Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground) – Airwars

The Civilian Harm Watchdog

Civilian Casualty Archive

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158 incidents

Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

الطكيحي, Al Takihi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between midnight and 5 am on the morning of April 13th five people were reportedly killed in what was described as a "landing operation" by the US-led Coalition in Al-Takihi village. According to Jisir TV, the operation was carried out by several Apache helicopters and Hummer vehicles. It was, however, unclear who killed the victims (whose…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

View Incident →

Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Ugunji, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A ground operation struck a minibus carrying civilians, killing one woman and injuring up to six others, local media reported. While one source claimed that the attack was conducted by drone, others said it was a ground operation, involving Somali and possibly also US troops. AFRICOM later denied responsibility for civilian harm on the grounds…

Summary

Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

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

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

15–16 March, 2019

Incident Code

Location

Jilib Marka, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A Mareeg Media report from March 16th 2019 asserted that US-backed Somali forces had carried out an "air and ground operation" near Marka Town in Jilib Marka, 91km southwest of Mogadishu. Citing anonymous Somali military officials, Mareeg said that "at least" 22 "militants" were killed in the operation, including 'senior al Shabaab commanders' Abu Yasin…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Malayle, between Bar Sanguni and Jamame, Lower Juba, Somalia

US Africa Command stated in a press release issued the following day that it carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of Malayle, Lower Juba region on March 13th 2019. AFRICOM stated unusually that it had carried out "a collective self-defense airstrike," explaining that "Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) were conducting a presence patrol in…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Huley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US Africa Command confirmed that it had carried out an airstrike on March 12th 2019 in the vicinity of Huley, Lower Shabelle Region. According to AFRICOM, the airstrike killed two "terrorists", and "at this time, it is assessed no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." In September 2019, the TRT World Research Centre…

Summary

Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Unknown, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

دار السلام, Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US conducted a confirmed airstrike on March 11th 2019 in the vicinity of Dara Salaam near Awdegle, Lower Shabelle Region, in "self-defense". AFRICOM stated at the time that the airstrike - which it said killed eight al Shabaab militants - "was conducted in support of Somali-led ground forces that came under attack from militants"…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown

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Incident Date

7–8 March, 2019

Incident Code

Location

Gamboole, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

According to local reports a US airstrike, carried out as part of a land and air operation, was conducted in the Gambole area killing up to eight alleged Al-Shabaab fighters on March 8th. Two civilians were also reportedly killed in the strike and four more injured, Voice of America said. According to Mareeg: "U.S. forces…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons, Unknown, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

17 February 2019

Incident Code

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria

Bread salesman Abdul Razzaq Mohammed from the village of Abu Juba was heading to work passing through Hadaj village when he was allegedly shot and hit by Coalition machine gun fire during Coalition operations in the village. Local sources reported he died of the injuries sustained in the strike. No other details are known at…

Summary

17 February 2019

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

11 February 2019

Incident Code

Location

Tuwaareey, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US Africa Command initially reported that it had carried out two airstrikes in the vicinity of Janaale in the lower Shabelle region. AFRICOM stated that "the first airstrike on February 11 had killed eight militants and the second airstrike killed four militants" with a total of 12 killed. AFRICOM added that "at this time, it…

Summary

11 February 2019

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown

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Incident Date

10–11 February, 2019

Incident Code

Location

Janaale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A joint night time operation at Janaale by Somali National Armed Forces and AFRICOM - including the reported landing of US forces - led to a number of al Shabaab casualties and possible damage to civilian homes. Although AFRICOM did not confirm the incident at the time, a later FOIA response did confirm the action.…

Summary

10 February 2019

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

6–7 February, 2019

Incident Code

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil - possibly Al-Khayasah neighborhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the house of Majid al-Salama in Al Shahil on the night of February 6th-7th. Baladi News blamed "US helicopters from the International Alliance, backed by high-flying jet fighters" for the airstrike. Other sources claim he was killed by gunfire. Three civilians were later admitted to have…

Summary

6 February 2019

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

2 February 2019

Incident Code

Location

Forsooley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A reported tweet from Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency - apparently since deleted - referred to a joint raid on February 2nd by Somali and US forces which was said to have killed 40 al Shabaab fighters. Goobjoog News, which picked up on the original tweet, said that "The National Intelligence and Security Agency…

Summary

2 February 2019

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

19 January 2019

Incident Code

Location

Between Araare crossing and Muse Haji, near Baar Sanguni, Lower Juba, Somalia

Up to 73 al Shabaab fighters were killed in a confirmed retaliatory strike conducted by US Africa Command. On the same day as the attack, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike targeting militants near Jilib, Middle Juba Region, Somalia, on January 19, 2019." The airstrike was apparently conducted after a large contingent of…

Summary

19 January 2019

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown

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Incident Date

13 January 2019

Incident Code

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A house in the town of Al Soussa was struck by what sources described variously as a drone strike, airstrikes, artillery shelling, a rocket or a rocket-propelled grenade, killing two named brothers. Three of their other brothers were reported injured. Although one source implied the brothers were members of ISIS, this was not mentioned by…

