Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMTr057

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Location

شرجان, Sharjan, Al Bayda, Yemen

Geolocation

14.01472194, 45.80194392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly killed alleged AQAP leadership figure Nayef Al-Damaji and his “companions” in the Sharjan area of Al Suma’a district, Bayda governorate, on March 30th 2017, according to two local-language news outlets.  There were no known reports of civilian harm.

According to both sources, Yemen Voice and Akhbarak, the strike targeted Al-Damaji as he travelled in a car between Suma’a and Makirais.  Al-Damaji was alleged to be the AQAP leader in Lauder, Abyan governorate.  Akhbarak cited a Sky News Arabia report, which could not be found by Airwars.

The strike reportedly killed Al-Damaji and “a number” of his “companions”.  Given this, Airwars has assessed that a minimum of three militants were reportedly killed in this strike.

Other sources alleged that a strike had targeted Al-Damaji’s home in Al Wade’a, Abyan governorate, on the same night (USYEMTr058), though some indicated that it was unclear whether Al-Damaji had been killed in his home.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Sharjan (شرجان) village, for which the generic coordinates are: 14.01472194, 45.80194392. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr056

Incident date

March 30–31, 2017

Location

السودا, Al Souda, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.713333, 46.011944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US drone strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Al Muhajjab district of Al Wade’a in Abyan governorate, overnight from March 30th to March 31st. However several different villages were suggested as the location or locations of the action. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Several sources, including Al Araby, reported that three strikes targeted vehicles in the area, with some suggesting that the strikes took place in Al Souda village. Both Reuters and Shabwa Press indicated that, according to local sources, an overnight strike targeted a car on a road in Al-Wadhi district. The number of casualties from strikes against vehicles were unknown.

Multiple sources, including Reuters, also reported that a strike in the Al Muhajjab area targeted a house where alleged AQAP militants were meeting, killing three including local leader Waddah Muhammad al-Souda.

According to Shabwa Press, al-Souda was instead killed in a house in the village of Al-Mozno, and an air strike targeted “the home of Muhammed al-Megrahi in the village of Al-Kudo“.  It is possible that Al-Mozno and Al-Kudo are distinct, but the context of the Shabwa Press article indicates that al-Souda may have been killed in the home of al-Megrahi, and that one of the villages may lie next to another.

Several sources also indicated that the strikes in Al-Wadhi district damaged electrical infrastructure in the area.

This reported action took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • According to local residents, several strikes targeted cars and at least one house in the Al-Muhajjab area of Al-Wadie overnight from March 30th to March 31st (@demolinari, March 31st 2017)
  • According to local residents, several strikes targeted cars and at least one house in the Al-Muhajjab area of Al-Wadie overnight from March 30th to March 31st (@demolinari, March 31st 2017)
  • According to local residents, several strikes targeted cars and at least one house in the Al-Muhajjab area of Al-Wadie overnight from March 30th to March 31st (@demolinari, March 31st 2017)
  • According to local residents, several strikes targeted cars and at least one house in the Al-Muhajjab area of Al-Wadie overnight from March 30th to March 31st (@demolinari, March 31st 2017)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the village of Al Souda (السودا), in the Al Mahajab (المحجب) area, Al Wade’a (الوضيع) district. Unable to find the village, we have narrowed the location down to a possible area surrounding Jabal Al Souda (جبل السودا) in the south-west of Al Wade’a district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the Jabal Al Souda district are: 13.66107, 45.87551.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr059

Incident date

March 30–31, 2017

Location

سبخة, أحور, Salt marshes, Ahwar, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.519256, 46.712837 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least a dozen US air and naval strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in an area of salt marshes south of Ahwar city, in the Ahwar directorate of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 30th to March 31st 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Several sources indicated that overnight naval and drone strikes targeted militants as they fled from earlier reported strikes against AQAP sites in or around Mogan, al-Maraqisha, on the Abyan coast. Al Itihad for example noted that “other raids targeted groups of terrorist elements in the Sabkha area while they were fleeing from the bombing that targeted their training camps in the areas of Mogan and Khobar Al-Marashshah In the district of Ahwar.”

There were no clear allegations of casualties from the reported strikes, though the now-deleted account @CombatTerrorism reportedly indicated that the militants “all died”, according to sources including Yafa News and Sahafanet. Airwars has, therefore, assessed that a minimum of two militants were allegedly killed in the strike.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

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

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the coastal salt marshes (سبخة), located within the Qaroub (علبوب) area, south of Ahwar (أحور) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ahwar are: 13.519256, 46.712837.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

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

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr052

Incident date

March 29–30, 2017

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.425116, 46.171369 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of Mojan, al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There were no known reports of civilian casualties.

Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha area, including Mojan and al-Maroun.  Images of alleged US illumination shells were posted on social media the day after the reported strikes.

According to one source, four AQAP militants were killed in the course of the shelling in al-Maraqisha, though it was unclear in which specific strike these casualties were alleged to have been killed. This claim has been accounted for in this entry.

Several local language social media sources also suggested that US ground forces were deployed in the area, variously described as a success and a failure by different sources, but no further information was available.

Late on March 30th, a few Twitter sources indicated that a naval bombardment was taking place in the area, possibly indicating that the strikes continued into the night of March 30th to March 31st.  These sources may constitute late reporting of the initial reported strikes.

The Mojan area was the target of several alleged US strikes in March 2017, including a reported special forces amphibious landing on March 2nd 2017.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@sanaawald, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mojan (موجان), for which the coordinates are: 13.425116, 46.171369. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr051

Incident date

March 29–30, 2017

Location

القوز, Al Quoz, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.88921, 46.14929 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged AQAP sites in Al Quoz village, in the Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, were targeted by reported US naval and air strikes overnight from March 29th to March 30th 2017.  There were no known reports of civilian harm.

