Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMTr220

Incident date

January 27, 2020

Location

بن معيلي, Bin Ma'aili Station, Ma'rib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.460829, 45.434440 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly targeted a car transporting six alleged AQAP militants near Bin Ma’ali Station, in Marib governorate, on the morning of January 27th 2020. The strike came alongside a second reported US action (USYEMTr219-C) on January 27th in Al Hazmia, also in Marib. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

According to reporting by Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni and Mint Press, the strike targeted the “companions” or “bodyguards” of a local AQAP leader, “Qasilah”, killed in the second January 27th strike. Local tribal leaders and witnesses told Mint Press that “many” were killed and injured.

Given these reports, Airwars has assessed that at least two militants were reportedly killed, and at least two were reportedly injured, in the reported strike.

US Central Command told Airwars that no US military strikes were conducted during January 2020 in Yemen. It is, however, possible that an undeclared strike was conducted by the CIA, or as part of a clandestine US military action.

The incident occured in the morning.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Bi’in Ma’ili (بن معيلي) station, south east of the city of Ma’rib (مأرب). According to one source, @JoshuaKoontz__, and after verifying his claims, we have found two stations on the same street bearing the name Bi’in Maili. One at: 15.464066, 45.439751, and the other at: 15.457613, 45.428775. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates between these two stations are: 15.460829, 45.434440.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Bi’in Ma’ili (بن معيلي) station, south east of the city of Ma’rib (مأرب).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • According to one source, @JoshuaKoontz__, and after verifying his claims, we have found two stations on the same street bearing the name Bi’in Maili.

    Imagery:
    @JoshuaKoontz__

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

CENTCOM told Airwars that there were no US military strikes during January 2020 in Yemen. The last declared CENTCOM action was on June 24th 2019 in Al Bayda province.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (6) [ collapse]