Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

May 16, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-096

LOCATION

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Azizia, Tarabulus, Libya

On May 16th, 2011, NATO forced bombed Tripoli, including a hotel near the Bab al-Azizyah neighbourhood. Multiple sources reported the airstrikes, although it was unclear if there were civilian casualties. Al Jazeera for example noted: “On Monday evening, NATO forces bombed civilian and military targets in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the nearby Qasr Bin

Summary

First published
May 16, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Known targets
Gaddafi forces, Other
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-094

LOCATION

قصر أبو هادي, Qasr Abu Hadi, Surt, Libya

One child was reportedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Qasr Abu Hadi. The condolence page Sirte Martyrs published a picture of her mother commemorating her death four years later saying: “This is what NATO did with our children. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the martyrdom of the child Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi on

Summary

First published
May 15, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Known targets
Gaddafi forces, Other
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 13, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-092

LOCATION

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya

Between 11 and 16 civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike on Brega. Both the BBC and the Washington Post said that eleven clerics were killed in the attack, while Reuters noted that “Nine imams were among 11 people killed in a strike on a guest house in the eastern city of Brega on Friday,

Summary

First published
May 13, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 16
(9–11 men)
Civilians reported injured
50
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.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Known targets
Gaddafi forces, Other
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Incident date

May 12, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-091

LOCATION

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya

Six possible civilian fatalities were reported in a NATO airstrike on Tripoli at or near one of Gaddafi’s compounds. Al Jazeera reported that “A series of explosions rocked early at dawn today in the center of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in the vicinity of Bab al-Aziziyah, the headquarters of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, after a raid

Summary

First published
May 12, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 6
Civilians reported injured
0–10
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.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Known target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 10, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-090

LOCATION

العليا للأطفال وسط, High Committee for Children, Tarabulus, Libya

On May 10th at 2am local time, NATO conducted airstrikes in Tripoli, injuring at least four children, with two seriously injured, according to two sources. Multiple sources confirmed at least three explosions, with one centred on the government building housing the Higher Committee for Children. Al Jazeera said: “Reuters quoted Libyan officials as saying that

Summary

First published
May 11, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
4
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.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Known targets
Gaddafi forces, Other
View Incident

Incident date

May 24, 2010

Incident Code

USYEM012-C

LOCATION

مَأْرِب, Marib, Ma'rib, Yemen

Between three and six civilians died and two to three others were wounded in a botched US airstrike in Marib Province on May 24, 2010, according to local sources. In addition, between one and two militants were killed and another injured in the same incident. Civilian victims were named as: Jaber Ben Ali Ben Jaber

Summary

First published
May 24, 2010
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3–6 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
9 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
Belligerents reported injured
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2009

Incident Code

USYEM004-B

LOCATION

وادي رفض, Wadi Rafadh, Shabwa, Yemen

In the dawn hours of Dec. 24, 2009, a cruise missile launched by the United States struck a farmhouse in the Rafdh Valley, located in Yemen’s Shabwa province, killing between 5-34 militants associated with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, colloquially known as AQAP. While there are no known reports of civilians being killed or

Summary

First published
December 24, 2009
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
5–34
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2009

Incident Code

USYEM002-C

LOCATION

المعجلة, Al Majala, Abyan, Yemen

At least forty-seven civilians, including at least twenty-two children and twelve women, were reportedly killed after a US cruise-missile strike targeted an alleged AQAP training camp on the edge of Al-Majala village, Mahfad district of Abyan governorate, at around 6 AM on December 17th 2009. This was the first known strike in Yemen approved by

Summary

First published
December 17, 2009
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
47 – 64
(22–23 children12–17 women11–19 men)
Civilians reported injured
23–88
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
62 named, 11 families identified
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
6–24
Belligerents reported injured
4
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2009

Incident Code

USYEM003-B

LOCATION

أرحب, Arhab, Sana'a, Yemen

US forces reportedly carried out an attack in Arhab, Yemen on December 17th upon a home believed to be the living quarters of Qasim al Raimi (also called al Raymi), resulting in the death of four militants. The strike was initially reported to have included the use of Yemeni ground forces and air strikes with

Summary

First published
December 17, 2009
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
District
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2009

