Conflict

U.S. Forces in Yemen

Incident Code

USYEMTr103

Location

Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: YEM280)

A US drone strike reportedly killed two alleged AQAP militants, including AQAP leader Shroum al-Sanaani, in Yakla, in the Radaa area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of October 4th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

In a later email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command spokesperson confirmed that a strike in Bayda governorate on October 4th had killed one AQAP fighter.

Several sources at the time, including AFP, reported that two men were killed while travelling on a motorbike in Yakla. One local language Twitter source, Hamrin News, suggested that both of those killed were leadership figures in AQAP, though most instead reported that al-Sanaani’s “companion” was unidentified.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
No
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military actors reported killed
2

Military Statements

U.S. Forces Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S. Forces
U.S. Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (2)