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
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr033

LOCATION

الصعيد, Said, Shabwa, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that, at dawn on March 4th 2017, one or more US strikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Said district, Shabwa governorate.  Some reports indicated that the strikes killed or wounded AQAP members. According to several social media sources, a US drone strike targeted a car carrying suspected AQAP militants in the

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr066

LOCATION

الأدوس, Al Adwas, Hadramaut, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants travelling in a car near Al-Adwas, Hadramout governorate, likely overnight from April 2nd to April 3rd. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources including YN News reported that AQAP militants were targeted, and one specified that they were targeted while in a

Summary

First published
April 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 15, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM296

LOCATION

Vicinity of Janaale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Several days after the events, US Africa Command press released that it had conducted five airstrikes in the vicinity of Janaale during March 16th-17th. Somali state media and government reported the same strikes but said they took place on March 15th-16th. AFRICOM said the actions were in support of ground operations by Somalia forces, while noting

Summary

First published
March 15, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

May 13, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM308-C

LOCATION

Araboow, Middle Juba, Somalia

Between one or two civilians were allegedly injured in US or Kenyan airstrike on Araboow. Halgan Media reported: “A series of blasts rocked a rural town of Araboow overnight in Somalia’s Middle Jubba province. The blasts said to be a result of a barrage of missiles fired down on the Militant controlled town. Sources that

Summary

First published
May 13, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr215

LOCATION

Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen

A few local-language Twitter sources suggested, on December 7th 2019, that US drone strikes had targeted “Muslim Brotherhood” militias, also described as “terrorists”, in the mountains of Al Arqoub in Abyan governorate. No other known sources reported US strikes, and there was no known information on alleged casualties. The first known report of the strikes,

Summary

First published
December 7, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected targets
Other, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr125

LOCATION

الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly killed three alleged AQAP militants in the Sama’a area, Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of December 18th 2017, according to some sources. There were no known claims of associated civilian harm. The earliest known report of the alleged strike came at 5:44pm local time from 24Live (@20fourlive), which stated that

Summary

First published
December 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

January 19, 2021

Incident Code

USSOM331-C

LOCATION

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia

One civilian was allegedly killed in a US airstrike on Jamaame. Halgan Media said: “US drones just bombed the town of Jamaame in the Lower Jubba province of Somalia and killed a prominent Clan elder named Mohamed Abbas, who died instantly when a missile from a US drone hit his home – Sources.” Somali Memo,

Summary

First published
January 19, 2021
Last updated
March 14, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM034-C

LOCATION

مدرسة الفاروق الثانوية في جعار, Al-Farouq high school, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and four others, including two children, were injured in the alleged US drone strike or Yemeni airstrike that hit the Al-Farouq High School in Ja´ar Abyan Province on the 5th of September 2011. Wafaa Mohammed Ahmed al-Hamza (8 years old) was killed and her father Mohammed Ahmed

Summary

First published
September 5, 2011
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
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 belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM374

LOCATION

Iji and Afad, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

More than 272 al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed and others were injured by Somali forces and “international partner” airstrikes or ground operations in Iji and Afad villages near Jalalaqsi district on February 15-16, 2023. Hiraan Online News reported that “unidentified drones” bombed villages in the Hiraan region on as part of clashes between Somali government forces

Summary

First published
February 15, 2023
Last updated
May 23, 2023
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 belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
72–272
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

October 29, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM134-B

LOCATION

حضرموت, Hadramawt, Hadramaut, Yemen

Two local sources reported that “Abu al-Baraa al-Sharouri, amir of the Sharia courses” was killed by a US drone strike in Hadramawt on October 29, 2012. @FlashpointIntel added that another “jihadist” called “brother Abu Hussein” was also killed in the strike. No other information was available about this incident.

Summary

First published
October 29, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2024

Incident Code

USSOM419

LOCATION

Kuntu Waarey District and the El-Wadalan area of the Galcad district, Lower Shabelle and Galgaduud provinces, Somalia

On the 17th of February, 2024, the Somali National Army (SNA) announced that they had conducted two airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants with assistance from “international partners”. According to a statement from the Somali Ministry of Defense, one strike was conducted in the Kuntu Waarey District in Lower Shabelle and another was carried out in Galcad

Summary

First published
February 17, 2024
Last updated
April 23, 2024
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 belligerents
Somali Military Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
15
Belligerents reported injured
21
View Incident

Incident date

May 14, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM080-B

LOCATION

لودر, Lawdar, Abyan, Yemen

A moving vehicle was struck by missiles that were fired near Lawdar town in the province of Abyan on the 14th of May 2012. Six “militants” perished in the strike which was allegedly carried out by a Yemeni or US aircraft. There are no reports of civilian harm at this moment. Officials reported anonymously to

Summary

First published
May 14, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
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 belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM131-B

LOCATION

الرميلة, Rumaila, Abyan, Yemen

In a dawn attack, a series of missiles from an alleged unmanned airstrike were fired at targets on the outskirts of Jaar, apparently striking Al Qaeda militants on the verge of launching a suicide attack on military targets. The alleged US drone or Yemeni airstrike attack hit a farmhouse in the Wadi Anna bridge area,

Summary

First published
October 18, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
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 belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
7–9
Belligerents reported injured
3–6
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr121

LOCATION

غرب مرخة العليا, West of Merkhat Al Olya, Shabwa, Yemen

A US strike killed seven AQAP militants in Shabwa governorate on November 25th 2017, a US Central Command spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. This confirmed earlier local reports that a US drone strike had killed at least three alleged AQAP militants in a Wadi, in the Merkhat Al Olya district of Shabwa, on

