Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM265

Incident date

January 7, 2020

Location

Lafta Anole neighborhood, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.379318, 42.0136 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Somali special forces military action backed by “international partners” killed 35 al Shabaab fighters in the vicinity of Lafta Anole neighborhood in Lower Juba, according to local and international media reports.

Xinhua carried the most detailed report: “Hassan Mohamad Aden, commander of the Danab Forces in Jubbaland State, said a joint operation was conducted by Somali army and international partners in Lafta Anole neighborhood in Lower Juba. ‘Following a tip of from the residents, our forces launched an attack in the area killing 35 al-Shabab militants including senior members,’ Aden said.

“Residents told Xinhua there was heavy gunfire that caused panic in the area. ‘Al-Shabab extremists in the village were attacked by government forces,’ said Safi Bilan, a resident. ‘There was also airstrike which caused many casualties.'”

Citing a Somali military official, Garowe said that US troops had participated in the attack: “Tuesday’s operation was also backed by international partners among them the elite US troops, who have been active in the fight against Al-Shabaab, the official said.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Lafta Anole neighbourhood within the Lower Juba district in Southern Somalia. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Known belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    35

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Somali Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Known belligerent
    Somali Military Forces
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    35

Sources (3) [ collapse]