Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM061

Incident date

August 30, 2016

Location

Gobanle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

3.12222, 44.76507 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The US reported that it had conducted a “self-defense strike” against al Shabaab in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia in a press release published on September 7th.

It said the strike hit near Gobanale and had resulted in the deaths of two al Shabaab militants.

The press release reported that during a Somali-led counter-terrorism operation, multiple al Shabaab fighters had approached the force, and that US personnel conducted the action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • 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
    2

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Gobanala (or Gobanle), for which the generic coordinates are: 3.12222, 44.76507. 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 August 30, 2016 U.S. forces conducted a self-defense strike against al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-associated terrorist group, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia near Gobanale, Somalia. The strike resulted in the death of two (2) al-Shabaab militants.

During a Somali-led counterterrorism operation, multiple armed al-Shabaab fighters approached the force, threatening their safety and security. In response, U.S. forces conducted the self-defense action."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • 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
    2

Sources (2) [ collapse]