Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

October 2, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM148

LOCATION

Baasra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

According to a single source, an airstrike by an unknown party hit the strategic village of Basra in Middle Shebelle. Goobjoog News stated that “Reports indicate that Airstrikes hit last night at Basra village in the Middle Shabelle Somalia. Residents of Basra village told Goobjoog News there were heavy attacks in the village amid reports

Summary

First published
October 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM147

LOCATION

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Kismayo after al Shabaab fighters attacked Somali forces, according to a US Africa Command press release. Nine al Shabaab fighters were allegedly killed and another injured, the US command claimed. The press release said AFRICOM had assessed that no civilians were killed or injured

Summary

First published
October 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
9
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM146

LOCATION

50 km northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

US forces carried out a ‘self-defence strike’ against al Shabaab on September 21st approximately 50 km northwest of Kismayo and killing 18 al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM “The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess

Summary

First published
September 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
18–20
View Incident

Incident date

September 11, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM144

LOCATION

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

In a US strike in Mubaraak, two al Shabaab militants were killed along with a combatant with US partner forces, a US statement asserted the following day. Members of al Shabaab and the partner forces were also left wounded. US forces carried out a strike during a Somali partner forces-led operation against al­ Shabaab in

Summary

First published
September 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

September 9, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr179

LOCATION

وادي المرون, Wadi Al Maroun, Abyan, Yemen

Four alleged AQAP militants, including a leadership figure, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike against a car in Wadi Al Maroun, in the Khabr, Al Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, on the morning of September 9th 2018. A US strike against AQAP in Abyan on that date was confirmed in a later US

Summary

First published
September 9, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM143

LOCATION

40 km southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike on August 27th killing three alleged members of al Shabaab, US Africa Command declared two days later, The strike hit approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. The official statement read: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 40 kilometers

Summary

First published
August 27, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM142

LOCATION

46 km northeast of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike on August 21st, killing two al Shabaab fighters, according to a press release from US Africa Command. The strike hit approximately 46 kilometers northeast of Kismayo, a port city in southern Somalia. The Command said it had assessed that no civilians were killed or injured in this strike. US

Summary

First published
August 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

August 14, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr178

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate on August 14th, according to CNN National Security reporter Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75). On August 30th, US Central Command stated that “six counterterrorism air strikes” against AQAP had been conducted since May 16th 2018, in “Shabwah, Hadramawt and Al-Bayda governorates”. The declared strike dates included August 14th. There

Summary

First published
August 14, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr176

LOCATION

حضرموت, Hadramaut, Yemen

A US airstrike targeted AQAP in Hadhramout governorate on July 24th 2018, according to US Central Command. There were no known associated reports of a strike in Hadhramout on that day. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism noted in its original summary of this event that “US Central Command said it conducted strikes on July 22

Summary

First published
July 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM136

LOCATION

Baar Sanguni, 50 km north of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab in an area around 50 kilometres north of Kismayo, a US Africa Command spokesperson later told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Post-strike analysis had not revealed the number of militants killed, a US spokesperson told the Bureau in an email exchange on July 31st. The event

Summary

First published
July 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM137

LOCATION

Qalimow, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Unknown aircraft were reported to have struck the vicinity of Qalimow village about 60km north of Mogadishu on the night of July 24th-25th. Villagers told local media that several missiles had targeted Al-Shabab vehicles. The attack – which almost all sources said was by drone – followed the recent recapture of Qalimow from Somalia forces.

Summary

First published
July 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
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-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr175

LOCATION

حضرموت, Hadramaut, Yemen

A US airstrike targeted AQAP in Hadhramout governorate on July 22nd 2018, according to US Central Command. There are no known public reports of a strike in Hadhramout on this date, though multiple sources indicated that there was a US drone strike in Marib (USYEMTr174-C) that killed at least three AQAP fighters. The Bureau of

Summary

First published
July 22, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

July 10, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM134

LOCATION

Jawaari, Middle Juba, Somalia

An airstrike near the village of Jawaari was variously blamed on US and Kenyan forces. Mareeg, a Somali news outlet, reported a strike by unidentified jets which it said had potentially killed eight members of al Shabaab. The terror group itself reportedly denied that any of its fighters were killed. The source of Mareeg’s information

Summary

First published
July 10, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
8–13
View Incident

Incident date

July 6, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr173

LOCATION

بيحان, Baihan, Shabwa, Yemen

Up to seven alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in the Baihan district of Shabwa governorate, on July 6th 2018. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. A security official told AFP that a US drone had targeted a car driving along a side road in the area,

Summary

First published
July 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
5–7
View Incident

Incident date

July 4, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr172

LOCATION

مرخة, Merkhat districts, Shabwa, Yemen

A single source, Al-Masdar Online, suggested that a US drone strike had targeted alleged AQAP militants in Merkhat, in Shabwa governorate, on the evening of July 4th 2018. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. “The source told Al-Masdar Online that the air strike targeted the militants in the Merkhat area last Wednesday

Summary

First published
July 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
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
5
View Incident

Incident date

June 30, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr171

LOCATION

البيضاء, شبوه, حضرموت, Hadramawt, Yemen

A US airstrike targeted AQAP in either Shabwah, Hadramawt or Al-Bayda governorate on June 30th 2018, according to CENTCOM. There were no known public reports of a strike on that date. According to the Yemen monitor New America: “On July 3rd, CENTCOM confirmed in an email to New America that it conducted two air strikes

