US Forces in Somalia

Library image of an armed Reaper drone, December 2019 (US Air Force/ Senior Sergeant Haley Stevens)

Belligerent
Country
Somalia
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Strike Status
Strike Type
Infrastructure

Incident Code

USSOM059

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

El Adde, Gedo, Somalia

Geolocation

3.03594, 41.86737 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local residents said jets bombed an al Shabaab camp near El Adde in Gedo region late at night on Sunday July 24.

The attack hit the same area that 100 Kenyan peacekeepers were killed in January 2016 when al Shabaab forces overran their base.

It was attributed to the Kenyan Defence Force with the Pentagon telling the Bureau of Investigative Journalism the US was not responsible. Some reports said as many as 70 al Shabaab were killed though the limited capacity of the KDF aircraft raises questions over this claim.

Research by Kenyan NGO Journalists for Justice found multiple occasions when claims that airstrikes caused mass al Shabaab casualties were false. A report documented incidents when jets failed to kill members of the terrorist group and instead hit “civilian villages, water-points and livestock”.

The KDF operates 22 F-5 Tiger fighters and ground attack aircraft, according to the 2016 Military Balance, published by London thinktank the International Institute for Strategic Studies. However its equipment in general is known to be aging and it is “experiencing declining levels of operability”, according to IHS Janes. It is not clear how precise a night strike by its limited strike fighter fleet could be.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    70

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted an Al Shabaab camp near the town Al Adde, in the same area where the Battle of El Adde took place, in which 100 Kenyan peacekeepers were killed earlier in 2016. One source reported that jets targeted ‘civilian villages, water points and livestock’. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the precise location of the strike. The coordinates for El Adde are: 3.03594, 41.86737.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kenyan Military Forces
  • Kenyan Military Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    70

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM058

Incident date

June 21, 2016

Location

South-central, Somalia

Geolocation

3.170679, 44.588176 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The US conducted “a self-defence strike against al Shabaab, killing three” in southern Somalia, describing the action as having “provided defensive fires to protect U.S. troops from imminent threats posed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.”

A statement from US Africa Command (Africom) issued at the time said “the operation was conducted after it was assessed the terrorists were planning and preparing to conduct an imminent attack against US forces.”

Writing about the incident, The Hill noted that “There are about 50 U.S. forces on the ground in Somalia, in support of partner forces fighting al-Shabab militants. The strike comes amid a new assessment by IHS Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre that said over the course of 2015 and 2016, al-Shabab has “been expanding capabilities and increasing the tempo of attacks.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident only mention that the strike took place in South-central Somalia, for which the generic coordinates are: 3.170679, 44.588176. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

"On June 21, 2016 in southern Somalia U.S. forces conducted a self-defense strike against al-Shabaab, killing three. The operation was conducted after it was assessed the terrorists were planning and preparing to conduct an imminent attack against U.S. forces."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM057

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Location

Galgala, Bari, Somalia

Geolocation

10.99167, 49.05736 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Unidentified jets struck what were described as “al Shabaab hideouts” in Galgala in the northern autonomous region of Puntland, according to a local report.

Garowe Online said the strikes – carried out by warplanes “launched from a carrier at sea” – hit militants in their bases along the Golis Mountain Ranges in Puntland, northern Somalia. It also reported that civilian infrastructure, including “nomadic build up vicinities and water wells”, was struck “by mistake.”

There were however no known reports of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Galgala, for which the generic coordinates are: 10.99167, 49.05736. Due to limited information and satellite imagery availble to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attackers
    US Forces, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM056

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Location

Farwamo, near Bulogadud, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

1.47922, 42.528713 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 16 al Shabaab fighters died in an operation reportedly carried out by Somali forces with US support, multiple sources said. The US claimed at the time that at the time that Somali forces alone were responsible for the kinetic actions. However, a FOIA response obtained in 2019 confirmed that the US had in fact carried out a strike in the vicinity on an “al Shabaab named objective”. There are currently no reports of civilian harm associated with this incident.

