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List of assassinations by the United States

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of individuals who have been the targets of assassination by the United States. American authorities usually define these killings as 'targeted killings'.[1]

Successful assassinations

More information Target, Position ...
TargetPositionDateLocationCountryNationalityMethodNotes
Charlemagne Péralte Supreme commander of the Cacos. 1919-11-01 Near Sainte-Suzanne Haiti Haiti Shooting. [2][3]
Isoroku Yamamoto Gensui of the Imperial Japanese Navy, Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, mastermind of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. 1943-04-18 Bougainville Island Territory of New Guinea Empire of Japan Plane shot down. Part of Operation Vengeance.[4]
Viet Cong operatives Various. 1966–1972 Various South Vietnam South Vietnam North Vietnam North Vietnam Torture murder. Part of Phoenix Program.[4]
Thai Khac Chuyen South Vietnamese secret agent and translator 1969-06-20 Nha Trang South Vietnam South Vietnam South Vietnam South Vietnam Drugged and shot. [5][6][7][8]
Fred Hampton and Mark Clark Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party (F. Hampton). 1969-12-4 Chicago, Illinois United States United States United States United States Shooting. [9][10][11]
Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi Participant in the USS Cole bombing. 2002-11-03 Sanaa Yemen Yemen Drone strike. Killed alongside 5 others in the 2002 Marib airstrike, including American citizen Kamal Derwish.[12]
Various Iraqi insurgent groups including Al-Qaeda in Iraq, ex-Ba'athists (FRLs), Special Groups backed by Iran etc. Various, 1000+ HVTs assassinated. 2003–2009 Throughout Iraq Iraq Various Drone/air strikes, sniper operations, bombings, raids etc. Assassination campaign carried out by JSOC and CIA paramilitaries in secret to quell the anti-U.S. insurgency in Iraq.[13][14][15][16]
Naik Muhammad Wazir Pro-Taliban militant leader. 2004-06-18 South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan Pakistan Drone strike. [17]
Haitham al-Yemeni Explosives expert for Al-Qaeda. 2005-05-08 North Waziristan Pakistan Yemen Drone strike.
Abu Hamza Rabia Third highest Al-Qaeda leader. 2005-12-01 North Waziristan Pakistan Egypt Drone strike. [18]
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. 2006-06-07 Baqubah, Diyala Governorate Iraq Iraq Jordan Air strike. JSOC air strike.[19]
Abu Laith al-Libi Senior commander of Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. 2008-01-29 North Waziristan Pakistan Libya Libya Drone strike. [18]
Imad Mughniya Deputy commander of Hezbollah and assassin. 2008-02-12 Damascus Syria Lebanon Car bombing. Joint C.I.A.–Mossad operation.
Abu Khabab al-Masri Head of Al-Qaeda chemical weapons programme. 2008-07-28 South Waziristan Pakistan Egypt Drone strike. [18]
Abu Wafa al Saudi Involved in Al-Qaeda logistics. 2008-09-04 Drone strike. [18]
Abu Haris Al-Qaeda commander. 2008-09-08 North Waziristan District Pakistan Unknown Drone strike. [20][18]
Khalid Habib Senior member of Al-Qaeda. 2008-10-16 near Taparghai Pakistan Egypt Drone strike. [18]
Mohammad Hasan Khalil al-Hakim Head of Al-Qaeda propaganda. 2008-10-31 North Waziristan Pakistan Egypt Drone strike. [18]
Abu Zubair al-Masri Explosives expert for Al-Qaeda. 2008-11-22 North Waziristan Pakistan Egypt Drone strike. [18]
Rashid Rauf Senior member of Al-Qaeda. 2008-11-22 North Waziristan Pakistan United Kingdom Drone strike. [18][21]
Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam One of the perpetrators of the 1998 United States embassy bombings. 2009-01-01 Karikot, South Waziristan Pakistan Kenya Drone strike. [22][18]
Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan One of the perpetrators of the 1998 United States embassy bombings. 2009-01-01 Karikot, South Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Kenya Kenya Drone strike. [22][23]
Baitullah Mehsud Leader of Tehrik-i-Taliban. 2009-08-05 South Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Drone strike. [18]
Tohir Yoʻldosh Leader of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. 2009-08-27 Zhob, Balochistan Pakistan Uzbekistan Drone strike. [18]
Najmiddin Jalolov Leader of Islamic Jihad Union. 2009-09-14 Near Mir Ali, North Waziristan Pakistan Uzbekistan Drone strike. [24][18]
Saleh al-Somali Senior member of Al-Qaeda. 2009-12-08 Federally Administered Tribal Areas Pakistan Somalia Drone strike. [18]
Abdullah Said al Libi Senior member of Al-Qaeda. 2009-12-17 North Waziristan Pakistan Libya Libya Drone strike. [18]
Sa'ad bin LadenOne of Osama bin Laden's sons.[25]2009Unspecified Pakistan Saudi ArabiaDrone strike.
Ahmed Mohammed Hamed Ali Participant in the 1998 United States embassy bombings. 2010 Unspecified Pakistan Egypt Drone strike.
Qari Mohammad Zarif Leader of Fada'iyan-e Islam. 2010-02-24 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan Pakistan Drone strike. [26][18]
Saeed al-Masri Head of Al-Qaeda finances. 2010-05-21 Boya, North Waziristan Pakistan Egypt Drone strike. [18]
Hamza al-Jufi Leader of Jundallah. 2010-06-29 Near Wana, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan Egypt Drone strike. [27][18]
Sheikh al-Fatah Leader of Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 2010-09-25 Drone strike. [18]
Abu Ibrahim Leader of Fursan-i-Mohammed. 2010-10-06 Drone strike. [18]
Sheik Fateh al MasriTop commander of the Lashkar al Zil.[25]2010-12Drone strike.
Abu Zaid al-Iraqi Head of Al-Qaeda finances in Pakistan. 2011-02-20 Drone strike. [18]
