Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Somali officials reported the death of a senior al Shabaab commander during a gun battle at Wanlaweyn. It was not clear whether US forces had also participated in the raid.
According to the Horn Observer, “The special forces known as DANAB raided the house of Mohamed Osman Hussein Buluush, a mlitant bomb expert in the town of Wanlawein 90 south of the capital, where he was killed in a fight, according to the state run Somali National News Agency (SONNA). According to Ismail Abdi Malik, Somali miltary commander this militant is said to have replaced Mohamed Siidow another militant bomb expert who was killed in a strike at Caliyow Barrow village.
Garowe Online reported similarly: “Osman Hussein Bulush, SONNA said, was killed by government forces in Wanlaweyn, following fierce gunfight between the militants and SNA. Bulush replaced Siidow SONNA said: ‘Government forces managed to kill Osman Hussein Bulush, the head of Mutafajiraad after fierce gunfight.'”
The incident occured around midnight.
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the town of Wanlaweyn, for which the coordinates are: 2.61945, 44.89357