Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMBi008

Incident date

January 30, 2023

Location

محطة الحايرة, Al Hayra petrol station, Mareb, Yemen

Geolocation

15.501673, 45.380729 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On January 30th 2023, an alleged United States drone strike was reported to have hit a car in Wadi Ubaidah in the Marib Governorate of Yemen. Three people were allegedly killed who were in the car at the time, who Al Mahara and other local sources reported were “members of Al-Qaeda”, including a prominent leader in Wadi Ubaidah. @BnMhwr tweeted that one militant inside the car was Hassan al-Hadhrami, “responsible for making IEDs and explosives in al-Qaeda.” No civilian casualties were mentioned by local sources at this time.

Al Khabar Al Yamani news channel reported that the attack happened when the car was waiting in line to get petrol, at the Al-Hayra petrol station. This source and other local sources also identified the missile as a R9X Hellfire. Task and Purpose pointed out that based on images showing that the target vehicle was shredded from the roof in rather than destroyed in an explosion, it is likely the AGM-114 R9X Hellfire missile was used.

A Yemeni government official told AFP on a condition of anonymity, that “three Al-Qaeda members were killed in a strike by a drone that is believed to be American.”

AP described the after-math of the strike as “onlookers gathered around a small, four-door car coated in dried mud, peering through its shattered windows and torn-away roof at three dead men inside.”

Despite most reports attributing this to the US, there was no immediate statement from US officials. Local sources speculated that this could mean that this attack was carried out by the Special Operations Unit (JSOC) or the CIA, according to Al Khabar Al Yamani. US Central Command told Stars & Stripes that there was “no operational reporting at the time of this incident 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • On January 30th 2022 a reported US forces drone targeted a petrol station in Wadi Ubaidah, killing three Al Qaeda members (Image via @South24_net / Twitter)
  • Reportedly the strike was with a R9X Hellfire Missile (Image via @akhbar / Twitter)
  • Reportedly the strike was with a R9X Hellfire Missile (Image via @akhbar / Twitter)
  • "The sources said that Hassan al-Hadhrami, responsible for making IEDs and explosives in al-Qaeda, was killed in an air strike carried out by a US drone on his car near al-Hayrah station in the al-Samdah area of Wadi Ubaidah district" (Image via @BnMhwr / Twitter)
  • "According to local sources - quoted by the broadcaster Al Arabyia - the target was Hassan al Hadrami, an extremist specialized in making explosive belts and bombs. At his side were two accomplices." (Image via @e_yementoday / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Al Hayra petrol station (محطة الحايرة), located in Wadi Ubaidah (وادي عبيدة) . According to research conducted by @VleckieHond, the exact coordinates for this strike are: 15.501673, 45.380729. Cross referencing source material, we can confirm the accuracy of this location.

US Forces Assessment:

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

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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMBi007

Incident date

November 30, 2022

Location

حدبا العوشان, Hadba Al Awshan, Marib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.540801, 45.461054 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one to three civilians, including a woman and two children, were reported killed and up to five others, including a woman, a child and two paramedics, were injured in alleged US drone strikes on a home in the Al-Hadba area of Al-Wadi, Marib on November 30, 2022. A member of Ansar al-Sharia (AQAP) who was renting the home may also have been killed or injured.

Khabar Agency stated that the house was believed to belong to a member of Ansar al-Sharia (AQAP) and that one person was killed and five were wounded, including citizens who tried to rescue survivors of the airstrikes but were injured/killed by shells that exploded. Al-Mawqea Post specified that two civilian paramedics who were trying to rescue the survivors were injured by explosions.

Al-Mawqea Post quoted medics who reported that “two women and two children were rescued from inside the targeted house, while the paramedics rescued a child after one of his feet was amputated in the airstrike, and he was taken with his mother to a nearby hospital in the area” while @KthMuZeaSdcqCgY tweeted that “a woman and her children were killed” as a result of the bombing.

According to @kh89saleh22, the home was a weapons store and the weapons detonated from the airstrike, killing “leaders of the terrorist…organization” as well as women and children. Al Mawqea Post quoted a local source who said that explosive devices, belts, and shells were found stored in the home, causing the explosions.

While Khabar Agency referred to the strike as occurring at dawn, @AlghbaryAtf tweeted that local sources put the drone strike at midnight.

Yemen Press Agency reported that the drone strike hit the house of Hamoud Al-Duwail in Al-Hadba area, Al-Wadi. Al Mawqea Post referred to the home as being inhabited by a displaced person from Al-Bayda governorate, who had rented the home from Hamoud Al-Duwail two years ago, with Yemen Days identifying him as “a prominent leader of the Islah party”. Multiple local sources referred to the location of the home as being in Hadba Al-Awshan market area.

The majority of the sources attributed the strikes to American drones to varying degrees of certainty, with only Yemen Days referring to the “high precision” drone strikes as being with American or Emirati. According to Yemen Days, the strike occurred days after the governor of the province, Sultan al-Arada, concluded an agreement with the UAE that included disengaging him from the Islah party.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Fire and explosions caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Yemen Press Agency)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Al Mawqea post)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by Al Mawqea post)
  • Fire and explosions caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @VG7FzHXGNBa2LwY)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)
  • Damage caused by caused by alleged US drone strikes on a home east of Marib on November 30, 2022. (Image posted by @bdallhbnbwdals1)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a market, allegedly located with the village of Hadba Al Awshan (حدبا العوشان), east of Marib (مأرب) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Habda Al Awshan are: 15.540801, 45.461054.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM359

Incident date

November 26, 2022

Location

El-Dhere, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

5.368333, 46.191111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Over 100 al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed by Somali forces and “international partner” airstrikes or ground operations on the outskirts of the village of El-Dhere on November 26, 2022.