Four commanders were among up to 16 reported dead, including a senior figure, Mohamed Mohamud Ali, who was said to have been one of several fighters responsible for the killing of 148 students in their dormitories at Garissa University in eastern Kenya on August 2nd 2015.

Initial reports varied but several suggested US forces conducted the attack. Others said the US had assisted African troops with helicopters. US spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Baldanza told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism: “US forces supported this Somali-led operation in an advise and assist role”.

According to Capital FM, “Sixteen armed men, four of them senior commanders including Mohamed Mohamud Ali known as Dulyadin… were killed by the Somali commandos and the special forces of the Jubaland,” [said] Abdirashid Janan, minister of state security for Jubaland, an autonomous region in southern Somalia.”

Somali officials first claimed that al Shabaab member Mohammed Dulyadeen was killed in the attack. The US was more circumspect. “We have received initial reports of a ground operation conducted in southern Somalia last night by the Somali National Army,” Baldanza told the Bureau. “The operation may have resulted in the death of al Shabaab member Mohammed Dulyadeen, also known as ‘Mohammed Kuno’ and ‘Kuno Gamadere. We are working with Somali officials to assess the results of the operation and will provide further details when appropriate.”

US Africa Command were more forthright on June 8th 2016, reporting “further assessment by US forces also indicates that Dulyadeen was killed in the operation.” That AFRICOM press release makes no mention of a US strike but says “a Somali National Army unit led a ground operation near Gaduud, Somalia”.

However, in a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM reported it had struck what it says was an “al Shabaab named objective”, in the Gaduud area of Somalia.

Al Shabaab itself confirmed Dulyadeen had died on June 21st 2016. The group said: “We console ourselves and our nation for the martyrdom of the Muslim knight commander Sheik Mohamed Mohamud Ali (Dulyadin). May Allah accept him and lift him to paradise.”

The attack reportedly took place in Farwamo village, 30km north of the port of Kismayo.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared 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 attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    16

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohamed Mohamud Ali known as Dulyadin (via FILE/Capital FM)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted the village Farwamo near Bulogudud, 30 kilometres north of the city Kismayo. A subsequent FOIA response pointed to the area around the village Gaduud (1.478266, 42.496045). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the village Farwamo. The coordinates for Bulogudud are: 1.47922, 42.528713.

  • The villages Gaduud and Bulogadud

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

An AFRICOM press release on June 8th stated:

STUTTGART, Germany -- U.S. Africa Command has completed assessment of two recent actions against al-Shabaab targets in Somalia.
On May 27, 2016 U.S. forces carried out an airstrike in south-central Somalia targeting Abdullahi Haji Da'ud a senior military commander for al-Shabaab. The final assessment of that operation concludes that Da’ud was struck and killed in the airstrike.

On May 31, a Somali National Army unit led a ground operation near Gaduud, Somalia, with the intent to capture extremists associated with al-Shabaab. An initial assessment of that operation by Somali authorities indicated that it resulted in the death of al-Shabaab member Mohammed Dulyadeen, also known as "Mohammed Kuno” and “Kuno Gamadere." Further assessment by U.S. forces also indicates that Dulyadeen was killed in the operation.

We are confident that the removal from the terrorist network of these two experienced al-Shabaab leaders will disrupt near-term attack planning, potentially saving many innocent lives.

U.S. forces remain committed to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army, and our African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) partners in defeating al-Shabaab and establishing a safe and secure environment in Somalia.


In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM reported it had struck what it says was an "al Shabaab named objective", in the Gaduud, Somali.

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Somali Military Forces

“Sixteen armed men, four of them senior commanders including Mohamed Mohamud Ali known as Dulyadin… were killed by the Somali commandos and the special forces of the Jubaland,” Abdirashid Janan, minister of state security for Jubaland, an autonomous region in southern Somalia.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared 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 attackers
    US Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    16

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM055

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.494527, 42.777868 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A statement from the Pentagon said an airstrike in south-central Somalia had targeted Abdullahi Haji Daud – but initially did not confirm whether Daud had been killed. However on June 8th, Africom announced a “final assessment” which concluded “Daud was struck and killed in the airstrike”. There are currently no reports of civilian harm.

It was not immediately clear if Daud was the same man as the Maalim Daud who had been on the US Rewards for Justice wanted list since November 2015. The US government was offering up to $5m (£3.5m on June 2 2016) as reward for information regarding that man’s whereabouts.

In November 2019 the US Reward page for Daud remained active – suggesting he may not in fact have been killed.

The full Pentagon statement read: “On May 27, US forces carried out an airstrike in south-central Somalia targeting Abdullahi Haji Daud, a senior military commander for al Shabaab. Daud was one of al Shabaab’s most senior military planners and served as a principal coordinator of al Shabaab’s militia attacks in Somalia, Kenya, and Uganda. He held several positions of authority within the terrorist organization over the years, including head of the Amniyat, al Shabaab’s Security and Intelligence Branch.

Daud has been responsible for the loss of many innocent lives through attacks he has planned and carried out. We are confident that the removal from the terrorist network of this experienced al Shabaab commander with extensive operational experience will disrupt near-term attack planning, potentially saving many innocent lives.

We are currently assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate. US forces remain committed to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army, and our [Amisom] partners in defeating al Shabaab and establishing a safe and secure environment in Somalia.”

In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM again confirmed it had struck what it says was “a named al Shabaab objective” fighters, in Jilib, Somalia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The US Rewards for Justice page for Daud was still active in November 2019 - indicating that he may not actually have been killed three years previously.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident initially only mentioned that the strike took place in South-central Somalia. A subsequent FOIA response pointed to the town Jilib as location of the strike. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The coordinates for the town Jilib are: 0.494527, 42.777868.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

On June 1st 2016, The Pentagon stated:

"On May 27, U.S. forces carried out an airstrike in south-central Somalia targeting Abdullahi Haji Da'ud, a senior military commander for al-Shabaab. Da'ud was one of al-Shabaab's most senior military planners and served as a principal coordinator of al-Shabaab's militia attacks in Somalia, Kenya, and Uganda. He held several positions of authority within the terrorist organization over the years, including head of the Amniyat, al-Shabaab's Security and Intelligence Branch.

Da'ud has been responsible for the loss of many innocent lives through attacks he has planned and carried out. We are confident that the removal from the terrorist network of this experienced al-Shabaab commander with extensive operational experience will disrupt near-term attack planning, potentially saving many innocent lives.

We are currently assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate. U.S. forces remain committed to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army, and our African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) partners in defeating al-Shabaab and establishing a safe and secure environment in Somalia.

On June 8th 2106, AFRICOM reported:

STUTTGART, Germany -- U.S. Africa Command has completed assessment of two recent actions against al-Shabaab targets in Somalia.
On May 27, 2016 U.S. forces carried out an airstrike in south-central Somalia targeting Abdullahi Haji Da'ud a senior military commander for al-Shabaab. The final assessment of that operation concludes that Da’ud was struck and killed in the airstrike.

On May 31, a Somali National Army unit led a ground operation near Gaduud, Somalia, with the intent to capture extremists associated with al-Shabaab. An initial assessment of that operation by Somali authorities indicated that it resulted in the death of al-Shabaab member Mohammed Dulyadeen, also known as "Mohammed Kuno” and “Kuno Gamadere." Further assessment by U.S. forces also indicates that Dulyadeen was killed in the operation.

We are confident that the removal from the terrorist network of these two experienced al-Shabaab leaders will disrupt near-term attack planning, potentially saving many innocent lives.

U.S. forces remain committed to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army, and our African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) partners in defeating al-Shabaab and establishing a safe and secure environment in Somalia."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM054

Incident date

May 13, 2016

Location

Southern Somalia, Somalia

Geolocation

1.856515, 42.984748 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In June 2016, the US reported that six weeks earlier it had struck a group of al Shabaab fighters, killing three.

