Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1990

Incident date

January 21, 2023

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.104756, 40.456084 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was injured during a declared raid carried out by CENTCOM and partner forces in Al Shahil on January 21, 2023. Up to three alleged ISIS members were also arrested during the raid.

CENTCOM released a statement that “US Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21, capturing two ISIS-Syria members, Abdallah Hamid Muslih al-Maddad AKA Abu Hamza al-Suri, an ISIS facilitator, and Husam Hamid al-Muslih al-Maddad, al-Khayr, ISIS facilitator and logistician, and one associate. One civilian received minor injuries. “The injured civilian was escorted by our partner forces to a nearby medical care facility along with an accompanying family member,” said Colonel Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “He received care and was released back to his family.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that during an operation carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Units with the support of International Coalition aircraft, three members of ISIS were arrested when the home of the “Al-Madad” family in the town of Al Shahil was raided. SOHR added that the operation lasted two hours and consisted of the Coalition forces asking the wanted persons to surrender via loudspeaker, however when the wanted persons refused, clashes took place.

@Sharqya_reporte tweeted that the home that was raided belongs to Hamid Al-Musleh Al-Madad and that Hisham Al-Hamid Al-Musleh was arrested for unknown reasons. @HamamIssa7 added that Majid Kamel Al Musleh and the son of Subh Al-Musleh, 13 years old, were also arrested.

Halab Today TV added that Abd Hamed Al-Musleh was also arrested, and that a fourth person escaped from the raid – Hisham Al-Hamid Al-Musleh. According to Halab Today, all men arrested are cousins of Hisham, who was residing in the city of Ras Al-Ain before coming back to Al Shahil and that Hisham is a close associate of Sabahi Ibrahim al-Musleh, an alleged member of ISIS who was killed by an air strike carried out by the Coalition in October 2022 in the city of Ras al-Ain.

A tweet from @nahermedia reported that on February 19th, a Coalition helicopter released Majid Kamel Al-Musleh Al-Medad on the outskirts of the town of Al Shahil after being held for a month.

A local source told Al Araby that “the operation was accompanied by the sound of explosions in the area, without knowing whether any injuries occurred during the operation.” Eye of Euphrates identified machine guns from Coalition helicopters as used in conjunction with an SDF military convoy.

A tweet from @alsharqia24news identified the location as being in the Al-Hawi area of Al Shahil. @Rian_almasri stated that following the raid, the Coalition forces headed towards the Al-Omar oil field.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Al-Khabour correspondent: The International Coalition forces are carrying out an airdrop on the outskirts of the city of Al-Shuhail, in conjunction with an intense flight of the International Coalition aircraft.
  • Statement from CENTCOM
  • Image of the alleged ISIS members detained during a raid by the SDF and Coalition on January 22, 2023. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Hawi (الحاوي) area of the town of Al Shahil (الشحيل), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.104756, 40.456084. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

US Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21, capturing two ISIS-Syria members, Abdallah Hamid Muslih al-Maddad AKA Abu Hamza al-Suri, an ISIS facilitator, and Husam Hamid al-Muslih al-Maddad, al-Khayr, ISIS facilitator and logistician, and one associate. One civilian received minor injuries.

"The injured civilian was escorted by our partner forces to a nearby medical care facility along with an accompanying family member," said Colonel Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. "He received care and was released back to his family."

"This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS," said Buccino. "The capture will disrupt the terrorist organization's ability to further plot and carry out attacks that threaten regional security and stability."

"ISIS represents a threat to our partners and to the people of Iraq and Syria and beyond," he added. "Our mission to defeat ISIS alongside our Syrian Democratic Forces partners continues."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM366

Incident date

January 20, 2023

Location

Galcad, Galguduud, Somalia

Geolocation

4.023380, 46.617680 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

AFRICOM declared that they had carried out an airstrike or drone strike that killed between 30 and 100 alleged militants approximately 260 km northeast of Mogadishu near Galcad, Somalia on January 20, 2023. There are no known reports of civilian harm.

