The first U.S. special operations raid authorized by President Trump resulted in the death of a Navy SEAL, civilian casualties, and destruction of a military aircraft.
Key Facts
- Date
- January 29, 2017
- U.S. fatality
- Navy SEAL William Owens killed in action
- Civilian deaths
- Between 10 and 30, including 8-year-old Nawar al-Awlaki
- Al-Qaeda fighters killed
- Up to 14
- Aircraft destroyed
- 1 Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey
- Primary target
- Qasim al-Raymi, AQAP leader
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
U.S. counterterrorism officials under President Obama prepared the operation to gather intelligence on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and to target its leader, Qasim al-Raymi. The mission was passed to the incoming Trump administration and authorized by President Trump nine days after he took office.
On January 29, 2017, U.S. Central Command and Special Operations Command, joined by UAE commandos and CIA assets, conducted a night raid on the village of al-Ghayil in Yemen's Al Bayda Governorate. The operation targeted AQAP leadership but encountered heavy resistance, resulting in the death of Navy SEAL William Owens, between 10 and 30 civilian casualties, and the destruction of an MV-22B Osprey aircraft.
The raid was widely described as botched, raising serious questions about whether it was launched without sufficient intelligence, ground support, or backup preparations. The death of eight-year-old American citizen Nawar al-Awlaki drew particular public scrutiny, and the operation prompted congressional and media investigations into the decision-making process that led to its authorization.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Donald Trump (authorizing authority).
Side B
1 belligerent
Qasim al-Raymi (AQAP leader, primary target).