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
Somalia
Afghanistan
Iraq
Libya
Pakistan
Syria
Turkey
Yemen
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Strike Status
Strike Type
Infrastructure
text search
118 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

USSOM388

Incident date

June 11, 2023

Location

Bulo-Mohamed-Abdalla under Awdhigle district, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Airwars assessment

At least 19 al-Shabaab militants were killed by operations carried out by Somalia government forces and international partners in Bula-Mohamed-Abdalla village on June 11, 2023

Somali National News Agency (@SONNALIVE) announced that at least 19 al-Shabaab militants were killed by joint operations between the National Intelligence Service Agency and international allies in Bula-Mohamed-Abdalla village. In addition, vehicles and weapons were destroyed.

Other local and international sources provided similar details quoted from the Somali government sources, with @ZakeriyeAxmed added that they had not independently verified the claims.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    19

Sources (5) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    19

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi017

Incident date

February 29, 2024

Location

محيط المخا, Vicinity of Al Mukha, Taiz Governorate, Yemen

Geolocation

13.317916, 43.250109 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two fishermen, including a 16-year old child, were killed and two others were injured by alleged US airstrikes or Houthi drone strikes off the coast of Al Mukha on February 29, 2024.

A tweet from @aalnaasi reported that US aircraft carried out two raids on a Yemeni fishing boat that was sailing near the British ship called the Rubymar, resulting in the death of a fisherman and the injury of others.” @gasm11taher identified two fishermen killed in the strike, from Al-Amoudi neighborhood in Mukha, adding that no one could enter the area to rescue the casualties for fear of follow-up airstrikes. Cratersky added that four boats were still missing at sea.

@Yemen_YF provided the highest casualty toll from Al Arabiya of four people killed, and blamed the casualties on a Houthi drone.

@Mahmud539 provided the name of victim Musa Taher, who was working on the boat at the time. Source Mujahid Al Qab stated that Taher Musa was 16 years old. The same sources added that Ali bin Ali Mudardar, 38 years old, was also killed. Muhammad Salem Zuhair, in his 30s, and Saleh Omar Hashash, 34 years old, were reported injured. Sources said that Muhammad and Saleh’s boat sunk from the strikes, and they swam around until they were rescued by another fishing boat, which then had an engine malfunction. They were finally rescued by another boat from the Fishermen’s Association.

The Al-Ziyadi Fish Cooperative Society spoke with the surviving fishermen who said that Ali bin Ali Mudardar’s body sunk along with his boat.

Tihama 24 News spoke with a local figure in the city of Mukha named Shawqi Ibrahim who said that “the fishermen approached the ship to conduct reconnaissance and obtain a video, before the air strikes surprised them” and that the fisherman were struck with a warplane, not a drone.

US Central Command released a statement that “On Feb. 29, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted two self-defense strikes against six mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea.” It is unclear if the US statement is referencing the same strike which hit the fishing boat, as the US military did not provide a location.

This assessment was changed from fair to contested on March 12, 2024 based on information from sources @Yemen_YF and @aop11ds accusing the Houthis of being responsible for the strike.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Ali bin Ali Mudardar علي بن علي مدردر
38 years old male killed
Musa Taher موسى طاهر
16 years old male killed
Muhammad Salem Zuhair محمد سالم زهير
31 years old male injured
Saleh Omar Hashash صالح عمر حشاش
34 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Source: @gasm11taher

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention alleged strikes off the coast of Al Mukha (المُخا), which is to the west of Taiz Governorate (تَعِزّ). The generic coordinates for the city of Al Mukha are: 13.317916, 43.250109.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

Feb. 29, 2024
Release Number 20240229 - 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Feb. 29, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted two self-defense strikes against six mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea.
Earlier that evening, at approximately 5:10 p.m. (Sanna time), CENTCOM forces shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the southern Red Sea in self-defense.
CENTCOM forces determined that the missiles and UAV presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the U.S. Navy ships in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1977

Incident date

February 3, 2022

Location

طمة, دير بلوط, Deir Balout, Atma, Syria

Geolocation

36.318883, 36.681660 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to thirteen civilians, including six children and four women, were reported killed and at least one child was injured after US forces targeted and subsequently killed the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, in Atma, northwest Syria on February 3rd 2022. Local reporting was conflicted as to whether the casualties were caused by US forces or in the detonation of a suicide device. Local sources were also conflicted regarding the civilian status of the adults harmed in the incident.