Incident Code

USSOM008-C

LOCATION

مدينة ﺑﺮﺍﻭة, Baraawe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Up to six people, including at least one possible civilian, were killed and at least two possible civilians were wounded, as a US-launched raid targeted and reportedly killed a high value al Qaeda/ al Shabab member, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, international media reported. The attack marked the first known lethal operation by US forces in

Summary

First published
September 14, 2009
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known targets
Al Qaeda in East Africa, Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2–6
Belligerents reported injured
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2008

Incident Code

USSOM007-C

LOCATION

Dusa Marreb, Galguduud, Somalia

At least five and as many as 30 civilians, including children and one woman, were reportedly killed as US-launched missiles targeted and killed several top al Shabab commanders in Dusa Marreb, a Somali village near the Ethiopian border, local and international sources reported. Around 3am local time on May 1st, 2008, US naval-launched cruise missiles

Summary

First published
May 1, 2008
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 30
(2 children1 woman)
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
2–10
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2008

Incident Code

USSOM006-C

LOCATION

Dhoobley, Lower Juba, Somalia

Up to six civilians were killed and as many as eight wounded as the US fired at least one and as many as three cruise missiles at Dhobley, a town in southern Somalia four miles from the Kenyan border, local and international sources reported. Pentagon spokesperson Bryan Whitman told AFP: “On March 2, the US

Summary

First published
March 3, 2008
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
Civilians reported injured
3–8
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in East Africa
Belligerents reported killed
2–3
View Incident

Incident date

June 1, 2007

Incident Code

USSOM005-C

LOCATION

Bargaal, Bari, Somalia

The destroyer USS Chafee, sailing off the coast of Somalia, fired ‘more than a dozen rounds from its 5-inch gun’ on militants in Bargal, north Somalia. The New York Times also reported that cruise missiles were fired. Somali government spokesmen claimed the strikes were launched after around 35 heavily armed militants landed on the coast near

Summary

First published
June 1, 2007
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in East Africa
Belligerents reported killed
8–12
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2007

Incident Code

USSOM004-C

LOCATION

Waldena, Lower Juba, Somalia

Up to eight people – some civilians – and one al Qaeda member, were killed as a US drone reportedly targeted, and later captured, a militant leader in Waldena. A fresh JSOC AC-130 strike in Somalia, reportedly operating from an airbase in eastern Ethiopia, targeted Ahmed Madobe, a deputy of ICU leader Hassan Turki. Madobe

Summary

First published
January 23, 2007
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 8
(2–3 women)
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in East Africa
Belligerents reported killed
5–9
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2007

Incident Code

USSOM003-C

LOCATION

Xayo, Garer, Bankajirow and Badmadow, Ras Kambooni, Lower Juba, Somalia

Several people, possibly civilians, were left wounded as US airstrikes hit four towns near Ras Kamboni, including a terrorist training camp on Badmadow island, local and international media reported. Sources added that up to ten al Qaeda members were also killed. The strikes came just two days after the US-launched AC-130 attack in Ras Kamboni,

Summary

First published
January 9, 2007
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected belligerent
Ethiopian Military Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in East Africa
Belligerents reported killed
5–10
Belligerents reported injured
4–5
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2007

Incident Code

USSOM001-C

LOCATION

Ras Kamboni (possibly vicinity of Lag Badana Bushbush National Park), Lower Juba, Somalia

Up to eight civilians were reportedly killed as the US carried out an airstrike against al Qaeda leaders in Ras Kamboni, Lower Juba, international and local sources reported. Shortly after Ethiopian forces had invaded Somalia in late December 2006, the US carried out its first known combat operation within Somalia since the September 11 2001

Summary

First published
January 7, 2007
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 8
(2–5 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in East Africa
Belligerents reported killed
8–45
Belligerents reported injured
3
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2002

Incident Code

USYEM001-B

LOCATION

على الطريق السريع 160كم شرق صنعاء ، عناقة, On highway 160km east of Sana'a, Annaqaah, Ma'rib, Yemen

In the first known US targeted assassination outside of a conventional battlefield and using a drone, a CIA Predator launched from Djibouti struck a car in Annaqaah, Marib governorate, on the evening of November 3rd 2002, killing six Al Qaeda suspects. A seventh individual escaped alive, and was later cleared of involvement in an October

Summary

First published
November 3, 2002
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
6
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident