Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEM025-B

Incident date

July 29, 2011

Location

زنجبار, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.131375, 45.384415 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 14 militants were killed and 50 others were wounded in alleged US or Yemeni airstrikes or drone strikes on the city of Zinjibar on July 29, 2011.

In a tweet from @YusraAIA, Yemeni aircraft were identified as being used as “camouflage” to cover up U.S. drone strikes. According to @FADHLESAY, fourteen people were killed and another fifty wounded by a series of bombings from Yemeni warplanes in Zinjibar. Militants who had gained control of the town were the reported targets.

Ma’reb Press reported that the Yemeni air force bombed areas known for “tribal gatherings” heading towards Zanjibar. In the fighting, five members of the Yemen military, including Colonel Muhammad al-Salahi, were killed along with an equal number of Al Qaeda operatives. There had been a series of clashes between the Yemeni military and Al Qaeda operatives. The military actions taken by the Yemeni military were reportedly done with either the support of or coordination with the United States and @YusraAIA directly mentions US involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Zinjibar (زنجبار), for which the generic coordinates are: 13.131375, 45.384415. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • 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, Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–14
  • Belligerents reported injured
    50

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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
  • 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
    5–14
  • Belligerents reported injured
    50

Sources (3) [ collapse]