Al-Qurayshi had been the leader of ISIS since his predecessor Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was also killed in a US operation on October 26th, 2019.

Reports indicated that the operation began with Apache helicopters and drones circling the area, with heavy machine gun fire targeted at the residential building just after 1am. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, US forces “carried out an airdrop in that area, where soldiers had called, via loudspeakers, to evacuate women and children from a house”. After 15 minutes, the sound of gunfire was reported – marking the beginning of a two hour long standoff, culminating in the alleged detonation of a suicide device from inside the building.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby in a statement on February 3rd, noted that there was gunfire between US forces and ‘lieutenants’ of al-Qurayshi on the second floor of the building, as well as in the area surrounding the building. He reported that al-Qurayshi was on the third floor of the building when he detonated the explosive device.

Regarding civilian harm, Kirby stated that four civilians had been killed during the raid, including three children: the wife and two children of al-Qurayshi killed on the third floor, and another child when “one of [al-Qurayshi’s] lieutenants and the lieutenant’s wife [were] firing back at our forces. They were killed and it appears as if a child was also killed on that second floor.”

None of the deaths have yet been confirmed by the US to have resulted directly from US actions, with Kirby noting: “the lives of innocents taken in this operation were caused by Abdullah and his decision of blowing himself up”. In reference to the child killed on the floor below al-Qurayshi, Kirby noted that “it’s a loss caused by Mr. Abdullah and his lieutenant”, however he also stated that the information was as yet not definitive: “we’re willing to take a look to just examine and make sure that there wasn’t any action that we might have taken that could have also caused harm to innocents”.

Syria TV and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) instead noted that either one or two women had detonated the explosive device – with SOHR stating that at least one of the women was non-Syrian, and Syria TV stating that she was of Russian or Chechen origin. This was not corroborated by other sources.

In an eyewitness account, a woman living in the same building that was targeted in the raid said: “The planes came around 1am. They started shouting at us. There was a first, second and third floor. They were saying we needed to get out of the house – men, women and children – and that we would be killed if not. They fired a missile/shell while we were inside, then they fired bullets and we were inside.” The woman added: “I came out behind them but I didn’t see them on the ground. They said put your hands on your head and get on the ground and take off your hijab. I was very scared. I couldn’t tolerate it… They took the kids from me directly and they searched me and handcuffed my hands behind me.”

Graphic images were circulated in the early hours of February 3rd on social media of several young children killed in the attack. The Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) teams reported the death of at least 13 people, stating: “Our teams treated the injured and recovered the bodies, handed over two bodies to the forensic medicine in the city of Idlib and secured the place to protect civilians.”

The White Helmets also added that a girl and another individual were injured in the attack. In their statement they report that “our teams rushed an injured child to the hospital. The child’s entire family was killed in the operation. The teams also rushed another person to the hospital who was injured in the clashes when he approached the scene to witness what was happening.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the initial death toll at nine.

UNICEF also confirmed the deaths of the children in the incident: “UNICEF confirms that at least six children were killed and one girl was badly injured overnight in the border town of [Atme] in the northwest of Syria due to heavy violence”.

In his statement about the incident, President Joe Biden said that they had “made a choice to minimise civilian casualties” by conducting the attack with special forces rather than by an airstrike, given the presence of al-Qurayshi’s family, including children, in the area.

The Guardian reported statements from US Officials, who said “there were moments of tension, when one of the helicopters malfunctioned and had to be landed and then destroyed, and then when the special forces team called for family members to come out of the building, knowing there were children inside”.

In a civilian casualty assessment released November 3, 2023, the Coalition classed this event as a ‘duplicate’, claiming that “This allegation is closed as a duplicate because the potentially corroborating operation is being assessed in Open Report No. 4.”

