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

USYEMTr177-C

Incident date

August 1, 2018

Location

الروضة, Al Rawda, Marib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.448882, 45.345554 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly targeted a house in the Al Rawda area of Marib governorate on August 1st 2018, killing four and wounding others.

One source, The Yemen, indicating that those killed were civilians: “Today, Wednesday, local sources said that four civilians were killed and others wounded, following a US air strike on a drone that targeted them in the Rawdah neighborhood, south of Ma’rib Governorate. The sources pointed out that a drone strike hit a house in the neighborhood of Rawda, south of the city of Marib, killing four people and wounding others.”

Other sources suggested that the house was inhabited by AQAP militants.

The reports bore a resemblance to those of another alleged strike in the same area on July 22nd (USYEMTr174-C), and may possibly reflect late reporting of that earlier event.

On August 30th 2018, US Central Command stated that “six counterterrorism air strikes” against AQAP had been conducted since May 16th 2018, in “Shabwah, Hadramawt and Al-Bayda governorates”. The declared strikes did not include an August 1st strike; it is possible that this event constituted an undeclared CIA strike.

In its annual civilian casualty report to Congress issued in April 2019, the US Department of Defense stated that it had assessed “no credible reports of civilian casualties resulting from US military actions in Yemen during 2018″.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a house being struck in the Al Rawda (الروضة) area, south of Mar’ib (مأرب) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Rawda are: 15.448882, 45.345554.

  • Reports of the incident mention a house being struck in the Al Rawda (الروضة) area, south of Mar’ib (مأرب) city.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No reason given
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • Apr 29, 2019

  • C. U.S. military action in Yemen against al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and ISIS During 2018, U.S. forces deployed to Yemen continued to work towards disrupting and degrading the terrorist threat posed by AQAP and ISIS. U.S. forces conducted 36 airstrikes against AQAP and ISIS operatives and facilities in Yemen and supported United Arab Emirates and Yemen-led efforts to clear AQAP from Shabwah Governorate. DoD has no credible reports of civilian casualties resulting from U.S. military actions in Yemen during 2018.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi018

Incident date

March 22–23, 2024

Location

صنعاء, Sanaa, Yemen

Airwars assessment

A number of civilians were reportedly killed and injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes in Yemen on March 22/23, 2024.

The Houthi-run Human Rights Ministry, as quoted by Anadolu Agency and Saba News, “a number of civilians were killed and injured” by US-UK airstrikes in Yemen. No other information was available as to the number of civilian casualties.

Neither the US military not the UK military announced any airstrikes in Yemen on March 24th. However, multiple local sources reported that “American-British enemy aircraft carried out more than 16 raids on #Al-Hudaydah and #Sanaa governorates tonight, the most prominent of which were: 5 raids on Al-Munira District,# Al-Hudaydah; 4 raids on the Attan area in Al Wahda District,#Sanaa; 3 raids on the Jarban area in Sanhan District, #Sanaa; Two raids on the Al-Nahdain area in Al-Sabeen District, #Sanaa; A raid east of Azal District,#Sanaa.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Operational developments #Prosperity_Guard: American-British enemy aircraft carried out more than 16 raids on #Al-Hudaydah and #Sanaa governorates tonight, the most prominent of which were: 🔸5 raids on Al-Munira District,# Al-Hudaydah 🔸4 raids on the Attan area in Al Wahda District,#Sanaa 🔸3 raids on the Jarban area in Sanhan District, #Sanaa 🔸Two raids on the Al-Nahdain area in Al-Sabeen District, #Sanaa 🔸A raid east of Azal District,#Sanaa

US Forces Assessment:

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

UK Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, UK Military
  • Suspected target
    Houthi Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM003-B

Incident date

December 17, 2009

Location

أرحب, Arhab, Sanaa, Yemen

Geolocation

15.804408, 44.289094 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US forces reportedly carried out an attack in Arhab, Yemen on December 17th upon a home believed to be the living quarters of Qasim al Raimi (also called al Raymi), resulting in the death of four militants.

The strike was initially reported to have included the use of Yemeni ground forces and air strikes with what were believed to be United States’ made bombs. This assertion was later discounted by leaked American diplomatic cables that show that the Yemeni government was directed to take credit for the bombing carried out by the US.

There were no reports of any civilian injuries or deaths from this incident. However, four days after the attack, a cable was leaked that included a U.S. admission of civilian deaths along with the official responses to be given when questioned about the possible deaths of civilians in the other attack on the same day (USYEM002-C). The reportedly deceased civilians were referred to as “collateral damage” by US Ambassador to Yemen Stephen Seche.

