Conflict

U.S. Forces in Somalia

Incident Code

USSOM068

Location

Gaduud, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

-0.0741815, 42.5719168
Accuracy: Town
Sections

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: SOM045)

In the last declared Somalia strike of Barack Obama’s presidency, the US conducted a “self-defence strike” against al Shabaab on January 7th, according to a US Africa Command press release published on January 10th.

The strike was conducted “in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, Somali partner forces, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces and U.S. advisors” after al Shabaab fighters reportedly threatened their safety.

The press release referred to al Shabaab as an “al Qaeda-associated terrorist group”. Al Shabaab was by then considered to be an “associated force” of al Qaeda which gave the US military more leeway to target the group.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
No

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Gaduud, for which the generic coordinates are: -0.0741815, 42.5719168. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

U.S. Forces Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S. Forces
U.S. Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed
U.S. Forces Strike Report
Original Source ↗
"On January 7, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, Somali partner forces, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces and U.S. advisors conducted a self-defense strike against al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-associated terrorist group, in Gaduud, Somalia. During a counterterrorism operation to disrupt al-Shabaab, the combined partner forces observed al-Shabaab fighters threatening their safety and security. The U.S. conducted a self-defense strike to neutralize the threat, no enemy fighters were killed."

Sources (1)

US Africa Command press release ↗

English