Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Three Al Shabaab fighters were allegedly killed in a US airstike near Wadajir, according to AFRICOM.
The US military’s press release said: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a precision airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Wadajir, Somalia, Feb. 19. The command’s initial assessment concluded this precision airstrike killed three terrorists. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.”
SONNA also confirmed the strike in cooperation with the US and said that operations against Al Shabaab were being scaled up in the south of country.
Caasimada reported additional security operations by the Somali government in the area on this date.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the town of Wadajir, for which the coordinates are: 1.746667, 44.486111
Summary
Sources (17) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a precision airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Wadajir, Somalia, Feb. 19.
“Al-Shabaab attacks range from unsophisticated to complex operations, and include assassinations, IEDs and vehicle-borne IED attacks, among other brutal tactics,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, U.S. Africa Command deputy director of intelligence. “Removing even one of these terrorists from the field supports our partners on the ground and prevents that individual terrorist from planning or executing future attacks on Africans and Americans.”
The command’s initial assessment concluded this precision airstrike killed three terrorists.
We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.
Somalia remains key to the security environment of East Africa, and its long-term stability is important to advancing U.S. interests in the region. We will continue to work together on our support of the Federal Government of Somalia in its effort to bring improved governance, development and stability to the Somali people.