The attack reportedly killed four members of Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), but al Raimi is believed to have survived. An American diplomatic cable quoted the Yemeni Ministry of Defense offering the following summary of the event: “Operations against AQAP militants were targeted to foil suicide bombers planning attacks against Yemeni and foreign installations, that the raids resulted in killing four suicide bombers and arresting four others.”

The United States believed an attack by AQAP insurgents was likely upon the US Embassy in Yemen. Following the operation, Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh received a call from President Barack Obama to congratulate Saleh on the success of the raid. A United States diplomatic cable allegedly included both the appreciation of President Saleh for America’s involvement along with a plea for the United States to continue in their assistance of Yemeni fighters against terrorism; a “disease” according to Saleh. The cable also included a proposed answer to questions concerning the discovery of American munitions at the site of the fighting, with the cable explaining the Yemeni government could explain this point away by stating that American weapons were purchased by Yemen and only used by Yemeni soldiers.

A United States diplomatic cable warned the Yemeni government to be cautious in its “public posture” concerning the strikes, making certain to not overtly mention the United States but to also be prepared to address questions of counter-terrorism legitimacy if evidence is found directly linking American soldiers to the strike.

A Reuters article published on 3rd December 2010, nearly a year later, reported that the President Saleh admitted lying to the Yemeni public about the cruise missile strikes on Al Qaeda in December 2009 saying they were the work of Yemeni forces, with support from US intelligence. This article draws on a diplomatic cable dated 4 January 2010, which refers to a meeting between CENTCOM Commander General Petraeus and President Saleh on 2 January 2010 during which it reports that Petraeus congratulated Saleh on recent operations against Al Qaeda and told him of an increase in security assistance to Yemen. The cable also says that President Saleh praised the 17th and 24th December strikes, but that “mistakes were made” in the killing of civilians in the Abyan strike, which occurred on 17th. The cable further says that “Saleh lamented the use of cruise missiles that are ‘not very accurate’ and welcomed the use of aircraft-deployed precision-guided bombs instead. ‘We’ll continue saying the bombs are ours, not yours,’ Saleh said, prompting Deputy Prime Minister Alimi to joke that he had just ‘lied’ by telling Parliament that the bombs in Arhab, Abyan, and Shebwa were American-made but deployed by the ROYG.

Due to the nature of both CIA and US military involvement in Yemen, and the lack of official acknowledgement by the CIA for their involvement, Airwars grades this event as “declared” following the revelations of US role contained in the released US diplomatic cables, in lieu of public reporting on CIA actions.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Arhab (أرحب) district, for which the generic coordinates are: 15.804408, 44.289094. 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:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

1. (S/NF) SUMMARY. The ROYG views the December 17 CT operations as a success and a benefit to Yemeni national interests, and appears not overly concerned about unauthorized leaks regarding the U.S. role and negative media attention to civilian deaths. ROYG officials continue to publicly maintain that the operation was conducted entirely by its forces, acknowledging U.S. support strictly in terms of intelligence sharing. Deputy Prime Minister Rashad al-Alimi told the Ambassador on December 20 that any evidence of greater U.S. involvement ) such as fragments of U.S. munitions found at the sites - could be explained away as equipment purchased from the U.S. While the ROYG has touted the operation as a victory in terms of the number of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) members killed or captured, it hasn't yet decided how, or even if, it should begin to modify its public messaging to address criticism over collateral damage, or the likelihood that the extent of U.S. involvement may become impossible to deny. END SUMMARY.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM051-B

Incident date

March 18, 2012

Location

مسيمر, Al Musaimeer, near Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.1194440, 45.3502780 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Yemeni or US strikes on Al Qaeda positions in north-eastern Zinjibar, Abyan province, allegedly killed 14 to 18 belligerents and injured dozens of others on 18 March 2012, sources said. There are currently no reports of civilian harm, though one source, Xinhua, stated that an anonymous Yemen official stated that “it was not clear whether there were any civilian casualties.” Additionally, an unnamed witness told Xinhua that the shelling demolished more than four houses in the center of Jaar city, forcing many people to flee their homes.

According to Dawn News, a local official reported that “many bases of Al Qaeda were destroyed,” and 16 jihadists were killed while Xinhua provided a higher casualty toll, stating that “at least 18 terrorists” were killed and dozens were injured, without specifying exactly how many were injured.

Reiterating this news, the Yemen Times also reported that heavy shelling had targeted fields and badly damaged crops: “We are not sure whether Yemeni aircraft or US unmanned drones are responsible for the airstrikes,” one farmer told the Yemen Times.

Reuters called the strike a “naval bombardment”, and the Long War Journal surmised that “If missiles were indeed fired from the sea (and we have no confirmation of this, only the word of an anonymous Yemeni official), then they were most likely fired by US Navy warships. The Yemeni Navy does not possess the capacity to conduct such strikes; its missile boats and corvettes fire only anti-ship missiles.”