Summary

First published
June 30, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

June 28, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr170

LOCATION

بئر شودقة, Bi'ir Shoudqa, Ma'rib, Yemen

A US drone strike targeted alleged AQAP militants in Bi’ir Shoudqa, Wadi Obeida area of Marib governorate, on June 28th 2018, a single source (@huodhoud) claimed. At around the same time, Yemeni sources began reporting that an alleged AQAP jurist, Abu Bihr Mohammed Darama, was killed by a US drone strike. It is unlikely Darama’s

Summary

First published
June 28, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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)
View Incident

Incident date

June 23, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr169

LOCATION

البيضاء, شبوه, حضرموت, Hadramawt, Yemen

A US strike targeted AQAP in either Shabwah, Hadramawt or Al Bayda governorate on June 23rd 2018, according to CENTCOM. There are no known public reports of a US action on June 23rd. As Yemen monitor New America first noted: “On July 3rd, CENTCOM confirmed in an email to New America that it conducted two

Summary

First published
June 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM133

LOCATION

Baar, Lower Juba, Somalia

An American Special Forces soldier was killed – later named as Staff Sergeant Alexander Conrad – and four others were wounded in an attack by al Shabaab fighters in Jubaland. A member of a partner force was also killed or injured. The US soldiers were among a large force of 800 Somali and Kenyan soldiers

Summary

First published
June 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
Belligerents reported injured
5
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM132

LOCATION

24 miles southwest of Bosaso, Bari, Somalia

US Africa Command told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) in July 2018 that it had carried out two strikes in early June – one previously undisclosed. The second took place on June 3rd, and targeted members of al Shabaab approximately 24 miles southwest of Bosasso, according to AFRICOM. “We currently assess no terrorists and

Summary

First published
June 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM131

LOCATION

Galgala mountains, 26 miles southwest of Bosaso, Bari, Somalia

On June 4th 2018, AFRICOM reported that it had “conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 26 miles southwest of Bosasso, Somalia, on June 2”. It added: “We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed “twenty-seven (27) terrorists.” As Voice of America noted, “Saturday’s airstrike

Summary

First published
June 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
27
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM129

LOCATION

30 miles southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM reported on the same day that it had “conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 30 miles southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 31”. It added: “We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed “twelve (12) terrorists”. In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by

Summary

First published
May 31, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
12
View Incident

Incident date

May 23, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM128

LOCATION

Arbiska, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A late night US strike on the village of Arbiska was reported by Radio Shabelle. According to the local news outlet, “Suspected American fighter jets were reported to have carried out an overnight airstrike in Lower Shabelle region, targeting Al-Shabaab bases, residents said. The strike happened on the outskirt of Arbiska village, located near the capital,

Summary

First published
May 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
10
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr167

LOCATION

الرُميله, Rumaila, Ma'rib, Yemen

Three possible AQAP militants were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in the Rumaila area, in the Marib district of Marib governorate, at around 7:30pm on May 15th 2018. Sadam Al-Adwar, a human rights activist, tweeted that the strike had targeted a motorcycle in the area: “At 7:30pm, today is a drone strike targeting

Summary

First published
May 15, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
3
View Incident

Incident date

May 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3421

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

One woman was reported killed and several other civilians injured, all believed to be medical staff, in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita Specialized Hospital in Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria on May 2nd, 2018 according to local sources. Baladi News said the hospital was targeted with four raids. SMART News reported that “Russian warplanes bombed

Summary

First published
May 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr164

LOCATION

وادي رفض, Wadi Rafd, Shabwa, Yemen

An alleged AQAP militant was reportedly killed by a US drone strike in the Rafd area, in the Al Said district of Shabwa governorate, on the evening of April 26th 2018. A US strike took place in Shabwa on that day, a CENTCOM spokesperson later told the Long War Journal. Since there were no other

Summary

First published
April 26, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

April 18, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr162

LOCATION

مديرية الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

Pro-AQAP feeds reported on April 18th 2018 that Abu Nasir al-Baydani and other “brothers” [Al Qaeda fighters] were killed by a US drone strike in Sama’a, in Bayda governorate, according to Dr Elisabeth Kendall, an academic. No other known sources reported a strike, and it was unclear when the event took place. CENTCOM later informed

Summary

First published
April 18, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
3
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM126

LOCATION

ليغو, Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab militants on April 16th near Leego, an Africa Command spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in early May. AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. An AFRICOM spokespersons noted that “No terrorists were killed and no equipment was destroyed in this strike.” Leego is described

Summary

First published
April 16, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM125

LOCATION

Jana Cabdalle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM reported that two days previously it had “conducted an airstrike destroying an al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Jana Cabdalle, Somalia, on the afternoon of April 11.” AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. Additionally, AFRICOM did not state whether any belligerents had been killed in this strike. In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by

Summary

First published
April 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr161

LOCATION

حضرموت, Hadramaut, Yemen

A US strike took place in Hadhramout governorate on April 11th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson told Long War Journal, one of two declared actions on that date. At least one of the strikes targeted “an AQAP training camp in western Hadramawt governorate.” There were multiple local reports at the time of airstrikes against

Summary

First published
April 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Unknown
View Incident