Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEM153-C

Incident date

May 17–18, 2013

Location

المحفد، أبين‎, Al-Mahfad District, Abyan Governorate, Yemen

Geolocation

13.989198, 46.680717 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 18th, 2013 a drone reportedly launched three airstrikes in Abyan province overnight. The second of the three strikes hit the Al-Hada area in Al-Mahfad district and six people were reported injured without specifying if those injured were militants or civilians.

A CNN report, also published by Mareb Press, was the only source found to document the series of strikes and reported that a second raid on the “Al-Hada” area resulted in six wounded, without adding any details. While the source did not attribute the drone strikes to a belligerent, the US was the only country operating drones in Yemen during the time and the third drone strike of the evening was attributed to the US. Therefore, this incident has been classified as a “single source claim” and “weak”.

The incident occured around dawn.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al-Mahfad District (المحفد) in the Abyan Governorate (أبين‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 13.989198, 46.680717. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–6

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–6

Sources (1) [ collapse]