Summary

First published
November 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
5–8
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM092-B

LOCATION

جعار, Ja'ar, Abyan, Yemen

In a second reported strike in Jaar on May 27th 2012, a house allegedly used as a meeting place by AQAP militants was “pounded” by warplanes, reported Xinhua. Ten alleged AQAP fighters were killed including two local leaders according to a tribal chief. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. Xinhua did not

Summary

First published
May 27, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
10
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2011

Incident Code

USSOM018

LOCATION

Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

At least one al Shabaab militant was reportedly killed as Shabaab positions in Kismayo, Jubaland, were subject to aerial shelling, international and local media reported. There was disagreement about whether the US, France or Kenya were to blame A local resident told Reuters: “A jet bombarded an al Shabaab base near the port. It dropped

Summary

First published
October 23, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US Forces, French Military, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

June 21, 2016

Incident Code

USSOM058

LOCATION

South-central, Bay, Somalia

The US conducted “a self-defence strike against al Shabaab, killing three” in southern Somalia, describing the action as having “provided defensive fires to protect U.S. troops from imminent threats posed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.” A statement from US Africa Command (Africom) issued at the time said “the operation was conducted after it was assessed

Summary

First published
June 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

November 9, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM098

LOCATION

Buulo Fuulay, Bay, Somalia

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

Summary

First published
November 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM131

LOCATION

Galgala mountains, 26 miles southwest of Bosaso, Bari, Somalia

On June 4th 2018, AFRICOM reported that it had “conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 26 miles southwest of Bosasso, Somalia, on June 2”. It added: “We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed “twenty-seven (27) terrorists.” As Voice of America noted, “Saturday’s airstrike

Summary

First published
June 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
27
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM177

LOCATION

Vicinity of Deerow Sanle, Bay, Somalia

AFRICOM reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike targeting al Shabaab in the vicinity of Dheerow Sanle in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. According to AFRICOM “no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.” The strike “killed six (6) militants and destroyed one vehicle.” In a subsequent FOIA response

Summary

First published
January 6, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM216

LOCATION

Timirshe, Bari, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia and possibly also al Shabaab in the vicinity  of Timirshe, in the Golis Mountains. According to a press release from US Africa Command issued the following day, three fighters from the terrorist group were killed, with AFRICOM currently assessing that no civilians had been harmed in

Summary

First published
April 26, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known targets
Al-Shabaab, ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
2–3
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM172

LOCATION

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM publicly reported two strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 28 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe.  Another four strikes took place at the same location the previous day on December 15th, it said – killing another 34 militants. “All six airstrikes

Summary

First published
December 16, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM137

LOCATION

Qalimow, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Unknown aircraft were reported to have struck the vicinity of Qalimow village about 60km north of Mogadishu on the night of July 24th-25th. Villagers told local media that several missiles had targeted Al-Shabab vehicles. The attack – which almost all sources said was by drone – followed the recent recapture of Qalimow from Somalia forces.

Summary

First published
July 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM155

LOCATION

Somalia

Responding to allegations that it had conducted a November 18th airstrike on a radio station in Jilib, AFRICOM informed local media via Twitter that “it has not conducted an airstrike in Somalia since Nov. 3.” There were no publicly reported strikes on this date, and Airwars has reached out to AFRICOM for clarification. U.S. Africa

Summary

First published
November 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM072

LOCATION

Welmarow, Lower Juba, Somalia

AFRICOM denied conducting any recent airstrikes in Somalia, a VOA journalist reported – following recent claims of US activities in the Lower Juba region. According to SomNews, US forces had conducted a helicopter assault on the village of Welmarow on the evening of June 3rd: “Helicopters thought to be from United States military have launched 

Summary

First published
June 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM276

LOCATION

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

An Al Shabaab facility was hit by a US airstrike near Jilib, according to AFRICOM. The press statement, released two days later, asserted: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists and a compound in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, Feb. 6… Initial assessments conclude

Summary

First published
February 6, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr046

LOCATION

مديرية العبر, Al Abr District, Hadramaut, Yemen

A reported US drone strike killed two alleged AQAP militants, including a Saudi national, while they were driving in the Al-Abr area of Hadramout governorate, on March 14th 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to FPA, the alleged militants were named as Abu Jandal al-Hadrami and Abu Hashim al-Sharuri by

Summary

First published
March 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM288

LOCATION

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Four Al Shabaab members were allegedly killed in a US airstrike near Gandarshe, AFRICOM declared. The official press release asserted: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab camp in vicinity of Gandarshe, Somalia, Mar. 7. The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed four (4) terrorists. We

Summary

First published
March 7, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM301

LOCATION

Bush Madina, Bay, Somalia

Five Al Shabaab members were reportedly killed by a US strike near Bush Madina. The AFRICOM press release said: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Bush Madina, Somalia, April 3. The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed five (5)

Summary

First published
April 3, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Belligerents reported killed
5
View Incident

Incident date

January 4, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr185

LOCATION

ال ديمان, Al Dayman, Ma'rib, Yemen

A single source, Voice of America News, stated that a US airstrike had targeted AQAP militants in Al Dayman on January 4th 2019, according to a US defense official. There were no other known reports of a strike at that time, and no information was given on alleged casualties. In a later press release, US

Summary

First published
January 4, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident