Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

July 27, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM240

LOCATION

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia

The US military conducted a fresh airstrike on so-called Islamic State in Somaliland, reporting the next day that they had killed one senior member of the terrorist group in the Golis Mountains region. “At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist who played a key role in facilitation for the group,

Summary

First published
July 27, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

June 25, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM236-C

LOCATION

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia

A named man, Abow Ali Wardi (or Wardiyow), was widely reported killed in a US targeted strike near Kunyo Barrow. While there were some local claims that the victim was a non combatant, AFRICOM later insisted the target was “an al-Shabaab facilitator” and that “It is assessed with a high degree of confidence that civilian

Summary

First published
June 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

June 24, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr200

LOCATION

الجماجم, Al Jamajem, Al Bayda, Yemen

At least five alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in Al-Jamajem area, Tayab, in the Dhi Naseem district of Bayda governorate, overnight from June 24th-25th 2019. In an email to Airwars, US Central Command later confirmed that a strike had taken place on June 24th. Since there were no other

Summary

First published
June 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
5
View Incident

Incident date

June 24, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM235

LOCATION

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military declared carrying out an airstrike targeting al Shabaab militants in Jilib, according to a press release issued on the same day by US Africa Command. According to the statement, “At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) militant. Currently, we assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result

Summary

First published
June 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

June 16, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM233

LOCATION

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military carried out two separate airstrikes targeting al Shabaab in the vicinity of Jilib, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM, “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, on June 16, 2019… At

Summary

First published
June 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

June 16, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM234

LOCATION

Vicinity of Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military carried out two separate airstrikes targeting al Shabaab in the vicinity of Jilib, Middle Juba, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM, “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, on June

Summary

First published
June 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

June 5, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM232-C

LOCATION

Outskirts of Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike targeting an al Shabaab fighter in Tortoroow, according to a press release issued two days later by US Africa Command. It was locally alleged that a named civilian public transport driver died in the attack. However AFRICOM later insisted thast the victim was “a high-level, al-Shabaab financier” and

Summary

First published
June 5, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM231

LOCATION

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release the following day by US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM, the strike killed six ISIS-Somalia fighters, and was currently assessed as having caused no civilian harm. “The Golis Mountains are a known area for terrorist camps and

Summary

First published
June 4, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

June 1, 2019

Incident Code

ISSY-010619

LOCATION

تل الشعار, Tal Al Sha’ar, Quneitra, Syria

At least three soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded in declared Israeli strikes on Tal Al Sha’ar in Quneitra on June 1, 2019. Sputnik News reported that the Israeli strikes “led to the rise of three soldiers and wounding seven others in addition to material damage.” Syrian Arab News Agency also confirmed the death

Summary

First published
June 1, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Israeli Military
Known target
Assad regime
Belligerents reported killed
3
Belligerents reported injured
7
View Incident

Incident date

May 26, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM229

LOCATION

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia

The US military carried out a fresh airstrike targeting al Shabaab (rather than ISIS) in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command. The strike killed three al Shabaab fighters, AFRICOM asserted – saying that it currently assessed that no civilians had been harmed in the attack. This marked the

Summary

First published
May 26, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
3
View Incident

Incident date

May 24, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM228

LOCATION

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release from US Africa Command. Unusually for recent strikes in the area, the attack targeted al Shabaab rather than ISIS according to AFRICOM. The strike reportedly killed three al Shabaab fighters, with AFRICOM saying that it currently assessed no civilians had

Summary

First published
May 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
3
View Incident

Incident date

May 22, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM226

LOCATION

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike targeting alleged ISIS-Somalia terrorists in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command. The strike killed two fighters from ISIS-Somalia it was asserted, with AFRICOM currently assessing that no civilians had been harmed. “This is the fifth precision airstrike against ISIS-Somalia since April

Summary

First published
May 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

May 22, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM227

LOCATION

Beled Amin, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike near Baled Amin in the Lower Shabelle region, according to a press release issued 48 hours later by US Africa Command. The strike killed two al Shabaab fighters according to AFRICOM, which also asserted that it currently determined that no civilians had been harmed in the attack. “Al-Shabaab

Summary

First published
May 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
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

May 9, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM222

LOCATION

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia

The US military carried out a “precision airstrike” targeting an ISIS-Somalia encampment in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release issued the following day by US Africa Command. AFRICOM said it had assessed that the strke killed four members of ISIS-Somalia and that no civilians were harmed. “At this time, it is assessed the

