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

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Incident Code

USSOM364

Incident date

December 23, 2022

Location

Awdal, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

2.762617, 46.321699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six alleged al-Shabaab members were killed by declared US airstrikes on the small town of Awdal 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Middle Shabelle, on December 23, 2022.

AFRICOM released a statement the same day that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a self-defense strike, Dec. 23, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Somalia. The command’s initial assessment is the strike killed six al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Globe Echo News reported on the day before the strike, December 22nd, that the Middle Shabelle region had been completely liberated from al-Shabaab.

No other independent details were available from foreign or local media.

This incident was the third strike carried out and announced by AFRICOM in 10 days, and all of them occurred in the same area near Cadale.

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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Awdal allegedly in the vicinity of the town of Cadale. The generic coordinates for Cadale are: 2.762617, 46.321699. 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, U.S. Africa Command conducted a self-defense strike, Dec. 23, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Somalia.


The command's initial assessment is the strike killed six al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote greater security for all Africans.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proven both its will and capability to attack Somali, East African, and American civilians. U.S. kinetic actions against al-Shabaab in Somalia are conducted in support of the Federal Government of Somalia's ongoing campaign to disrupt terrorist operations in their country.

Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of 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 defeat al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of these operations 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi012

Incident date

June 22, 2023

Location

الكور, Al-Kour, Shabwa, Yemen

Airwars assessment

Three Al Qaeda members were killed by alleged US drone strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa on June 22, 2023.

26sep News reported that American strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa resulted in the death of three Al Qaeda members. There are no additional details about those who were killed available.

All of the sources attributed the casualties to US strikes, with many of the sources mentioning drones.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alleged US drone strikes in Shabwa on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @shomokh774)

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM419

Incident date

February 17, 2024

Location

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

Airwars assessment

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 Town in the Galgaduud region of central Somalia. The statement made no mention of any civilians being injured or killed as a result of the strikes.

The Ministry of Defense statement went on to claim that “these operations resulted in the elimination of 15 militants and the injury of over 20, including ring leaders, along with the destruction of military assets”.

The Somali Ministry of Defense statement was reported on by Anadolu Agency which published an online article, dated the 17th of February. The article noted that the airstrikes were backed by “unnamed international partners”. Dalsan TV, a Somali television channel, similarly reported the details of the strikes contained within the Ministry of Defense statement using a video dated the 17th of February and posted online via X/Twitter.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to airstrikes 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 attackers
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    15
  • Belligerents reported injured
    21

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

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

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 attackers
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    15
  • Belligerents reported injured
    21

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM344

Incident date

October 7, 2021

Location

Garbahaarey, Gedo, Somalia

Geolocation

3.329517, 42.219786 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of casualties among militants resulted from alleged Somalia forces with the assistance of US airstrikes/drone strikes on October 7, 2021.

Harun Maruf a journalist with Voice of America reported that the Somali military in collaboration with international security partners carried out airstrikes on four militant camps, destroying them. At the time there was no comment from @USAfricaCommand on the strikes.

Garowe Online added that there were casualties among militants without giving specific numbers. The other sources that reported on the strikes did not mention casualties.

Evelyn Tremble tweeted that “strikes most likely carried out by #USA military drones deployed in the region”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention camps being struck in the vicinity of Garbahaarrey (غاربهاارآي) town. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Garbahaarrey are: 3.329517, 42.219786.

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
    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 attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM374

Incident date

February 15–16, 2023

Location

Iji and Afad, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

3.182270, 45.542860 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

3.597604, 45.676374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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 and al-Shabaab. Residents told Hiraan Online that fighting started in Iji and Afad villages near Jalalaqsi district on Wednesday and that Somalia government forces announced that they had seized control of Afad village.

Voice of America (VOA) quoted Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Adala who said that “The Somali National Army with the help of the local clan forces and international partners killed over 200 al-Shabab terrorists in the Iji area alone, about 23 kilometers from the Mahaday district in the Middle Shabelle region on Thursday. Also, the joint forces recovered weapons and supplies of medicine and foodstuff from the militants.” Adala added that four militant commanders were among those killed and a number of others were injured, and taken into custody.

The deputy security chief of Jalalaqsi town told VOA that “The joint forces responding to the militants’ movement launched military operations in which 72 militants were killed, and weapons were seized” in Afad village area.

