Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

December 29, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM262

LOCATION

Vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

In retaliatory strikes against al Al Shabaab for a mass casualty bombing in Mogadishu a day earlier, the United States said that it had conducted three strikes against al Shbaab commanders, killing four people in total. This entry relates to one of two strikes in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow in Lower Shabelle. According to

Summary

First published
December 29, 2019
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM263

LOCATION

Vicinity of Caliyoow Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

In apparent retaliatory strikes against al Al Shabaab for a mass casualty bombing in Mogadishu a day earlier, the United States said that it had conducted three strikes against al Shbaab commanders, killing four people in total. This entry relates to one strike in the vicinity of Caliyoow Barrow in Lower Shabelle. it later emerged

Summary

First published
December 28, 2019
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
2
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM260

LOCATION

Dujuuma, Middle Juba, Somalia

Publicly declaring its 60th strike of the year, AFRICOM said that it had targeted and killed an alleged al Shabaab terrorist According to a press release issued on the same date, “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab terrorist in the vicinity of Dujuuma, Somalia,

Summary

First published
December 16, 2019
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM259

LOCATION

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike against al Shabaab in the vicinity of Saakow that killed one terrorist. “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Dec. 9,” AFRICOM reported.

Summary

First published
December 9, 2019
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-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr215

LOCATION

Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen

A few local-language Twitter sources suggested, on December 7th 2019, that US drone strikes had targeted “Muslim Brotherhood” militias, also described as “terrorists”, in the mountains of Al Arqoub in Abyan governorate. No other known sources reported US strikes, and there was no known information on alleged casualties. The first known report of the strikes,

Summary

First published
December 7, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected targets
Other, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 30, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM258

LOCATION

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of Jilib against al Shabaab fighters. It was not clear which of two locally reported targets – or indeed both – were struck. Unusually, AFRICOM made no mention of the number of militant fighters it believed had

Summary

First published
November 30, 2019
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
0–4
View Incident

Incident date

November 12, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM256

LOCATION

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

In a press release issued on the same day, US Africa Command reported that it had targeted and killed a senior al Shabaab figure in the vicinity of Jilib, in Middle Juba. “At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. Strikes near Jilib disrupt al-Shabaab’s freedom of maneuver. The individual targeted

Summary

First published
November 12, 2019
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS4133

LOCATION

Syria

Local Coordination Committees in Syria reported that Russian warplanes bombed “houses of civilians in the villages of Kfir, Ein Al-Asafir and Ein Al-Bareda in western Idlib countryside.” A tweet from @zamanalwsl reported that there were material losses in Ain Al-Barda from the airstrikes. Multiple sources reported that airstrikes were carried out on Ain Al Barda

Summary

First published
November 4, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM255

LOCATION

Jilib or between Jilib and Xaramka, Middle Juba, Somalia

A senior al Shabaab communications official was reported killed, either in an air or ground operation. The official was named by all sources as Ibrahim Abu Hamza, reportedly a head of communications for the terror group. However there was conflicted reporting about both how he died – and at whose hands. According to Mareeg News,

Summary

First published
November 3, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2–4
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM254

LOCATION

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia

Local media reported targeted strikes by an undeclared belligerent on the town of Bu’ale, which were said to have killed and injured senior named al Shabaab figures. According to Goobjoog News, “Reports indicate on the airstrike raid in Bay and Middle Juba region last night targeted Al Shabab base located in the area bulla falay

Summary

First published
November 3, 2019
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, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2–4
View Incident

Incident date

October 25, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM253

LOCATION

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia

Local reports claimed that a pair of airstrikes by unknown intertnational powers – presumably either the United States or Kenya – had targeted al Shabaab fighters in the towns of Jamaame and Buaale. According to Radio Kulmiye, “Another airstrikes were reported [on Octoberr 25th] from Middle Jubba region, highly controlled by Al-Shabaab. Witnesses said that

Summary

First published
October 25, 2019
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
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

October 25, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM252

LOCATION

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia

Local reports claimed that a pair of airstrikes by unknown international powers – presumably either the United States or Kenya – had targeted al Shabaab fighters in the towns of Jamaame and Buaale. According to Radio Kulmiye, “Another airstrikes were reported [on October 25th] from Middle Juba region, highly controlled by Al-Shabaab. Witnesses said that

Summary

First published
October 25, 2019
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, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2019

Incident Code

SOM170b

LOCATION

Jamaame, Middle Juba, Somalia

Local media reported a pair of alleged international airstrikes targeting the al Shabaab held towns of Jilib and Jamaame. Unusually the culprit was alleged to be France according to vague ‘sources’. However reporting remains poor. According to Mareeg News, “A suspected French military fighter jet has carried out airstrikes against al Shabab, an al Qaeda

Summary

First published
October 20, 2019
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 belligerents
French Military, Unknown
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
40–50
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2019

Incident Code

SOM170a

LOCATION

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

Local media reported a pair of alleged international airstrikes targeting the al Shabaab held towns of Jilib and Jamaame. Unusually the culprit was alleged to be France according to vague ‘sources’. However reporting remains poor. According to Mareeg News, “A suspected French military fighter jet has carried out airstrikes against al Shabab, an al Qaeda

Summary

First published
October 20, 2019
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 belligerents
US Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
40–50
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM250

LOCATION

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military declared an airstrike near Qunyo Barrow that killed one al Shabaab fighter, according to a press release from US Africa Command. The attack took place on the same date that AFRICOM had carried out a retaliatory airstrike following a complex al Shabaab attack on Baledogle airfield. The press release noted: “In coordination

Summary

First published
September 30, 2019
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM249

LOCATION

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military conducted an airstrike in self defence following a complex al-Shabaab attack on Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA) complex in Baledogle, US Africa Command reported. The strike and accompanying small arms fire killed 10 alleged terrorists, AFRICOM  initially reported – thought this toll  was later raised to 15. One US soldier was also injured,