The incident occured at 01:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Israa
Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 13
  • (6 children4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–5

Sources (62) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (74) [ collapse]

  • A US forces raid on a house overnight on February 3rd caused significant destruction and at least eleven civilian were killed by the first reports (Image via Ahmad Bakkar/ Facebook)
  • A US forces raid on a house overnight on February 3rd caused significant destruction and at least eleven civilian were killed by the first reports (Image via Ahmad Bakkar/ Facebook)
  • A US forces raid on a house overnight on February 3rd caused significant destruction and at least eleven civilian were killed by the first reports (Image via Ahmad Bakkar/ Facebook)
  • 1 of 2: Syria TV published "pictures of the house that was targeted by the American forces at dawn today" on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Facebook)
  • 2 of 2: Syria TV published "pictures of the house that was targeted by the American forces at dawn today" on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Facebook)
  • 1 of 2: Syrian Civil Defense respond to the scene in the morning of February 3rd 2022 after a US air raid (Image via Syria TV)
  • 2 of 2: Syrian Civil Defense respond to the scene in the morning of February 3rd 2022 after a US air raid (Image via Syria TV)
  • "All that's left of the home the COalition targeted" (Video via @NotWoofers)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young girl wounded in the fighting after a US air drop operation targeted a house in Dayr Balut on February 3rd 2022 in the early hours of the morning. Reports indicate that at least eleven civilians were killed (Image via @NotWoofers) / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    1 of 4: Pictures showed the remains of child victims after a US air drop which has reportedly killed at least eleven civilians, including at least six children (Image via Shaam)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    2 of 4: Pictures showed the remains of child victims after a US air drop which has reportedly killed at least eleven civilians, including at least six children (Image via Shaam)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    3 of 4: Pictures showed the remains of child victims after a US air drop which has reportedly killed at least eleven civilians, including at least six children (Image via Shaam)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    4 of 4: Pictures showed the remains of child victims after a US air drop which has reportedly killed at least eleven civilians, including at least six children (Image via Shaam)
  • 1 of 7: Shaam news uploaded photographs of the destruction and remains of the house which was targeted by a US air drop operation on February 3rd in the Atma region of northern Syria (Image via Facebook)
  • 2 of 7: Shaam news uploaded photographs of the destruction and remains of the house which was targeted by a US air drop operation on February 3rd in the Atma region of northern Syria (Image via Facebook)
  • 3 of 7: Shaam news uploaded photographs of the destruction and remains of the house which was targeted by a US air drop operation on February 3rd in the Atma region of northern Syria (Image via Facebook)
  • 4 of 7: Shaam news uploaded photographs of the destruction and remains of the house which was targeted by a US air drop operation on February 3rd in the Atma region of northern Syria (Image via Facebook)
  • 5 of 7: Shaam news uploaded photographs of the destruction and remains of the house which was targeted by a US air drop operation on February 3rd in the Atma region of northern Syria (Image via Facebook)
  • 6 of 7: Shaam news uploaded photographs of the destruction and remains of the house which was targeted by a US air drop operation on February 3rd in the Atma region of northern Syria (Image via Facebook)
  • 7 of 7: Shaam news uploaded photographs of the destruction and remains of the house which was targeted by a US air drop operation on February 3rd in the Atma region of northern Syria (Image via Facebook)
  • Shaam news uploaded photographs of the destruction and remains of the house which was targeted by a US air drop operation on February 3rd in the Atma region of northern Syria (Image via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    1 of 4: Photos of those killed and their remains after a US forces airdrop on February 3rd 2022 in Atma, Idlib (Image via @ahmedalqaaa / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    2 of 4: Photos of those killed and their remains after a US forces airdrop on February 3rd 2022 in Atma, Idlib (Image via @ahmedalqaaa / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    3 of 4: Photos of those killed and their remains after a US forces airdrop on February 3rd 2022 in Atma, Idlib (Image via @ahmedalqaaa / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    4 of 4: Photos of those killed and their remains after a US forces airdrop on February 3rd 2022 in Atma, Idlib (Image via @ahmedalqaaa / Twitter)
  • Wreckage of the US helicopter which allegedly participated in the air drop operation (Image via @Ali9aa9 / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "One of the targetes in the landing of Atma" (Image via @Ali9aa9 / Twitter)
  • "The killing of Abu Satif Zaidan of the Al-Jolani Authority, shot by the #coalition, when he was near the target place for the landing in #Atma." (Image via @mzmgr941 / Twitter)