AFRICOM announced airstrikes in a different region near Bacadweyne on February 15th that resulted in the death of 5 al-Shabaab militants.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    72–272
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Iji and Afad. The generic coordinates for Iji are: 3.182270, 45.542860. The generic coordinates for Afad are: 3.597604, 45.676374. 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
    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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    72–272
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM402

Incident date

September 2, 2023

Location

Xerta Sheikh Mohamed Rage Center, about 500 meters south of Dumaaye village, Mudug, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Somali state media reported that 167 al-Shabaab militants were killed by Somali airstrikes in collaboration with “international partners” near Harardhere town on September 2, 2023. al-Shabaab instead identified those killed as four inmates in a prison, adding that seven others were injured, while a local source attributed the airstrike to the US military.

@HarunMaruf quoted the Somalia interior and federal affairs minister @AhmedMoFiqi who reported that an al-Shabaab base near Harardhere town has been targeted while another source identified airstrikes as being used in the targeting. @HarunMaruf also quoted state media which reported that the strike was in collaboration with “international partners” and killed “many terrorists and their leaders” while al-Shabaab media reported that the strike hit a prison killing 4 inmates, and injuring 7 others, 3 of them seriously. The Somali government later claimed that 167 militants were killed in the airstrike, a number which was not independently verified.

Goobjoog News identified the airstrike as being carried out by the US, according to military sources, and identified the target of the strikes as a forest in Dumaye area where al-Shabaab militants were gathering.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (0–4 other protected persons)
  • 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, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–167

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (0–4 other protected persons)
  • 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, Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–167

Incident Code

USSOM355

Incident date

November 3, 2022

Location

near the villages of Cadale, Mora-Erri, Garas Magan, and El Hareeri, Hiiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

2.760694, 46.322374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and 200 al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared US airstrikes in support of Somali forces and/or Somali ground operations near the villages of Cadale, Mora-Erri, Garas Magan, and El Hareeri on November 3, 2022.

AFRICOM released a statement two days later, on November 5th, that “In support of the Federal Government of Somalia’s ongoing operations against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Cadale, Somalia, on Nov. 3, 2022. The command’s initial assessment is that the Somalia National Army-requested strike killed 15 attacking al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Hiiraan Online News reported that “Abdullahi Ali Anod, a spokesman for the defence ministry told reporters in Mogadishu that 100 al-Shabab fighters were killed during the “intense operation” in the Garas Magan and El Hareeri villages of the Hiran region and that drones were striking the militants during the fight. Another member of the Somali military, Major Ahmed Abdullahi Beeryare, commander of the 16th battalion of the US-trained Danab commandos, told local media in Hiiiraan that “the number of al-Shabab fatalities could be as high as 200.” Hiiraan added that new organizations had not yet verified the government casualty claims.

Reuters reported that al-Shabaab stated that they killed dozens of Somali army soldiers and macawisley fighters during clashes with the army and that eight of their own fighters were killed by US airstrikes. Reuters also mentioned that the Somali national army posted photographs of the bodies of alleged al-Shabaab fighters on their Telegram channel.

The US airstrike came as Somali Armed Forces were advancing to Adanyabal, an al-Shabaab stronghold, after Somali troops took over Qura’dhere and Habal-Hussein villages that same day, according to @dhoorebbc.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • 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
    8–200

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Cadale, for which the generic coordinates are: 2.760694, 46.322374. 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 support of the Federal Government of Somalia’s ongoing operations against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Cadale, Somalia, on Nov. 3, 2022.
The command’s initial assessment is that the Somalia National Army-requested strike killed 15 attacking 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 the 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.
U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • 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
    8–200

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM382

Incident date

April 20, 2023

Location

between Ugunji and Mubarak villages, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

1.873068, 44.721608 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

1.916810, 44.772570 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 20 al-Shabaab militants were killed and “dozens” of others were injured by an operation carried out by the Somali government and international security partners between the Ugunji and Mubarak areas of Lower Shabelle region on April 20, 2023.

The National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA) announced that 20 al-Shabaab militants, including a ring leader, were killed in a planned operation carried out by the NISA and international security partners between the Ugunji and Mubarak areas of Lower Shabelle region. The statement added that the targeted al-Shabaab members had been organizing themselves in a forest area at the time of the operation and that some of the militants escaped.

According to Voice of America, NISA also announced that “dozens” of other al-Shabaab members were injured in the operation.

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
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a forested area between the village of Ugunji and the town of Mubarak. The generic coordinates for Ugunji are: 1.873068, 44.721608. The generic coordinates for Mubarak are: 1.916810, 44.772570. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

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

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US 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
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (4) [ collapse]