Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMTr069

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Location

وادي الصنيف, Wadi Al Sanif, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.420207, 46.071511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US drone and naval strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in Wadi Al Sanif, in the Al Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, late on April 5th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Several sources, including AFP, reported that a US drone strike killed a local AQAP leader, Ahmed Ali Saana, while he crossed a bridge on a motorbike in Al Sanif.  According to Aden Lang, an anonymous Yemeni security official said that the strike took place on the night of April 5th.

Sources also reported that a US warship launched strikes in the same area, though the timing of the bombardment was unclear. There were no known reports of any casualties from the naval fire.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • 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
    1

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a motorcycle being struck on a bridge crossing Wadi Al Sanif (وادي الصنيف), for which the exact coordinates are: 13.420207, 46.071511.

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, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • 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
    1

Sources (24) [ collapse]