Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMTr083

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Location

صحن الجن, Sahn Al Jin, Ma'rib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.505900, 45.326273 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local language sources reported that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants with “phosphorous bombs” near Sahn Al Jin, in Marib governorate, on May 8th 2017.

Though most sources assigned responsibility to the US, two social media sources instead asserted that Saudi Arabian forces were responsible, leading Airwars to assess this event as Contested. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Sources indicated that “dozens” were killed and injured in the strikes, reportedly targeted alleged militants training on a farm near the Sahn Al Jin “Tadawin” camp. As such, Airwars has set the minimum number of deaths at twelve, with a maximum of 24, to reflect the description of “dozens”. Numbers of injured belligerents have been set similarly.

According to some sources, three phosphorous bombs were dropped in the area. Most suggested that the strikes were carried out by a drone, though some instead mentioned ballistic missiles.

Though no sources explicitly mentioned the timing of the reported strikes, alleged images of the strikes indicated that they took place during the night.

The incident occured during the night.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a farm being struck in the vicinity of Sahn Al Jin (صحن الجن) military camp. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Sahn Al Jin are: 15.505900, 45.326273.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • Suspected belligerents
    US Forces, Saudi-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    12–24
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Multiple local language reported that phosphorous bombs targeted alleged AQAP militants in or near Sahn al-Jin on May 8th 2017. Alleged photographs of the strikes indicated that they took place during the night. (@Net333Raed, May 8th 2017).
  • Multiple local language reported that phosphorous bombs targeted alleged AQAP militants in or near Sahn al-Jin on May 8th 2017. Alleged photographs of the strikes indicated that they took place during the night. (@Net333Raed, May 8th 2017).

US Forces Assessment:

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

Saudi-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Saudi-led Coalition
  • Saudi-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
  • Suspected belligerents
    US Forces, Saudi-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    12–24
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–24

Sources (26) [ collapse]