Summary

13 January 2019

Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

3–4 January, 2019

Incident Code

Location

الكشكية, Al Khishkiya or Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

During an exchange of small arms fire, an alleged Coalition helicopter strike hit a civilian home in the town of Al-Kashkiya, east of Deir Al-Zour. Between six and ten civilians from the same family were reported killed, including women and children. In January 2020, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the deaths of nine civilians in…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

وادي عبيدة, Wadi Obeida, Ma'rib, Yemen

Jamal al-Badawi, an alleged 'legacy' AQAP militant, was killed by a US drone strike in Marib governorate on the morning of January 1st 2019, US Central Command stated, confirming earlier reports that he had been targeted by a strike in Wadi Obeidah, Marib. One civilian was locally reported injured in the attack - and the…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike (Drone Strike)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

30 December 2018

Incident Code

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

A joint action by Somali troops and US Special Forces killed 30 al Shabaab militants including two foreign fighters, in the town of Jilib, according to a Somali National Army commander. Xinhua reported the following: "The Somali National Army (SNA) on Sunday killed 30 al-Shabab militants, including two foreign nationals, in the southern town of…

Summary

30 December 2018

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

Location

قرية الحنة, Al Hanna village, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to local sources, people took to the streets in demonstration after one man was killed and his two children injured or killed when shells hit their house in Al-Hanna. Jisr TV reported it was a total of 14 shells that caused the killing of the man and the injuries of his children. According to…

Summary

19 November 2018

Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

21 September 2018

Incident Code

Location

50 km northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

US forces carried out a 'self-defence strike' against al Shabaab on September 21st approximately 50 km northwest of Kismayo and killing 18 al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM "The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess…

Summary

21 September 2018

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

View Incident →

Incident Date

11 September 2018

Incident Code

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

In a US strike in Mubaraak, two al Shabaab militants were killed along with a combatant with US partner forces, a US statement asserted the following day. Members of al Shabaab and the partner forces were also left wounded. US forces carried out a strike during a Somali partner forces-led operation against al Shabaab in…

Summary

11 September 2018

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Local reporters alleged that US and Somali forces had killed four civilians including a mother and child, during an operation in Leego. Caasimada alleged that the civilians were killed around midnight, by Somali troops accompanied by 'white US officers', and claimed that the attacking forces had flown there from a military base to the north.…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Baar, Lower Juba, Somalia

An American Special Forces soldier was killed - later named as Staff Sergeant Alexander Conrad - and four others were wounded in an attack by al Shabaab fighters in Jubaland. A member of a partner force was also killed or injured. The US soldiers were among a large force of 800 Somali and Kenyan soldiers…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Khatuniya, Al Hassakah, Syria

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Khatuniya. The Pentagon later reported this to have been a US action. According to CJTFOIR's June 2019 civilian casualty report: "Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

U.S.-led Coalition

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Incident Date

9–10 May, 2018

Incident Code

Location

Bulcida Macalinka (northeast), Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Five civilians were reportedly killed in a US and/or Somali-waged ground operation - possibly also involving airpower - in the Lower Shabelle region, local and international media reported. The US denied allegations of harm on several occasions. The raid was reportedly carried out by Somalia commandos, with the US saying American troops supported the mission…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

وادي النسيم, Wadi Al Nasim, Idlib, Syria

An unidentified explosion rocked the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Nasim in the city of Idlib, killing at least 10 civilians and injuring up to 150, local sources said. Zeiton News said 12 women and seven children were among 29 killed by a long-range ballistic missile launched from Russian battleships. Additional sources, including a military observatory…

Summary

Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Causes of Death / Injury

Unknown, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

Russian Military

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Local sources reported that 18 civilians were killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces near a cemetery in the city of Saqba, Damascus governorate, on March 20th, 2018. @AJA_Syria tweeted that "Syrian executed 18 civilians on the ground near the cemetery of the city of Saqba, Ghouta, Damascus." Other sources also reported that civilians…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

Russian Military

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Incident Date

13 November 2017

Incident Code

Location

Awhiigle, Gaduud, Lower Juba, Somalia

The sixth declared US strike in five days hit Somalia, targeting al Shabaab fighters, the US military told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. An Africa Command spokesperson said the attack occurred at 0840 near Gaduud about 250 miles southwest of Mogadishu. As of November 15th, the US was still "assessing the results of the strike".…

Summary

13 November 2017

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US military and the Somali government announced they were investigating reports that ten civilians, including three children, were killed during an operation on a farm in Bariire, in Somalia's southern Lower Shabelle region. However, on November 28th 2017, the US published a press release concluding that only "armed enemy combatants" were killed. Earlier that…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

16–17 August, 2017

Incident Code

Location

Sheikh Ahmed Yare, 15 miles from Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

Seven civilians from the same family including a wife and husband died in US airstrikes which reportedly hit civilian homes near Jilib, according to two reports. The victims are named below. The US announced it carried out a series of attacks between August 16th and 17th, allegedly killing up to seven al Shabaab fighters. However…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

View Incident →

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