Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM173

Incident date

December 19, 2018

Location

Beled Amin South​, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

1.8464383, 44.9888523 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A total of 11 al Shabaab militants were killed as US forces conducted two airstrikes in the vicinity of Beled Amin South on December 19th, a US Africa Command press release claimed. According to AFRICOM, no civilians were harmed.

The first strike referenced here killed eight militants and the second strike killed three militants, the US assessed.

It said the actions were carried out in self defence, after AMISOM troops being advised by US personnel were attacked.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the vicinity of Beled Amin South, for which the coordinates are: 1.8464383, 44.9888523. 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
    8

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

"To support the Federal Government of Somalia's continued efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, U.S. forces conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Beled Amin South, Somalia, on December 19, 2018.

Somali and African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) forces were conducting an operation in the region to clear known al-Shabaab facilities. U.S. personnel were present during the mission in an advisory capacity. The airstrikes were conducted in self-defense after al-Shabaab militants maneuvered on and engaged the combined force.

We currently assess the first strike killed eight (8) militants and we currently assess the second strike killed three (3) militants.

At this time we assess no civilians were injured or killed in the airstrikes.

No partner or U.S. service members were harmed during the operation."

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
    8

Sources (4) [ collapse]