Summary

First published
September 30, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
10
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM248

LOCATION

Near Ugungi, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

In an incident not originally declared publicly, AFRICOM officials later confirmed to Airwars that they had conducted a strike against al Shabaab in the lower Shabelle – for which they did not report either any militant or any civilian harm. Public Affairs Current Operations Branch Chief, Desiree Frame, told Airwars by email dated October 4th

Summary

First published
September 24, 2019
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr213

LOCATION

الأحمر, جبل سقاه, Al Ahmar camps, Jabal Sakah, Shabwa, Yemen

Two local-language Twitter sources reported that US drone strikes targeted “terrorist groups” in “Al-Ahmar camps” in the Azan and Al Houta area, Shabwa governorate.  No other known sources alleged US strikes, and no information was available on casualties. There were no known reports of civilian harm. Since the first known report of this event, from

Summary

First published
September 24, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM247

LOCATION

NW of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike on al Shabaab fighters – possibly high value – after they attacked a Somali patrol in the northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba Province, according to a press release from US Africa Command. No civilian harm was reported in this incident. According to the official statement: “In coordination with

Summary

First published
September 17, 2019
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
2
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr212

LOCATION

شبوة, Shabwa, Yemen

One local language social media source, @GawadSalah, claimed, on September 15th 2019, that six Emiratis were killed in an alleged AQAP camp in Shabwa by a US drone strike. The source seemed to refer to six Emirati soldiers reported, on September 14th 2019, to have been killed in a road “collision” in southern Yemen. Other

Summary

First published
September 14, 2019
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
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM245

LOCATION

جيليب, Road between Jilib and Kismayo, Middle Juba, Somalia

An airstrike near Jilib killed one al Shabaab fighter, according to US Africa Command. There were no known reports of civilian harm, an official press statement asserted. “At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. Strikes near Jilib disrupt al-Shabaab’s freedom of maneuver.  Currently, we assess no civilians were injured or killed

Summary

First published
September 3, 2019
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
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM246

LOCATION

Near Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

The United States carried out a second airstrike near Jilib on September 3rd 2019, this time against an “al-Shabaab associated vehicle”, and with no known casualties. Details were revealed by AFRICOM in an email exchange with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism on October 4th 2019: “Separately, AFRICOM conducted an air strike targeting al-Shabaab equipment in

Summary

First published
September 3, 2019
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 2, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr211

LOCATION

عقبة القنذع, Aqaba Al Qandha, Al Bayda, Yemen

Three US drone strikes reportedly targeted a convoy of alleged AQAP militants travelling through Aqaba Al Qandha area of Shabwa governorate, on the morning of September 2nd 2019. No known sources gave information on casualties of the strikes, and there were no known associated reports of civilian harm. “Private sources” told Shabwa Press that US

Summary

First published
September 2, 2019
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
2
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr210

LOCATION

مارب, Ma'rib, Yemen

At least five US drone strikes reportedly targeted alleged “terrorist” militants, variously alleged to be AQAP or ISIS-affiliated, in the Marib governorate Third Regional Military Command area of the pro-government military, just after midnight on August 31st 2019, according to multiple social media sources. One source, however, instead alleged that Emirati artillery shelling had targeted

Summary

First published
August 31, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, United Arab Emirates Military
Suspected targets
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), ISIS - Yemen
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr209

LOCATION

عرقوب, Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen

A few local language social-media sources suggested that US strikes, reportedly including a naval bombardment and at least one air strike, had targeted “terrorist groups”, possibly AQAP, in Arqoub in Abyan governorate, on August 31st 2019, killing “dozens”. Some suggested that the “terrorists” were amongst or affiliated with pro-government forces. There were no known associated

Summary

First published
August 31, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Naval bombardment
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, United Arab Emirates Military
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
24
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr208

LOCATION

مارب, Ma'rib, Yemen

One local-language social-media source, @HAlwlaqi, suggested that at least one US drone strike had targeted “Islah terrorist militia” camps in Marib, including in the “third regional command”, apparently overnight from August 28th-29th 2019. Another, @muneeffaisal1, stated at around the same time that a US drone had targeted a “military convoy” in Marib, possibly referring to

Summary

First published
August 28, 2019
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, United Arab Emirates Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr207

LOCATION

الحوطة, Al Houta, Shabwa, Yemen

One local-language social media source, @wael_shaifan, suggested late on August 27th 2019 that at least one US drone strike had targeted gatherings of alleged AQAP militants in Al Houta town, Shabwa governorate. Three other social media sources further indicated that US strikes had taken place in Shabwa that evening, but did not offer specific information.

Summary

First published
August 27, 2019
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
2
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr206

LOCATION

القوز, Al Qawz, Abyan, Yemen

At least one US drone strike reportedly targeted a convoy of alleged AQAP militants near the town of Al Qawz, in the Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, late on August 26th 2019. There was no known available information on casualties, and no known associated reports of civilian harm. A local source told Al-Masdar Online that

Summary

First published
August 26, 2019
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 belligerents
US Forces, Unknown
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

August 25, 2019

Incident Code

ISIR-250819

LOCATION

القائم, Qaem, Al Anbar, Iraq

Summary

First published
August 25, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr205

LOCATION

عقبة القنذع, Aqaba Al Qandha, Al Bayda, Yemen

One local-language social media source, @tlaal661, reported on August 24th 2019 that two US airstrikes had targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Aqaba Al Qandha area “between Al-Bayda and Shabwa” governorates. There were no known further public reports of a strike, and no information about alleged casualties was available. The report came a few days

Summary

First published
August 24, 2019
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 belligerents
US Forces, Unknown
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident