Incident Code

USYEMTr165-C

Location

شبوة, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.695997, 46.957239
Accuracy: Province/governorate

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: May 12, 2025

(Previous Incident Code: YEMT158A-C)

An investigator indicated to the UK legal charity Reprieve that two men were killed by a US strike in Shabwa during early May 2018. No other known sources reported the strike. Reprieve shared its information on this reported strike with Airwars.

According to the investigator, both men were mediating a tribal dispute in the area at the time, and were targeted by a strike as they went for lunch with one of the tribes, having reached a temporary settlement.

According to Reprieve’s field notes: “their vehicle was hit on their way to the lunch. We never received the names or details of those killed. The US does not appear to have specifically acknowledged this strike.”

No further details are presently known.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Single source claim
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
2
2 Men

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the governorate of Shabwa (شبوة), for which the generic coordinates are: 14.695997, 46.957239. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Reports of the incident mention the governorate of Shabwa (شبوة).

Imagery: Google Earth

Military Statements

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