US AFRICOM announced that “at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 20, 2023. The strike occurred approximately 260 km northeast of Mogadishu near Galcad, Somalia where Somalia National Army forces were engaged in heavy fighting following a complex, extended, intense attack by more than 100 al-Shabaab fighters. The combined actions by partner forces on the ground and the collective self-defense strike is estimated to have resulted in three destroyed vehicles and approximately thirty al-Shabaab terrorists killed. Given the remote location of the fighting, the command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Reuters pointed out that the strike occurred on the same day that al-Shabaab militants stormed a Somali military base in Galcad, killing seven soldiers and exploding car bombs, but their attack was eventually repelled. Garowe clarified the timeline, reporting that the airstrike came after the ambush of the army base.

Reuters quoted Somalia’s Information Ministry who stated that their soldiers killed 100 of the group’s fighters and destroyed five gun-mounted pick-up vehicles (known as technicals,” which may have been part of the same operation that the US assisted with airstrikes. Hiiraan Online News quoted al-Shabaab who stated that they had “miraculously overrun the U.S.-trained forces” and killed over 150 government-associated fighters. A US defense official told CNN that there was no US military present on the ground when the airstrike occurred.

The majority of sources referred only to the incident as a “strike,” while @charlie_savage tweeted that the strike was carried out by a drone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    30–100

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of alleged al-Shabaab members killed during operations in Galcad on January 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SomaliaNews252)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of alleged al-Shabaab members killed during operations in Galcad on January 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SomaliaNews252)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Galcad, for which the generic coordinates are: 4.023380, 46.617680. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

Somali, U.S. forces engage insurgents in support of the Federal Government of Somalia

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 20, 2023.

The strike occurred approximately 260 km northeast of Mogadishu near Galcad, Somalia where Somalia National Army forces were engaged in heavy fighting following a complex, extended, intense attack by more than 100 al-Shabaab fighters.

The combined actions by partner forces on the ground and the collective self-defense strike is estimated to have resulted in three destroyed vehicles and approximately thirty al-Shabaab terrorists killed.

Given the remote location of the fighting, the command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed.

The U.S. is one of several countries providing support to the Federal Government of Somalia in its ongoing campaign to disrupt, degrade and defeat terrorist groups. Rooting out extremism ultimately requires intervention beyond traditional military means, leveraging U.S. and partner efforts to support effective governance, promote stabilization and economic development, and resolve ongoing conflicts.

U.S. Africa Command is the defense arm of the U.S. whole-of-government approach with African partners -- diplomacy, development and defense. This three-pronged, or “3D” approach aims to increase cooperation and support for “partner-led, U.S.-enabled” solutions to shared security challenges, including violent extremism or terrorism. All kinetic operations conducted and supported by U.S. Africa Command are done in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.

Somalia remains central to stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to help give them the tools they need to defeat al-Shabaab, the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote greater security for all Africans. To view the U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Casualty reports, visit: https://www.africom.mil/what-we-do/airstrikes/civilian-casualty-report

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    30–100

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM364

Incident date

December 23, 2022

Location

Awdal, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

2.762617, 46.321699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six alleged al-Shabaab members were killed by declared US airstrikes on the small town of Awdal 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Middle Shabelle, on December 23, 2022.

AFRICOM released a statement the same day that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a self-defense strike, Dec. 23, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Somalia. The command’s initial assessment is the strike killed six al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Globe Echo News reported on the day before the strike, December 22nd, that the Middle Shabelle region had been completely liberated from al-Shabaab.

No other independent details were available from foreign or local media.

This incident was the third strike carried out and announced by AFRICOM in 10 days, and all of them occurred in the same area near Cadale.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Awdal allegedly in the vicinity of the town of Cadale. The generic coordinates for Cadale are: 2.762617, 46.321699. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a self-defense strike, Dec. 23, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Somalia.


The command's initial assessment is the strike killed six al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote greater security for all Africans.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proven both its will and capability to attack Somali, East African, and American civilians. U.S. kinetic actions against al-Shabaab in Somalia are conducted in support of the Federal Government of Somalia's ongoing campaign to disrupt terrorist operations in their country.

Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to defeat al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of these operations and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1989

Incident date

December 20, 2022

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371593, 37.514511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, including a woman and a child, were reportedly injured in declared British drone strikes on the city of al-Bab on December 20, 2022. An alleged member of ISIS was also injured in the operation.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a Yemeni person was severely injured by a drone likely belonging to the Coalition in al-Bab. Local sources were conflicted as to whether the injured man was taken to a hospital in al-Bab or in Turkey, as well as whether or not he died from his injuries.

