Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM159

Incident date

November 20, 2018

Location

Caad, Mudug, Somalia

Geolocation

5.013041, 47.992239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

AFRICOM reported the following day that it had “conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Quy Cad, Somalia on November 20, 2018.”

It added: “We currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike “killed seven (7) militants”.

In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM again confirmed it had struck on this date what it says were “al Shabaab fighters”, in the vicinity of Quy Cad, Somalia.

No additional information is presently known about this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the vicinity of the village of Quy Cad (or Caad), for which the coordinates are: 5.013041, 47.992239. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    7

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces

Al-Shabaab Degraded by U.S., Federal Government of Somalia


To support the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Quy Cad, Somalia on November 20, 2018.

We currently assess this airstrike killed seven (7) militants.

We currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians.

This precision airstrike was conducted in coordination with and in support of the Federal Government of Somalia as it continues to degrade al-Shabaab. Airstrikes reduce al-Shabaab’s ability to plot future attacks, disrupt its leadership networks, and degrade its freedom of maneuver within the region.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    7

Sources (4) [ collapse]