Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground) – Airwars

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Civilian Casualty Archive

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158 incidents

Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed a US strike killed Ali Muhammad Hussein, believed to be a high-level al Shabaab commander. No civilians were reported to have been killed or injured in the strike. The strike took place in Tortoroow in southern Somalia at around 1500 local time on July 30th, reportedly killing Jabal alone. Africom…

Summary

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

Galcayo, Mudug, Somalia

A suspected al Shabaab associate who once lived in the US was arrested during a mission in Somalia, a US Africa Command spokesperson told AP. It was a Somali-led mission with “limited tactical advisory support” from the US, spokesperson Jennifer Dyrcz said. The suspect, identified as Abdirizak Tahlil, was accused of “facilitating the use of improvised…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia

US and Somali special forces carried out a night raid on an al Shabaab-held village in southern Somalia, the district commissioner and a senior Somali intelligence official told reporters. It was the second US operation in the village in two weeks. "Several al-Shabaab fighters" are thought to have been killed according to NBC. Two helicopters…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Luglaaw, Lower Juba, Somalia

US forces were involved in a "self-defence strike operation" with Somali National Army (SNA) forces "against an al Shabaab troop concentration" in the country's south, according to an Africa Command (AFRICOM) press release. The statement did not include a casualty count, saying it "will continue to assess the results of the operation, and will provide…

Summary

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

النجاد العذلان, Al Nijad Al Adhlan, Ma'rib, Yemen

Up to five civilians, including a fifteen-year-old boy and man over the age of 70, were reportedly killed in a US special forces ground operation in Al Khthala village, in the Al Jubah area of Marib governorate, beginning at around 1am on May 23rd 2017, though official US accounts of the raid claimed that there…

Summary

Airstrike (Drone Strike), 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

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

البديع, Al Buday, Al Bayda, Yemen

US airstrikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Badi Al Awad district of Bayda governorate at around 3am on May 23rd 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources, including Yemeni security officials spoken with by the Associated Press, suggested that actions by US drones and helicopter gunships took place…

Summary

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

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

4–5 May, 2017

Incident Code

Location

دار السلام, Andalus Radio, Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

In the first confirmed US kinetic operation since President Trump designated Somalia an active war zone in March 2017, one US Navy serviceman was killed and two or three others injured during an operation against al Shabaab in Somalia on May 5th (local time), the first declared American service member death in combat in the…

Summary

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

Incident Code

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Shafa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that 16 civilians were killed and many were injured in Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes on Al-Shafaa neighbourhood in West Mosul. In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh mortar position. Regrettably, 16 civilians were unintentionally…

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

29–30 March, 2017

Incident Code

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of Mojan, al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There were no known reports of civilian casualties. Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha area, including Mojan…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

29–30 March, 2017

Incident Code

Location

جبل المراقشه, Jabal Al Maraqisha, Abyan, Yemen

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of al-Maroun, in the al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There are no known associated reports of civilian casualties. Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

2–3 March, 2017

Incident Code

Location

وادي يشبم, Yashbum Valley, Shabwa, Yemen

Several sources reported that US airstrikes and ground forces targeted AQAP militants, including alleged leader Saad Atef, in the Yashbum Valley of al-Saeed district in Shabwa province, overnight from March 2nd-3rd 2017, following airstrikes in the same area early on March 2nd. There were multiple allegations of civilian harm as a result of heavy munitions…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Resources (Gas Facility), Agriculture (Factory), Residential

Civilians reported killed

Civilians reported injured

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that US forces were involved in a combined arms operation that took place at dawn on March 2nd 2017 in Mogan, al-Maraqisha directorate, Abyan governorate. The action was variously alleged to have included airstrikes, naval bombardment, and troop landings. Some sources claimed the operation was implemented in cooperation with Emirati special forces…

Summary

Naval bombardment, Airstrike (Drone Strike), 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

Incident Code

Location

حصن سعيد, Fort Saeed, Abyan, Yemen

Some sources reported that US forces were involved in a beach landing operation on Nakheela beach, on the al-Maraqisha coast, Abyan governorate, in the region of or near the village of Mogan, at dawn on March 2nd 2017. This raid allegedly took place in tandem with a reported combined arms operation, with which the US…

Summary

Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment, Airstrike (Drone Strike), Artillery

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

2–3 March, 2017

Incident Code

Location

جبل نوفان, Jabal Novan, Al Bayda, Yemen

Sources reported that US airstrikes targeted AQAP militants in Jabal Novan, Bayda governorate, overnight from March 2nd to March 3rd. There were no known reports of civilian casualties. Alleged strikes in the area came hours after another alleged strike in Jabal Novan had reportedly killed three AQAP militants early on March 2nd. The evening strikes…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

29 January 2017

Incident Code

Location

الغيل, al Ghayil, Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen

At least 15 civilians, including at least 10 children and four women, were reportedly killed in a US Navy special forces operation in al-Ghayil village, Yakla region of Bayda province - though the reported civilian toll varied considerably. The US military has to date conceded 12 deaths. A force of US Navy SEALs engaged in…