A local source also told SOHR that the injured person is an ISIS commander and lives with his family, but was alone at the time of the attack. Two civilians that were near the strike site were also injured. Syria TV correspondent said that he talked to the neighbors in the building, who reported that there were light injuries among several women and a child. Baladi News, which originally attributed the incident to the Syrian regime, identified “various injuries to three civilians” in al-Bab while Furat-sy reported on the “injuring of several civilians, some of whom seriously”.

Euphrates Post identified the injured Yemeni as “Abu Yasser al-Yemeni, one of the leaders of the “Islamic State” organization” and added that the civil police were keeping him in al-Bab hospital. Naher Media gave details that Abu Yasser was known for his work as a general responsible for booby-trapping and that he witnessed all the battles of al-Baghouz.

@SyriaCivilDefe reported that Civil Defense volunteers responded to the scene to ensure that there were no victims under the rubble. Afrin Post added that the house that was struck was completely destroyed.

SOHR identified the location as being a home on Khalo street in the al-Bab city center and North Press Agency described the location as being near al-Bab city market. Furat News specified that the strike occurred near the Great Mosque, between “Al-Nofteh Street and Al-Waki Street”.

Shaam News reported that the missile that was found among the rubble was an AGM-114 Hellfire missile, which is “a US-made missile used by the International Coalition”. Naher Media cited images of the site as showing that the American missile used was an AGM-179, a missile weighing 52 kg that can be launched by Apache helicopters as well as MQ-9 Reaper drones. @IdlibCallingSy specifically referred to the source of the missiles as being a MQ-9 Reaper armed drone.

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (the Coalition) has not released a statement about this incident. The UK government released a statement that on December 20th, “a Reaper struck a Daesh target in northern Syria. On Tuesday 20 December, a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft kept close observation on a building near Al Bab in northern Syria where at least one active Daesh terrorist was known to be present.  Great care was taken to ensure that any potential risks to civilians were understood and minimised before the Reaper’s crew fired a salvo of two Hellfire missiles which both struck the target accurately.”

In an Oral Parliamentary Question, the Secretary of State of Defense stated that “In late December, an RAF Reaper remotely piloted aircraft conducted a strike against a leading Daesh member in al-Bab, northern Syria. The individual’s activity was related to chemical and biological weapons. The Reaper’s crew minimised potential risk to civilians before firing two Hellfire missiles, both of which struck the target accurately. These actions are vital to degrading such terrorist threats, protecting British citizens and supporting our international partners.” However, the Ministry of Defense has not released any statements regarding the civilian casualty claims.

Local sources pointed out that this was the first operation of its kind carried out by the Coalition in a residential area within the Euphrates Shield area.

The incident occured at 13:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    UK Military
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • Hellfire missile used in an alleged Coalition (British) drone strike in al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image post from Shaam News)
  • Part of our teams' response to the missile attack carried out by an unidentified drone, targeting a house in the city of Al-Bab, east of Aleppo, today, Tuesday, December 20.
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • #Aleppo eastern countryside: He holds the Yemeni nationality. Abu Yasser al-Yemeni, one of the leaders of the "Islamic State" organization, was injured in a drone strike that targeted a house east of the city of al-Bab, while the civil police are keeping him in al-Bab Hospital. (Image posted by Euphrates Post via Facebook)
  • #SyriaTV correspondent Hammam Al-Zain explains the details of the raid carried out by the International Coalition on the city of Al-Bab, east of #Aleppo
  • Destruction caused by Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by Afrin Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abu Yasser al-Yemeni, allegedly one of the leaders of the "Islamic State" organization who was injured by Coalition strikes in al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @almohrarmedia2)
  • Destruction caused by Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @vdcnsyria)
  • Destruction caused by Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @vdcnsyria)
  • Destruction caused by Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @vdcnsyria)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب). According to research conducted by @obretix, the exact coordinates for this strike are: 36.371593, 37.514511. Cross referencing source material, we can confirm the accuracy of this location.

UK Military Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    UK Military
  • UK Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

UK Military
Official source

Summary
Tuesday 20 December – a Reaper struck a Daesh target in northern Syria.
Detail
Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to conduct armed reconnaissance patrols against elements of the Daesh terrorist network in Syria, as well as supporting, as required, the Iraqi authorities’ efforts to keep Daesh out of their country. On Tuesday 20 December, a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft kept close observation on a building near Al Bab in northern Syria where at least one active Daesh terrorist was known to be present. Great care was taken to ensure that any potential risks to civilians were understood and minimised before the Reaper’s crew fired a salvo of two Hellfire missiles which both struck the target accurately.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    UK Military
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM363

Incident date

December 17, 2022

Location

Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

2.762617, 46.321699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US declared airstrikes near Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somalia on December 17, 2022 allegedly killed eight al-Shabaab militants, with no civilians killed or injured.

