Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM391 KS002

Incident date

June 16–17, 2023

Location

Salagle, Middle Juba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

Two civilian women were killed and two children were injured by alleged Kenyan or United Arab Emirates or US airstrikes on Salagle in Middle Jubba on June 16, 2023.

The Horn Observer reported that two civilians, a mother and her child, were killed and two other children sustained injuries from airstrikes on Salagle.

A tweet from @YusufGarabey also reported that two people were killed by the airstrikes, attributing them to Kenyan jets and identifying both of those killed as women.

The Horn Observer also pointed out that some local sources have attributed the airstrikes to the Kenyan army or drones from the United Arab Emirates, adding that the US has been known to carry out airstrikes in the area. However, no military has taken responsibility for the airstrikes at this time.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US Forces, United Arab Emirates Military, Kenyan Military Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US Forces, United Arab Emirates Military, Kenyan Military Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]