Mabkhout Ali al Ameri with his 18-month old son Mohammed, shortly after a botched US raid on al Ghayil in January 2017 had killed at least 20 villagers, including Mohammed's mother Fatim Saleh Mohsen. © Iona Craig
Kenyans.co.ke reported that a joint operation by US Commandos, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Security Forces in Jubaland resulted in the death of 17 al-Shabaab militants in Weelmarow Village in Lower Juba. The source added that the majority of the al-Shabaab militants were Kenyan and Ethiopian natives.
No other sources reported on the incident.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Between 10 and 40 militants were killed by declared US airstrikes near Afmadow in Lower Juba on July 8, 2023.
AFRICOM announced on July 9, 2023 that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted three collective self-defense airstrikes overnight in a remote area near Afmadow, approximately 105 kilometers north of Kismayo, against al-Shabaab terrorists. The airstrike was in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization. Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed 10 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.”
Kenyans.co.ke reported that the operation was carried out with Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and according to the Counter Terrorism and Security Intelligence (CTNSIS), “three Kenyans were among the militants shot dead during the operation” as well as two other militants who were Ethiopians. CTNSIS added that the join operation captured an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) factory and recovered a Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED), and that the commandos were deployed to the Hagar area for the operation.
Voice of America joined out that the Somali government had also reported that three operations conducted by Somali forces and “international partners” in Afmadow resulted in the death of 40 militants.
AFRICOM spokeswoman Kelly Cahalan told Task & Purpose that no US troops were on the ground at the time of the airstrikes.
The incident occured during the night.
U.S. Forces provide assistance to Somalia National Army
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted three collective self-defense airstrikes overnight in a remote area near Afmadow, approximately 105 kilometers north of Kismayo, against al-Shabaab terrorists.
The airstrike was in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization.
Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed 10 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.
U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.
Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack partner and U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests.
Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.
U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.
Three Al Qaeda members were killed by alleged US drone strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa on June 22, 2023.
26sep News reported that American strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa resulted in the death of three Al Qaeda members. There are no additional details about those who were killed available.
All of the sources attributed the casualties to US strikes, with many of the sources mentioning drones.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Two civilian women were killed and two children were injured by alleged Kenyan or United Arab Emirates or US airstrikes on Salagle in Middle Jubba on June 16, 2023.
The Horn Observer reported that two civilians, a mother and her child, were killed and two other children sustained injuries from airstrikes on Salagle.
A tweet from @YusufGarabey also reported that two people were killed by the airstrikes, attributing them to Kenyan jets and identifying both of those killed as women.
The Horn Observer also pointed out that some local sources have attributed the airstrikes to the Kenyan army or drones from the United Arab Emirates, adding that the US has been known to carry out airstrikes in the area. However, no military has taken responsibility for the airstrikes at this time.
The incident occured during the night.
A civilian was injured by alleged Kenyan or United Arab Emirates or US airstrike on Saakow in Middle Jubba on June 16/17, 2023.
Horn Observer reported that a civilian was injured by airstrikes in Saakow, possibly carried out by Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, or the US.
Hormuud, Somalia’s largest telecom provider, also announced that their site was damaged by the airstrikes. The company released a statement that “there are reported human casualties but no Hormuud staff member was physically harmed, nevertheless the disruption of telecommunications services, destruction of property and emotional distress for local communities and our team have been significant.” @Hormuud also tweeted that the airstrikes caused disruption to their telecom and EVC Plus mobile money services, with @AhmedAKosar adding that more than 60,000 people were left without service.
Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with Garowe Online attributing the airstrike to the Kenyan Defense Forces while others referred to the UAE or US. At this time, no military has taken responsibility for the strikes. Multiple local sources pointed out the Kenya has previously bombed Hormuud installations.
The incident occured during the night.
43 al-Shabaab militants were killed by alleged US airstrikes near Jamaane District in Lower Jubba on June 16, 2023.
Garowe Online reported that airstrike carried out by the US struck a location where al-Shabaab militants were holding a meeting in Jamaane District in Lower Jubba, killing “several” militants. @SONNALIVE specified that the airstrikes occurred around 6:15pm in an area 14 km from Jamaane District, resulting in “heavy loss of life and many injuries.”
A tweet from @dhoorebbc identified Adan Abdirahman and Idiris Abdirahim Nur, a Kenyan National, as two top al-Shabaab officials who were killed by the US airstrike and Somali special forces near Jamaane town.
The Somali National News Agency (SONNA), quoted by VOA News, later reported that in addition to the two al-Shabaab leaders, a total of 43 al-Shabaab fighters were killed by the airstrike. According to SONNA, the militants were meeting to plan attacks against Barsanguni military base, which is home to the Somali National Army and local forces.
A tweet from @GaroweOnline pointed out that the strikes occurred just days after the head of AFRICOM visited Jubaland and met with President Ahmed Madobe on counterterrorism.
The incident occured at 18:15:00 local time.
An Al Qaeda leader was killed and four soldiers in the Shabwa Defense Forces were injured by alleged US drone strikes in Al Musinaa in Shabwa governorate on June 15, 2023.
A tweet from @aboalfatl2019 reported that “leader” Abu Muhammad al-Shalwani al-Awlaki was killed by American drones in Shaab Madhab in the Musinaa area. @egl3000 identified Abu Muhammad as an Al Qaeda leader, and a tweet by @ywsfl56704748 added that an American drone had bombed Al Qaeda sites in Shabwa.
While the majority of sources attribute the casualties in Musinaa to an American drone, @egl3000 mentioned a clash with the Shabwa Defense Forces while @OrintJournal reported that four soldiers of the Shabwa Defense Forces were injured in a drone attack, making it possible that the drone strikes occurred during clashes between Al Qaeda and the Shabwa Defense Forces.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
At least 19 al-Shabaab militants were killed by operations carried out by Somalia government forces and international partners in Bula-Mohamed-Abdalla village on June 11, 2023
Somali National News Agency (@SONNALIVE) announced that at least 19 al-Shabaab militants were killed by joint operations between the National Intelligence Service Agency and international allies in Bula-Mohamed-Abdalla village. In addition, vehicles and weapons were destroyed.
Other local and international sources provided similar details quoted from the Somali government sources, with @ZakeriyeAxmed added that they had not independently verified the claims.
While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement.
The local time of the incident is unknown.