AFRICOM released a statement on December 18th that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two collective self-defense strikes, one each on Dec. 14 and 17, 2022, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab near Cadale, Somalia…The Dec. 17 strike took place approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, also in the vicinity of Cadale. The command’s initial assessment is 8 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed. U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed in either strike.”

@BCFinucane pointed out that the US Congress failed to include a provision in the military spending bill that would have restricted designation of partner force eligible for collective self defense strikes.

VOA News reported that the government also published images and videos of what they alleged were al-Shabaab fighters killed in the operation, in addition to announcing that an al-Shabaab commander identified as Yusuf Mohamed Jingab was among those killed in the operation.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    8

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Cadale, for which the generic coordinates are: 2.762617, 46.321699. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two collective self-defense strikes, one each on Dec. 14 and 17, 2022, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab near Cadale, Somalia.

The Dec. 14 strike took place 176 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, in the vicinity of Cadale. The current assessment is 7 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed.

The Dec. 17 strike took place approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, also in the vicinity of Cadale. The command’s initial assessment is 8 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed.

U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed in either strike.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote greater security for all Africans.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proven both its will and capability to attack Somali, East African, and American civilians. U.S. kinetic actions against al-Shabaab in Somalia are conducted in support of the Federal Government of Somalia's ongoing campaign to disrupt terrorist operations in their country.

Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to defeat al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of these operations and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    8

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM362

Incident date

December 14, 2022

Location

Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

2.762617, 46.321699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US declared airstrikes near Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somalia on December 14, 2022 allegedly killed seven al-Shabaab militants, with no civilians killed or injured. Statements from the Somali government put casualty counts at 88 al-Shabaab militants killed in Middle Shabelle.

AFRICOM released a statement on December 18th that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two collective self-defense strikes, one each on Dec. 14 and 17, 2022, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab near Cadale, Somalia. The Dec. 14 strike took place 176 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, in the vicinity of Cadale. The current assessment is 7 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed….U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed in either strike.”

@BCFinucane pointed out that the US Congress failed to include a provision in the military spending bill that would have restricted designation of partner force eligible for collective self defense strikes.

A tweet from @dhoorebbc quoted Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister, who told state media that 88 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in Juhay village in Middle Shabelle region in an operation carried out by the Somali National Army with support of airstrikes from the US. VOA also pointed out that the Somalia government said on December 15th that 88 al-Shabab fighters were killed in the 48-hour operation, which was conducted in collaboration with international partners.

VOA News reported that the government also published images and videos of what they alleged were al-Shabaab fighters killed in the operation, in addition to announcing that an al-Shabaab commander identified as Yusuf Mohamed Jingab was among those killed in the operation.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    7–88

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Cadale, for which the generic coordinates are: 2.762617, 46.321699. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two collective self-defense strikes, one each on Dec. 14 and 17, 2022, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab near Cadale, Somalia.

The Dec. 14 strike took place 176 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, in the vicinity of Cadale. The current assessment is 7 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed.

The Dec. 17 strike took place approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, also in the vicinity of Cadale. The command’s initial assessment is 8 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed.

U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed in either strike.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote greater security for all Africans.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proven both its will and capability to attack Somali, East African, and American civilians. U.S. kinetic actions against al-Shabaab in Somalia are conducted in support of the Federal Government of Somalia's ongoing campaign to disrupt terrorist operations in their country.

Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to defeat al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of these operations and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    7–88

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM356

Incident date

November 9, 2022

Location

285 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, Galgaduud, Somalia

Geolocation

4.483513, 46.227249 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

4.512549, 46.283599 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 17 militants were killed by US AFRICOM declared airstrikes approximately 285 kilometers northeast, possibly in Basra, Balad district and/or in Ceel Gorof (Galmudug) on November 9, 2022.

