USYEM282 – October 18, 2016

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: May 7, 2026

(Previous Incident Code: YEM250 )

A drone strike reportedly hit two vehicles in Shabwah province on September 18th, killing up to six terrorists. There are currently no know reports of civilian harm.

AFP reported security officials saying the strike killed eight suspected members of al Qaeda. Six of the alleged members were killed instantly and two others died later after sustaining wounds in the attack.

Local officials told Anadolu Agency that three suspected al Qaeda members were killed and two were injured. They added that the strike took place after al Qaeda fighters attacked a checkpoint manned by tribal fighters, killing one and injuring three others.

The US confirmed in a press release published on October 21st that it had conducted a strike on October 18 which killed six terrorists in a remote area of the Shabwah Governorate.

Key Information

Incident Status

Assessed

Country

Yemen

Military Actor

U.S. Forces

Strike Type

Airstrike (Drone Strike)

Strike Status

Declared strike

Civilian Harm Reported

Military actors reported killed

3–8

Military Statements

U.S. Forces Assessment

Known belligerent

U.S. Forces

U.S. Forces position on incident

Not yet assessed

U.S. Forces Strike Report

Original Source ↗

Terrorists killed in U.S. Strike Release No: 16-122 Oct. 21, 2016 TAMPA, Fla. - The U.S. military successfully struck two targets in central Yemen, killing eight terrorists associated with the group known as al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula. One strike Oct. 6 killed two terrorists in a remote area of the Shabwah Governorate. A second strike Oct. 18 killed six terrorists also in a remote area of the Shabwah Governorate. "Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula remains a significant threat to the region and to the United States," said Army Maj. Josh T. Jacques, U.S. Central Command spokesman. "Al-Qa'ida's presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen, and we are working to deny them a haven from which to plan future attacks."

Conflict

Incident Code

Incident Code

Incident Date

Location

Airwars Assessment

Key Information

Military Statements

Sources (14)

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