Summary

29 January 2017

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

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Gaduud, Lower Juba, Somalia

In the last declared Somalia strike of Barack Obama's presidency, the US conducted a “self-defence strike” against al Shabaab on January 7th, according to a US Africa Command press release published on January 10th. The strike was conducted “in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, Somali partner forces, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

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Incident Date

26 September 2016

Incident Code

Location

Caba, Lower Juba, Somalia

The US reported in a press release published on September 27th that it had conducted a “self-defence strike” in Caba near Kismayo the previous day, killing four al Shabaab fighters . The press release said that a group of armed al Shabaab fighters attacked the Somali force and their US advisors. The Somali forces returned…

Summary

26 September 2016

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

5 September 2016

Incident Code

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US reported two days after the event that it had conducted two “self-defence strikes” on September 5th against al Shabaab, killing four militants in total. According to an AFRICOM press release, the strikes hit near Tortoroow and were conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia after a Somali-led counter-terrorism operation came under…

Summary

5 September 2016

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

5 September 2016

Incident Code

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US reported two days after the event that it had conducted two “self-defence strikes” on September 5th against al Shabaab, killing four militants. According to an AFRICOM press release, the strikes hit near Tortoroow and were conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia after a Somali-led counter-terrorism operation came under attack. Garowe…

Summary

5 September 2016

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

Incident Code

Location

Gobanle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

The US reported that it had conducted a “self-defense strike” against al Shabaab in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia in a press release published on September 7th. It said the strike hit near Gobanale and had resulted in the deaths of two al Shabaab militants. The press release reported that during a Somali-led…

Summary

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

Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia

US forces helped Somali commandos in an operation in southern Somalia that killed several members of al Shabaab, a Pentagon official said on August 16th. The operation took place on August 10th. Somali forces approached an al Shabaab checkpoint. The terrorists reportedly opened fire and a gun battle ensued. “US advisers accompanied the Somali-led force,…

Summary

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

Incident Code

Location

Farwamo, near Bulogadud, Lower Juba, Somalia

Up to 16 al Shabaab fighters died in an operation reportedly carried out by Somali forces with US support, multiple sources said. The US claimed at the time that at the time that Somali forces alone were responsible for the kinetic actions. However, a FOIA response obtained in 2019 confirmed that the US had in…

Summary

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

Incident Code

Location

Sabiid, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A US air strike reportedly killed five people – all of them said to be al Shabaab fighters. The attack was defensive and conducted to protect African troops on the ground, an Africom spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. The Ugandan soldiers, part of the African Union peacekeeping force Amisom, were attacking a makeshift…

Summary

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

9–10 May, 2016

Incident Code

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Kenyan and Somali forces, and their US advisors, carried out a raid on an al Shabaab checkpoint in Toratorow. The US carried out an airstrike during the operation - though initially denied doing so. Media reports said helicopters were involved, indicating that both US air and ground forces were participating. However a US spokesperson denied…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Buufow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

At least four and up to 23 al Shabaab fighters were reported killed in a US airstrike at Buufow, near Janaaale. However more than three years later, one civilian fatality was also alleged. Two US actions on April 1st and April 2nd were later said to be “self-defence air strikes against al Shabaab fighters who…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Civilians reported killed

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

At least 19 alleged militants were killed in a joint operation between US and Somali forces in the village of Awdhegle. US attack helicopters supported US and Somali Special Forces who attacked an al Shabaab target in southern Somalia, the Pentagon and Somali officials said. The assault took place overnight. The soldiers flew on US…

Summary

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 December 2014

Incident Code

Location

نصاب, Nisab District, Shabwa Governorate, Yemen

During the morning of the 6th December 2014, the US confirmed that it conducted a joint airdrop operation with Yemeni special forces, a ground attack by marines and a bombardment to attempt a hostage rescue which resulted in the death of two of the hostages, reportedly at the hands of the al-Qaeda militants, along with…

Summary

6 December 2014

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

Civilians reported killed

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Small arms and light weapons, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

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Incident Date

Incident Code

Location

Baraawe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

At least one and as many as seven al Shabaab militants were killed in a naval raid carried out by US forces in Barawe, Lower Shabelle, international media reported. There were no reports of civilian harm. It was not at first clear who was the target of the raid. Reports varied from an unnamed Chechen;…

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

جعار, Ja'ar, Abyan, Yemen

Between 12 and 16 Al Qaeda fighters were killed in a suspected US or Yemeni airstrike or ground operation on Jaar, Abyan on June 11, 2012, local media reported. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. Reuters cited a Yemeni military official who said that "the army launched its most serious assault on…

Summary

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

جعار, Ja'ar, Abyan, Yemen

A factory reportedly used by Al Qaeda for weapon storage to the north of Jaar was targeted in an alleged Yemeni airstrike as fighting in the city continued, sources reported, adding that up to 14 Al Qaeda militants were killed in the battle, with between nine and 13 killed by the airstrike, on May 20,…

Summary

Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)

Military actors reported killed

Causes of Death / Injury

Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons

Yemeni Air Force

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