Voice of America quoted Somalia’s deputy information minister, Abdirahman Yusuf Omar Adala, who said that an operation conducted by the Somali army, backed by locals and international partners assisting from the air, resulted in the death of more than 100 al-Shabaab militants, including 10 “ringleaders”, on the outskirts of the village of El-Dhere. The operation reportedly resulted in the liberation of El-Dhere from al-Shabaab control and the seizure of their weaponry.

Local sources provided similar casualty figures and details they also obtained from the Somali government.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    100

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by operation carried out by Somali army and International partners in El-Dhere village on November 26, 2022. (Image posted by @SONNALIVE)
  • Destruction caused by operation carried out by Somali army and International partners in El-Dhere village on November 26, 2022. (Image posted by @SONNALIVE)
  • Weapons seized during operation carried out by Somali army and International partners in El-Dhere village on November 26, 2022. (Image posted by @SONNALIVE)
  • Destruction caused by operation carried out by Somali army and International partners in El-Dhere village on November 26, 2022. (Image posted by @SONNALIVE)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of El Dhere, for which the generic coordinates are: 5.368333, 46.191111. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Somali Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    100

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM358

Incident date

November 24, 2022

Location

Bulo Madina, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

3.06773, 45.54745 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

15 al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed by Somali forces and “international partner” airstrikes or ground operations near Bulo Madina on November 24, 2022.

Somali National Television posted on Twitter that 15 al-Shabaab militants were killed by an operation carried out by Somali security forces with the support of airstrikes from “international security partners” near Bulo Madina. @HarunMaruf added that the 15 militants killed had survived the operation the day before and were tracked down.

@GaroweOnline pointed out that no independent sources have been able to verify the government’s casualty claims.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    15

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bulo Madina, for which the generic coordinates are: 3.06773, 45.54745. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Somali Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    Somali Military Forces, US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    15

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM357

Incident date

November 23, 2022

Location

Bulo Madina, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

3.067730, 45.547450 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Over 49 al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed and others were wounded by Somali forces and “international partner” airstrikes/ground operations in the Bulo Madina area of Lower Shabelle on November 22, 2022.

Garrote Online reported that according to the Ministry of Information, over 49 militants were killed by an airstrike following an operation by the Somali National Army aided by “local militias and international partners”. The statement from the Ministry of Information said that “the militants were killed in the Bulo Madina area, where they had converged to plan terrorist activities against the Somali people” and Garowe Online attributed the airstrike to AFRICOM, backing the Danab Special Forces.

Four residents of Afgoye district, around 25 km north-west of the capital Mogadishu, told Reuters that they heard large explosions on the evening of November 22nd, but were not aware of the village’s location or of the number of casualties. “Last night, the whole earth shook. We heard two huge air strikes,” said Ali Farah, a local bus driver. Voice of America also mentioned that residents in the region reported that they heard explosions.

Reuters also quoted the Ministry of Information, who they said announced that they had destroyed a number of military vehicles and weapons during the operation. A tweet from @BoodhariFarah also identified “a number” of militants as being injured without specifying how many.

AFRICOM has not released a statement related to this incident and according to Reuters, stated that they were not involved in airstrikes on November 22nd. However, multiple local sources, including @DrumChronicles, attributed the airstrikes to the US.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces, Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    49
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bulo Madina, for which the generic coordinates are: 3.067730, 45.547450. 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

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Somali Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces, Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    49
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS568

Incident date

November 21, 2022

Location

بينة, Ibbin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.46599, 36.99337 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two people were reported “slightly” injured and tens of sheep were reportedly killed by Turkish shelling in Ibbin village, Sherawa district in Afrin, Syria on November 21st 2022.

According to North Press Agency and ANHA between 20 to 35 sheep were killed which were owned by Walida Hamadi.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Up to 35 sheep were reportedly killed by a Turkish missile on a village in Afrin on November 21st 2022 (Image via ANHA English)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ibbin (بينة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.46599, 36.99337. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS567

Incident date

November 20, 2022

Location

جورين, Syria

Geolocation

35.616504, 36.268706 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, a boy, and a woman, his mother, were injured as a result of Turkish-backed militant action, from factions of the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin”. The actions were reported to include artillery shells hitting the town of Jourin on November 20th 2022.

The woman and child were reportedly transferred to the Suqaylabiyah National Hospital for treatment.

Pressn and other local sources also reported that the shells caused material damage to some local residential properties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

  • Mother Adult female injured
  • Son Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Residental houses reportedly damaged by Turkish backed militant missile fire on November 20th 2022 in Jourin (Image via Alalam)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jourin (جورين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.616504, 36.268706. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YS157

Incident date

November 15, 2022

Location

قرية العلوش, Al Alloush, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.859586, 37.029442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two men were killed by a landmine allegedly placed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the village of Al Alloush on November 15, 2022.

Shaam News reported that a landmine exploded in the village of Al Alloush as a civilian car was driving by, killing two civilians.

@manbij_today1 provided the names of the two civilians killed: Jamal Al-Attiyah from Aloush and a displaced person from Aleppo named Abu Ahmed. The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that Jamal was 37 years old while ASO Network News reported that Jamal was 28 years old and Ahmed was 24 years old.

ASO News Network identified the location as on an agricultural road and on the side of the road leading to Tishreen Dam.

According to Shaam News, the SDF was laying mines in the area near the frontlines with the Syrian regime to prevent smuggling. Multiple local sources including @sumudmedia1 attributed the landmine to the SDF.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Jamal Al-Attiyah 37 years old male killed
  • Abu Ahmed 24 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Alloush (العلوش), the generic coordinates for which are: 35.859586, 37.029442. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Strike target
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    YPG

Sources (8) [ collapse]