Osama bin Laden Leader of Al-Qaeda, mastermind of the September 11 attacks. 2011-05-02 Bilal Town, Abbottabad Pakistan Pakistan Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia United States Navy SEALs raid. Part of Operation Neptune Spear.
Ilyas Kashmiri Senior member of Al-Qaeda. 2011-06-03 North Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Drone strike. [18]
Atiyah Abd al-Rahman Osama bin Laden's Chief of Staff. 2011-08-22 North Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Libya Libya Drone strike. [18]
Abu Hafs al-Shahri Al-Qaeda commander. 2011-09-11 Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan Pakistan Saudi Arabia Drone strike. [28][29][18]
Anwar al-Awlaki Member of Al-Qaeda. 2011-09-30 Al Jawf Yemen Yemen United States United States Drone strike.
Abu Miqdad al Masri Member of Al-Qaeda. 2011-10-14 Drone strike. [18]
Aslam Awan Deputy leader of external operations for Al-Qaeda. 2012-01-10 Drone strike. [18]
Bader Mansoor Leader of an Al-Qaeda affiliate. 2012-02-09 Drone strike. [18]
Fahd al-Quso Officer of Al-Qaeda and facilitator 2012-05-06 Rafdh district Yemen Yemen Drone strike. [30][31]
Abu Yahya al-Libi Senior member of Al-Qaeda. 2012-06-04 Mir Ali Pakistan Pakistan Libya Libya Drone strike. [18]
Usman Adil Leader of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. 2012-04-29 Miranshah, North Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Uzbekistan Drone strike. [18][32]
Abdul Shakoor al-Turkistani Turkistan Islamic Party. 2012-08-24 North Waziristan Pakistan China China Drone strike. [18]
Hassan Ghul Al-Qaeda courier 2012-10-01 North Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Drone strike. [33]
Yaseen al Somali Deputy Commander for Al-Qaeda training. 2013-01-08 Haider Khel, North Waziristan Pakistan Lebanon Drone strike. [18][34][35]
Abu Ubaydah Abdullah al-Adam Commander for Al-Qaeda intelligence. 2013-04-14 Drone strike. [18]
Abu Saif al Jaziri Senior commander for training of Al-Qaeda. 2013-07-03 Drone strike. [18]
Sangeen Zadran Operational commander of Haqqani network 2013-09-05 North Waziristan Pakistan Afghanistan Drone strike. [36]
Hakimullah Mehsud Emir of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan 2013-11-01 Dande Darpa Khel, North Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Drone strike. [37]
Ahmed Abdi Godane Leader of Al-Shabaab.[25] 2014-09-01 Hawaay, Lower Shabelle Somalia Somalia Somalia Somalia Drone strike.
Sheikh Imran Ali Siddi Leader of Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent. 2014-10-11 Tirah, North Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Drone strike. [38][18]
Umar Farooq Commander of Al-Qaeda.[39] 2014-12-07 Dattakhel, North Waziristan Pakistan Pakistan Drone strike. [18]
Adam Yahiye Gadahn Al-Qaeda spokesperson and media advisor. 2015-01-19 Waziristan Pakistan United States United States Drone strike. [18]
Adan GararSuspected of a role in the Westgate Mall attack.[25]2015-03DiinsoorSomalia SomaliaSomalia SomaliaDrone strike.[40][41][42]
Ibrahim Sulayman Muhammad Arbaysh Senior member of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. 2015-04-12 Hadhramaut Yemen Yemen Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Drone strike.
Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi Senior member of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. 2015-05-07 Mukalla Yemen Yemen Yemen Yemen Drone strike.
Akhtar Mansur Supreme leader of the Taliban 2016-05-21 Ahmad Wal, Balochistan Pakistan Afghanistan Drone strike. [43][44]
Hamza bin Laden Son of Osama bin Laden, emerging leader of al-Qaeda 2017-2019 Afghanistan/Pakistan region Afghanistan Afghanistan Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Drone strike. Details remain scarce.[45][46][47]
Qasem Soleimani Commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 2020-01-03 Baghdad Iraq Iraq Iran Iran Drone strike. Soleimani was the second most powerful person in Iran.[48]
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis Deputy Chairman of the Popular Mobilization Forces. 2020-01-03 Baghdad Iraq Iraq Iraq Iraq Drone strike. One of Iraq’s most powerful men.[49]
Qasim al-Raymi Leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. 2020-02-07 Wald Rabi' District, Al Bayda Governorate Yemen Yemen Yemen Yemen Drone strike. [50][51]
Maher al-Agal Leader of ISIS in Syria. 2022-07-12 Jindires, Aleppo Governorate Syria Syria Syria Syria Drone strike. [52]
Ayman al-Zawahiri Leader of Al-Qaeda. 2022-07-31 Kabul Afghanistan Afghanistan Egypt Egypt Drone strike.
Usamah al-Muhajir Leader of ISIS forces in East Syria. 2023-07-09 Aleppo Governorate Syria Syria Syria Syria Drone strike. [53][54][55]
Mushtaq Talib Al-Saeedi (Abu Taqwa) Senior Commander of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba. 2024-01-04 Baghdad Iraq Iraq Drone strike. [56]
Wissam al-Saadi (Abu Baqir) Senior Commander of Kata'ib Hezbollah. 2024-02-07 Baghdad Iraq Iraq Drone strike. He was in charge of Kata'ib Hezbollah’s operations in Syria.[57][58]
Arkan al-Alawi Senior Kata'ib Hezbollah commander and intelligence operative. 2024-02-07 Baghdad Iraq Iraq Drone strike. [59][60]
Abdallah Makki Muslih al Rifai (Abu Khadijah) ISIS’s chief of global operations, the second in command in Iraq. 2025-03-13 Al Anbar Province  Iraq  Iraq Air strike. [61]
Ali Khamenei Iran's Supreme Leader. 2026-02-28 Tehran  Iran  Iran Air strike. Part of Operation Epic Fury.[62][63][64][65]
Abu Hassan Al-Fariji Kata'ib Hezbollah commander. 2026-03-04 Babil Province Iraq Iraq Drone strike. [66]
Abu Ali al-Askari Senior Security Commander of KH 2026-03-14 Baghdad Iraq Iraq Air strike. [67][68]
Niño Guerrero Leader of Tren de Aragua, drug trafficker. 2026-6-12 Sifontes Municipality Venezuela Venezuela Air strike. [69][70]
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Failed attempts