  • A picture of a child allegedly killed in the US air drop on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @MzmjerSh / Twitter)
  • 1 of 3: "Remnants of the airdrop of the American occupation in the town of Atma on the Syrian-Turkish border." (Image via @jamlyyyyy_ / Twitter)
  • 2 of 3: "Remnants of the airdrop of the American occupation in the town of Atma on the Syrian-Turkish border." (Image via @jamlyyyyy_ / Twitter)
  • 3 of 3: "Remnants of the airdrop of the American occupation in the town of Atma on the Syrian-Turkish border." (Image via @jamlyyyyy_ / Twitter)
  • Syrian Civil Defense report that at least 13 people were killed in an US air drop operation on February 3rd 2022 (SCD / Facebook)
  • Drone footage of the location of the US air raid on February 3rd 2022 (Euphrates / Facebook)
  • Drone footage of the location of the US air raid on February 3rd 2022 (Euphrates / Facebook)
  • Footage of site where US air raid took place on February 3rd 2022 (Andalou Agency)
  • The site of US air raid on February 3rd 2022 (Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Syrian Civil Defense attend rescue mission after US air raid on February 3rd 2022 (Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Hipa Press reported from the site of US air raid on February 3rd 2022.
  • Hipa Press reported from the site of US air raid on February 3rd 2022.
  • Hipa Press reported from the site of US air raid on February 3rd 2022.
  • Destruction and remnants of US air raid on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Anadolu Agency / Ezzedine Al-Qasim)
  • Destruction and remnants of US air raid on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Anadolu Agency / Ezzedine Al-Qasim)
  • Destruction and remnants of US air raid on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Anadolu Agency / Ezzedine Al-Qasim)
  • Destruction and remnants of US air raid on February 2nd 2022 (Image via Anadolu Agency / Ezzedine Al-Qasim)
  • Destruction after the US air raid near Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Rozana / Facebook)
  • Destruction after the US air raid near Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Rozana / Facebook)
  • Destruction after the US air raid near Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Rozana / Facebook)
  • Destruction after the US air raid near Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via Rozana / Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdullah Qardash, the leader of ISIS, declared killed during a US-air raid (Image via Ahmad Rahhal / Facebook)
  • Abdullah Qardash, the leader of ISIS, declared killed during a US-air raid (Image via Ahmad Rahhal / Facebook)
  • The wreckage of the US helicopter during US raid on Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @GHpeFLa8lXjtE5X / Twitter)
  • The wreckage of the US helicopter during US raid on Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @GHpeFLa8lXjtE5X / Twitter)
  • The wreckage of the US helicopter during US raid on Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @GHpeFLa8lXjtE5X / Twitter)
  • The wreckage of the US helicopter during US raid on Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @GHpeFLa8lXjtE5X / Twitter)
  • The wreckage of the US helicopter during US raid on Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @Step_Agency/ Twitter)
    Hello
  • The wreckage of the US helicopter during US raid on Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @Step_Agency/ Twitter)
  • The wreckage of the US helicopter during US raid on Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @Step_Agency/ Twitter)
  • The wreckage of the US helicopter during US raid on Atma on February 3rd 2022 (Image via @Step_Agency/ Twitter)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a raid on a house in the town of Atma (أطمة). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we narrowed down the location to the following coordinates: 36.318883, 36.681660.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"type":"Point","coordinates":[36.68166,36.318883]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.68060302734375,36.318758122135414],[36.681241393089294,36.318758122135414],[36.681241393089294,36.31903907088507],[36.68060302734375,36.31903907088507],[36.68060302734375,36.318758122135414]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.681246757507324,36.318781894761145],[36.68146938085556,36.318781894761145],[36.68146938085556,36.31896343093671],[36.681246757507324,36.31896343093671],[36.681246757507324,36.318781894761145]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.681565940380096,36.3187689278753],[36.68182611465454,36.3187689278753],[36.68182611465454,36.31897207550595],[36.681565940380096,36.31897207550595],[36.681565940380096,36.3187689278753]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"D","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.68199509382248,36.31877108902307],[36.68226331472397,36.31877108902307],[36.68226331472397,36.31896126979426],[36.68199509382248,36.31896126979426],[36.68199509382248,36.31877108902307]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"E","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.68213188648223,36.31850742855001],[36.68243497610092,36.31850742855001],[36.68243497610092,36.318712738011634],[36.68213188648223,36.318712738011634],[36.68213188648223,36.31850742855001]]]}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"F","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.681713461875916,36.31829347390405],[36.682201623916626,36.31829347390405],[36.682201623916626,36.31851607316982],[36.681713461875916,36.31851607316982],[36.681713461875916,36.31829347390405]]]}}]}

