Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

October 5, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM040-B

LOCATION

زنجبار‎, Al Arqoub, east of Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

Between five and 10 militants, reportedly members of Al Qaeda, were killed and seven more were wounded in a US strike or strikes on Arqoub, east of Zinjibar on October 5, 2011, sources said. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. The strike reportedly targeted alleged militant hideouts in al Arqoub, east of

Summary

First published
October 5, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
5–10
Belligerents reported injured
7
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-199

LOCATION

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya

On October 5th, 2011, a single Moroccan woman was reported to have been injured by a mortar shell in Sirte. The mortar was suspected to have been fired by Libyan rebel forces. Multiple sources reported on the injury of the woman, although no additional information was provided. An al-Jamahiriya post stated that “A Moroccan woman

Summary

First published
October 5, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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
Libyan rebel forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM039-B

LOCATION

الجوف, Jawf, Al Jawf, Yemen

Four AQAP militants were killed in a confirmed CIA drone strike on Jawf, reports said. There are currently no reports of civilian harm from this strike. Anwar al Awlaki, the US-born cleric, apparently became the first US citizen to be deliberately killed by the CIA in a drone strike, part of Operation Troy. The attack

Summary

First published
September 30, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2011

Incident Code

USSOM014

LOCATION

Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

The United States launched a series of drone attacks on al-Shabaab in Kismayo, according to residents, who reported strikes on three locations. The BBC reported that “At least three targets were hit around Kismayo, the southern port which is under the control of the militants. One reconnaissance drone is reported to have crashed… al-Shabaab are patrolling the

Summary

First published
September 25, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported injured
2–6
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM038-B

LOCATION

شقرة, Shaqra, Abyan, Yemen

On September 21 2011, alleged US airstrikes on the town of Shaqra in Yemen’s southern Abyan province killed six to seven alleged AQAP militants. One outlet, AFP, stated that three alleged militants were injured in the strike. There are no reported cases of civilian harm. Aden Online and Long War Journal put the number of

Summary

First published
September 21, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
6–7
Belligerents reported injured
3
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM037-B

LOCATION

المحفد, Al Mahfed, Abyan, Yemen

On 21 September, 2011, alleged US airstrikes on the town of Al-Mahfad were said to have killed four suspected AQAP militants, according to numerous sources. Initial claims that high-profile Al Qaeda officials such as Anwar al-Awlaki, Fahd al-Quso and Said al-Shihri may have been present and killed in the strike were later proven false. There

Summary

First published
September 21, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM035-B

LOCATION

المحفد, Al Mahfed, Abyan, Yemen

An alleged US Predator drone strike struck a makeshift Al Qaeda checkpoint in Mihfed, Abyan Province killing up to 10 members of Al Qaeda and wounding as many as dozens more. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. AFP reported that a local security official said that the US drone strike had killed

Summary

First published
September 7, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Belligerents reported killed
3–10
Belligerents reported injured
2–24
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM030-B

LOCATION

أبين, Abyan, Yemen

US airstrikes killed up to 33 militants, with no civilian harm reported in Abyan province between August 31 2011 to September 1 2011. Multiple sources claimed the militants killed in the alleged airstrike were Al Qaeda militants. Some sources reported the alleged strike was carried out by Yemeni air force warplanes, however others claim it

Summary

First published
August 31, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
20–33
View Incident

Incident date

August 25, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM029-B

LOCATION

وادي حسان, Wadi Hassan, Abyan, Yemen

An alleged US drone strike that took place on Wadi Hassan, south Zinjibar was reported to kill up to eight militants, with no civilian harm reported, on August 25th 2011. Eight suspected Al Qaeda-linked militants were killed in the airstrike. Multiple sources named a local Al Qaeda leader Abu Jaber al Sanaai as killed in

Summary

First published
August 25, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
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
8
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2011

Incident Code

YEMYEM003

LOCATION

زنجبار‎, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

On Aug. 24, 2011, multiple news outlets reported that airstrikes by the Yemeni government killed 30-40 suspected Al Qaeda militants in the town of Zinjibar, located in the province of Abyan. While there are no reported cases of civilian harm, estimates vary on the number of suspected militants killed in the strike. The Associated Press

Summary

First published
August 24, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
30–40
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM028-B

