Geolocation
Airwars assessment
A late night US strike on the village of Arbiska was reported by Radio Shabelle.
According to the local news outlet, “Suspected American fighter jets were reported to have carried out an overnight airstrike in Lower Shabelle region, targeting Al-Shabaab bases, residents said. The strike happened on the outskirt of Arbiska village, located near the capital, Mogadishu late last night, and no casualties reported.”
AFRICOM later said that it had “conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 15 miles southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 23”.
It added: “We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike had killed “ten (10) terrorists”.
In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM confirmed it had struck what it says were “al-Shabaab Fighters” on May 23rd, in the vicinity of Banaadir Region, Somalia.
The incident occured between 12:01 am and 4:00 am local time.
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the village of Arbiska, 15 miles southwest of Mogadishu. The coordinates for Arbiska (or Carbiska) are: 2.11218, 45.15267. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to locate the location further.
Summary
Sources (4) [ collapse]
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
U.S. Conducts Airstrike in Support of the Federal Government of Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 15 miles southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 23, killing ten (10) terrorists.
We currently assess no civilians were killed in this airstrike.
U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region.