Xinhua reported a local Yemen official as confirming it was a joint US Naval – Yemen Air Force offensive, but placed the naval bombardment at nearby Jaar.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    14–18
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area or village of Al Musaimeer (مسيمر) around the town Zinjibar (زنجبار‎). The coordinates for this village are: 13.1194440, 45.3502780. Due to limited information and satellite imagery 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, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • 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
    14–18
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM094-C

Incident date

May 28, 2012

Location

المناسح, Manaseh, Bayda, Yemen

Geolocation

14.5797620, 44.7502190 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged US drone strike in the vicinity of the village of Manaseh, close to the town of Rada’a in al-Baydah province during the afternoon of the 28th May, 2012. Between one and five militants linked to Al Qaeda were also reported to have been killed in the strike and four others were wounded.

Reuters and Yemen Post quoted a text message from the Al Qaeda affiliated group ‘Ansar al-Sharia’ which said that “the bombardment resulted in the deaths of two bystanders (civilians) and one (militant) brother.” Press TV reported that the airstrikes resulted in the death of seven people, without specifying if they were militants or civilians.

Reuters quoted local sources which said that “a U.S. drone was behind the attack”, whilst additionally stating that a local official had confirmed the “target of the strike was a provincial militant commander and his brother, both of whom survived.” Flashpoint Intel reported that “jihadi sources” had acknowledged the death of three militants.

Boston.com reported details on the alleged drone strike, stating that it was conducted against Qaid al-Dahab, a local leader of al-Qaeda who was travelling in “a convoy of three cars near the town of Rada’a, 160 km south of the capital,Sanaa.” Boston.com also stated that four militants were wounded, with Xinhua reporting that “Qaid al-Dahab, his brother Nabil and two of their bodyguards were slightly wounded in the airstrike.” An article by Agence France-Presse (AFP), published in Alarabiya, quoted a local tribal leader who stated that “Dahab survived but five of his guards were killed.” Yemen Post stated that a second senior AQAP leader had also survived the strike, but claimed that only three other militants were killed.The Long War journal identified this second leader as Nabil al-Dahab, Qaid al-Dahab’s brother. The Long War Journal further specified that the drones which were used to conduct the attack on the brothers were “Predators or the more deadly Reapers”, although this is unsurprising, as these two types of military drone were the most widely operated by the U.S. military at the time.

It is noteworthy that UPI gave a significantly different account of the attack however, reporting that the strike was made against an Al Qaeda stronghold and that “a U.S. done attacked a house in Rada’a, a city in Baydha province south of the capital Sanaa, that Yemeni intelligence services identified as a target Monday.” UPI was the only media source which stated that the strike was carried out against a house, rather than vehicles.

With regard to the status of Qaid al-Dahab and his brother Nabil, Xinhua quoted a Yemeni government official who said that “Qayid and Nabil command a branch of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Rada’a after the Yemeni intelligence services last February killed their brother Sheikh Tariq al-Dhahab, who was the chief of the al-Qaeda group there.”

Furthermore, an article in the Washington Post quoted a U.S. counterterrorism official who said that “it is still an open question” as to whether Qaid and Nabil al-Dahab, both related in marriage to Anwar al-Awlaki, were plotting attacks against the United States.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Qaid al-Dahab, one of the targets of the alleged US drone strike on Manaseh, May 28th 2012, (via Long War Journal)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that a convoy was targeted in the area or near the village of Manaseh (المناسح), near the town of Rada’a (رداع), possibly traveling to Al Himmah. We were unable to find the location for Al Himmah. However, the coordinates for the town of Rada’a  (رداع) are: 14.415088, 44.840937; and the coordinates for the village of Manaseh (المناسح) are: 14.5797620, 44.7502190.

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
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    4

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM139-B

Incident date

December 29, 2012

Location

سائلة الجرّاح, Saila valley/Sa'ilat al Jarrah, Bayda', Yemen

Geolocation

14.568993, 44.751559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged US missiles hit a 2006 saloon Land Cruiser traveling on the outskirts of al-Manaseh village on December 29, 2012, near Radda, in the fourth strike in a week. At least three alleged al Qaeda members died and two others were injured. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm.

The three victims reportedly included Saleh Mohammed al Ameri, 33 years old and described by unnamed local officials as a senior Al Qaeda operative. The two other alleged  Al Qaeda members killed include Salem Ali Abdullah Al-Ameri, 18 years old, and Abdul Wahid Matlab Al-Ameri, 22 years old

“Their bodies were charred and the car was completely obliterated,” a tribesman told Reuters. “Their bodies were not recognizable, but the government says they’re from Al Qaeda.”