More information Target, Position ...
Target Position Date Location Country Nationality Method Notes
Muammar Gaddafi Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution of Libya. 1986-04-15 Bab al-Azizia Libya Libya Libya Libya Air strike. Part of the 1986 United States bombing of Libya.[4]
Saddam HusseinPresident of Iraq2003-03-19Dora Farm Complex, Dora, Baghdad Iraq Iraq Iraq Iraq Air strike. The George W. Bush Presidency authorized the U.S. military to launch "decapitation strikes", prior to the invasion of Iraq.[71][72]
Ahmad Shah Leader of an anti-coalition militia (ACM) 2005-06-27 Sawtalo Sar, Kunar Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan SEAL Team and U.S. Marines raid. Part of Operation Red Wings, resulted in the death of 19 U.S. soldiers including a 4-man SEAL reconnaissance team.
Abdul Reza Shahlai IRGC-QF Brigadier General 2020-01-03 Sana’a Yemen Yemen Iran Iran Drone strike. U.S. Special Operations Forces tried to liquidate Shahlai as part of an American effort to cripple the leadership of Iran's Quds Force.[73]
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Planned but unexecuted assassinations

More information Target, Position ...
Target Position Nationality Method Notes
Fidel Castro Prime Minister of Cuba, President of Cuba, and First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party. Cuba
See also: CIA assassination attempts on Fidel Castro

Reported by the Church Committee.[4]

Patrice Lumumba Prime Minister of Congo-Leopoldville Congo-Léopoldville Reported by the Church Committee.[4]
Rafael Trujillo President of the Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Reported by the Church Committee.[4]
Ngo Dinh Diem President of South Vietnam South Vietnam Reported by the Church Committee.[4]
René Schneider Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army Chile Reported by the Church Committee.[4]
Sukarno President of Indonesia Indonesia Reported by the Rockefeller Commission[74]
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