  • Imagery:
    Euphrates

US Forces Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • Nov 3, 2023

  • February 03, 2022, near Atma, Syria, via Airwars report. This allegation is closed as a duplicate because the potentially corroborating operation is being assessed in Open Report No. 4. 3321/CS1977 37SBA9188021812

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 13
  • (6 children4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–5

Sources (62) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM369

Incident date

January 25, 2023

Location

Xaradheere, Mudug, Somalia

Geolocation

4.654622, 47.855728 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared AFRICOM strikes near Xaradheere on January 25, 2023.

AFRICOM released a statement on January 30th that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 25, 2023. The strike consisted of two separate engagements in a remote area near Xaradheere, Somalia, approximately 396 km northeast of Mogadishu where Somali forces were conducting operations and when they were engaged by al Shabaab fighters. The initial assessment is the strike killed four al-Shabaab terrorists. Given the remote location of the operation, the command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Antiwar.com reported on the US strike, providing information found in the press release, as well as pointing out the difficulty in confirming information from AFRICOM due to the strict rules for media in Somalia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Xaradheere, for which the generic coordinates are: 4.654622, 47.855728. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 25, 2023.

The strike consisted of two separate engagements in a remote area near Xaradheere, Somalia, approximately 396 km northeast of Mogadishu where Somali forces were conducting operations and when they were engaged by al Shabaab fighters.

The initial assessment is the strike killed four al-Shabaab terrorists.

Given the remote location of the operation, the command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed.

The U.S. is one of several countries providing support to the Federal Government of Somalia in its ongoing campaign to disrupt, degrade and defeat terrorist groups. Rooting out extremism ultimately requires intervention beyond traditional military means, leveraging U.S. and partner efforts to support effective governance, promote stabilization and economic development, and resolve ongoing conflicts.

U.S. Africa Command is the defense arm of the U.S. whole-of-government approach with African partners -- diplomacy, development and defense. This three-pronged, or “3D” approach aims to increase cooperation and support for “partner-led, U.S.-enabled” solutions to shared security challenges, including violent extremism or terrorism.

Somalia remains central to stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to help give them the tools they need to defeat al-Shabaab, the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world.

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

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote greater security for all Africans. To view the U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Casualty reports, visit: https://www.africom.mil/what-we-do/airstrikes/civilian-casualty-report

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM397

Incident date

August 15, 2023

Location

in a remote area near Cali Heele, Galgaduud, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Five al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed by declared US airstrikes near Cali Heele in the Galgaduud region on August 15, 2023

AFRICOM released a statement that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike in a remote area near Cali Heele, approximately 244 kilometers North East of Mogadishu, Somalia against al-Shabaab terrorists on August 15. The airstrike was in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization. Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed 5 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

The Somali government added that the strikes also destroyed a militant hideout.

According to @HarunMaruf, Somali state media reported a similar casualty figure, which was supposedly one of the first times that the Somali state and the US reported similar casualty counts.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (10) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike in a remote area near Cali Heele, approximately 244 kilometers North East of Mogadishu, Somalia against al-Shabaab terrorists on August 15.