LOCATION

العرقوب), Al Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen

On Aug. 24, 2011, numerous outlets such as the Associated Press, AFP, and CNN reported that between four and six suspected Al Qaeda militants were killed and others were wounded in alleged Yemeni or US strikes in the area of Arkoub in Yemen’s Abyan province, which was overrun by Al Qaeda in May 2011. There

Summary

First published
August 24, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
4–6
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM026-B

LOCATION

مديرية زنجبار, Al-Khamila, Abyan, Yemen

Three drone strikes taking place on August 1st 2011, allegedly by US drones or Yemeni airplanes, killed up to 16 suspected Al Qaeda fighters and wounded up to 32 others in various areas of Zinjibar according to military officials. One report stated that the drones were acting in conjunction with the Yemeni government, but the

Summary

First published
August 1, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
13–16
Belligerents reported injured
17–32
View Incident

Incident date

July 29, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM025-B

LOCATION

زنجبار, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

Between five and 14 militants were killed and 50 others were wounded in alleged US or Yemeni airstrikes or drone strikes on the city of Zinjibar on July 29, 2011. In a tweet from @YusraAIA, Yemeni aircraft were identified as being used as “camouflage” to cover up U.S. drone strikes. According to @FADHLESAY, fourteen people

Summary

First published
July 29, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
5–14
Belligerents reported injured
50
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM024-B

LOCATION

مديرية زنجبار, Karadeef, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

An alleged US airstrike that took place on Karadeef in West Zinjibar was reported to have killed five militants and injured two others, with no civilian harm reported, on July 27th 2011. Xinhua news quoted a local official who said that five AQAP militants, including a field commander, were killed by a US drone strike

Summary

First published
July 27, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
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
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

July 14, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM023-N

LOCATION

بين زنجبار‎ و شقرة, Between Zinjibar and Shaqra, Abyan, Yemen

An airstrike on a car targeted Fahd al Qusaa, also known as Quso, an al Qaeda leader and suspect in the USS Cole bombing. It was a US attack, according to the New York Times quoting an AQAP representative. He claimed that Qusaa had left the car minutes earlier and was unharmed. According to the Long War Journal,

Summary

First published
July 14, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Subdistrict
View Incident

Incident date

July 6, 2011

Incident Code

USSOM012-C

LOCATION

Afmadow, Lower Juba, Somalia

In this single-source allegation, an unknown number of people were reportedly killed or wounded in possible US strikes in Afmadow district, as reported by Somalia Report. The source did not mention whether the victims were combatants or civilians. According to Somalia Report, US drones or planes reportedly hit three al Shabaab militant training camps in

Summary

First published
July 6, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
0–2
Belligerents reported injured
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

June 28, 2011

Incident Code

USSOM011

LOCATION

Taabta, Lower Juba, Somalia

In a news feature looking at drone strikes in Somalia, Somalia Report stated that on this day, “another [US] attack occurred in Taabta village in the Afmadow District of Lower Juba.” The report indicated that the target was al Shabaab. “AFRICOM does have terrorism in its list of applications and as of June JSOC’s hunter killers

Summary

First published
June 28, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 21, 2011

Incident Code

USSOM010

LOCATION

Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

In the first known lethal drone strike in Somalia, Predators struck a militant training camp 10km south of Kismayo. Further missiles reportedly hit a second target near the airport. At least one member of Al-Shabaab was killed – possibly “many” – and up to three were wounded, according to local and international media. There were

Summary

First published
June 21, 2011
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-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1–5
Belligerents reported injured
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM017-B

LOCATION

زنجبار‎ , Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

Local sources reported that “at least one top insurgent was killed in the US military-led strikes by unmanned aircraft”, which began in Zinjibar, on June 10, 2021. There were no reports of civilian harm. While Reuters reported that airstrikes on Zinjibar stemmed from “state forces”, according to the editor of the Yemen Post, a strike

Summary

First published
June 10, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
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
1
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-099

LOCATION

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misrata, Libya

On May 28th, 2011, a demonstrated near the market in Bani Walid lead to the death of 13 civilians, who were shot by Gaddafi aligned forces. A UN report from 2011 reported the casualty, stating “Together with 12 other young men, an injured man sought refuge in a room on the second floor of a

Summary

First published
May 28, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
13
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM013-N