Summary

First published
May 9, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM219

LOCATION

Ameyra, 150 km south of Bosasso, Bari, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike targeting an ISIS-Somalia encampment in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release from AFRICOM. The strike killed 13 fighters from ISIS-Somalia, in what was the third recent declared strike against ISIS. AFRICOM said it currently assessed that no civilians were harmed. The statement further noted: “We are supporting

Summary

First published
May 8, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
13
View Incident

Incident date

May 5, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM217

LOCATION

Vicinity of Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of Tortoroow, according to a press release from US Africa Command issued the following day. AFRICOM asserted that three al Shabaab fighters were killed, and that it currently assessed that no civilians were harmed in the action. It further noted that the precision airstrike was

Summary

First published
May 5, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM216

LOCATION

Timirshe, Bari, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia and possibly also al Shabaab in the vicinity  of Timirshe, in the Golis Mountains. According to a press release from US Africa Command issued the following day, three fighters from the terrorist group were killed, with AFRICOM currently assessing that no civilians had been harmed in

Summary

First published
April 26, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known targets
Al-Shabaab, ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
2–3
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM215

LOCATION

Vicinity of Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of Jamaame, Lower Juba Region, according to a press release issued the next day by US Africa Command. It was later reported that one of those killed had been responsible for the death of a US soldier in Somalia in June 2018. AFRICOM’s initial press

Summary

First published
April 19, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

April 14, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM214

LOCATION

3 km away from Xiriiro, on the way to Hol Anod, Bari, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in the vicinity of Xiriiro, Bari Region, killing one high value militant and at least one other alleged fighter. According to AFRICOM – which took the unusual step of publicly naming the target within 24 hours of the operation – the strike killed Abdulhakim Dhuqub, second

Summary

First published
April 14, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM213

LOCATION

Garowle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike in Garowle, Lower Shabelle region, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command the following day. The release asserted that two terrorists were killed in the strike, and that one motorcycle was also destroyed. It further noted that AFRICOM currently assessed that no civilians were harmed

Summary

First published
April 11, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

April 9, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM212

LOCATION

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

The US military carried out an airstrike in Jilib, Middle Juba region, according to a press release issued the following day by US Africa Command. AFRICOM asserted that one terrorist was killed in the strike, and that it currently assessed that no civilians were harmed in the action. For the first time and in the

Summary

First published
April 9, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Unknown
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr196

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 29th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. In a separate press release, US Central Command stated that all six declared US military strikes in March 2019 strikes had targeted AQAP in Bayda. There were no

Summary

First published
March 29, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr195

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 29th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. In a separate press release, US Central Command stated that all six declared US military strikes in March 2019 strikes had targeted AQAP in Bayda. There were no

Summary

First published
March 29, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr194

LOCATION

حدود البيضاء وشبوة, Border of Al Bayda and Shabwa, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 28th 2019, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America – one of six declared strikes that month. One local source, Huna Al-Bayda, reported that “three senior al Qaeda leaders were killed in an [US] airstrike by a drone on the border between al-Bayda

Summary

First published
March 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
3
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr193

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 26th 2019, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. In a separate press release, US Central Command stated that all March 2019 strikes targeted AQAP. There were no other known local reports of a strike on that day according to our Arabic-language researchers,

Summary

First published
March 26, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr192

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A confirmed US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 25th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. According to a later CENTCOM press release, all US strikes in March 2019 targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate. Multiple sources reported at the time that a drone,

Summary

First published
March 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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)
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr191

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A confirmed US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 25th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. According to a later CENTCOM press release, all US strikes in March 2019 targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate. Multiple sources reported at the time that a drone,

Summary

First published
March 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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)
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2019

Incident Code

CI878a

LOCATION

Anbar, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another near Anbar, Iraq. This was later confirmed to be a US action. As CJTFOIR’s June 2019 civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was

Summary

First published
March 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM209-C

LOCATION

Laantabuur or Abdow Dibile, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Up to four civilians were killed in a US strike in the Lower Shabelle region, international media and investigating NGOs reported from the ground, though US Africa Command claimed that the strike had only killed three “terrorists.” It later again officially denied causing any civilian casualties. Initially, allegations of civilian harm came from a Reuters

Summary

First published
March 18, 2019
Last updated
March 14, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
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
1–4
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2019

Incident Code

CS1912

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As the SDF sought to take control of Al-Baghouz, the last ISIS territorial stronghold in Syria, local sources reported on what was referred to as a significant “massacre” in which between 160 and 300 civilians including 45 children were alleged killed by Coalition airstrikes according to local sources. However, Central Command has only admitted to killing

Summary

First published
March 18, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 300
(1–45 children)
Civilians reported injured
8
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
16
View Incident