Several sources indicated that US warships fired missiles at parts of the village during the night, landing on AQAP sites and unpopulated areas, according to local residents.  Some sources also suggested that a US drone strike against an AQAP position took place in the same area, also overnight from March 29th to March 30th. No reports mentioned civilian or combatant casualties.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP, beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, 50 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

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

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Qouz (القوز), for which the coordinates are: 13.88921, 46.14929. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

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

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr050

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Location

الطريق بين الروضة و المجازة, Road between Al Rawda and Al Majaza, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.467655, 47.275492 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported US airstrike in Rawdah, Shabwa governorate, on the evening of March 29th 2017 killed at least one alleged AQAP militant. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm.

According to a majority of sources, the strike took place in the centre of Rawdah, near the village of Majazah, targeting a motorbike. Al Araby reported that three missiles hit a motorbike “in a side street” of Rawdah.

Other sources suggested that a car carrying AQAP militants was instead targeted, killing as many as “dozens of people” according to one source, Ababil. However, apparent photographic evidence from the scene only showed a destroyed motorbike. As such, the maximum number of belligerent casualties from this strike has been set at one.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, 50 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured in the evening.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • At least one alleged AQAP militant was killed in a reported US drone strike in Rawdah, Shabwa, on the evening of March 29th. Most sources indicated that the target of the strike was riding a motorbike (allegedly pictured) at the time of the strike (Aden al-Ghad, March 29th 2017)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    At least one alleged AQAP militant was killed in a reported US drone strike in Rawdah, Shabwa, on the evening of March 29th. Most sources indicated that the target of the strike was riding a motorbike at the time of the strike (Aden al-Ghad, March 29th 2017)
  • At least one alleged AQAP militant was killed in a reported US drone strike in Rawdah, Shabwa, on the evening of March 29th (alsultan, March 29th 2017)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    At least one alleged AQAP militant was killed in a reported US drone strike in Rawdah, Shabwa, on the evening of March 29th (Qhmamshbwt, March 29th 2017)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    At least one alleged AQAP militant was killed in a reported US drone strike in Rawdah, Shabwa, on the evening of March 29th (alsultan, March 29th 2017)
  • At least one alleged AQAP militant was killed in a reported US drone strike in Rawdah, Shabwa, on the evening of March 29th. Most sources indicated that the target of the strike was riding a motorbike (allegedly pictured) at the time of the strike (Aden al-Ghad, March 29th 2017)
  • At least one alleged AQAP militant was killed in a reported US drone strike in Rawdah, Shabwa, on the evening of March 29th. Most sources indicated that the target of the strike was riding a motorbike (allegedly pictured) at the time of the strike (Aden al-Ghad, March 29th 2017)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a road linking the villages of Al Rawda (الروضة) and Al Majaza (المجازة), for which, due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Rawda are: 14.467655, 47.275492

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr053

Incident date

March 29–30, 2017

Location

جبل المراقشه, Jabal Al Maraqisha, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.561668, 46.134923 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of al-Maroun, in the al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There are no known associated reports of civilian casualties.

Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha area, including Mogan and al-Maroun. Images of alleged US illumination shells were posted on social media the day after the reported strikes.

According to one source, four AQAP militants were killed in the course of the shelling in the al-Maraqisha area, though it was unclear in which specific strike these casualties were alleged to have been killed. This claim has been accounted for in event USYEMTr052.

Several local language social media sources also suggested that US ground forces were deployed in the area, variously described as a success and a failure by different sources, but no further information was available.

Late on March 30th, a few Twitter sources indicated that a naval bombardment was taking place in the area, possibly indicating that the strikes continued into the night of March 30th to March 31st.  These sources may constitute late reporting of the initial reported strikes.

This reported action took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP in March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, fifty US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@demolinari, March 30th 2017)
  • US naval artillery reportedly targeted AQAP sites in al-Maraqisha overnight from March 29th to March 30th. On March 30th, photos of alleged US illumination shells emerged on social media (@sanaawald, March 30th 2017)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Maroun (المرون) within the area of Jabal Al Maraqisha (جبل المراقشه), for which, due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jabal Al Maraqisha are: 13.561668, 46.134923

  • Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Maroun (المرون) within the area of Jabal Al Maraqisha (جبل المراقشه).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr049

Incident date

March 29–30, 2017

Location

الحوطة, Al Hawta, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.381351, 47.397712 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Al-Jazeera, its sources reported that US drone strikes targeted alleged AQAP sites in Al Hawta, in Shabwa governorate, at some time from March 29th to March 30th. The news organisation reported that casualties from the strikes were unknown. No other known sources independently reported these strikes.

This reported event took place amid a dramatic intensification of US operations against AQAP beginning in early March 2017. On April 3rd, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis said that, from February 28th to the final week of March, 50 US airstrikes were conducted in Yemen.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Hawta (الحوطة), for which the coordinates are: 14.381351, 47.397712. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes over eastern Yemen during the weekend, targeting the sites of extremist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, director of Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.

“We continue to target [al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula] in Yemen, and this is done in the interest of disrupting a terror organization that presents a very significant threat to the United States,” Davis said.

Strikes Target Terrorists

During the weekend in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, the precision airstrikes targeted al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists, as well as the terrorists’ infrastructure, fighting positions and equipment, the spokesman said.

The airstrikes follow the late-January U.S. raid in Yemen during which a U.S. service member died. From Feb. 28 through last week, some 50 airstrikes were conducted, Davis noted.

The weekend airstrikes, which were largely unmanned, bring the total to 70, he said.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (2) [ collapse]