Local reports claimed that US airstrikes had targeted al Shabaab bases near Sakow in Middle Juba, in support of ground operations by Somali forces. AFRICOM itself did not publicly report any strikes on this date.

Goobjoog News reported what it said were US strikes in support of Somali ground operations “around Sakow district, the airstrike also raids and destructed another Al-Shabaab militia base, which had been stockpiling weapons and military equipment.”

It was not stated whether any alleged militants were harmed in the attack.

Anatolia Agency reporter Mohamed Dhaysane also reported strikes though did not identify a party, noting in a tweet that “Airstrike targeted alshabab facilities in Middle and lower #Juba provinces in Southern #Somalia, reports say several #AlShabaab have been killed”.

In an email exchange with Airwars on February 4th 2020, an official stated: “In short, U.S. Africa Command did not conduct any kinetic operations on Jan. 22, as alleged in your query.”

The incident was first reported on January 22, 2020 at 8:00 am by Mohamed Dhaysane.