LOCATION

أَبْيَن , Abyan province, Abyan, Yemen

An anonymous Yemen defence ministry official claimed that a significant number of US drone strikes had taken place between mid-May and mid-June 2011. Strikes began in Shabwa province from May 3 onwards. According to The National, 15 US strikes took place between June 1 and June 15, including one on June 11 in which there

Summary

First published
May 15, 2011
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)
View Incident

Incident date

May 5, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM014-B

LOCATION

شبوة‎, Shabwa province, Shabwa, Yemen

Two to three middle-ranking Al Qaeda affiliates were killed and another was injured due to a US drone strike, originally targeting US-born cleric Anwar al Awlaki in the province of Shabwa in the morning of May 5th, 2011. In one of the first recorded US attack using remotely piloted drones since 2002, during Yemen’s Arab

Summary

First published
May 5, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
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
2–3
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

April 8, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-064

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

On April 8th, a 20 month old baby boy and his grandmother were injured during crossfire between Gaddafi forces and rebel forces in Misurata. Amnesty reported on the injuries. Amnesty reports “‘Abderrabbo Fezzani, a 20-month-old baby boy, and his grandmother were injured when they were caught in the crossfire between al-Gaddafi forces and opposition fighters

Summary

First published
April 8, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2011

Incident Code

USSOM009

LOCATION

Dhoobley, Gedo, Somalia

At least one militant and as many as “three dozen” were killed in an alleged US-waged airstrike in Dhobley, Jubaland, international and regional media reported. The attack marked the beginning of a concerted campaign in Somalia against al Shabaab by the Obama administration. After a reporting gap of 18 months, US air attacks appear to

Summary

First published
April 3, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested 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, Ethiopian Military Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1–36
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-043

LOCATION

البوابة الرشقية ألجدابيا, Petrol station in the vicinity Eastern gate of Ajdabiya, Al Wahat, Libya

On February 22nd, 2011, unknown actors killed one civilian and injured another near Ajdabiya, both of the al-Sheikhi family. Ruqaya ‘Abdelghani al-Sheikhi, a 34 year old teacher, was shot and died after being taken to the hospital. Amnesty states “it has not always been possible to establish whether the people killed or injured were deliberately

Summary

First published
March 20, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2010

Incident Code

USYEM010-B

LOCATION

مودية, Moudia, Abyan, Yemen

A night time precision strike reportedly carried out by the Yemeni air force or the US forces killed between two and nine militants in an air raid on a suspected terrorist training site in Abyan province on March 14, 2010. Al-Jazeera reported “Local residents told the Reuters news agency that as many as 20 civilians

Summary

First published
March 14, 2010
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected targets
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Other
Geolocation
District
Belligerents reported killed
2–9
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

January 31, 2010

Incident Code

USYEM009-N

LOCATION

Across Yemen, Yemen

Over a six week period, US Special Forces carried out more than 24 ground raids in Yemen, according to a single credible source, The Nation. The Nation reported: “By late January 2010, JSOC had been involved with more than two dozen ground raids in Yemen, which kicked off with the December 17 strikes. Scores of

Summary

First published
January 31, 2010
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2010

Incident Code

USYEM007-B

LOCATION

الاجاشر, Al Ajashar, Sa'dah, Yemen

An alleged Yemeni security forces strike or US airstrike reportedly struck two vehicles in Al Ajasher between Sa’ada and Jawf province. Multiple sources reported the alleged air strike took place in the afternoon of January 15th 2010. Initially sources reported that up to seven alleged AQAP militants had been killed in the strike. However later

Summary

First published
January 15, 2010
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Neighbourhood/area
Belligerents reported killed
0–7
Belligerents reported injured
0–3
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2010

Incident Code

USYEM006-B

LOCATION

شبوة, Shabwa, Yemen

Alleged Al Qaeda local commander Abdullah Mehdar, suspected leader of the Al Qaeda cell in the Houta region, was reportedly killed by Yemen security forces, possibly with the assistance of US forces, on the evening of 12th January 2010 in Shabwa province, 375 miles east of Sana’a. There were no known associated reports of civilian

Summary

First published
January 12, 2010
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2009

Incident Code

USYEM005-C

LOCATION

أبين, Abyan, Yemen

A second air strike reportedly occurred on 24th December 2009 in the province of Abyan “of which the death toll is unknown”, according to the Swiss-based human rights organization, Alkarama. No other sources were found that reported on this strike.

Summary

First published
December 24, 2009
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Geolocation
Province/governorate
View Incident