000, 45.313889. The coordinates for a mid-point between Al Amudiya and Al Khamila are: 13.128649, 45.339509.

  • Imagery:
    © Google 2019

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, Drone Strike
  • 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 target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    13–16
  • Belligerents reported injured
    17–32

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM028-B

Incident date

August 24, 2011

Location

العرقوب), Al Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.4688890, 45.7638890 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Aug. 24, 2011, numerous outlets such as the Associated Press, AFP, and CNN reported that between four and six suspected Al Qaeda militants were killed and others were wounded in alleged Yemeni or US strikes in the area of Arkoub in Yemen’s Abyan province, which was overrun by Al Qaeda in May 2011. There are no known reports of civilian casualties in the strike on Arkoub, but outlets differ on other details, such as the number of suspected militants killed and the nature of the strike.

The reporting of one outlet, CNN, stated that four suspected AQ militants were killed in Arkoub “during a clash with the army in Abyan province.” This wording would seem to imply that the strike took the form of ground raids, which are reported to have occurred throughout Abyan at the time, with AP reporting that eight Yemeni soldiers were killed in the area around Zinjibar, alongside a strike that killed 30-40 suspected AQ militants (USYEM027-B).

However, other outlets such as AFP and AP state that the strike in Arkoub killed six militants and was carried out by airstrike. AP reported that the strike was carried out by the Yemeni government, and AFP raising the possibility that the strike could have been carried out by the United States, citing the fact that the US had previously carried out strikes in Yemen and that locals in Arkoub claim that drones frequently patrol the area. CNN also declared “others injured” in the strike, but provided no additional details. On Aug. 24, CNN reported that 29 had been killed and 62 injured between “both sides” during operations in Abyan over the last several days.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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 target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the mountainous area of Al Arqoub (العرقوب), near the coastal village of Shaqra, Abyan governorate. The coordinates for Al Arqoub are: 13.4688890, 45.7638890.

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, Drone Strike
  • 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 target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (5) [ collapse]