According to the AFRICOM statement released on June 27th 2016, “U.S. forces supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army and troop contributing nations to the African Union Mission in Somalia, provided defensive fires on four occasions in May, to protect U.S., SNA and AMISOM troops from imminent threats posed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.

The most recent event was on the evening of May 13, 2016, when the U.S. provided defensive fires in Southern Somalia against nine al-Shabaab combatants, killing three.  The operation was conducted after it was assessed that the terrorists were planning and preparing to conduct an imminent attack against U.S. forces.”

No other details are presently known about this event.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–6

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in southern Somalia, for which the generic coordinates are: 1.856515, 42.984748. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

STUTTGART, Germany – U.S. forces supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army and troop contributing nations to the African Union Mission in Somalia, provided defensive fires on four occasions in May, to protect U.S., SNA and AMISOM troops from imminent threats posed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.

The most recent event was on the evening of May 13, 2016, when the U.S. provided defensive fires in Southern Somalia against nine al-Shabaab combatants, killing three. The operation was conducted after it was assessed that the terrorists were planning and preparing to conduct an imminent attack against U.S. forces.

Other similar actions were undertaken on three other occasions in May, including one on May 9 and two on May 12. These defensive fire missions all took place in remote locations in Somalia under al-Shabaab control, which are currently the focus of a Somali and AMISOM-led campaign to regain control of territory for the Somali Federal Government, and to disrupt al-Shabaab’s ability to freely plan and carry out attacks.

U.S. forces are working closely with partner forces to combat al-Shabaab in Somalia. Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and continues to use its safe havens throughout Somalia to plot attacks against U.S. citizens and interests in East Africa, as well as against our international partners in the region.

The U.S. is committed to supporting Somali and regional forces as they combat al-Shabaab and work to bring stability to the region.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–6

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM053

Incident date

May 12, 2016

Location

Sabiid, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

2.12943, 45.03595 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US air strike reportedly killed five people – all of them said to be al Shabaab fighters. The attack was defensive and conducted to protect African troops on the ground, an Africom spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

The Ugandan soldiers, part of the African Union peacekeeping force Amisom, were attacking a makeshift roadblock set up by al Shabaab. The roadblock was approximately 40km southwest of Mogadishu, demonstrating the degree al Shabaab continue to enjoy free movement through Somalia’s rural areas. The Ugandan contingent got into a firefight with about 15 to 20 al Shabaab fighters and the US provided them with air support.

Unnamed US defence officials told CNN that US forces who were mentoring the African soldiers came under fire, but the Africom spokesperson denied this. She described the operation to the Bureau in an email:

“We are in an advise and assist role with Amisom forces from troop contributing nations. These forces work together to conduct counter-terrorism operations against al Shabaab. And this time it was Ugandan Amisom troops came under fire from al Shabaab fighters, as the Amisom forces were stopping an illegal al Shabaab check point. Subsequently in the early morning of May 12 the US conducted defensive fires against the al Shabaab fighters in southern Somalia who posed an imminent threat to the Amisom forces.”

In a June 27th 2016 press release, AFRICOM said it had in fact carried out two “defensive fire missions all took place in remote locations in Somalia under al-Shabaab control” – which may or may not have been at the same locations. For the present, Airwars is counting these as a single event.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sabiid, near Afgoye, for which the coordinates are: 2.12943, 45.03595. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

U.S. forces did not come under fire as previously reported.
We are in an advise and assist role with AMISOM forces from troop contributing nations. These forces work together to conduct counter-terrorism operations against Al-Shabaab. And this time it was Ugandan AMISOM troops came under fire from al-Shabaad fighters, as the AMISOM forces were stopping an illegal al-Shabaab check point. Subsequently in the early morning of 12 May the U.S. conducted defensive fires against the al-Shabaab fighters in southern Somalia who posed an imminent threat to the AMISOM forces.

US Africom via email

AFRICOM statement June 27th 2016:
STUTTGART, Germany – U.S. forces supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army and troop contributing nations to the African Union Mission in Somalia, provided defensive fires on four occasions in May, to protect U.S., SNA and AMISOM troops from imminent threats posed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.