The airstrike was in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization.

Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command's initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed 5 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack partner and U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests.

Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM329

Incident date

January 13, 2021

Location

Buulo Fulaay, Bay, Somalia

Geolocation

2.11064, 43.52329 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US airstrike allegedly killed one Al Shabaab fighter near Buulo Fulaay.

The AFRICOM press release said: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Buulo Fulaay, Somalia Jan. 13, 2021.

Initial assessments indicate the strike killed one al-Shabaab personnel and destroyed one compound.

The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation.”

Halgan Media provided additional detail on the victim after reporting aircraft activity before the strike was officially declared: “Sources confirm the Al Shabaab fighter that was killed in the US air strike in Somalia yesterday is named Dinle Ali Hassan, who often goes by the alias of Samir Ali Hussein.

He died instantly during the air raid targeting the town of Buulo Fulaay.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Buulo Fuulay, for which the generic coordinates are: 2.11064, 43.52329. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Buulo Fulaay, Somalia Jan. 13, 2021.
Initial assessments indicate the strike killed one al-Shabaab personnel and destroyed one compound.
The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation.
“This strike in Buulo Fulaay combined with recent strikes, shows our resolve and degrades al-Shabaab’s ability to threaten Somalia and its neighbors,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force - Quartz commander. “Side by side with our partners, we plan to leave no safe place for al-Shabaab to hide.”
Joint Task Force - Quartz operations support U.S. Africa Command and international efforts that promote a peaceful and stable Somalia. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to U.S. and regional interests.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM352

Incident date

September 18, 2022

Location

near Bulabarde, Hiran, Somalia

Geolocation

3.855029, 45.568398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

AFRICOM declared conducting an airstrike on September 18th 2022 against Al-Shabaab terrorists who were reportedly attacking the Somalia National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia. The US confirmed responsibility for killing 27 militants in this strike, according to the US, with the Somalia National Army saying that over 100 militants were killed in the whole operation which lasted over 72 hours. There were other reports in local and national media that 75 militants were killed in one of the operations within this time period, in the same location.  It is unclear to the extent of the US involvement beyond the strike that they have declared.

There were no reports of civilian casualties from these strikes.

The Federal Republic of Somalia released a press release on September 19th 2022 which stated “Somali National Army has conducted offensive operations in Yasoman and Aborey in Hiran Region in the last 72 hours. SNA has killed in this operation more than 100 members of Al-Shabab who wre terrorising the local people. Air support from United States of America has assisted this operation led by SNA. The Government of Somalia appreciates the US Government for its continual support in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.”

The US released a statement a few days later, on September 22nd, confirming that they conducted an airstrike in the Hiran region “at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia… against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde.” The US military reported that the airstrike was during a battle between Al-Shabaab fighters and Somali government forces.

One local source on Twitter, @HassanIstilla reported that “four people, including traditional elders, were killed when their vehicle hit a landmine on Saturday (17th) near Buq-aqable district in Hiran region. Al-Shabab denied responsibility and claimed that a US airstrike killed them. AFRICOM, or SNA did not announce an airstrike in the region.” However, the US and SNA operation was announced by the SNA on 19th, and the US confirmed their involvement on the 22nd.

AFRICOM reported that it was the largest combined military operation in the region in five years.

The @SomaliGuardian reported on Twitter that “Al-Shabaab says that it has killed 18 soldiers, wounded 20 others in fighting with govt troops, under cover of US air support, near the twon of Boco in Hiran region. It adds that Gorgor commander in the region is among casualties. No comment from SNA.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    27–100

