Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS3617

Incident date

April 13–14, 2019

Location

أورم الجوز, Urma Al Jouz, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes struck the town of Urma Al Jouz, in the western countryside of Idlib, around midnight between April 13th and 14th, wounding a family of five, according to local media.

Over a dozen missile strikes were reportedly fired from three Russian planes. The strikes were described as rocket attacks, or more specifically as an attack with “high-impact concussion rockets”.

According to Sputnik, sites and warehouses for ammunition were struck that belonged to the militants of the Liberation of the Sham (Jabhet Al Nusra).

In addition, a food depot was reported struck which resulted in a fire.

Orient News said that two civilians were wounded, though multiple other sources reported that a family of five (a father, a mother, and their three children) was injured.

The Syrian Civil Defense teams were involved in rescuing the family and fighting the fire.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (23) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on a food depot in the town of Urma Al Jouz on April 13th (via @omarbalkhi5).
  • Syrian Civil Defense teams extinguished fires caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Urum al-Jawz (via @SyriaCivilDefense).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Orm al-Jawz on April 13th (via Baladi News).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Orm al-Jawz on April 13th (via Orient News).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Orm al-Jawz on April 13th (via Syria TV).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via Enab Baladi).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via Enab Baladi).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via Enab Baladi).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via Enab Baladi).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via Enab Baladi).
  • Destruction of a food depot caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via Enab Baladi).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via Enab Baladi).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via MMC).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via MMC).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via MMC).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via MMC).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via MMC).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via MMC).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via MMC).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via MMC).
  • Destroyed buildings after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via @omarbalkhi5).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via @omarbalkhi5).
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Urma al-Jouz on April 13th (via @omarbalkhi5).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC113

Incident date

April 13, 2019

Location

السواني, Al Swani, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.712224, 13.07224 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reportedly killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Al Swani.

Riyadh Burshan said that “on Saturday that 4 civilians were killed after being hit by shrapnel from indiscriminate shelling.”

Arraed news published a similar report.

Local reports indicate that shelling from both GNA and LNA occurred in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Swani (السواني), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.712224, 13.07224. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM214

Incident date

April 14, 2019

Location

3 km away from Xiriiro, on the way to Hol Anod, Bari, Somalia

Geolocation

9.974438, 50.277735 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The US military carried out an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in the vicinity of Xiriiro, Bari Region, killing one high value militant and at least one other alleged fighter.

According to AFRICOM – which took the unusual step of publicly naming the target within 24 hours of the operation – the strike killed Abdulhakim Dhuqub, second in command of ISIS-Somalia who was reportedly responsible for daily operations of the extremist group, including attack planning and resource procurement.

The press release further asserted that only Dhuqub was killed in the attack, and that one vehicle was also destroyed. US Africa Command said it currently assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strike.

AP indicated that two or more died in the strike: “Puntland’s security minister Abdisamad Mohamed Galan also confirmed the killing of the extremist leader in the U.S. airstrike, which said also killed other members of the group, without giving further details. The airstrike occurred as the extremists were traveling to their base in the remote mountainous villages in the region, said a Somali intelligence official. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.”

According to Voice of America, two people died in the attack: “Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan, security Minister of the Puntland region, told VOA Somali the airstrike that killed Abdihakim Mohamed Ibrahim,  known as Dhoqob, took place Sunday between the villages of Hol Anod and Hiriro.

“Gallan said the strike hit the vehicle Dhoqob and another passenger were travelling in. He said both men were killed but the other person has not yet been identified. ‘The vehicle was burned,’ said a witness who didn’t want to be named.”

VOA reporter Harun Maruf also tweeted a video which he said showed the burnt out shell of the struck vehicle on a remote sandy road: “Video purportedly shows the burning vehicle that Abdihakim Dhoqob (aka Abdihakim Dhoqobeed) was riding in when hit by an airstrike near Hiriro village, Bari region. Puntland Security minister Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan tells me that Dhoqob was killed in the strike.”

According to Reuters “A witness said a 4×4 vehicle was hit by several missiles 3 km (2 miles) outside the village of Xiriiro in the Qandala hills at 1 p.m. (1000 GMT) on Sunday.”

“Several missiles hit a Suzuki car. Then helicopters hovered over the scene,” Mohamed Iid, a resident of Xiriiro, told Reuters. “It was a deafening air strike. We reached the scene after the helicopters left. The car completely melted.”

Fox News noted that “Not much is known about Dhuqub; his name does not appear on the State Dept.’s Reward for Justice website normally reserved for top terrorists and there is not much information publicly available online. ISIS-Somalia is a relatively small terrorist group consisting of roughly 125 fighters, according to officials.”

The Long War Journal provided some context foir the strike: “Dhuqub, whose real name was Abdihakim Mohamed Ibrahim, was the overall deputy emir of ISS. He assumed this role after the death of the previous deputy emir, Mahad Moalim, in Mogadishu late last year… In 2018, ISS was able to expand its operation across Somalia. Last year, it claimed 66 offensives alone; while in the previous two years combined it only claimed 39 attacks. It also also been able to reach into central Somalia, which was previously untouched by the Islamic State wing, as well as Mogadishu and its surroundings. According to local officials, it has also been collecting taxes on civilians and businesses in rural Puntland as well as in the port city of Bosaso.

“Its operational tempo has not slowed despite a renewed Shabaab effort against the group. So far this year it has already claimed 26 assaults, according to data compiled by FDD’s Long War Journal. Yesterday’s strike that killed Dhuqub was the first by the US military that targeted ISS’ network in Somalia since Nov. 2017. AFRICOM hit ISS four times that month. No senior ISS leaders were killed in those strikes.”

The incident occured at approximately 1:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS - Somalia
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Burnt out vehicle in which ISIS number two in Somalia Abdihakim Dhoqob died in a US strike on April 14th 2019 (via VOA)
  • Reported site of a confirmed US strike on April 15th which killed ISIS's deputy leader in Somalia (via Garowe)
  • Burnt out shell of vehcile destroyed in a US strike in Somalia, April 15th 2019 (via Garowe)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted a vehicle between the villages Xiriiro and Hol Anod (or Hul Canood), 3 kilometers outside of Xiriiro in the Qandala hills. The coordinates for Xiriiro are: 9.97824, 50.25085; the coordinates for Hol Anod/Hul Canood are: 9.68385, 50.60734. And the coordinates for the area 3 kilometers outside of Xiriiro, on the way to Hol Anod, are: 9.974438, 50.277735. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • The villages Xiriiro and Hol Anod, with surrounding roads marked in yellow and a 3 kilometer radius around Xiriiro marked in red

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • The coordinates for the area 3 kilometers outside of Xiriiro (marked in red), on the way to Hol Anod, are: 9.974438, 50.277735

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

"U.S. confirms airstrike against ISIS-Somalia’s Abdulhakim Dhuqub.
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia's continued efforts to degrade violent extremist organizations, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Xiriiro, Bari Region, Somalia, on April 14, 2019, killing Abdulhakim Dhuqub, a high ranking ISIS-Somalia official."

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS - Somalia
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC114

Incident date

April 14, 2019

Location

سوق الخميس امسيحل, Sog Al Khmies Emsihel, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.526766, 13.223462 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A mother and her daughter were allegedly killed by a GNA airstrike on Sog Al-Khmies Emsihel.

Libya TV showed footage of destroyed houses and said that Nadia and her daughter Samia were killed by bombing.

Mohamed Baaio also reported that Nadia and her daughter were killed.

News Central and Eastern Region added that various members of their family were injured in the attack.

Oil Crescent News, Essam Ali Al-Amami also reported on the incident but said it took place in Sidi as Sa’is which is near Sog Al-Khmies Emsihel.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nadia
Adult female Mother killed
Samia
Child female Daughter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath of the alleged bombing

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sog Al Khmies Emsihel (سوق الخميس امسيحل), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.526766, 13.223462. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC115a

Incident date

April 14, 2019

Location

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.820349, 13.266284 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man with uncler combatant status was allegedly killed by indiscriminate LNA shelling on Ain Zara.

Fathi M. El Krewi said: “He had an appointment with the death when the third shell struck and was on a solid ground, which is the paved road … As if someone was following these shells and giving their coordinates in order to fall on the hard ground and hit as many people as possible, including Brigadier General Msaddek.”

Tanasuh reported that he was a retired Brigadier General who “went out to defend the city” due to the incoming LNA attack.

His family later filed a lawsuit against LNA leader Khalifa Haftar claiming: “33. On April 4, 2019 [sic], Msaddek Tunalli was evacuating women and children from an area
being indiscriminately bombed by Haftar’s forces in the in the Ayan Zarah District.
34. Haftar’s forces were randomly shelling the entire area.
35. At approximately 4:45pm, one of the mortars fell on Msaddek Tunalli, killing him.
36. The medical examiner stated that Msaddek Tunalli’s death is a result of multiple
infliction wounds to the head, shoulders, stomach, and arms, which resulted in severe
skull damage and sever damage to the brain and internal bleeding in the brain. The
weapons used were multiple artillery rounds and mortar shells. The heart, lungs and
stomach were severely punctured with internal bleeding as well, which resulted in
loss of oxygen to the brain and suffocation. The right elbow was fractured. The angle
of penetration was from the back, from the right side of the brain and from the back
side of the arms, while the angle of exit was from the stomach area.
37. The medical examiner stated that Msaddek Tunalli’s body was free of alcohol or any
other poisonous substances.
38. The medical examiner found two shrapnel fragments in the front side of Msaddek
Tunalli’s lungs and has preserved them.
39. The indiscriminate shelling was not necessary on behalf of Haftar.
40. The indiscriminate shelling was the direct cause of Msaddek Tunalli’s death.

41. Msaddek Tunalli was a husband to Plaintiff Aida Elzagally and a father to six
children: Plaintiffs Ayah Tunalli, Alaa Tunalli, Abdulhameed Tunalli, Adbulrrauf
Tunalli, Muhammad Tunalli, and Adbuladeem Tunalli.
42. The Plaintiffs named above are not left without a husband and father and the only
financial support.
43. Plaintiffs Ayah Tunalli, Alaa Tunalli, Abdulhameed Tunalli, Adbulrrauf Tunalli,
Muhammad Tunalli, and Adbuladeem Tunalli are severely traumatized by the loss of
their father.
44. Due to the loss of her father, Ayah Tunalli is psychologically unstable and having
nightmares.”

Additionally Riyadh Burshan, Al Jazeera and Ein Libya reported that civilian infrastructure was targeted in the area as a book store of the Ministry of Education was hit and “5 million textbooks burned by the fires of war in Libya”.

The incident occured at 16:45:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Msaddek Tunalli
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • TV report on the incident
  • Book store allegedly targeted by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Riyadh Burshan)
  • Book store allegedly targeted by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Riyadh Burshan)
  • Book store allegedly targeted by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Riyadh Burshan)
  • Book store allegedly targeted by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Riyadh Burshan)
  • Msaddek Tunalli, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Bl5a.bl5a)
  • Msaddek Tunalli, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Aiyda Al Tounali)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Ain Zara (عين زارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.816556 13.267525. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC115

Incident date

April 14, 2019

Location

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688716, 13.173889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians were reportedly killed in a GNA airstrike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Oil Crescent News wrote: “A plane from the Misurata Air College led by a mercenary bombed the Al Dhawahi Al Ahliyya company, leaving three Sudanese workers dead and three injured employees who were present in the building.”