The most recent event was on the evening of May 13, 2016, when the U.S. provided defensive fires in Southern Somalia against nine al-Shabaab combatants, killing three. The operation was conducted after it was assessed that the terrorists were planning and preparing to conduct an imminent attack against U.S. forces.

Other similar actions were undertaken on three other occasions in May, including one on May 9 and two on May 12. These defensive fire missions all took place in remote locations in Somalia under al-Shabaab control, which are currently the focus of a Somali and AMISOM-led campaign to regain control of territory for the Somali Federal Government, and to disrupt al-Shabaab’s ability to freely plan and carry out attacks.

U.S. forces are working closely with partner forces to combat al-Shabaab in Somalia. Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and continues to use its safe havens throughout Somalia to plot attacks against U.S. citizens and interests in East Africa, as well as against our international partners in the region.

The U.S. is committed to supporting Somali and regional forces as they combat al-Shabaab and work to bring stability to the region.
https://www.africom.mil/media-room/pressrelease/28236/u-s-forces-conduct-defensive-fires-in-somalia-against-al-shabaab-terrorists-in-may

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared 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 attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM052

Incident date

May 9–10, 2016

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

2.25045, 44.69117 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Kenyan and Somali forces, and their US advisors, carried out a raid on an al Shabaab checkpoint in Toratorow. The US carried out an airstrike during the operation – though initially denied doing so.

Media reports said helicopters were involved, indicating that both US air and ground forces were participating. However a US spokesperson denied US air assets were deployed, telling the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in an email: “In the early morning hours of May 10, Kenyan Defense Forces and Somali National Army forces conducted a joint raid on an al Shabaab taxation checkpoint in Toratorow, with US forces participating in an advise and assist role. This was not a US-led nor was it a US-unilateral operation – US personnel did not participate in any kinetic operations.”

Yet just weeks later, AFRICOM noted in a public press release that “U.S. forces supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army and troop contributing nations to the African Union Mission in Somalia, provided defensive fires on four occasions in May, to protect U.S., SNA and AMISOM troops from imminent threats posed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab…. Other similar actions were undertaken on three other occasions in May, including one on May 9 and two on May 12.  These defensive fire missions all took place in remote locations in Somalia under al-Shabaab control, which are currently the focus of a Somali and AMISOM-led campaign to regain control of territory for the Somali Federal Government, and to disrupt al-Shabaab’s ability to freely plan and carry out attacks.”

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Known attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted an Al Shabaab checkpoint in the village Tortoroow. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of this checkpoint. The coordinates for the village Tortoroow are: 2.25045, 44.69117.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

STUTTGART, Germany – U.S. forces supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army and troop contributing nations to the African Union Mission in Somalia, provided defensive fires on four occasions in May, to protect U.S., SNA and AMISOM troops from imminent threats posed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.

The most recent event was on the evening of May 13, 2016, when the U.S. provided defensive fires in Southern Somalia against nine al-Shabaab combatants, killing three. The operation was conducted after it was assessed that the terrorists were planning and preparing to conduct an imminent attack against U.S. forces.

Other similar actions were undertaken on three other occasions in May, including one on May 9 and two on May 12. These defensive fire missions all took place in remote locations in Somalia under al-Shabaab control, which are currently the focus of a Somali and AMISOM-led campaign to regain control of territory for the Somali Federal Government, and to disrupt al-Shabaab’s ability to freely plan and carry out attacks.

U.S. forces are working closely with partner forces to combat al-Shabaab in Somalia. Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and continues to use its safe havens throughout Somalia to plot attacks against U.S. citizens and interests in East Africa, as well as against our international partners in the region.

The U.S. is committed to supporting Somali and regional forces as they combat al-Shabaab and work to bring stability to the region.

Kenyan Military Forces Assessment:

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

Somali Military Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Known attackers
    US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces, Somali Military Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (2) [ collapse]