AFP reported two other alleged Al Qaeda members were injured, yet their identities are not disclosed.

Local outlet Yemen Observer reported four Al Qaeda members were killed, two of whom came from Abyan province and one of whom came from Marib. The Yemen Observer added that the Al Qaeda militants were seen earlier in Khabza area in a car driving towards al-Manasih village.

AP added that “Dozens of local al-Qaida-linked fighters protested the drone strikes after traditional Islamic Friday prayers.”

The majority of sources attributed the incident to a US drone, while at least one source specified that the attack was carried out by a CIA drone.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    3–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted a vehicle in the Al Sailah valley, between the villages Khabza/Khubza (خبزة) (coordinates: 14.563782, 44.797021) and Al Manaseh (المناسح) (coordinates: 14.579762, 44.750219), near the town Rada’a (رداع) (coordinates: 14.415088, 44.840937). This most likely refers to the area around the village Sa’ilat al Jarrah (سائلة الجرّاح), for which the coordinates are: 14.568993, 44.751559. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the precise location of the strike.

  • Sa'ilat al Jarrah (سائلة الجرّاح) between Manaseh (المناسح) and Khabza/Khubza (خبزة)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Sa'ilat al Jarrah (سائلة الجرّاح) between Manaseh (المناسح) and Khabza/Khubza (خبزة), near the town Rada’a (رداع)

    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
    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
    3–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM103-N

Incident date

June 14, 2012

Location

عزان, Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.3267791, 47.4475743 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Yemen Times reported a US drone strike hit Azzan in Shabwa province, described as AQAP’s “last stronghold” in the province, on June 14, 2012.

The reporter Ali Saeed subsequently told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism via email that the strike came on Thursday evening.

Casualty figures were unknown he added, because “the army has not yet entered the area”, his military source in Shabwa told him.

There are currently no known reports of civilian harm.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Azzan (عزان), for which the generic coordinates are: 14.3267791, 47.4475743. Due to limited information and satellite imagery 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi007

Incident date

November 30, 2022

Location

حدبا العوشان, Hadba Al Awshan, Marib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.540801, 45.461054 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one to three civilians, including a woman and two children, were reported killed and up to five others, including a woman, a child and two paramedics, were injured in alleged US drone strikes on a home in the Al-Hadba area of Al-Wadi, Marib on November 30, 2022. A member of Ansar al-Sharia (AQAP) who was renting the home may also have been killed or injured.

Khabar Agency stated that the house was believed to belong to a member of Ansar al-Sharia (AQAP) and that one person was killed and five were wounded, including citizens who tried to rescue survivors of the airstrikes but were injured/killed by shells that exploded. Al-Mawqea Post specified that two civilian paramedics who were trying to rescue the survivors were injured by explosions.

Al-Mawqea Post quoted medics who reported that “two women and two children were rescued from inside the targeted house, while the paramedics rescued a child after one of his feet was amputated in the airstrike, and he was taken with his mother to a nearby hospital in the area” while @KthMuZeaSdcqCgY tweeted that “a woman and her children were killed” as a result of the bombing.

According to @kh89saleh22, the home was a weapons store and the weapons detonated from the airstrike, killing “leaders of the terrorist…organization” as well as women and children. Al Mawqea Post quoted a local source who said that explosive devices, belts, and shells were found stored in the home, causing the explosions.

While Khabar Agency referred to the strike as occurring at dawn, @AlghbaryAtf tweeted that local sources put the drone strike at midnight.

Yemen Press Agency reported that the drone strike hit the house of Hamoud Al-Duwail in Al-Hadba area, Al-Wadi. Al Mawqea Post referred to the home as being inhabited by a displaced person from Al-Bayda governorate, who had rented the home from Hamoud Al-Duwail two years ago, with Yemen Days identifying him as “a prominent leader of the Islah party”. Multiple local sources referred to the location of the home as being in Hadba Al-Awshan market area.

The majority of the sources attributed the strikes to American drones to varying degrees of certainty, with only Yemen Days referring to the “high precision” drone strikes as being with American or Emirati. According to Yemen Days, the strike occurred days after the governor of the province, Sultan al-Arada, concluded an agreement with the UAE that included disengaging him from the Islah party.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Fire and explosions caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Yemen Press Agency)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Al Mawqea post)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Al Mawqea post)
  • Fire and explosions caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @VG7FzHXGNBa2LwY)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a market, allegedly located with the village of Hadba Al Awshan (حدبا العوشان), east 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 Habda Al Awshan are: 15.540801, 45.461054.

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
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (13) [ collapse]