The LNA Spox said four Sudanese workers were killed and also accused a plane from Misurata of conducting the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Pictures allegedly take at the site of the incident
  • More images of the incident
  • Video of the alleged aftermath of the incident

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.688716 13.173889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1918

Incident date

April 15, 2019

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ali al-Muhammed al-Furaiji and his two wives were killed in the morning of April 15th, when their house was hit by an alleged Coalition airstrike, multiple local sources reported – though there was also a claim that the deaths had been caused by an explosion of an ISIS-planted mine.

@alhasensaleem tweeted that “a whole family” had died, while other sources named the man and his two wives as the victims.

Other sources such as Deir Ezzor 24 said that the house was struck by an unknown explosion.

According to Jisir TV, “local sources said the blast occurred in a house belonging to a civilian, killing his two wives and destroying the house completely, adding that the explosion was believed to be caused by aerial bombardment of coalition fighters, while witnesses said it was caused by a mine left by Daesh.”

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ali al-Muhammed al-Furaiji
Adult male killed
Wife of Ali al-Muhammed al-Furaiji (1)
Adult female killed
Wife of Ali al-Muhammed al-Furaiji (2)
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The house of Ali al-Muhammad al-Furaiji after it was struck by an airstrike between April 14th and 15th (via Euphrates Post).

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition 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 Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Stated location
    Al Shafah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU774280
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • Apr. 15, 2019, Al Shafah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Between April 7 - 20, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted no strikes in Syria.

ISIS Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    ISIS
  • ISIS position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr198

Incident date

April 15, 2019

Location

الصدارة, Al Sadarah, Ma'rib, Yemen

Geolocation

14.89316, 45.32884 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly killed at least two alleged AQAP members in Al Sadarah area, in the Mahliyah district of Marib governorate, on April 15th 2019, according to some local sources. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

The strike reportedly targeted a car travelling through the area. An eyewitness and a security source told Hadramout 24 that a drone had targeted the alleged militants, killing them instantly, in the town of Mahliyah: “A US drone raided a vehicle carrying al-Qaeda in a rural town in Ma’rib today, killing them, local residents and security sources said. An eyewitness and a security source told 24 by phone that ‘a drone bombed a vehicle carrying gunmen in the town of Mahliya, west of the city of Ma’rib, which is equally divided between the Brotherhood and the Houthis.’ A security source confirmed that at least two elements were on board, and that they were killed instantly, while the vehicle was destroyed.”

According to @NewsyemenS, the strike took place in the Al-Sadarah area of Mahliyah district.

A US Central Command spokesperson later told New America that no US military strikes were conducted in April 2019: “On May 15, 2019, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) responded to an inquiry from New America about the number and dates of any counterterrorism strikes in Yemen in April 2019 by stating that it had conducted no strikes in April. LTC Earl Brown told New America, ‘The last U.S. Military strike in Yemen was on 29 March.’”

This does not preclude a strike having been conducted either by the CIA or by the Saudi-led Coalition.

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
    2

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The strike reportedly targeted a car in the area, killing at least two (@NewsyemenS, April 15th 2019)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sadarah (الصدارة), allegedly within the Mahliya (ماهليه) district, south of Marib (مريب) city. However, research suggests an Al Sadarah in the vicinity within the Harib (حريب) district, north east of the Mahliya district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Sadarah are: 14.89316, 45.32884.

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sadarah (الصدارة), allegedly within the Mahliya (ماهليه) district, south of Marib (مريب) city. However, research suggests an Al Sadarah in the vicinity within the Harib (حريب) district, north east of the Mahliya district.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

On May 15, 2019, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) responded to an inquiry from New America about the number and dates of any counterterrorism strikes in Yemen in April 2019 by stating that it had conducted no strikes in April. LTC Earl Brown told New America, “The last U.S. Military strike in Yemen was on 29 March.”

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
    2

Sources (9) [ collapse]