Incident Code
USSOM061
Incident Date
30 August 2016
Location
Gobanle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Geolocation
3.12222,
44.76507
Accuracy: Village
Geolocation
3.12222,
44.76507
Accuracy: Village
Airwars Assessment
Last Updated: December 15, 2024
(Previous Incident Code: SOM041)
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 counter-terrorism operation, multiple al Shabaab fighters had approached the force, and that US personnel conducted the action.
Key Information
Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
No
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military actors reported killed
2
Geolocation Notes
Reports of the incident mention the village of Gobanala (or Gobanle), for which the generic coordinates are: 3.12222, 44.76507. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Military Statements
U.S. Forces Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S. Forces
U.S. Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed
U.S. Forces Strike Report
"On August 30, 2016 U.S. forces conducted a self-defense strike against al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-associated terrorist group, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia near Gobanale, Somalia. The strike resulted in the death of two (2) al-Shabaab militants.
During a Somali-led counterterrorism operation, multiple armed al-Shabaab fighters approached the force, threatening their safety and security. In response, U.S. forces conducted the self-defense action."