AFRICOM released a statement two days after the incident, November 11th, that “Somali National Army forces were engaged with al Shabaab fighters in a remote area approximately 285 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu on Nov. 9. At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against the al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking the Somali forces. Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed 17 attacking al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Unlike recent statements, AFRICOM does not provide a specific location name for the incident. @Vatescorp tweeted that although AFRICOM did not confirm the location, there were reports that airstrikes were conducted on November 9th and 10th IVO Wabxo, Galgaduud. Geolocation narrowed the referenced location from AFRICOM to the vicinity of Ceel Gorof (the Gorof well) and Wabxo village, which are very close to each other and approx 285 km northeast of Mogadishu.

A tweet from @BCFinucane pointed out that in a later part of the statement, AFRICOM refers to al-Shabaab as being capable of attacking “Somali, East African, and American civilians”, yet “if the reference to the threat from Al Shabaab to US civilians is an allusion to the 2020 attack on Manda Bay, that seems like a stretch”.

The National News Media added that the strike came a few days after al-Shabaab killed five soldiers in Mogadishu and a little over a week after al-Shabaab was responsible for a mass casualty car bombing.

On the same day as the strike, National News Media reported that the Somali army released a statement that they had killed at least 20 militants and took back al-Shabaab controlled towns in central Somalia. A tweet from @ArlaadiMnetwork Abdikamil Moalim Shukri, spokesman for the ministry of internal security, who they said announced that at least 47 al-Shabaab militants were killed by an operation carried out by NISA (the National Intelligence and Security Agency) and international friends in Basra, Balad district. @HarunMaruf added that the government also announced that in addition to the 47 militants killed in Basra, 50 militants were killed in Ceel Gorof (Galmudug).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    17–97

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Ceel Gorof (Gorof well) and the village of Wabxo, located close together, in the Galguduud region, approximately 285 kilometres northeast of Mogadishu. The generic coordinates for the Gorof well are: 4.483513, 46.227249. The generic coordinates for Wabxo are: 4.512549, 46.283599. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

Somali National Army forces were engaged with al Shabaab fighters in a remote area approximately 285 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu on Nov. 9. At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against the al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking the Somali forces.


Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed 17 attacking al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote greater security for all Africans.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proven both its will and capability to attack Somali, East African, and American civilians.

Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to defeat al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    17–97

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM355

Incident date

November 3, 2022

Location

near the villages of Cadale, Mora-Erri, Garas Magan, and El Hareeri, Hiiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

2.760694, 46.322374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and 200 al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared US airstrikes in support of Somali forces and/or Somali ground operations near the villages of Cadale, Mora-Erri, Garas Magan, and El Hareeri on November 3, 2022.

AFRICOM released a statement two days later, on November 5th, that “In support of the Federal Government of Somalia’s ongoing operations against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Cadale, Somalia, on Nov. 3, 2022. The command’s initial assessment is that the Somalia National Army-requested strike killed 15 attacking al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”

Hiiraan Online News reported that “Abdullahi Ali Anod, a spokesman for the defence ministry told reporters in Mogadishu that 100 al-Shabab fighters were killed during the “intense operation” in the Garas Magan and El Hareeri villages of the Hiran region and that drones were striking the militants during the fight. Another member of the Somali military, Major Ahmed Abdullahi Beeryare, commander of the 16th battalion of the US-trained Danab commandos, told local media in Hiiiraan that “the number of al-Shabab fatalities could be as high as 200.” Hiiraan added that new organizations had not yet verified the government casualty claims.

Reuters reported that al-Shabaab stated that they killed dozens of Somali army soldiers and macawisley fighters during clashes with the army and that eight of their own fighters were killed by US airstrikes. Reuters also mentioned that the Somali national army posted photographs of the bodies of alleged al-Shabaab fighters on their Telegram channel.

The US airstrike came as Somali Armed Forces were advancing to Adanyabal, an al-Shabaab stronghold, after Somali troops took over Qura’dhere and Habal-Hussein villages that same day, according to @dhoorebbc.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    8–200

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Cadale, for which the generic coordinates are: 2.760694, 46.322374. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces
Official source

In support of the Federal Government of Somalia’s ongoing operations against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Cadale, Somalia, on Nov. 3, 2022.
The command’s initial assessment is that the Somalia National Army-requested strike killed 15 attacking al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.
U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.
Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack partner and U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests.
Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.
U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    8–200

Sources (17) [ collapse]