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • US AFRICOM released press release declaring airstrike in the Hiran region, confirmed killing 27 militants on September 18th 2022 (Image via Twitter)
  • In one of the operations, Somali military said that it killed 75 militants in an operation on 18th September near Burlobade town (Image via @ShabelleMedia / Twitter)
  • In one of the operations, Somali military said that it killed 75 militants in an operation on 18th September near Burlobade town (Image via @ShabelleMedia / Twitter)
  • In one of the operations, Somali military said that it killed 75 militants in an operation on 18th September near Burlobade town (Image via @ShabelleMedia / Twitter)
  • In one of the operations, Somali military said that it killed 75 militants in an operation on 18th September near Burlobade town (Image via @ShabelleMedia / Twitter)
  • Press release from the Federal Republic of Somalia delcaring the operation and confirming the support of the US Forces (Image via @MOISOMALIA / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Bulobarde, for which the generic coordinates are: 3.855029, 45.568398. 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
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    27–100

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM379

Incident date

February 22, 2023

Location

Hiiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

4.208662, 45.472188 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

20 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed by a Somali forces and “international partner” airstrike in Hiraan region on February 22, 2023.

Asharq Al-Awsat quoted Somali state television which announced that 20 al-Shabaab militants traveling in a vehicle were killed in airstrikes carried out by Somali intelligence forces in cooperation with international allied forces.

There were no other details available as to who was involved in the airstrike and the resulting casualties.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    20

