Conflict

U.S. Forces in Somalia

Incident Code

USSOM152

Location

Araara, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.026888, 42.682822
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: SOM110)

Four al Shabaab fighters were killed as the US carried out a strike in Somalia in the vicinity of Araara, Lower Juba region, after partner forces came under attack from small arms fire, a US Africa Command press release stated.

The press release called it a “collective self-defense airstrike.” No US service members were apparently present on the ground during what it said was a Somali-led operation.

The strike killed four al Shabaab fighters, the press release claimed, while assessing that no civilians were harmed.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
No
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military actors reported killed
4

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the vicinity of Araara, for which the coordinates are: 0.026888, 42.682822. 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
"In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted a collective self-defense airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Araara, Somalia, on October 14, 2018. We currently assess this airstrike killed four (4) terrorists. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike. The airstrike was conducted after partner forces came under small arms fire. No U.S. service members were present on the ground during this Somali-led operation."

Media from Sources (1)