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the administrative region of Hiraan, for which the generic coordinates are: 4.208662, 45.472188. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"MultiPolygon","coordinates":[[[[45.71684344400006,5.109958242000062],[45.728798934000054,5.107060269000044],[45.72880128600008,5.107064344000037],[45.74637405200008,5.102807726000037],[45.82025263500003,5.084912256000052],[45.82025278400005,5.084912220000035],[46.04054477100004,5.031494105000036],[46.04098510700004,5.03138732900004],[46.041390646000025,5.031494105000036],[46.05155573500008,5.034170510000024],[46.230987549000076,5.081382275000067],[46.22982841900006,5.07325787700006],[46.229915695000045,5.073277013000052],[46.21098709100005,4.94139528200003],[46.111586147000025,4.742520806000073],[46.11108398400006,4.741516113000046],[46.126443005000056,4.622600770000076],[46.12644304100007,4.622600491000071],[46.12644304600008,4.622600455000054],[46.14356999300003,4.489201331000061],[46.15097626800008,4.431515008000076],[46.150976273000026,4.431514972000059],[46.22991573100006,4.368350202000045],[46.362636216000055,4.262151614000061],[46.396663269000044,4.23492428000003],[46.39682769800004,4.234792709000033],[46.396639684000036,4.201268324000068],[46.39408027500008,4.057797744000027],[46.39317832200004,4.009299030000022],[46.391964802000075,3.944047087000058],[46.39111324500004,3.891409704000068],[46.391113209000025,3.891409727000052],[46.39105538000007,3.891447164000056],[46.390987360000054,3.891409186000033],[46.30334291200006,3.842474100000061],[46.303342876000045,3.842474080000045],[46.29087729100007,3.835502432000055],[46.22520593100006,3.79876230800005],[46.091125488000046,3.571472168000071],[46.09094807500003,3.571235978000061],[46.07570521700006,3.550943149000034],[46.06109619100005,3.531494141000053],[46.06108825300004,3.531485786000076],[46.03088378900003,3.499694824000073],[46.01251220700004,3.465881348000039],[46.011598614000036,3.463409272000035],[46.01159860200005,3.463409236000075],[46.01148986800007,3.463083744000073],[46.01134117200007,3.462638303000062],[46.01031494100005,3.45928955100004],[46.00970459000007,3.457519531000059],[46.008728027000075,3.454528809000067],[46.00750732400007,3.450683594000054],[46.00689381400008,3.449314995000066],[46.006740570000034,3.448855877000028],[46.00639707800008,3.447825471000044],[46.00531005900007,3.444091797000056],[46.00390625000006,3.44030761700003],[46.00231933600003,3.435485840000069],[46.00170898400006,3.433715820000032],[46.001098633000026,3.431884766000053],[45.999511719000054,3.427124023000033],[45.999352533000035,3.426693284000066],[45.99765709700006,3.421607325000025],[45.99731445300006,3.420471191000047],[45.996392515000025,3.417813841000054],[45.996148066000046,3.417080544000044],[45.99511718700006,3.413879395000038],[45.99353027300003,3.409118652000075],[45.99315923800003,3.408114673000057],[45.99155440800007,3.403300514000023],[45.990295410000044,3.399475098000039],[45.989807588000076,3.398060414000042],[45.98963862900007,3.397553572000049],[45.98852539100005,3.393920898000033],[45.98752785900007,3.391221696000059],[45.98729999600005,3.390538152000033],[45.986511230000076,3.388122559000067],[45.98590087900004,3.386291504000042],[45.96534022800006,3.324659698000062],[45.96349354800003,3.319119711000042],[45.96089172300003,3.311313390000066],[45.96083178200007,3.311133490000032],[45.959716797000056,3.30749511700003],[45.94098027700005,3.251516869000056],[45.93379299800006,3.251015962000054],[45.90009639300007,3.248511951000069],[45.80047110000004,3.241101572000048],[45.80047061700003,3.241101536000031],[45.64335274000007,3.229383866000035],[45.51453380400005,3.219776698000032],[45.43582850000007,3.213891736000051],[45.41816025900005,3.212570644000039],[45.35814204600007,3.208042915000021],[45.35214966800004,3.207629508000025],[45.312624579000044,3.204657220000058],[45.29711402200007,3.203506551000032],[45.29711914100005,3.203491211000028],[45.296985662000054,3.203480967000075],[45.27189253700004,3.201555216000031],[45.27087402300003,3.20147705100004],[45.26993699600007,3.201555216000031],[45.26634289300006,3.201855029000058],[45.24654519200004,3.203506516000061],[45.18096538800006,3.208977059000063],[45.15087890600006,3.211486816000047],[45.09502295500005,3.239521632000049],[45.071122401000025,3.25145681500004],[45.070964580000066,3.25153562600002],[45.07096454400005,3.251535628000056],[45.038652454000044,3.253763337000066],[45.00514950300004,3.256073148000041],[44.87988281200006,3.264709473000039],[44.79322298300008,3.270639954000046],[44.78088378900003,3.271484375000057],[44.78088378800004,3.271484411000074],[44.78047325400007,3.28964036900004],[44.77829012300003,3.386189845000047],[44.77220710800003,3.64775122900005],[44.772144602000026,3.650270342000056],[44.77087402300003,3.70147705100004],[44.782357019000074,3.762302130000023],[44.80095672600004,3.861495495000042],[44.77569489800004,3.96799697900002],[44.76516797800008,4.012377483000023],[44.751098633000026,4.071472168000071],[44.75046782900006,4.074351923000052],[44.749716429000046,4.077519755000026],[44.749656677000075,4.077771664000068],[44.749634212000046,4.077880823000044],[44.74454662000005,4.102601772000071],[44.723161265000044,4.206913276000023],[44.68109130900007,4.411499023000033],[44.680459119000034,4.415201849000027],[44.67963705100004,4.419211655000026],[44.679637015000026,4.419211831000041],[44.67845177800007,4.430817410000031],[44.678339023000035,4.431450111000061],[44.67667839100005,4.440768384000023],[44.66439064000008,4.509718419000023],[44.592119643000046,4.934772617000021],[44.85326328000008,4.923069180000027],[44.92828369100005,4.919677734000061],[44.931846446000065,4.919547390000048],[44.94316040600006,4.919040342000073],[44.943152120000036,4.919025945000044],[44.98168945300006,4.917297363000046],[44.981692587000055,4.917302137000036],[45.018703739000046,4.955221631000029],[45.06861698700004,5.006482609000045],[45.150099107000074,5.090750917000037],[45.18540080900004,5.127249651000056],[45.187713372000076,5.129640441000049],[45.48114806400008,5.432947894000051],[45.65551757800006,5.178527832000043],[45.66943652600003,5.161717707000037],[45.67608642600004,5.153686523000033],[45.71059211100004,5.112147330000028],[45.710975647000055,5.111380577000034],[45.71684344400006,5.109958242000062]]]]}}]}

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    20

Sources (4) [ collapse]